WOODBRIDGE, Va. –A surge in riders across OmniRide commuter bus routes is triggering overcrowding issues on several key lines, prompting officials at the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) to weigh how and where they can expand service — especially as the region heads into a busy fall season.
Speaking during the June 5 PRTC Board of Commissioners meeting, Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider said ridership dipped slightly in May due to seasonal factors like Memorial Day and rainy weather, but overall remains strong.
“Ridership is still fantastic… We are hitting that beginning of the summer seasonal adjustment,” Schneider told the commission.
Among the standout performers is Route 981, which runs from Lake Ridge to the Pentagon and downtown D.C. — ridership on that route has doubled since January. Western express routes that operate from the University Boulevard commuter lot are carrying more than 40,000 monthly riders, while southern routes serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania counties have topped 30,000 riders a month.
Still, the agency is confronting the downside of growing demand: overcrowded buses.
Schneider said OmniRide recorded 74 overcrowded trips in May, all of them in the afternoon as commuters returned from D.C. to Northern Virginia.
“The issue isn’t the number of people going in — it’s everyone leaving at the same time,” he said.
The biggest pinch points are on the following routes:
- Route 612 – Warrenton/Gainesville to Pentagon/Navy Yard
- Route 943 – Stafford to D.C.
- Route 953 – Montclair to D.C.
- Route 971 – Dale City to D.C.
Routes 612 and 943 are grant-funded, giving the agency more flexibility to add trips if needed. However, Routes 953 and 971 are locally funded, and Schneider cautioned that OmniRide currently lacks dedicated funding to expand service on those lines.
Commissioners raised questions about how ridership trends align with overall population growth. Staff explained they track commuter lot capacity and development trends — not just raw population figures — to guide service decisions. That includes monitoring ongoing residential growth along I-66 and Route 28, as well as major developments like the planned Manassas Mall redevelopment.
Officials expect to have a clearer picture of ridership patterns by mid-July.
“If the summer dip is minimal, we’re concerned that overcrowding will worsen in the fall,” Schneider added.
MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas City Council is preparing to present a new set of legislative priorities to state lawmakers during its annual Legislative Breakfast, scheduled for July 15, 2025, at the Manassas Museum.
During a work session on June 16, Assistant City Manager Matt Arcieri outlined four key requests city staff plan to bring to members of the General Assembly. These priorities are designed to address pressing local concerns, from noise complaints to economic competitiveness and support for veterans.
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MANASSAS, Va. – The Hylton Performing Arts Center is inviting the community to “share in the joy of the performing arts” with the launch of subscriptions for its newly announced 2025–26 season. The announcement comes as the center celebrates its most popular shows of the current season, led by the world-renowned vocal ensemble Chanticleer.
Subscriptions for the upcoming season are on sale now and include a dynamic mix of returning audience favorites and exciting new performers. The 2025–26 season kicks off with Broadway and television star Jeremy Jordan on Saturday, September 21. Jordan is currently performing in the critically acclaimed Floyd Collins at Lincoln Center and is best known for starring roles in The Great Gatsby, Newsies, Bonnie & Clyde, NBC’s Smash, and The CW’s Supergirl.
The Hylton Presents series continues with performances by the three-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir (October 3), iconic dance company Pilobolus (October 5), holiday brass masters Canadian Brass (November 30), and the exhilarating Cirque Mechanics (February 7). Audiences will also experience the thunderous rhythms of Drum Tao, a Japanese taiko drumming sensation, on February 14.
Two audience favorites, the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra (November 1) and the American Festival Pops Orchestra (December 12 and April 11), return to the stage this season with their high-energy performances.
Other series offerings include:
- Hylton Family Series: Affordable performances perfect for families and young audiences.
- American Roots Series: Showcasing the best in bluegrass, country, and blues.
- Matinee Idylls: Intimate chamber music concerts with a cozy, midday vibe.
