Caitlyn Meisner, Author at Potomac Local News

Drivers Can No Longer Make Left Turns at University Blvd, Prince William Parkway Intersection

Published October 30, 2024 at 11:00AM

[Graphic courtesy of Prince William County]

Prince William County has implemented a new jughandle turn to connect Discovery Boulevard to the parkway. A jughandle turn is meant to eliminate traditional left turns at intersections and allow drivers to use a curved ramp on the right side to loop around. From the loop, drivers wait at a signal to either cross the main road or make a left turn onto a side street.

“The jughandle turn is part of ongoing efforts to improve traffic flow and minimize delays during peak travel times,” a county press release on the change stated. “Removing left turns at this busy intersection will help reduce congestion and enhance safety for residents and commuters.”

News

Freedom High School Awarded $25k for Outdoor Learning Space

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 29, 2024 at 11:00AM

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation has awarded Woodbridge’s Freedom High School $25,000 to build a dedicated outdoor learning space, which is expected to open in the spring.

As the home for the Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS) program, Freedom High School will now be able to provide students in this program with a necessary outdoor learning space, a press release stated. CENS allows students to engage in lab and field science, interactive research and hands-on projects.

Manassas

Kid-Designed Playground Unveiled in Manassas’ Fairmont Park

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 29, 2024 at 9:00AM

Volunteers from the community, along with staff and volunteers from Prince William County Parks and Recreation, KABOOM! and Amazon Web Services InCommunities pose for group photo to celebrate the completion of the playground build at Fairmont Park. [Photo by Tavan Smith]

Prince William County Parks and Recreation partnered with Amazon Web Services InCommunites, a sector of the cloud-based service that helps local communities, and KABOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity, to make the new Fairmont Park playground possible.

The playground was designed by 30 children from Prince William County who shared drawings of their dream space. Demolition on the existing playground started in early October, and the playground was just recently completed following a week-long effort by volunteers to construct the new space.

News

Prince William Launching New Portal to Streamline Home Solar Systems

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 28, 2024 at 12:30PM

[Photo by Los Muertos Crew via Pexels]

“By allowing approved contractors to utilize same-day automated permitting, the SolarAPP+ initiative is poised to revolutionize the residential solar permitting landscape in the county,” Mandi Spina, the director of the Department of Development Services, said.

Approved contractors through the county will be able to submit their projects through the SolarAPP+ system, which checks for county-required criteria to ensure compliance. This system can issue permits on the same day.

Manassas

City Manager Asks Council to Host Fewer Events Next Summer

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 28, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated October 28, 2024 at 9:19AM

City Manager Douglas Keen proposed changes to the city's events schedule. [Photo courtesy of the City of Manassas]

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Manassas

New Osbourn High Principal Talks Accreditation, New Policies

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 26, 2024 at 3:59PM | Updated October 27, 2024 at 3:44PM

Jennifer Chapman, Ed.D., gave an in-depth presentation to the School Board on Oct. 22.

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Manassas

Preview: Oct. 28 Manassas City Council Meeting

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 25, 2024 at 2:39PM

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Manassas

Broadway Star Joins Osbourn High Choir On Stage

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 25, 2024 at 11:00AM

Arbender Robinson, a Broadway Guest Artist in Residence, taught a masterclass to Osbourn High School students from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18. [Photo courtesy of Manassas City Public Schools]

Robinson made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning production of “Hairspray” as Seaweed. Since then, he’s been in various Broadway productions, including “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” “Hair,” “Ragtime,” “The Lion King,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Les Misérables.”

During his three days with the choir, Robinson taught a three-hour masterclass, discussed his journey to Broadway, provided students with industry insights and took questions from students. A ninth-grade student, Maliya Trammell, performed “Rise Up,” and Robinson provided acting tips through song.

Manassas

City of Manassas Maintains High Credit Ratings

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 25, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated October 25, 2024 at 2:04PM

The City of Manassas has maintained high credit ratings with the two major global credit rating agencies, Moody’s and S&P Global, according to a Monday press release.

These credit ratings ensure the city can borrow money at lower interest rates and signal the city is in a stable financial condition. The lowest rating an entity can receive is a C or D, depending on the agency issuing the rating. These ratings, according to Investopedia, help investors determine the riskiness associated with investing in bonds issued by a company, government or a government agency.

News

Prince William Breaks Ground on 23rd Fire Station

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 24, 2024 at 2:00PM

Prince William County broke ground on the new Fire and Rescue Station 27 on Oct. 17. [Photo courtesy of Prince William County]

Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, the district in which the station will reside, said this is of the utmost importance to the community.

“With Station 27, we’re bringing faster emergency response times, state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated team of firefighters and first responders,” Bailey said. “… It’s an investment in our future and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in making this vision a reality.”