💰 The City of Manassas Park just dropped its proposed budget for FY2026, and let’s just say… your water, sewer, and stormwater fees are going up, but there’s a tiny silver lining when it comes to your real estate taxes.
Here’s the scoop in plain language👇
Starting July 1, 2025, your monthly bills in Manassas will look a little different—mostly upward. The city is planning to raise utility rates and emergency service fees to support its budget for the next fiscal year.
Let’s break it down so you don’t have to squint at a spreadsheet 🧾:
A Tornado Watch is in effect for our area until midnight Friday, with the greatest risk for severe weather between 7 and 10 p.m. along the I-95 corridor. The National Weather Service says a band of intense thunderstorms is expected to move eastward into our region this evening, bringing the possibility of isolated tornadoes, heavy downpours, and gusty winds up to 65 mph. A Flood Watch is also in effect, and while the heaviest rain may fall north of our region, saturated ground means it won’t take much to cause localized flash flooding.
Later tonight, a second round of rain is possible, especially in northern Maryland, as the storm system’s surface low strengthens. Behind the front, blustery winds may continue overnight. Another round of showers and possibly thunderstorms is expected Saturday, though with lower coverage and intensity.
Police are looking for Mainor Dariel Garcia Pacheco, 19, after a domestic dispute turned violent in a Manassas parking lot. On May 28, officers responded to the 7700 block of Keara Court and found that a 33-year-old woman had been assaulted and strangled by an acquaintance. The suspect also took her phone during the altercation. The woman escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. Garcia Pacheco has not been located.
Teen, adult arrested after knife assault in Woodbridge
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Covington-Harper Elementary School marked a special milestone this spring as its very first students returned—this time as high school seniors.
The school, which opened in 2017, welcomed back its original group of students for a celebratory “senior walk.” The event, shared by Prince William County Public Schools on Facebook, gave graduating 12th graders a chance to visit their former elementary teachers and inspire younger students.
TRIANGLE, Va. – Rangers at Prince William Forest Park are raising the alarm about Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), which is threatening one of the park’s most common trees.
In a Facebook post, the park reported that American beech trees make up about 20% of its tree population, with saplings accounting for 35%. But many of those are now showing signs of BLD, a disease caused by a tiny worm-like nematode that invades leaf buds. The infection leads to dark striping on the leaves and eventually causes them to shrivel and die—essentially starving the tree. Once infected, trees may die within five years, though older trees may hold on longer.
STAFFORD, Va. – Happy Last Day of School, Stafford students. As families head into summer break, school leaders are urging parents to start planning for next year, as the school day for some students will kick off earlier than usual.
The 2025–26 school year starts on Monday, August 11, with a special Transition Day for students entering kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades. All other students will return on Tuesday, August 12.
At Taste of Old Country, guests are treated to more than just a meal—they’re invited into an experience that combines European bistro charm with a curated gourmet market. Located at 10427 Balls Ford Road, near Manassas, this hidden gem offers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere perfect for everything from casual lunches to lively evening wine tastings.
A Dining Room Draped in Greenery
