MANASSAS, Va. – The curtain is about to close on Cabaret at the ARTfactory, and audiences have one last chance to be part of the immersive theatrical experience that’s transformed downtown Manassas into 1930s Berlin.
Presented at the Wind River Theater, the ARTfactory’s production of Cabaret has sold out nearly every performance. The final show with tickets remaining is set for Saturday, July 26 at 2 p.m., with a pre-show beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Audience members are invited to take a seat at a candlelit table just feet from the stage inside a space reimagined as the famed Kit Kat Club. Premier table seating includes the option to purchase wine from Nokesville Winery and charcuterie boxes from Pampas Fox Catering.
“You won’t be just watching Cabaret,” reads a note from ARTfactory. “You’ll be living it.”
For younger audiences and families, the ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre will present High School Musical JR. on Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, at Grace E. Metz Middle School in Manassas. Showtimes are Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.
The youth production follows Troy, Gabriella, and their classmates at East High as they navigate friendship, first love, and staying true to themselves. With high-energy music and vibrant choreography, the show celebrates teamwork and self-expression.
More performances are on the horizon for ARTfactory Theatre, including:
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The Sleeping Beauty (Aug. 2, 9, 16 – Actors Theatre for Young Audiences)
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Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan (Sept. 5–7)
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Morning’s at Seven by Paul Osborn (Sept. 19–21)
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Little Shop of Horrors (Sept. 19–28)
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The Rocky Horror Show (Oct. 3–4 – limited engagement)
In preparation for its Halloween season, ARTfactory is also seeking scare actors for its upcoming Factory of Fear haunted attraction. Auditions will be held on August 8.
For tickets and audition information, visit virginiaartfactory.org.
MANASSAS, Va. – A Luray-based painter with more than 30 years of experience will close out his solo exhibition with an in-person artist talk in Old Town Manassas.
Scott Hillman, known for his vibrant use of color and layered compositions, will speak at the ARTfactory on Saturday, July 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at insidenovatix.com.
The talk coincides with the final day of Scott Hillman: A Retrospective Journey Through Time, a solo exhibition that surveys more than three decades of Hillman’s creative exploration. The show includes landscapes, still lifes, and abstract pieces that reflect his evolving artistic voice, culminating in a recent series that weaves together abstract forms with memory-rich imagery.
Hillman’s work has been displayed in galleries across Northern Virginia and internationally in China. Working in mediums such as watercolor, pen and ink, oil, and acrylic, his art is known for blending early 20th-century influences with a modern sensibility. Hillman says his paintings aim to visualize the fragmented nature of life, showing how individual shapes and colors contribute to a greater whole.
The ARTfactory gallery is located at 9419 Battle Street in Manassas and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. More information is available at VirginiaARTfactory.org.
MANASSAS, Va. – Families in Manassas may be pleasantly surprised to learn that every student enrolled in Manassas City Public Schools will receive free breakfast and lunch again this school year—but it’s not a new perk.
The school division has been participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) since the 2021–2022 school year, a program that allows schools in low-income areas to serve free meals to all students without collecting household applications. What began during the height of the pandemic has quietly become the new normal for Manassas schools.
“This is not a new offering,” said school division spokeswoman Almeta Radford. “MCPS first offered CEP in SY 2021–22, while concurrently operating under COVID waivers and increased reimbursement. MCPS has operated CEP since that time, even when additional funding ceased.”
All schools in the division were eligible to participate under the Virginia Department of Education’s 2021 policy, which required participation in CEP unless doing so was not financially viable. At the time, pandemic-related funding made the model sustainable, and even after that extra funding ended, the division chose to continue providing meals to all students for free.
“Ensuring free meals was a priority for our students, which we have continued to do while remaining financially stable,” Radford said.
Before the switch to CEP, families had to submit income-based applications or qualify through direct certification in order to receive free or reduced-price meals.
Today, the program benefits all 7,700+ students in the school division, regardless of income.
And don’t expect lower quality because of the program. Radford says students still enjoy a wide selection of food that meets USDA nutrition standards.
“Schools have multiple options for main entrees, sides, and milk. MCPS’ menu blends speed-scratch cooking with batch-cooked, heat-and-serve items to provide popular options for all,” she said.
Students can purchase extra Ă la carte items for an additional cost. But each student is guaranteed one free breakfast and one free lunch per school day.
The VRE Operations Board is expected to review the proposal in September 2025 as part of the draft FY2027 budget. The plan would trigger a public participation process in fall 2025 before any final vote.
