The first of the properties was the Ned Distiller House at 16210 Lee Highway and the adjoining Ashe Property at 16206 Lee Highway. These properties span approximately one acre. According to county documents, the Board originally wanted to purchase Ned Distiller's house, but staff recommended the county also purchase the adjoining property due to its size.
Both properties contain structures from the early 1800s. The Ned Distiller House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Historic Landmark Registry; it was built and owned by a freed slave, which is one of the earliest examples of a free African American owning property in the Commonwealth.
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Stephanie Soliven, Ed.D., associate superintendent for teaching and learning at PWCS, said in the Dec. 4 School Board meeting that it'll be a helpful tool for students and parents alike.
"Through our approaches at making more tools available for students, further connection with parents and continuing the professional learning journey of our teachers and our staff, we are targeting every available option to support our student learning needs," she said. Soliven said students can also take additional courses through Varsity Tutors, either to advance in a subject or to discover new courses that may not be offered in PWCS. "You may have that fifth grader that is super excited about advanced math in sixth grade, but a little nervous about some of the skills and content — but they know they want to be on that advanced trajectory — they can do some additional coursework," she said. "[There's] a huge range of really cool high interest classes. I think this is so important because it fills some of that need at home for some of our students that maybe are missing out on some key skills, want to do some additional enrichment opportunities and can't do it in the school day." Soliven also emphasized that this service pairs students with human tutors. Students will be able to log into the platform, discuss the problem and then get paired with a person who can help them tackle it. "The live tutor is sharing a whiteboard with the student and literally mapping out the questions and the problems with them. It is not [artificial intelligence]," she said. "It is a human being on the other end guiding the students through the steps." Varsity Tutors also offers on-demand essay review, live group classes, self-study, college and career readiness and celebrity-led classes. PWCS School Board At-Large Chair Dr. Babur Lateef echoed the positives about the new service. "I can be a personal advocate on the fact that Varsity Tutors does a terrific job," Lateef said during the meeting on Dec. 4. "My kids have used them for many years. They are incredible and really work well." MCPS School Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg said she's excited for Varsity Tutors to make an impact in the district. "We are excited to partner with Varsity Tutors. This opportunity enables us to provide extra services for students so they can reach higher academic goals," Seaberg said in an email.
Here are the businesses that opened their doors in October:
Dumfries
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The 31 graduates completed 30 weeks of academic and physical training at the Nokesville Public Safety Training Center. According to a press release, each graduate completed more than 1,500 hours of training to become fire and rescue technicians. The training consisted of health, nutrition and functional fitness; emergency medical training; fire training; specialized training and administrative training.
The ceremony was held at Grace Life Community Church in Bristow. It was presided over by Battalion Chief Scott Arft.
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DST is one of the Divine Nine organizations, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities that the National Pan-Hellenic Council governs. PWCAC-DST has been hosting this oratorical event for 40 years, which predates the first national celebration of the holiday in 1986.
Middle and high school students throughout the Prince William County area, including the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, will display their oratorical skills. According to a press release from the organization, this year's six regional competitors must center their speeches on "Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy: My Voice, My Choice, My Future."
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As Prince William County grows, officials highlight the need for new water sources to meet future demand. A primary concern is the expansion of data centers, which have become a significant consumer of water.
Calvin Farr, General Manager of Prince William Water, explained the county’s projected water needs: "We have dynamic hydraulic models we look at, really, to see if we can handle the additional growth. And if we don't, we identify capital needs. At that point, we put that in our master plan for capital needs that, you know, that is needed to supply additional growth."
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We’re back with another episode of the Potomac Local Podcast, where we connect our communities one story at a time. In this episode, Uriah Kiser, founder of Potomac Local News, sits down with Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, to discuss critical issues facing Prince William County.
Chair Jefferson made history on January 1, 2024, as the first Black person elected to this role. Her journey—from a single mother saving for homeownership to a community leader—informs her commitment to tackling the affordable housing crisis, workforce housing solutions, and planning for future infrastructure needs.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The proposed Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit Ordinance and its impact on residents and local workers like teachers, police, and firefighters.
- Balancing affordable housing with school capacity concerns and infrastructure development in growing areas like Brentsville.
- The ongoing debate over the Bi-County Parkway extension to ease congestion on Route 28.
- Chair Jefferson’s favorite local restaurants—from the western side of the county to the east.
Jefferson also shares her vision for ensuring Prince William County residents can live where they work. This focus prioritizes local families and community safety: “We have cost-burdened households spending more than 30% of their income on housing. We need solutions now, said Chair Deshundra Jefferson
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Have a news tip? Please email us at [email protected]. Uriah reads every email.
Submitted by Volunteer Prince William:
Greetings, Prince William: Breaking News:  You can still help support the Volunteer Prince William Untrim a Tree and Senior Basket Program! Head over to Texas Roadhouse, 9875 Liberia Avenue, Manassas this Saturday, December 14 from 11am until 3pm for an amazing meal and to help support Untrim a Tree! Dine in or order to go and have your server share your receipt, which will allow TEN PERCENT of your total food purchase to be donated to Volunteer Prince William! We hope to see you there!
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Two vehicles were traveling northbound at a high rate of speed when one of them, a 2013 BMW 650I, changed lanes and struck a 2020 Mercedes E-Class, which was not involved in the speeding. The Mercedes hit the guardrail, while the BMW struck the jersey wall, ejecting its driver. The Mercedes then struck the driver of the BMW.
The driver of the BMW, Kenneth D. Buckner, 35, of Washington, D.C., died at the scene. Police confirmed he was not wearing a seatbelt. A passenger in the BMW, Tyra Williams, 29, was partially ejected and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
