News

“We’re all devastated by Joe’s passing,” according to an event posted to the Potomac Local News events calendar. “Joe was always a positive presence as a bandmate and friend, and his warmth and kindness to everybody he met will always be remembered.” “We want to honor him and his family with a great performance and donate all of the proceeds to help them at this difficult time.”

Unsung will host a benefit show for the family of guitarist Joe Langiu on Saturday, December 6, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Strangeways Brewing, located at 350 Lansdowne Road in Fredericksburg. All proceeds from the performance will support Langiu’s wife and two daughters, and guests may also purchase raffle tickets, buy merchandise, or contribute donations. No admission cost was listed. Additional event details are available at: https://www.potomaclocal.com/events/fundraiser-for-joe-langius-family-at-strangeways-brewing-dec-6-20822/.


Schools

“We now have 45.7% of all graduates earning post graduate credentials and 65% of career and technical education (CTE) graduates earning one or more college or career credentials,” Dr. McDade reported. “To date, PWCS has the highest entry-level teacher salary in Northern Virginia.”

During the Nov. 18 School Board meeting, Dr. McDade outlined gains including a 94.8% graduation rate, reductions in absenteeism and dropout rates, improved SOL pass rates, expanded CTE opportunities, and major compensation increases to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention. She also introduced PWCS Elevate 2030, the next strategic plan focusing on global competency, personalized learning, and teacher empowerment.


Fredericksburg

“Tomorrow (11/21) is the Friday Before Thanksgiving Book Sale at the Friends of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Center & Bookshop!” Central Rappahannock Regional Library announced. “One day only — get 25% off all purchases!”

The library noted that the Bookshop will offer gift books, holiday titles, and more, encouraging shoppers to “beat the holiday rush and shop early!” Special sale hours run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Politics

 

“Governor-elect Spanberger believes the number-one job of the Governor of Virginia is to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and attract new jobs,” a spokesperson for Spanberger wrote, Virginia Scope reported. “As she made clear on the campaign trail, she does not support repealing the current statute.”


Prince William

A high-speed crash early Tuesday morning claimed the life of a 34-year-old Manassas Park man and his small dog after his car collided with a pickup truck near Manassas.

Prince William police say the man was speeding north on Old Centreville Road around 6:18 a.m., attempting to pass vehicles near Parkland Street, when his 2004 Honda Accord crossed into the opposite lane and struck a 2021 Ford F-150. The driver and a Yorkie inside the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.


Fredericksburg

“Street closures and parking restrictions will be in place to keep everyone safe,” Fredericksburg Police Department announced. “Please be patient, obey traffic signage, and enjoy the holiday fun.”

Parking restrictions begin at 2 p.m. on multiple downtown streets, with closures taking effect at 3:30 p.m. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m., and streets are expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Additional details on closures, parking, and viewing areas are available at FredericksburgChristmasParade.com.


Stafford

“The request was that this was not supposed to be brought back to us unless a specific set of information was provided, and you just stated that that information was not provided,” Fredericksburg Free Press reported. “Tonight, we would hope that Stafford County’s partnership would continue with the Patawomeck Tribe,” the tribe’s chief said, “But it did not.”

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Schools

The magazine states that it based its Top 25 rankings on data from the Virginia Department of Education, evaluating advanced diploma rates, graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, SOL advanced pass rates, and AP/IB enrollment across 10 Northern Virginia school divisions.

No high schools from Prince William or Stafford County cracked the top 20 list of Northern Virginia Magazine’s best high schools. Battlefield High School near Haymarket and Gainesville High School, both in Prince William County, ranked 21st and 24th, respectively.


Traffic

“VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26 until noon on Monday, Dec. 1,” Virginia Department of Transportation announced. “While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time.”

VDOT added that its 511 Virginia tools can help travelers monitor traffic, incidents, weather, and congestion, and that travelers can also view the Thanksgiving travel trends map to identify historically slow periods on the state’s interstates.


Prince William

Prince William County announced that real estate taxes for the second half of 2025 are due on December 5 and urged residents who have not received a bill to contact the Taxpayer Services Office at 703-792-6710 or [email protected].

The county outlined multiple payment options, including online payments, phone payments using jurisdiction code 1036, mailing checks to the county’s Philadelphia lockbox, or paying in person at the Development Services Building in Woodbridge or the Sudley North Government Center in Manassas. Residents using mortgage companies to manage tax payments are advised to coordinate with their lender to ensure proper processing. Late payments incur a 10% penalty plus annual interest accruing monthly.


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