Current Fares and Impact
VRE’s current fare schedule—effective since July 1, 2024 (start of FY2025)—includes one-way tickets ranging from $5.00 to $12.80, and monthly passes up to $354.80, depending on travel distance. A 5% increase would raise the highest single-ride fare to approximately $13.45 and the most expensive monthly pass to more than $370.
This would mark VRE’s second fare hike since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first was implemented at the start of FY2025, following a multi-year fare freeze.
Justifying the Increase
During the July 2025 board meeting, VRE Chief Financial Officer Mark Schofield told board members that although fare revenue has improved—thanks in part to federal return-to-office mandates—it remains insufficient to cover the agency’s structural budget gap.
“Our insurance costs continue to rise, despite VRE’s excellent safety record,” Schofield said.
The year-to-date operating ratio as of April 2025—defined as the share of costs covered by fare revenue—was only 20%, far short of the typical 50% target.
VRE is also seeing escalating costs in liability insurance, as federal mandates gradually raise the coverage cap required for commuter railroads. Schofield said even modest fare increases can help VRE keep pace with inflation and maintain service reliability.
Ridership Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
While ridership is trending upward, it remains well below pre-pandemic averages. In June 2025, average daily ridership was 9,863, a 54% increase from the same month in 2024 but still less than half the pre-COVID benchmark of 20,000 daily trips recorded in February 2020.
The dip from 11,358 in May to 9,863 in June reflects a normal seasonal decline, VRE officials said.
Board Reactions and Rider Concerns
Board members expressed mixed views on the proposal. Several raised concerns about the impact on riders without federal commuter subsidies. Others emphasized the importance of continuing to grow ridership by focusing on reliability, affordability, and access.
City of Manassas Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna encouraged VRE to enhance outreach and marketing to attract new customers and families. Prince William County Supervisor Andrea Bailey urged the board to look at both cost control and affordability options.
Suggestions discussed included:
- Adjusting pricing for multi-ride and monthly passes.
- Exploring income-based fare discounts.
- Promoting VRE’s value compared to toll road commuting costs.
Saturday service, which has been approved but not yet launched, was also discussed as a way to attract new riders and generate weekend interest.
The Operations Board is expected to review the preliminary FY2027 budget—including the proposed fare hike—in September 2025. If the proposal moves forward, the public will be invited to comment through hearings and outreach efforts in the fall. A final decision would come in December, with adoption by the Northern Virginia and Potomac and Rappahannock transportation commissions in January 2026.
The city was requesting approval to rezone the Manor — which was built in the early 1890s as a summer residence for Robert Portner in the Neo-Classical Revival style — to add a historic overlay district.
"The purpose of a historical overlay district is to provide an additional layer of protection to properties with historic and/or architectural significance," Benjamin Walker, a planner with the city, said at the meeting. "[This ensures] that any exterior work or treatment is historically appropriate and does not diminish a property's integrity."
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MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas City School Board will meet Tuesday, July 22, to review progress on key projects ahead of the new school year, including construction of the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, changes to the division’s Code of Conduct, and strategies to address bullying in schools.
Jennie Dean construction update
Crews are continuing to make progress on the $46.7 million replacement for Jennie Dean Elementary School, with the project still on schedule and within budget. The main building’s concrete slab is nearly complete, and masonry walls are now in place in the administrative, first, and second grade wings.
Mechanical trades are working ahead of finishing crews to ensure infrastructure is in place, and an exterior façade mockup will be assembled next month. Sitework this summer includes utility connections and construction of the new side parking lot, which is expected to reopen in time for the first day of school on August 12.
The future of the original Jennie Dean school building remains undecided, as city officials and community advocates continue to debate whether it should be demolished or repurposed.
Updated Code of Conduct for 2025–26
The board will also review the final draft of the updated Student Code of Conduct, which includes several major policy changes:
- Stricter cell phone policy: A new “Cell Phone-Free Education” initiative will restrict student use of personal electronic devices during the school day.
- PreK–4: No devices allowed
- Grades 5–6: Devices must be turned off and stored, not used at all
- Grades 7–12: No device use from first bell to dismissal, including lunch and between classes
Violations involving cyberbullying, sexting, or filming fights will lead to disciplinary action.
- Gang-related discipline: A formal re-entry conference will now be required following a 10-day suspension for gang-related activity.
- OTC medication misuse: The code adds new language clarifying disciplinary procedures for the misuse of over-the-counter medications such as cold remedies.