Patrons can save by creating their own subscription package—simply choose three or more performances and receive 15% off, priority seating, no-fee ticket exchanges, and season-long discounts. A convenient payment plan is available to help spread out the cost. Individual performance tickets will go on sale to the public August 1.
In a look back at the 2024–25 season, the Hylton Center revealed its top five most-attended performances, based on the number of tickets issued:
- Chanticleer
- Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas
- Chloé Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies LIVE
- Cirque Kalabanté
- Mountain Stage hosted by Kathy Mattea
With a diverse slate of programming and a growing audience, the Hylton Center continues to be a cultural cornerstone for the region. For tickets and subscription details, visit hyltoncenter.org.
This weekend marks your last chance to catch two standout productions on local stages before the curtains close for good.
At the ARTfactory in Manassas, Lend Me a Soprano wraps up its run with performances through Sunday. This fast-paced farce, written by Ken Ludwig, offers a hilarious backstage comedy that’s been praised for its sharp direction, standout cast, and intimate setting. According to a review from the ARTfactory, the show “delivers big laughs in a small space” and makes the most of its cozy venue to pull audiences into the operatic chaos. Tickets and details are available at virginiaartfactory.org.
Meanwhile, To Kill a Mockingbird enters its final weekend at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford. The production stars Fredericksburg native Tug Coker as Atticus Finch and has resonated with local audiences since its opening. Potomac Local News previously featured Coker in two stories—one introducing his lead role (read it here) and another in our podcast where he reflects on portraying the iconic character (listen here). Sunday is the final performance.
Abigail Huser, a life science teacher and department lead at Metz Middle School, has been named Manassas City Public Schools’ 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year. Known for her energy, leadership, and dedication, Huser is being recognized for going the extra mile to support students’ academic and personal growth.
Huser joined MCPS in 2022 and quickly became a mentor, coach, and instructional leader. From translating lessons for multilingual learners to coaching the volleyball team, she brings creativity and heart to everything she does. Metz Principal Juliet Finnegan called her “the teacher every student hopes to have,” praising her ability to create a classroom culture rooted in curiosity and respect.
Her impact was on full display during a recent school math event, where students showcased their math skills in interactive ways. A crowd favorite was Dash the Robot, which helped students explore coding through hands-on programming activities. The school community turned out in force, with staff, families, and volunteers all contributing to the event’s success.
“She’s more than just a teacher—she’s a role model who empowers students and builds lasting connections,” said a parent of one of Huser’s students. Former students echoed that praise, calling her classes fun, engaging, and a safe space to learn and grow.
Huser was one of 13 finalists from the region considered for the prestigious Washington Post honor.
During a June 16, 2025, City Council work session, members reviewed draft guidelines that would formally enable the city to consider proposals under Virginia’s Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act. The move is seen as key to advancing the stalled transformation of the 9400 block of Main Street, where the city has acquired several key parcels but has yet to break ground on new development.
City Manager Steve Burke told the council the guidelines provide flexibility for developers to work with the city on projects that involve publicly owned land or infrastructure—especially the anticipated parking garage and municipal annex.
“This gives the development community more tools to bring creative solutions to the table,” said Burke. “It’s not a requirement, but it creates options that didn’t exist before.”
The City Council is expected to vote on the adoption of the P3 guidelines at its June 23, 2025, regular meeting.
The initiative centers on three properties:
- The former Olde Towne Inn, purchased by the city’s Economic Development Authority in February 2023 for $5.75 million
- The Manassas Ice and Fuel Company (MIFCO) site, acquired in January 2025 for $3.1 million
- An adjacent city-owned parking lot
In October 2023, the city demolished the aging Olde Towne Inn building, and in the months since, it has converted the lot into a temporary public parking area to support downtown businesses.
Last fall, the city unveiled plans for a 110-room Hilton Tapestry Collection hotel, featuring a rooftop bar and ground-floor retail. However, progress has stalled, in part due to a lack of structured parking to support hotel guests and other anticipated users.
In April, the city announced it had secured a $700,000 state grant to help clean up petroleum-contaminated soil at the MIFCO site to prepare it for a multi-level parking garage.
