The Stafford County Board of Supervisors approved a conditional use permit Tuesday night for a new Checkers fast-food restaurant with drive-through service on Warrenton Road, clearing the way for redevelopment of a long-vacant commercial pad site in the George Washington District.
Drinking water in Prince William County, Manassas, Stafford County, and surrounding communities remains safe despite a massive sewage spill into the Potomac River that has triggered health advisories and a federal response.
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Students at at least two Prince William County high schools walked out of class Friday morning as part of a broader protest tied to federal immigration enforcement policies, according to school officials.
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Kathleen (Kathie) Eckert of Daniel Island, South Carolina, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and woman of faith, was called home to the Lord on February 2, 2026.
Kathie was the devoted wife of Lt. Col. (RET) Ronald R. Eckert, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage. She was a loving mother of three daughters: Kelli Eckert, Kristen Neese (Michael) and Kimberly Eckert, and a proud grandmother to Hudson, Sarah Beth, and Jack Neese who brought her immense joy. Kathie is preceded in death by her parents William O’Connor and Martha Anne Norton; her brother Patrick Norton and her sister Connie Mark. She is survived by her loving husband, daughters and grandchildren as well as her sister Phyllis Ott and her nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Manassas City School Board’s regular business meeting scheduled for Tuesday night was canceled due to inclement weather, according to school officials.
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PWCS Closes Schools Under Code Red
“All Prince William County Public Schools and Offices will be closed Code Red,” Prince William County Public Schools announced. “Code Red: Schools closed for students and employees (Exception: Inclement Weather Employees).”
Stafford County Fire and Rescue officials say the department is actively preparing for a winter storm expected to have major impacts across the area this weekend. The department plans to staff additional apparatus for the duration of the storm, including plows to help clear routes so emergency vehicles can respond safely as call volume increases.
Fire and rescue leaders, along with the Stafford County Office of Emergency Management, are urging residents to prepare now. Officials recommend having at least three days of food and water, ensuring backup supplies for medical equipment such as oxygen, refilling prescription medications, and keeping an emergency kit with food, water, and blankets in vehicles.
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative says it is preparing for a winter storm expected to impact its entire service territory from Friday through Sunday. The utility has placed additional line crews, system operators, and support staff on standby in anticipation of possible power outages caused by snow, sleet, freezing rain, and falling trees.
NOVEC officials say restoration teams will remain fully staffed throughout the storm. Customers are urged to report outages as soon as they occur and to use caution around utility crews working in hazardous conditions. The utility also reminds residents to avoid downed power lines and limit travel as conditions worsen.
UVA Health says it is taking several steps to prepare for the approaching winter storm, including readying crews to clear parking lots and sidewalks and arranging on-site and hotel accommodations for staff who may be unable to travel home after their shifts.
Hospital leaders in Manassas and Haymarket say they are also working to discharge inpatients as early as safely possible ahead of the storm to free up capacity. In addition, UVA Health has begun reviewing patient appointments and hours of operation for this weekend and into next week. While no rescheduling has started yet at Prince William and Culpeper County locations, officials say patients may be contacted in the coming days to reschedule clinic visits and non-urgent procedures.
