Manassas - Page 39 of 68 - Potomac Local News

Bill Reeder, Founding Dean of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Dies After Battle with Cancer

Published April 14, 2025 at 3:00PM

MANASSAS, Va. — Bill Reeder, the founding dean of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), died over the weekend after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by family in hospice care, according to a message shared by current Dean Rick Davis.

Reeder joined George Mason University in 2001 and led the newly established CVPA for 14 years. Under his leadership, the college expanded its offerings to include now-thriving programs in Film and Video Studies, Computer Game Design, and Arts Management. These additions played a pivotal role in shaping the college into a comprehensive institution for arts education.

SuperCon Returns to Manassas with Star Power, Cosplay, Gaming, and After-Hours Fun

By Potomac Local News

Published April 14, 2025 at 11:00AM

SuperCon is back in downtown Manassas and promises a weekend packed with geek culture, gaming, cosplay, and a brush with Hollywood.

The convention, hosted by ARTfactory, will take place Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at 9419 Battle Street. This year’s headliner is Jamie Flanagan, a Bram Stoker Award-winning writer and actor known for their work on Netflix series including “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” “Midnight Mass,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” as well as AMC Shudder’s “Creepshow” and “Peacock’s Hysteria!”.

Manassas School Board Reviews Plan to Adopt New Math Curriculum for 2025-26 School Year

By Potomac Local News

Published April 14, 2025 at 9:00AM

The Manassas City Public Schools Board approved its new budget on June 10.

MANASSAS, Va. — The Manassas City School Board on Tuesday heard an update on the division’s plan to adopt a new primary mathematics curriculum resource, set to be implemented in the 2025-26 school year.

Dr. Ed Stevenson, director of instruction, and Deputy Superintendent Craig Gefeller presented the plan and explained how the state’s accelerated rollout of new math standards forced the division to revise its typical adoption process.

Manassas School Board Celebrates Metz Wrestlers, Musicians, and Osbourn Robotics Champions

By Potomac Local News

Published April 11, 2025 at 9:05AM | Updated April 11, 2025 at 10:11AM

The Manassas City School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 8, opened with a series of uplifting spotlights showcasing the accomplishments of students and staff across the school division.

From regional wrestling champions to student coders designing robots, the evening was filled with celebration, applause, and pride in student success.

Renovation Delays at Harris Pavilion Mean the Return of Popular Manassas Events in 2025

By Potomac Local News

Published April 9, 2025 at 9:00AM

Manassas is working on a major maintenance project at Harris Pavilion, a well-known community hub in downtown Manassas.

Originally scheduled to begin in March 2025, the renovation to replace leaking coolant pipes beneath the 23-year-old pavilion’s concrete surface has been delayed. The delay stems from uncertainties in the delivery timeline of construction materials—some of which are made outside of the U.S., notes a press release.

Crews Respond to Major Gas Leak Outside Manassas at QTS Data Center

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 8, 2025 at 9:25PM

Emergency crews remained on scene late into the evening Monday after a major gas leak was reported at the QTS data center just outside the City of Manassas.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue was dispatched to 9540 Godwin Drive at 2:10 p.m. for reports of a gas leak. As of 9 p.m., units were still actively working the scene.

Freshmen Congressmen to Share Perspectives at Prince William Chamber Event

By Potomac Local News

Published April 8, 2025 at 2:00PM

Subramanyam / Vindman

In one of the first major events at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters, Northern Virginia’s two newest congressmen will share insights from their first 100 days in office.

“The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective” will take place Friday, April 25, 2025, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Chamber’s new office, located at 9733 Buchanan Loop, Manassas. The event is open to Chamber members; admission is $10, with proceeds benefiting the Chamber Foundation. Breakfast will be served.

Manassas Unveils Major Upgrades at Dean Park

By Potomac Local News

Published April 8, 2025 at 9:00AM

City leaders, residents, and local contractors gathered at Jennie Dean Park on March 14 to celebrate the grand opening of a host of new amenities at the city’s largest park. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the culmination of nearly a decade of planning, community engagement, and construction.

Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger addressed the crowd, reflecting on the long journey to the day’s celebration.

Manassas School Board Set to Vote on Collective Bargaining Ban

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 7, 2025 at 9:00AM

The Manassas City School Board will vote Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on whether to formally prohibit collective bargaining with employee unions—a decision that could halt a movement launched earlier this year by local educators.

The resolution up for consideration, R2025-03, declares that no official or employee of the school division has the authority to recognize a labor union as a bargaining agent or to enter into collective bargaining agreements. It reaffirms the board’s current stance of non-engagement with employee unions and instead promotes a “meet and confer” model for addressing employee concerns.

‘Too Many Lives Lost’: Judge Rebukes Drunk Driver in Sentencing

By Alan Gloss

Published April 4, 2025 at 9:00AM

Burns

Jose Rafael Lizama, a 48-year-old Manassas Park resident, was sentenced on April 3, 2025, to 10 years in prison, with five years suspended, for the 2023 death of Justin Burns. He will serve five years in the Virginia Department of Corrections, followed by five years of supervised probation. Lizama must also wear an ankle monitor for continuous drug and alcohol testing after release.

Four days before the start of his January 2025 trial, Lizama took a plea deal and admitted to striking and killing Justin Burns of Blackstone near Richmond while speeding and driving drunk on December 2, 2023. Justin was crossing the 8900 block of Center Street in downtown Manassas, near Old Town Sports Pub, just before 11 p.m. Police crime scene investigators determined that Lizama was traveling nearly double the speed limit in foggy weather when he struck Justin.