The newly proposed P3 guidelines are intended to invite proposals that would allow developers to integrate public and private uses—such as building and managing a hotel, leasing parking spaces, or redeveloping civic facilities—all while ensuring the city retains public benefit and long-term control over key assets.
During the work session, Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis called the document “well done,” and emphasized the importance of protecting the long-term vision of downtown for future councils.
Councilman Tom Osina asked whether a P3 model could enable the city to maintain ownership of the parking garage while giving developers enough incentive to build on adjacent parcels. Burke confirmed that was the intent, noting such models could also enhance developers’ access to financing by demonstrating city commitment.
Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna expressed optimism but urged caution. “We want to make sure this improves Old Town, not hurts our small businesses,” she said.
Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger voiced support: “We need to use every tool in the toolbox to make this project a reality.”
If the guidelines are adopted, the city will issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting developers to submit comprehensive plans. Proposals could include hotel, residential, retail, or civic components and must clearly identify benefits to the public.
City officials emphasized that the guidelines do not bind the city to accept any proposal—it merely opens the legal pathway to negotiate if a promising concept is submitted.
The Council agreed the process will offer more flexibility and transparency, particularly as the city retains ownership of the annex and parking areas that are central to downtown’s long-term success.
Related Coverage on Potomac Local News:
Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) employees may get an additional 1.5% salary increase for the 2025-2026 school year, pending School Board approval on June 24.
At the beginning of the budget process in February, the MCPS Board wasn't able to even fund a 5.5% salary increase due to budget constraints from City Council and the Commonwealth.
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MANASSAS, Va. – Drivers near Round Elementary School will need to adjust their routes this summer.
Godwin Drive will be closed to traffic between Cedar Ridge Drive and Winged Elm Circle from June 16 through August 12 as crews work on a stream restoration and pond retrofit project near the school. All traffic will be detoured via Clover Hill Road and Hastings Drive, according to an announcement from the City of Manassas.
The project aims to restore approximately 1,200 linear feet of eroded stream banks and retrofit the existing dry pond by excavating the ponding area, raising the dam embankment, and replacing the emergency spillway system with a combined drop inlet spillway system. These improvements are designed to enhance pollutant removal for the contributing watershed while maintaining flood control through dredging and new plantings.
A key component of the project involves replacing the culvert under Godwin Drive to increase conveyance capacity and reduce flooding during large storm events. This necessitates the temporary road closure.
The work is part of a larger effort to improve water quality and stormwater management near Round Elementary, located in a residential area west of Manassas’ city center.
You can see the city’s update on Facebook here.
MANASSAS, Va. – A spirited discussion emerged at the June 5 Manassas City School Board work session as board members debated whether the district should allow teachers to assign zeroes to students who fail to turn in assignments.
The proposal, introduced by board member Sara Brescia, aims to revise the current grading policy, which uses a 50–100 scale and does not allow grades below 50%, even for missing work. Brescia argued that the lack of a true zero disincentivizes student effort.
“Some students are calculating how many assignments they can skip and still pass,” Brescia said. “We need to help students develop habits that prepare them for life after graduation.”
Brescia’s proposal was modeled after policies in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, which use placeholders like “M” (missing) or “I” (incomplete) to indicate missing work. If a student makes no attempt within two weeks, a zero may be recorded. Brescia clarified that her proposal would retain the current grading scale but introduce a structured consequence for prolonged inaction.
Background: Ongoing Debate Over Grading Policy
This latest conversation follows a series of policy discussions stretching back nearly a year. On July 24, 2024, the board approved an amendment to the 2024–2025 grading policy allowing students to receive full credit for assignments turned in up to two weeks late and before the end of the quarter. The policy was adopted with a 5–1 vote, with only board member Robyn Williams dissenting.
Prior to the vote, the board had reviewed three different late-work policies, each retaining the 50–100 grading scale and incorporating flexibility around remediation and retakes. All were part of a broader effort to reimagine grading systems in response to post-pandemic challenges and declining student engagement.
