News

From Prince William police:

Fatal Hit & Run Crash Investigation – On November 3 at 1:22AM, officers responded to the intersection of Prince William Pkwy and Lynn St. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate an unconscious man in the roadway. The investigation revealed the victim, a 51-year-old man, was believed to have been walking in the roadway of Prince William Pkwy when he was struck by an unknown vehicle which continued driving.


Features

The 2024 Fall Arts and Crafts Show in Occoquan, held from September 27 to September 29, wrapped up with positive reviews, high attendance, and valuable lessons learned. Despite challenges, the community and vendors enjoyed a weekend filled with art, crafts, and unique experiences, establishing the show as a beloved event in the town’s calendar.

Organized by town employee Julie Little and her team, this year’s show featured hundreds of vendors offering handmade items, artisanal products, and creative experiences. Many vendors were excited to showcase and purchase items before the upcoming Christmas, recognizing the show as a prime opportunity to kick-start holiday sales and stock up on unique gifts and decorations.


Features

Today, the Bull Run Rotary Club kicks off its 8th Annual Flags for Heroes ceremony, a moving tribute honoring veterans, active-duty service members, frontline workers, and local first responders. This event, hosted on the lawn of the Manassas Museum at 9101 Prince William Street, begins with an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. and will remain on display until November 16.

Throughout the morning, Bull Run Rotary members and volunteers have been busy setting up the flag display and transforming the museum lawn with hundreds of American flags, each dedicated to a hero. Over the past eight years, the Flags for Heroes initiative has raised more than $35,000 through flag sponsorships, with proceeds benefiting the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. This organization provides a peaceful sanctuary for wounded veterans, helping them reconnect with family and find respite.


Fairfax

Cox Farms, a staple of Fairfax County’s fall festivities, has sparked conversations once again – not for its famous pumpkin patch, but for the witty political messages it displays on its roadside marquee. The farm, known for taking a clear stance against President-Elect Donald Trump, has become a local landmark for seasonal fun and its outspoken signage.

The popular Centreville farm, which recently wrapped up its fall season on November 5, is seeking input from the community to help keep its marquee fresh with new anti-Trump messages. Known as a “Never Trump” farm, Cox Farms’ previous signs have included statements like, “OMG SO EMBARRASSING,” “EW CRINGE,” “WE NEVER LIKED HIM,” and “WE’RE NOT MAD, WE’RE DISAPPOINTED (AND AFRAID).”


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.


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