Author: Caitlyn Meisner

I'm the Manassas Local News Editor. Please send me story ideas and news tips.

Prince William

Meet Prince William: Q+A with Mandi Spina, Development Services Director

By Caitlyn Meisner

Welcome back to a Potomac Local News series, “Meet Prince William.”

We’ve started this series so Prince William County residents can get to know the important people working behind the scenes to make the county run smoothly and efficiently. This is an opportunity to learn from experts on the county. Potomac Local has asked each leader the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

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News

55+ Complex Proposal Heads to Prince William Supervisors

By Caitlyn Meisner
A rendering for the proposed The Flats at Westminster development in Occoquan. [Courtesy of Prince William County]

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This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

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News

How a George Mason Graduate Overcame Health Challenges to Accept Her Degree

By Caitlyn Meisner
Samantha Lewis (middle) walked across the stage at graduation four months after complications from medical treatments that left her without feeling in her legs. [Courtesy photo]

Lewis, since the beginning of 2024, has faced medical struggles associated with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, FND is a condition that is caused by changes in how brain networks work rather than changes in the brain’s physical structure.

Symptoms vary across the individuals who are diagnosed with FND each year, including seizure-like episodes, dizziness, speech difficulties, pain, numbness and movement problems.

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Manassas

Manassas City Schools Employees May Get Nearly 7% Salary Increase

By Caitlyn Meisner
The Manassas City Public Schools Board approved its new budget on June 10.

Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) employees may get an additional 1.5% salary increase for the 2025-2026 school year, pending School Board approval on June 24.

At the beginning of the budget process in February, the MCPS Board wasn’t able to even fund a 5.5% salary increase due to budget constraints from City Council and the Commonwealth.

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Manassas

Manassas City Council Unanimously Adopts $512 Million Budget

By Caitlyn Meisner
Manassas City Council approved its fiscal year 2026 budget Monday night.

At the Monday night meeting, Manassas City Council unanimously approved its fiscal year 2026 budget, totaling more than $512 million and following months of meetings.

The budget will take effect on July 1; though the real estate tax rate will remain flat at $1.07 per $100 of assessed value, property assessments are increasing an average of 8%. The average increase for a homeowner’s tax bill is expected to be about $406 starting July 1.

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Manassas

Manassas City Schools Custodian Wins RISE Award

By Caitlyn Meisner
Luis Riveron-Wong (middle) recently won the RISE Award. [Courtesy of Manassas City Public Schools]

“I felt happy, excited, grateful, valued and above all blessed,” Riveron-Wong said of winning the award. “Being recognized with this award has a very big and important meaning because it shows that I’m on the right path, that I’m doing things well and that my work is valued and appreciated by others.”

The RISE, or the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees, Award is given to support staff who “go above and beyond in their service to students, staff and the broader school community,” an MCPS release stated. Nominees from each MCPS school, central office and the Transportation Department are evaluated in five areas: work performance, school and community involvement, leadership and commitment, support from colleagues and community members and enhancement of the public image of classified employees.

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News

Prince William Finds Success with Panhandling Campaign, Will Continue in Summer

By Caitlyn Meisner
The amount of panhandlers recorded between June 1, 2024 and April 15, 2025 in Prince William County. [Courtesy of Prince William County]

This update on both the public campaign and outreach into the community follows more than a year of discussion at the Board level. In February 2024, a team was developed to find strategies to reduce panhandling in the county; the team determined public safety and the need for social services were a top priority.

Panhandling, according to county staff, is “someone that is out on the corner and on the median, and they are asking for money.” County staff does not consider those selling items on the side of the road as panhandlers.

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News

Prince William to Consider Making Speed Cameras Permanent

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Todd Morris via Unsplash]

🚗 Prince William County’s Department of Transportation showed that its temporary photo-monitoring speed limit cameras have been effective in a recent Board of County Supervisors meeting, and is now requesting that they become permanent.

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News

Fettler Park to Begin Revitalization Efforts Following Comprehensive Study

By Caitlyn Meisner
The Fettler Park Area study has been completed, focusing on how Prince William County can redevelop and strategically new development in the area. [Courtesy of Prince William Economic Development]

According to a press release on May 8, the county’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism worked with outside firms Hunden Partners and Convergence Design to better understand the supply and demand in the area, the opportunities available in the corridor and what was needed to revitalize the area to create a Small Area Plan.

“The study notes that heavy traffic on nearby major roadways creates significant visibility for potential retailers, while the growing local population ensures a strong customer base,” the release states.

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