The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are upon us. I’m surprised at how fast it creeps up on us every year.
This Thanksgiving, as we do each year, will take a break for a holiday and reflect on the many blessings in our lives.
This is my 13th Thanksgiving as the founder and publisher of Potomac Local News. I’m grateful for the many people like you, our members, advertisers, and freelance writers I’ve had along the way who have helped me build this business into a product you read and trust daily.
This year, we’ve made strides with the local school divisions in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and Manassas to bring on work-based learning students who are eager to help us write stories, post content to our website, and tell the stories of our communities. I’m proud of our student interns and of the work they’ve done.
Thank you to our members whose financial support goes to pay for the program to give these opportunities to high school and college students.
On Thanksgiving, I look forward to spending my day with my family, away from a computer screen. I hope you, too, take some time to enjoy the holiday.
We’ll see you again on Friday.
Oh, and don’t forget about the upcoming Small Business Saturday. So many mom-and-pop merchants in our community need your support to keep the lights shining.
Prince William police: “We remember fallen #PWCPD Ofc. Mike Pennington. On #ThanksgivingDay, November 22, 1990, he lost his life while attempting to serve a search warrant related to the shooting of a law-enforcement officer. Mike selflessly went into danger to protect & serve. We will #NeverForget him.”
Officer Down Memorial Page: “Police Officer Philip Pennington was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day after he and other officers responded to the home of a man who had ambushed and shot an Arlington County sheriff’s deputy the previous day.”
“He and his fellow SWAT officers were called to the home in the 14700 block of Dodson Drive, in Dale City, where the suspect had fled after shooting the deputy. When the team entered the home they were confronted by the man holding a pistol. Officer Pennington tried to talk the suspect into putting down the pistol but the man retreated into another portion of the house, grabbed a rifle, and opened fire. Officer Pennington was struck once in the head, with the bullet penetrating his helmet.”
“The subject was shot and killed by other members of the SWAT team.”
“Officer Pennington had been shot and wounded in an unrelated drug raid 11 months earlier. Officer Pennington had served with the Prince William County Police Department for 11 years. He is survived by his wife and son.”
“Five years after the shooting, his wife was sworn in as a Prince William County police officer. Philip Michael Pennington Elementary School in Manassas is named for the fallen officer.”
Department of Motor Vehicles: “All Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) full-service customer service centers will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from Thursday, November 23 through Saturday, November 25, and will reopen on Monday, November 27.”
“During the closure, customers can still access more than 50 services available on our newly revamped website. As Thanksgiving travel ramps up, DMV reminds Virginians to buckle up to stay safe and arrive alive.”
“Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday, 10 people who were unbuckled died in crashes. DMV urges drivers to make sure you and your passengers are buckled up. Visit our website for more information on seat belt safety.”
“These types of fires peak on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), many home cooking fires involve the stovetop/cooktop with unattended cooking as the common cause of these fires.” Read More
Virginia State Police: “Virginia’s highways and roads are likely to be crowded this holiday season, as people head out for parties, family trips, and visits with family and friends. While time is precious, rushing to get to your destination may end up meaning not getting there at all. Virginia State Police urge motorists to take a moment, assess the conditions, and give other drivers the correct time and space so that everyone arrives safely at their destination.”
“In 2022, there were 24,633 crashes caused by drivers following another vehicle too closely, 11% of all crashes that occurred on Virginia roadways. Last year, seven people died in Virginia traffic crashes resulting from vehicles following too closely.”
“The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles recommends using what is known as the ‘two, three, and four-second rule’ to guide whether you are following behind another vehicle too closely. If you are driving 35 MPH or less, allow two seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you are driving 35 to 45 MPH, allow three seconds between vehicles. Four seconds should be allowed between vehicles for speeds above 45 MPH. These times are for dry surfaces. “
“Drivers driving in wet conditions, drowsy conditions or behind a motorcycle or bicycle should add additional time.”
“The national average for a Thanksgiving meal for 10 in 2023 is $61.17, down from a record high of $64.05 in 2022, according to an annual survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation.”
Prince William County Government: “PWC government offices, including courts and Prince William Public Libraries, will be closed Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 in observance of Thanksgiving. The PWC Landfill and the Balls Ford Road Composting Facility will be closed Nov. 23 only. For library closures: https://www.pwcva.gov/department/library/branch-locations-hours“
Prince William County Public Schools: “There is no school for students on Wednesday, November 22. All PWCS schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24 in observance of Thanksgiving.”
Stafford County Public Schools: “Thanksgiving Break begins on Wednesday, November 22. If you or someone you know might be experiencing food insecurity over break, please visit our website at http://staffordschools.net to access a list of local food assistance organizations in Stafford County.”
Manassas Public Schools: “Division schools and offices will be closed November 22-24, and will return to normal operations Monday, November 27.”
Fredericksburg Public Schools: “FCPS will be closed from Wednesday, November 22 – Friday, November 24. Students return to school on Monday, November 27, 2023.”
National Weather Service: “Unsettled weather is likely during the days leading up to Thanksgiving across the eastern U.S., with snow potential entering the central/northern Rockies around the holiday.”
For our area:
Today
Increasing clouds, with a high near 52. Northeast wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind around 7 mph.
Tuesday
Rain, mainly after 10 am. High near 54. East wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Rain, mainly before 1 am. Low around 47. Southeast wind 13 to 18 mph, becoming west 6 to 11 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Wednesday
A slight chance of rain before 10 am. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Thanksgiving Day
Sunny, with a high near 55.