Brescia also addressed this issue on an August 1, 2024 podcast episode hosted by Potomac Local News, where she outlined her perspective on why grading policies must evolve to better reflect both student learning and accountability.
The topic resurfaced publicly again in October 2024 as a major campaign issue during the school board election, when Potomac Local News reported on declining Standards of Learning (SOL) scores and community frustration with inconsistent grading expectations across classrooms.
Board Member Perspectives
In Favor of Exploring Zeroes (with Conditions):
- Sara Brescia: Advocated for zeroes as a last-resort tool after a grace period, saying current policy allows students to “game the system.”
- Dayna-Marie Miles: Supported the proposal based on personal and professional experience, arguing it encourages responsibility and prepares students for college and employment.
Opposed to Zeroes:
- Dr. Zella Jones: Warned that zeroes discourage students, distort academic achievement, and deepen learning gaps.
- Diana Brown: Emphasized the need for data-driven decision-making and cautioned against changes based on perception alone.
- Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman: Defended the 50–100 scale as a normalized 10-point system and stressed the need for equitable policies that account for external challenges facing students.
Other members, including Vice Chair Lisa A. Stevens and Chair Suzanne W. Seaberg, called for deeper analysis and input from teachers, students, and families before any further action.
While only two members expressed immediate interest in revisiting the grading policy, the board agreed decided not to conduct a broader data review in the coming school year. That analysis may would have included:
- Counts of 50s assigned for attempted vs. missing work (newly trackable in PowerSchool).
- Feedback from students, parents, and educators.
- Comparisons with college acceptance trends and GPA recovery rates.
Initially, the school board discussed setting a goal to bring back a comprehensive report before determining whether to propose formal changes, but most members changed their minds.
Editor’s note: This article has been corrected.
MANASSAS, Va. – Senator Mark Warner visited the City of Manassas on Thursday, June 12, 2025, where he joined Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, Vice Mayor Mark Wolfe, and City Council Members Ashley Hutson and Ralph Smith for a tour of RapidFlight, the city’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer. The visit highlighted RapidFlight’s role in national defense innovation and the city’s growing importance in advanced technology manufacturing.
The same day, Micron Technology, Inc. announced a major national investment plan totaling approximately $200 billion, including $150 billion in domestic memory manufacturing and $50 billion in research and development. The plan includes an expansion and modernization of Micron’s existing facility in Manassas, supported by a $275 million CHIPS Act direct funding award. Work at the Manassas site is expected to begin this year.
According to a press release shared by the City of Manassas to social media, Mayor Davis-Younger said Micron’s expansion represents more than an economic milestone, calling it a testament to the city’s partnership with the company and their shared vision for the future. She expressed gratitude for the investment, noting that it brings innovation, opportunity, and high-quality jobs while reinforcing Manassas as a hub for technology and long-term community benefit.
The press release also cited Micron Chairman, President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, who said the company’s memory manufacturing and R&D plans reflect its commitment to innovation and strengthening the domestic semiconductor industry. He said the $200 billion investment will help reinforce America’s technological leadership, create tens of thousands of jobs, and ensure a secure domestic supply of semiconductors. Mehrotra also acknowledged the support of President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, and other federal, state, and local partners.
Micron’s expanded production will include the onshoring of its 1-alpha DRAM chips, which are used across key sectors including automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, medical devices, and defense. Nationally, Micron plans to construct two high-volume fabs in Idaho, up to four in New York, and develop new technologies for integrating multiple memory and logic chips into one package. The company estimates these investments will generate approximately 90,000 direct and indirect jobs across the U.S.
The visit by Senator Warner to RapidFlight, which was previewed earlier this week during a virtual call between Mayor Davis-Younger and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, underscores the city’s growing profile in defense and tech sectors. During that call, the mayor emphasized the importance of showing support at such events and said she makes it a point to personally welcome visitors who are investing time in Manassas.
The announcements mark a significant week for Manassas, positioning the city at the forefront of national efforts to grow high-tech manufacturing and defense-related innovation.
