News

A proposal to grant Stafford County employees additional holiday time around Thanksgiving and Christmas led to a heated debate among members of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors at their recent meeting. The proposal, which would give employees an additional four hours off before each holiday — effectively turning them into full days off — failed in a 3-3 tie, with one board member absent. The issue is set to be revisited at the next board meeting.

Supporters of the proposal argue that granting these extra hours shows appreciation for county employees and would boost morale. “Our employees work incredibly hard throughout the year, and this is a small gesture of thanks that can go a long way in showing them we value their efforts,” said Aquia Supervisor Monica Gary. “Taking care of our staff helps us retain talented people and makes Stafford County a more attractive place to work.”


Publisher's Post

We’re out here daily, covering the stories that matter to you and our region, including the recent election and its impact across Prince William County, Stafford, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg. It’s a fascinating time for local politics, and the election results show a shift in how our communities are engaging politically. Republicans made gains in areas that have been reliably Democratic, and there are implications as we head into a gubernatorial race next year.

In Prince William County, Kamala Harris lost nearly 7% of the votes Joe Biden won in 2020, which is a big deal in the state’s second-most-populated jurisdiction. In 2020, Biden won neighboring Stafford County by 2,600 votes, while Harris won in 2024 by just 275.


Fairfax

Just days after securing another ninth term in Congress, Representative Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly revealed he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The diagnosis came as a surprise to Connolly, who noted he had experienced only mild, intermittent abdominal aches and pains with no major symptoms. He shared the news in a heartfelt message to constituents, explaining his treatment plan, which includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy, set to begin immediately.

Connolly, a Democrat representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, won his November 5 election with a decisive 66.5% of the vote, totaling 250,962 ballots in his favor. His opponent, Republican Mike L. Van Meter, garnered 33.06% of the vote, with 124,780 votes. This victory marks another term for Connolly, who has been a prominent advocate for the people of Northern Virginia.


News

One hot topic for discussion is the cell phone policy in schools—a decision that could shape students’ school-day routines. Recently, the Virginia Department of Education suggested a strict “bell-to-bell” policy, which would prevent students from using phones entirely during the school day, including lunch and passing periods. However, Prince William County has a slightly different plan. Their proposed policy, if adopted, would allow high school students to use their phones during lunch and in hallways between classes, but keep devices out of sight and silent during class time. For younger students in elementary and middle school, phones would need to stay stashed away all day.

If this policy goes into effect on January 1, 2025, students who break the rule could face referrals and might even need to bring home a form for parents to sign. Tonight is the first time the public will get to hear details of this plan, and it’s sure to be a point of interest.


Breaking News

In Virginia’s highly contested 7th Congressional District race, Democratic candidate Eugene S. Vindman currently leads Republican Derrick M. Anderson by a narrow 12,750 votes, with Vindman tallying 152,136 votes to Anderson’s 139,386.

However, Anderson’s campaign has emphasized that the race remains undecided, with significant numbers of ballots still uncounted and Orange County’s Election Day results not yet published.


News

Virginia delivered a decisive win for Vice President Kamala Harris, with 51.54% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election. Harris secured 2,104,533 votes statewide, edging out Republican opponent Donald Trump, who garnered 46.86% and 1,913,435 votes.

Harris’s victory included significant support from populous localities like Fairfax and Prince William County, which was critical to her statewide margin. In Fairfax, Harris won decisively with 5,292 votes, or 64.60%, while Trump received 2,541 votes or 31.02%. Prince William County also leaned toward Harris, where she earned 124,465 votes, representing 57.29% of the vote, compared to Trump’s 39.56%.


News

Dumfries voters have spoken, re-electing Shaun Peet, Russell Young, and Brian Fields to the Town Council in a tight race that saw two incumbents retain their seats. The three winners edged out challenger Ebony Lofton, a familiar face in local politics who previously ran for Mayor in 2022.

Shaun Peet, who garnered the most votes with 939 (26.17%), credited his focus on long-term projects, including his “main priority,” the town’s new recreation center. “I want this center to stand for decades, giving our kids and seniors a place to come together,” Peet said outside the polls. “As a Council member, I’m always going to do what’s right for this town, all the time.”


Manassas

In the latest Manassas municipal elections, Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger secured a decisive victory to continue as the city’s mayor, marking the start of her second term in office. A Democrat, Davis-Younger received 8,463 votes (56.91%), defeating Republican challenger Xiao-Yin “Tang” Byrom, who garnered 6,358 votes (42.75%).

According to the final campaign finance reports, Davis-Younger raised $46,724, while Byrom raised $41,596.


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