- Expanded use of restorative practices: Conflict mediation, behavioral interventions, and counseling are encouraged as alternatives to traditional discipline.
Focus on bullying prevention
The meeting will also include a presentation titled “Culture of Caring: Strategies for Addressing Bullying,” led by school administrators and counselors. The presentation will outline how bullying is defined and addressed under school policy, as well as the supports in place for students.
Key components include:
- Clear definitions of bullying, hazing, and cyberbullying, including the requirement that bullying involves a power imbalance and causes harm or emotional trauma.
- Investigation protocols: School administrators are responsible for gathering evidence, notifying parents, and applying appropriate consequences, which may include restorative practices or law enforcement referrals.
- Prevention programs: MCPS incorporates classroom lessons, peer mediation, individual and group counseling, and the division-wide “Sources of Strength” program to promote mental health, mentorship, and positive peer relationships.
Students and families are encouraged to report bullying to a trusted adult, with concerns escalated to the Director of School Leadership, Betty-Jo Wynham, if necessary.
The School Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Manassas City Hall, 9027 Center Street, and is open to the public. It will also be livestreamed on the division’s website.
MANASSAS, Va. – Manassas City Police are investigating an early morning shooting that left two juveniles injured.
Just after 1:15 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025, officers responded to the 8600 block of Phoenix Drive for reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found two juveniles suffering from gunshot wounds.
Police say one victim was taken to a nearby hospital and is listed in stable condition. The second victim had minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.
Detectives have identified several persons of interest and are reviewing photographs of possible suspects and a suspect vehicle. The vehicle is described as a gray, two-door Honda Civic with Virginia “Don’t Tread on Me” license plates.
Authorities say there is no threat to the public at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective J. Agule with the Manassas City Police Department at 703-257-8040.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Prince William Public Libraries is inviting residents to help shape the future of their local libraries by completing a short survey open now through July 31, 2025.
The survey includes just eight questions—four multiple-choice and four open-ended—and takes less than three minutes to complete. It’s available in English and Spanish, both online at pwcva.gov/library and on paper at all 12 library branches and the Mobile Library.
Library officials say the questions are tied to the system’s Strategic Plan and cover topics like collections, programs, public spaces, and the overall user experience. Feedback from last year’s survey led to tangible changes, including an expanded World Language Collection, more classic titles, and improvements to the PWPL mobile app.
The library received 900 survey responses in 2024 and hopes to exceed 1,000 this year. Two weeks into July, they had already surpassed last year’s total online. To boost participation, the library simplified the questions and is offering a choice of a free pin or sticker to anyone who completes the survey. This year’s pin is inspired by a viral Gen-Z-themed video featuring library staff member Gregg Grunow.
The survey is one of the library’s most important tools for ensuring its services and spaces meet community needs. It supports PWPL’s goals around accessibility, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Established in 1965, Prince William Public Libraries serves more than 480,000 residents across Prince William County and Manassas. The system comprises 12 branches and a Mobile Library, providing access to print and digital collections, public computers, makerspaces, genealogy resources, and programming suitable for all ages. Learn more at pwcva.gov/library.
[Photo courtesy of Historic Manassas, Inc.]
The event, held at 4 p.m. on July 11, 2025, welcomed customers, community members, and local officials to the shop at 9406 Grant Avenue. Attendees were treated to celebratory snacks, including cheese and crackers, brownies, and other goodies as part of a weekend-long event honoring the store’s decade of business.
In addition to the in-store festivities, the shop offered a 10% discount on all products from Friday through Sunday, both in-store and online. The automatic discount gave longtime fans and new customers a chance to stock up on a wide selection of fresh olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars sourced from around the world.
Manassas Olive Oil Company first opened its doors in 2014. Since then, it has become a staple in the downtown business community, known for its tasting gallery that features more than 40 varieties of oils and vinegars, along with gourmet goods like crackers, cheese, honey, spice blends, and handmade pottery.
The business also offers private group tastings for up to 20 people and encourages walk-in tastings during normal business hours, which are Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, visit manassasoliveoil.com.
MANASSAS, Va. – On Monday, July 14, the Manassas City Council is expected to vote on transferring $725,000 from its capital reserves to the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the purchase of another property behind the Manassas Shopping Center.
If approved, the transfer would fund the EDA’s second acquisition this year from J.E. Rice, Inc., for land on Portner Avenue. The pending deal comes as part of a years-long land acquisition strategy that city officials say supports redevelopment and public services, but one that has drawn increasing criticism for its lack of transparency.
