MANASSAS, Va. — Residents packed City Hall on Monday, April 28, 2025, to speak out during three public hearings on proposed increases to real estate taxes, personal property taxes, utility rates, and the city’s $174 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026.
The hearings drew a wide range of community voices—from longtime homeowners and renters to teachers and business owners—all responding to a series of proposed hikes that together could significantly raise the cost of living in Manassas.
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MANASSAS, Va. – Visitors to Historic Downtown Manassas now have more parking options, thanks to the opening of a new lot located between Main, Center, East, and Church streets.
Historic Manassas, Inc. announced the additional parking, which offers two-hour parking Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no restrictions during evenings and weekends. The added spaces aim to make it easier for visitors to dine, shop, attend meetings, or simply enjoy time downtown.
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Editor's Note:
This is the final part of our three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express' vision for the future. Thank you for following along.
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The City of Manassas Republican Party has nominated Nathaniel “Nate” Fritzen for City Treasurer and Deon Shamberger for Commissioner of Revenue in the November 2025 General Election. Patricia Richie-Folks, a Democrat and the current Treasurer, was first elected in 2016 and won reelection in 2021 with 53.7% of the vote against Republican Anna Vincenza Phillips, who received 45.9%. Tim Demeria, a Democrat and the current Commissioner of the Revenue, was first elected in 2021, winning 51.4% of the vote against Republican Stacia Marie Jennings, who received 48.2%.
Here’s the full press release:
The City of Manassas Republican Party is proud to announce its nominees for city offices that will appear on the 2025 General Election ballot in November: Nathaniel “Nate” Fritzen for City Treasurer and Deon Shamberger for Commissioner of Revenue.
Nate Fritzen for City Treasurer
A long-time Manassas resident and graduate of Osbourn High School, Nate Fritzen brings a strong background in financial oversight and team leadership. Currently serving in a food service supervisory role, he manages budgeting, inventory tracking, and daily operations. Nate holds an Associate’s Degree in Political Science from Northern Virginia Community College, and continuing education with certifications in food safety and service operations. His campaign emphasizes transparency, fiscal discipline, and responsive customer service.
Deon Shamberger for Commissioner of Revenue
Deon Shamberger is a seasoned professional who has served the public with hands-on experience in tax assessments, including managing auto tax assessments. He has a strong background in business-to-business sales and customer service, having worked with companies such as GEICO and Toyota. As a small business owner and licensed insurance agent, Deon emphasizes efficiency, accuracy, and community engagement. His commitment to fair and transparent revenue practices ensures exceptional service for residents and businesses alike.
Both candidates are committed to restoring fiscal prudence and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly.
For more information, visit:
Nate Fritzen for Treasurer: https://www.manassascitygop.com/nate
Deon Shamberger for Commissioner of Revenue: https://www.manassascitygop.com/deon
MANASSAS, Va. — Trains will take center stage once again as Manassas hosts its 31st Annual Railway Festival on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
The family-friendly event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., spanning the historic downtown area between the train station parking lot and Harris Pavilion. Attractions include model train exhibits from groups like the National Capital Trackers and the Piedmont Railroaders, as well as safety displays from Amtrak and VRE.
Children can enjoy bounce houses, barrel train rides, and a variety of other activities. VRE will offer special train excursions to Clifton at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Tickets cost $8 in cash or $9 by card, and are on sale now.
“The festival celebrates Manassas’ rich railway heritage with Norfolk Southern, VRE, and Amtrak,” said Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director of Historic Manassas Inc. “It’s a way to honor where we’ve come from and where we’re going as a historic train town.”
Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Manassas Museum and learn about the city’s evolution around its rail lines.
Adding to the excitement, Amtrak is partnering more closely with Historic Manassas to promote the city as a destination. Plans include a new ticket kiosk at the Manassas station and updated marketing materials highlighting the area’s historic sites.
“Manassas isn’t just a stop — it’s becoming a destination in itself,” Kiefer said.
Editor's Note:
This is the second in our three-part series on the future of Virginia Railway Express (VRE). We're breaking down VRE's bold System Plan 2050 — and what it means for you.
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Editor's Note:
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.
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MANASSAS, Va. — Democratic Congressmen Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) appeared before a packed audience Friday morning at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters to reflect on their first 100 days in office.
The event, titled “The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective,” was moderated by UVA Health Chief External Affairs Officer Jen Siciliano and offered a sweeping look at the challenges facing Northern Virginia and the nation.
Both lawmakers, elected in November 2024, emphasized the urgency of their work amid what they described as a time of national “chaos” and “uncertainty” that has rattled communities, economies, and institutions alike.
