Prince William

Demolition of the metal drydock structure at 411 Mill Street in Occoquan is set to begin Thursday, October 22, 2026, as part of the long-planned Mill at Occoquan mixed-use redevelopment. The work, limited to the drydock, is scheduled for several weeks on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Town officials expect no substantive disruption to normal activity, with possible brief sidewalk closures on some days to remove overhanging metal and a modest increase in truck traffic and noise. Residents can watch the process from nearby public areas, and the town is notifying the community.


News

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks fall back one hour to 1 a.m., according to FOX 5 DC.

Most smartphones, computers and connected devices will change automatically overnight. Analog wall clocks, car dashboards, microwaves and ovens will need to be set back by hand, so many people change them before going to bed Saturday night, Oct. 31.


Fredericksburg

The Fredericksburg City School Board heard a proposal Monday for two student representatives and will vote on the process at its November meeting.

Vice Chair Molly McFadden presented the recommendations. She developed them with Superintendent Dr. Marceline Catlett, James Monroe High School Principal Marcus Petty, and Clerk Angela Wilson. The group reviewed Virginia School Boards Association guidelines and the practices of neighboring divisions.


Prince William

The Prince William County School Board approved Potomac Shores Elementary School as the name of the division’s newest elementary school at its October 21 meeting.

Opening for the 2027-28 school year, the school at 1720 Thoroughgood Drive in Dumfries will serve about 1,050 students. It is a three-story LEED Silver-certified facility with classrooms, a gymnasium, STEAM and art classrooms, a media center, learning stairs, and rooftop photovoltaic panels.


Police Blotter

Prince William County police shot and killed a pit bull that charged at officers in Manassas. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported a DUI on I-95, a vandalism and two fraud cases. A missing and endangered adult previously reported by Prince William County police has been located and is safe.

On October 21, officers responded to a residence located in the 8500 block of Brickshire Ln in Manassas (20112) to investigate a report of two vicious dogs. The investigation revealed two pitbulls were actively mauling each other in the backyard of the residence. While attempting to separate the dogs, one of the pitbulls charged and attempted to bite an officer. As the dog was about to attack, a second officer discharged their department issued firearm one time, striking the dog and killing it. No injuries were reported by the officers.


Features

Triune Entertainment will present Finding Neverland at Journey Theater in Vint Hill, the company said.

The production runs October 23 through November 1. With music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy and a book by James Graham, the show explores how playwright J.M. Barrie found inspiration for Peter Pan through his friendship with the Llewelyn Davies family. It is described as a celebration of creativity, friendship, courage, and childlike wonder.


Manassas

Washington Manassas Airport broke ground Tuesday on a new 145-foot air traffic control tower. The airport says the project will give controllers better visibility across the airfield, modern workspaces and expanded training space as the field prepares for commercial passenger service.

The ceremony fell on International Day of the Air Traffic Controller. The airport’s announcement does not list a project cost, a completion date or funding sources. Separate reporting puts the total above $41 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration covering $26 million, the Virginia Department of Aviation $1 million and the city of Manassas the rest. The new tower is expected to take about two years. The existing roughly 70-foot tower dates to 1992.


Virginia

Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, one of the state’s most powerful Democrats, was charged on Thursday in connection with what federal authorities alleged was a role leading a criminal enterprise that acquired and distributed large quantities of marijuana and laundered the proceeds, the Associated Press reported.

An indictment unsealed Thursday charged Lucas and six other defendants, including several of her relatives. Lucas surrendered, a Justice Department spokesperson said.


News

The Hylton Performing Arts Center will hold The Ritual of Mask Making: Play, Performance, and Self-Permission, a free Veterans and the Arts Initiative workshop, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Thursday, Nov. 5.

Participants will create face masks as a way to express their emotional journeys through art and share their stories through the masks and personal reflections.


Prince William

Joshua Lee will become director of the Prince William Area Agency on Aging on Monday, Oct. 26, Prince William County Government announced.

Lee has served as the agency’s acting director since January 2024. He has more than 17 years of experience in local government and human services.


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