Manassas

Washington Manassas Airport breaks ground on $41 million air traffic control tower

By PLN News
Officials break ground on Washington Manassas Airport’s new air traffic control tower on Oct. 20. Photo: Washington Manassas Airport

Washington Manassas Airport broke ground Tuesday on a new 145-foot air traffic control tower. The airport says the project will give controllers better visibility across the airfield, modern workspaces and expanded training space as the field prepares for commercial passenger service.

The ceremony fell on International Day of the Air Traffic Controller. The airport’s announcement does not list a project cost, a completion date or funding sources. Separate reporting puts the total above $41 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration covering $26 million, the Virginia Department of Aviation $1 million and the city of Manassas the rest. The new tower is expected to take about two years. The existing roughly 70-foot tower dates to 1992.

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Manassas puts more money into Christmas events after First Friday pause

By PLN News
Holiday lights in downtown Manassas

Manassas and Historic Manassas Inc. are asking the City Council for extra money to expand Christmas and fall events after canceling the final First Friday of 2026.

At the Oct. 19 work session, HMI and city staff requested $6,000 — or possibly $3,000 after porta-potty savings from the canceled First Fridays — to strengthen marketing and programming at the remaining events. Those include Haunted Happenings on Oct. 24 (extended to 10 a.m.–2 p.m. with streets closed, pumpkin decorating, a photo booth, a magician, carnival games, and a DJ), a Gallery Walk on Nov. 14, Small Business Week from Nov. 20–29, and Christmas programming such as Christmas markets, the Christmas parade, Santa Train, and carriage rides. Staff said the funds would help promote family-friendly elements and encourage restaurants and businesses to offer specials.

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‘It’s a LIE’: Manassas board member rips myth blaming kids’ backgrounds for poor scores

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Brescia (right)

All Manassas City Public Schools remain fully accredited, and six of the division’s nine schools improved their overall index scores from the previous year, according to 2026 accountability data presented to the School Board on Oct. 13.

Dr. Jennifer Cassata, executive director of accountability and finance, walked the board through Standards of Learning results and the Virginia School Performance and Support Framework. Five schools earned scores in the Meets Expectations range, up from three the year before. Baldwin Elementary and R. C. Haydon Elementary both moved into that category. Weems Elementary again posted the division’s highest score. Jennie Dean Elementary exited a prior federal Targeted Support and Improvement designation.

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No airline named yet as Manassas Airport Commission recommends tower contract, hears incentive plan and rail connection update

By PLN News

The Washington Manassas Airport Commission voted Oct. 15 to recommend that City Council award a roughly $29 million contract for a new air traffic control tower to Costello Construction, while also hearing calls from flight-school operators for better general aviation infrastructure on the west ramp and receiving briefings on a proposed airline incentive framework and Virginia Railway Express connections.

No specific airlines were named. At the commission’s Sept. 24 meeting, Airport Director Juan Rivera said he hoped the city’s commercial partner, Avports, would have at least one airline deal signed within three weeks. That window closed in mid-October without a public announcement. On Oct. 15, Avports representatives said they remain in talks with multiple carriers and are still targeting a November start for commercial service next year, but the airlines have asked that the discussions not be disclosed until the carriers are ready to make their own announcements.

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Manassas boy injured in sledding accident dies from infection

By PLN News
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Zyan Amaya, of Manassas, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, about 10 months after suffering a serious head injury while sledding with his family in Ben Lomond Regional Park, the Prince William Times reports.

He underwent three surgeries and experienced brain swelling and other complications during recovery. The death was attributed to an infection related to the injury.

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District Hemp closes Manassas store after Spanberger’s new hemp rules

By PLN News

District Hemp Botanicals will close its store at 9417 Main Street in Historic Downtown Manassas on Saturday, Oct. 17, after nine years in business, founder Barbara Biddle announced this week.

In a letter published by Manassas NOW, Biddle said she was sharing the news “with a heavy heart.” She described the shop as a mission focused on education, access and alternatives, and said changing regulations, the loss of popular products and challenges for independent hemp businesses made it impossible to continue. A 50% closing sale runs through the final day.

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Manassas Airport Terminal Work Begins; $29.3 Million Tower Contract Proposed

By PLN News
Rendering of the Washington Manassas Airport terminal with passenger jets on the ramp.
A rendering shows passenger planes serving the Washington Manassas Airport terminal. File photo.

Avports has started the first phase of terminal-area construction at Washington Manassas Airport, including a new passenger building and parking expansion, the Manassas Journal reports.

Staff recommends awarding Costello Construction a $29,314,862.50 contract for the replacement air traffic control tower. The Airport Commission is set to consider the recommendation Oct. 15. Passenger service remains expected by the end of 2027; no airline has been announced. Tower completion is projected for June 2029.

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