“We’re facing unprecedented circumstances — not just politically, but economically and institutionally,” said Subramanyam, a former state legislator and Obama-era White House tech advisor. “Even the most seasoned members of Congress haven’t seen anything like this, so in many ways, freshmen like us are just as prepared.”
Vindman: “Smart Growth” Vision and Focus on Democracy
In a one-on-one interview after the event, Rep. Vindman told Potomac Local News that his long-term vision for Northern Virginia centers on “smart growth through smart-funded infrastructure,” which includes bringing more industry to the region and capitalizing on the area’s strong schools and educational institutions. However, he cautioned that his immediate focus remains on “preserving the republic.”
That, Vindman said, means protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, “especially for families like Shannon and Luca’s in Stafford County, who rely on Medicaid for 24-hour care,” he said. He also called for defending democratic norms and due process. “We have to hold the line on what America stands for,” he said.
Response to Book Spending Allegations
Vindman had no comment when asked about a New York Post report that his campaign spent nearly $39,000 at a Florida bookstore where his brother, Alexander Vindman, held book signings.
Chamber CEO Sweeney: “Fantastic Kickoff” to New Headquarters
Prince William Chamber of Commerce CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney praised the event as a “fantastic kickoff” to the organization’s new home and called the conversation “refreshing and honest.”
“Having two freshman congressmen that serve in this unpredictable, uncertain time was wonderful,” Sweeney said. “They really shed light on what’s possible, what to look forward to, and what to be concerned about.”
While some attendees expressed concerns about immigration and workforce shortages, Sweeney said he hadn’t directly heard of businesses losing employees due to immigration issues. Instead, he highlighted how major industries — including healthcare and tech — are banding together to weather economic turbulence.
“Inova, Kaiser, Sentara, UVA Health, AWS, Google, and Iron Mountain were all in the same room this week trying to figure this out together,” he said.
One bright spot came from UVA Health, which Sweeney said has fully resolved its nursing shortage by training high school graduates for entry-level clinical roles and supporting them toward becoming registered nurses. “They’ve built a pipeline — no open nursing positions today,” he said.
On the other hand, retail businesses in Manassas City were described as “very, very concerned.” According to Sweeney, while the impact of tariffs hasn’t yet shown up on expense reports, foot traffic has dropped as consumers tighten discretionary spending. “We’ll see how it plays out, but our members are watching it closely,” he said.
Economic Warning Signs and Workforce Concerns
Both congressmen warned that tariffs, federal spending cuts, and efforts to relocate federal agencies to red states are threatening the region’s economic stability. Vindman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said his district could lose billions in economic activity if current policies continue. Subramanyam added that unpredictability is deterring businesses from investing in innovation and long-term growth.
“You can’t plan if you don’t know what tomorrow brings,” Vindman said. “That’s the worst environment for business.”
A 30-day warning period for photo red light enforcement at the intersection of Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue in Manassas will begin on May 1, 2025.
After the warning period ends on June 1, 2025, active enforcement will start, and citations will be issued to violators. Each potential violation will be reviewed by a Manassas City Police Officer before a citation is issued.
The fine for violations is a $50 civil penalty and does not impact the driver’s license status. This enforcement is part of the city’s effort to improve roadway safety by encouraging compliance with traffic laws and reducing vehicle crashes.
30-Day Warning Period to Begin May 1, 2025, for Photo Red Light Enforcement at Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue Intersection
As part of the ongoing photo red light enforcement campaign, traffic safety and engineering studies have determined that photo red light enforcement is appropriate for the intersection of Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue based on studies of violations and crashes at this location.
On May 1, 2025, a 30-day warning period will begin at this intersection. After the 30-day warning period on June 1, 2025, active enforcement will occur, and citations will be issued to violators. Each potential violation is reviewed by a Manassas City Police Officer prior to a citation being issued. If it is determined that a violation did occur, a citation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The fine is a $50 civil penalty and does not impact driver’s license status.
The goal of photo red light enforcement is to improve roadway safety by encouraging compliance with traffic laws and reducing vehicle crashes. For more information on the City of Manassas photo red light enforcement program, visit https://www.manassasva.gov/police_department/red_light_camera_program.php
Current active intersections include:
- Liberia Avenue & Centreville Road
- Liberia Avenue & Euclid Avenue
- Liberia Avenue & Signal Hill Road
- Center Street & Grant Avenue
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, will headline this year’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner hosted by the Prince William County Republican Committee on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Foxchase Manor, located just outside Manassas.
Republican Committee Chairman Jacob Alderman says this year’s dinner will be the largest the committee has ever hosted. “We’re on pace to double, maybe even triple our normal turnout,” Alderman said in an interview on the Potomac Local News Podcast. “I think we’re going to have over 300 people there. We’ve only got maybe 40 or 50 tickets left to go.”
