Features

From Elementary School Courts to National Title Game: Patriot High Trio Fuels Mary Washington’s Historic Run

By Kelly Sienkowski
Mens Basketball - Sweet Sixteen

The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team is making history. For the first time in program history, the Eagles are heading to the NCAA Division III national championship, set for Sunday, April 5, in Indianapolis.

A big part of this story is the remarkable bond among three players: juniors Kaden Bates, Jay Randall, and freshman Ethan Kacou. All three share roots that trace back to Patriot High School in Bristow, Virginia. For Kaden and Jay, their connection goes even further—they’ve been playing basketball together since elementary school.

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Manassas

Broad Run Yard Expansion Moves Forward: New Tracks, Station Rebuild, and Manassas Airport Ties

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Railway Express Broad Run Yard expansion project is advancing at the 95 percent design stage and is expected to enter a two-year construction phase once property acquisitions and permits are finalized, officials told the VRE Operations Board on March 20.

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Prince William

Vega Warns of Sweeping 2026 Tax Hikes: Montclair, Nokesville, Triangle Face Highest Assessment Jumps

By Uriah Kiser

Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega is putting Prince William County taxpayers on notice: even if the Board of County Supervisors keeps the real estate tax rate flat, most homeowners will still see their bills rise this year because of higher property assessments.

In an email sent Monday morning to constituents — and forwarded to local media — Vega released detailed ZIP-code-level data showing average assessment increases for existing residential properties ranging from less than 1% to more than 5%. She highlighted the neighborhoods facing the steepest jumps and urged the board to consider lowering the tax rate rather than relying on the automatic revenue boost from rising home values.

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Prince William

Digital Gateway Projects Halted: Court Rules Oak Valley Rezonings Invalid in Major Resident Victory

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Court of Appeals has declared three large-scale data-center rezoning ordinances in rural Prince William County void from the outset, delivering a significant setback to the Digital Gateway project and a victory for nearby homeowners who challenged the approvals.

In a unanimous opinion released today by Judge Stuart A. Raphael, the court affirmed that the Board of County Supervisors’ advertising for the December 12–13, 2023, public hearing violated both state law and the county’s own zoning ordinance. The ruling invalidates the Compass, Digital Gateway North (DG North), and Digital Gateway South (DG South) rezonings approved by a 4-3 vote after a 27-hour marathon hearing.

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Traffic

VRE On-Time Performance Rebounds to 87–88% but March Delays Highlight Challenges for Riders

By Uriah Kiser
A Virginia Railway Express train pulls into the Fredericksburg train station. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/PLN]

Virginia Railway Express trains have returned to 87-88 percent on-time performance over the past eight of the last 10 months, coming close to the agency’s 90 percent goal, but two difficult weeks in March exposed persistent reliability issues that continue to test commuter patience along the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines.

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Prince William

Haymarket Proposes Flat Real Estate Tax Rate for FY2027; Average Bills Up ~$20–22

By Uriah Kiser

The Town of Haymarket Town Council reviewed a proposed FY2027 budget during its monthly work session on March 30, 2026, that keeps the real estate tax rate flat at $0.098 per $100 of assessed value while projecting modest increases in average tax bills.

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Manassas

Manassas School Board Launches Review of Old Jennie Dean Building

By Uriah Kiser
Jennie Dean statue at Jennie Dean Memorial Park in Manassas, honoring the founder of the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1893.

The Manassas City School Board is reviewing its options for the nearly 70-year-old Jennie Dean Elementary building and site, while its replacement is under construction.

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Manassas

Manassas Events Roundup: March 30 – April 11, 2026

By Uriah Kiser

Hey neighbors! Spring is officially in the air in Manassas — from Easter hopping fun to important community conversations and the return of our favorite Saturday market. Plus, summer camp season is kicking off with open houses you won’t want to miss.

Whether your kids love creativity, athletics, or just need a great week of adventure close to home, these camps are designed to keep them active and smiling all summer long. Perfect for families in the greater Potomac region looking for convenient, local options.

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Manassas

Manassas Schools Hikes Budget to $175.8M, Emphasize Staff Raises and Facility Needs

By Uriah Kiser

Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) has adopted a $175.8 million budget for fiscal year 2027 across all funds, marking a roughly $15 million, or 9.3 percent, increase over the FY2026 adopted budget. School officials presented the spending plan during a joint meeting with Manassas City Council on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, emphasizing a needs-based balanced budget required under Virginia law while noting ongoing uncertainty at the state level.

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