MANASSAS, Va. â The Manassas Education Association is calling on the cityâs school board to adopt a Safe Zone policy to protect immigrant students and their families from potential immigration enforcement actions on school grounds.
During the July 22, 2025, school board meeting, MEA President Anna Demeria asked board members to act before an incident occurs.
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WOODBRIDGE, Va. â Back-to-school shopping is in full swing at Potomac Mills mall, and this year, families can take advantage of Virginiaâs Sales Tax Holiday running August 1â3, 2025. During this weekend, items like school supplies priced at $20 or less and clothing or shoes costing $100 or less will be exempt from sales tax. Emergency preparedness items like generators and chainsaws also qualify for the discount. A full list of qualifying items is available at tax.virginia.gov.
At Potomac Mills mall, shoppers can enter the Back-to-School Shoe Giveaway from July 25 to August 3 to win a free pair of shoes from brands like Nike, Adidas, or Crocs. Educators can also enjoy year-round discounts at more than 20 retailers by showing a valid school ID. Additional savings are available through the mallâs digital coupon book at the mall's website.
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A new report says Virginia traffic deaths are up 29% over the past decade, despite a recent drop in fatalities since 2021. Released by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, the report details both the human toll and financial cost of crashes in the stateâestimated at $35 billion in 2024 alone.
The study highlights a troubling rise in pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist deaths nationwide, and notes that although Virginia saw a 6% decline in fatalities from 2021 to 2024, the longer-term trend is still heading in the wrong direction. Between 2014 and 2024, the stateâs fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased by 23%.
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AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceutical giant, has chosen Virginia for its largest-ever single manufacturing investmentâbut officials have yet to say exactly where in the state the facility will be built.
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the project alongside company CEO Pascal Soriot, calling the multi-billion dollar facility a âcornerstoneâ of AstraZenecaâs $50 billion U.S. expansion plan. The company says the Virginia facility will be powered by AI, automation, and data analytics, focusing on treatments for cancer, heart and respiratory diseases, and rare conditions.
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The city was requesting approval to rezone the Manor â which was built in the early 1890s as a summer residence for Robert Portner in the Neo-Classical Revival style â 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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DUMFRIES, Va. â A recent black bear sighting in a residential area near Duke Street has drawn attention to the close relationship between suburban neighborhoods and the expansive wilderness of Prince William Forest Park.
Kristi Shelton, a biologist at the park, says bear sightings like this one arenât unusualâand are often misunderstood.
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The partnership between the owners of the Prince William Ice Center and the Capitals, valued at $200,000, will allow for the construction of the new rink on an unused portion of the Boys & Girls Club â more commonly known as The Hylton Club â sports fields.
The rink will be dry â meaning no ice will be seen, and it can be used year-round.
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In an early July decision, the Prince William Planning Commission rezoned part of Route 28 in Nokesville to allow for more warehouse development.
The application was two-fold. It was requested that the nearly 19 acres of land be rezoned from mixed-use village to light industrial and that an update be made to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
The update to the CPA would rezone the entire district from general business to light industrial. This area includes parts of Fitzwater Drive, Hooker Lane and the Norfolk Southern Railway, in addition to Nokesville Elementary School and a fire station.
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The project was first proposed by Superintendent Kevin Newman, Ed.D., in 2022, and recently began construction at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
"The project is generally described as demolition of the existing covered walkway, stairs and ramp and the construction of a new enclosed connector of approximately 5,650 square feet and associated site work," a website detailing contractor bids on the project states.
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One aging sign in the window reads âWeâre Evolving, Paragon Village is now EVO Entertainment,â but above the door, itâs labeled âHooky Now Open.â It was also called âMuvico,â at one time.
On the north end of Hooky, closest to the shopping mall, there are several movie theaters. On the other end, the bar features a wall of windows that display the traffic on Interstate 95. Earlier this month, when downed wires forced the road to close, the bar was the place to be for many. âWe had quite a few people come in, good for a Monday,â said bartender Willow Leyva.
Fourteen bowling alleys are located in a few small areas between the theaters and the bar, and a section featuring computerized games and a snack bar is nestled under an assortment of colored lights. The air hockey table is always busy, and this traditional game from the 1970s remains a popular favorite among fans.
