Manassas - Page 56 of 65 - Potomac Local News

City of Manassas Maintains High Credit Ratings

Published October 25, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated October 25, 2024 at 2:04PM

The City of Manassas has maintained high credit ratings with the two major global credit rating agencies, Moody’s and S&P Global, according to a Monday press release.

These credit ratings ensure the city can borrow money at lower interest rates and signal the city is in a stable financial condition. The lowest rating an entity can receive is a C or D, depending on the agency issuing the rating. These ratings, according to Investopedia, help investors determine the riskiness associated with investing in bonds issued by a company, government or a government agency.

Manassas to Limit Downtown Events Amid Rising Public Safety Concerns

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 8:38AM

Manassas City Hall

Following concerns over underage drinking and unregulated alcohol consumption, the Manassas City Council has implemented a new policy to limit the number of events held downtown. The decision, discussed at the October 21 council meeting, aims to reduce the strain on city resources and improve public safety, particularly for the popular First Friday gatherings in Downtown Manassas.

The policy will reserve one weekend each month as a “respite weekend,” when no significant events will be held in downtown, allowing city infrastructure and staff a much-needed break. Furthermore, city officials are considering reducing the frequency of First Fridays and other recurring events to manage safety risks and improve the experience for residents and local businesses.

Dominion Energy to Donate Historic Cottage to Manassas

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 24, 2024 at 1:45PM

Dominion Energy is donating an historic cottage to the City of Manassas. [Photo courtesy of the City of Manassas]

“The cultural value of the cottage within the community cannot be underestimated,” Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger said.

The cottage used to be the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth (MIS) and was chartered in 1893 by Jennie Dean, a former slave and resident of Prince William County. The structure was originally built on Wellington Road by the existing Jennie Dean Elementary School building but was moved to Jefferson Street in the 1960s.

ARTfactory Hosting ‘Factory of Fear’ Haunted House This Weekend

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 23, 2024 at 11:00AM

The ARTfactory’s building, which many believe is haunted, will be transformed into different levels of scariness for visitors to enjoy. Ahyrel Tinker, director of education at the ARTfactory, created the haunted house.

“There’s nothing like this downtown and our community of spooky season lovers need something Manassas strong to haunt them this season,” Tinker said. “We listened to the feedback from last year’s sold-out Haunted Hallows event, and decided to ramp up the scare factor.”

Public Health Officer Charged with Second-Degree Murder

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 1:58PM

On October 21, 2024, at 2:29 p.m., the Manassas City Police Department received a 911 call stating that a person had been shot in a residence located in the 9200 block of Brinkley Lane in Manassas. Police responded and found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel also responded to the residence and pronounced him dead on the scene.

A suspect at the scene was identified as the shooter and subsequently detained by police. Investigators determined that the incident was between domestic partners who both lived at the residence. The suspect was placed in custody and transported to the Prince William County Adult Detention Center. She was charged with the following criminal offenses and held without bond.

Woodbridge Man Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency in Car

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 1:48PM | Updated October 23, 2024 at 10:54AM

From Prince William police:

Fatal Crash Investigation – On October 8 at 7:58AM, crash investigators responded to the area of the Prince William Pkwy and Clover Hill Rd [near] Manassas (20110) to investigate a single vehicle crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a 1999 Ford Mustang was traveling westbound on the Prince William Pkwy when the vehicle left the roadway and proceeded up an embankment before coming to rest on top of a guardrail. The driver is believed to have suffered a medical emergency and was transported to an area hospital where he later died on October 16. No other occupants were in the vehicle.

Ross Snare Resigns as Chairman of Manassas Regional Airport Commission

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 9:52AM | Updated October 22, 2024 at 12:41PM

Snare

Ross Snare has resigned as Chairman of the Manassas Regional Airport Commission, effective Monday, October 21, 2024. His departure comes amid unverified allegations involving disparaging remarks about a city council member, adding fuel to an already heated local election season.

Snare, a Prince William County resident, was appointed to the commission by the Manassas City Council in 2018 and reappointed in 2022. He made history in June 2023 by becoming the youngest and first county Prince William County resident to serve as Chairman. During his tenure, Snare played a pivotal role in the airport’s efforts to introduce commercial flights, a milestone now expected to be achieved in 2026, a year behind the initial schedule.

VRE Ridership Increases Slightly as System Adjusts to the ‘New Normal’

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated October 22, 2024 at 8:34AM

As the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) heads into 2025, its proposed budget reflects its challenges and opportunities in a post-COVID world. The budget discussed at the October 18, 2024, Operations Board meeting outlines plans to support ridership recovery, maintain reliable service, and position VRE for future growth as a regional rail provider.

VRE, like many public transit systems, saw a significant decline in ridership during the pandemic. However, the 2025 budget aims to address passengers’ slow but steady recovery by investing in enhanced service offerings and critical infrastructure projects. These efforts are intended to transform VRE from a commuter-focused system to a broader regional transportation network.

Police Converge on Manassas Home

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 21, 2024 at 2:48PM | Updated October 22, 2024 at 2:05PM

Update, Tuesday, October 22, 2024 —

On October 21, 2024, at 2:29 p.m., the Manassas City Police Department received a 911 call stating that a person had been shot in a residence located in the 9200 block of Brinkley Lane in Manassas. Police responded and found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel also responded to the residence and pronounced him dead on the scene. Read more.

Manassas Businessman Agrees to Pay $1 Million to Settle Pandemic Fraud Allegations

By Aya Karouane

Published October 21, 2024 at 9:49AM

Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria, home to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.(Flckr photo: Tim Evanson)

The founder of a Manassas business has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations of falsifying payroll amounts to obtain inflated loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. The settlement follows a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, with a whistleblower set to receive a share of the settlement.

Press Release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia: