News - Page 22 of 1912 - Potomac Local News

Stafford Property Taxes Up 62% Since 2012 as FY2026 Budget Clears

Published April 18, 2025 at 1:23PM | Updated April 18, 2025 at 4:47PM

STAFFORD, Va. — The average homeowner in Stafford County will pay $130 more in property taxes starting July 1, 2025, after the Board of Supervisors approved a three-percent increase to the real estate tax rate—the county’s central funding source for local government and schools. Homeowners with a property assessed at the county average of $434,400 will receive a $4,069 bill.

According to data from Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky, average residential tax bills have increased 62% since 2012, when the typical homeowner paid $2,506. Over the same period, the average home value rose nearly 60%, slightly trailing the pace of tax increases.

Lights, Camera, Fredericksburg! Film Festival Brings Indie Cinema to Town

By Mike Salmon

Published April 17, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated April 25, 2025 at 6:16PM

Dalton Okolo, filmmaker and co-organizer of the Fredericksburg Film Festival, reviews shots on his camera during the opening night reception. [Photo: Mike Salmon]

Event organizer Dalton Okolo sported two high-powered cameras as he mingled with the crowd. “This is our second year, we have to figure ourselves out,” he said. The festival is supported by the Fredericksburg Office of Economic Development and Tourism, as well as several local businesses. At the opening reception, it was too early to predict the outcome, but Okolo was optimistic. “There are large amounts of enthusiasm online,” he said. Okolo is joined on the management side by Executive Producer & Experience Designer Wa’ad Adam, and producers Carlos Naranjo, Antonella Membreno, and John Heyn.

Okolo is a director, writer, and producer based in Fredericksburg, known for his Virginia-based short films, including “She’s Mine Now” (2022) and “Missing You” (2021). He is with 1108 Media, where he encourages Virginia-based filmmakers, strengthening the local film community. After the reception, there was a “Shorts Block,” with films “Dirty Towel,” “How to Feel Fullfilled at Work,” and “Waiting for April,” a film by a couple of Alexandria filmmakers Timothy Parsons and Kyle Schick.

Fire Damages Apartment on Oliver Court in Manassas; Four Displaced

By Potomac Local News

Published April 16, 2025 at 8:00AM

Emergency crews work to extricate a driver from a pickup truck after it was struck by an Amtrak train at a railroad crossing on Bristow Road near Manassas on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The driver was transported to a regional hospital with injuries. No one on board the train was hurt. Photo courtesy of Prince William County Fire and Rescue.

MANASSAS, Va. — Firefighters from the City of Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William County responded to an apartment fire this afternoon at 8872 Oliver Court, just off Liberia Avenue, where smoke was seen billowing from a second-story unit in a three-story building.

The fire broke out in a bedroom on the second floor shortly before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. According to Manassas Fire Chief Edward Mills, the unit was unoccupied at the time. Crews arriving at the scene reported smoke showing but no visible flames from outside.

Woodbridge Named Fastest-Growing Suburb in U.S.

By Potomac Local News

Published April 15, 2025 at 2:00PM

The Neabsco Boardwalk bridges the gap between Leesylvania State and Neabsco Regional parks in Woodbridge.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Woodbridge has been named the fastest-growing suburb in the United States, according to a new report from Travel + Leisure, shining a national spotlight on eastern Prince William County and prompting praise from local business and government leaders.

The article, published April 10, 2025, highlights Woodbridge’s explosive 887% population growth between 2018 and 2023, jumping from approximately, in what it cited as 4,000 to more than 43,000 residents. However, anyone who has lived here knows there were more than 4,000 residents in Woodbridge in 2018.

Manassas Tax Hike, Congressional Forum, and Stafford Tensions Lead This Week’sNews

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 15, 2025 at 7:30AM

Manassas residents should prepare to pay more in taxes and utility costs starting July 1.

The city is working to finalize a $327.9 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. While the real estate tax rate would remain at $1.26 per $100 of assessed value, rising property values mean most homeowners will still see higher bills.

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.

Prince William Supervisor Raises Questions About Fair Funding of Court Services Amid Clerk’s Expansion Requests

By Potomac Local News

Published April 11, 2025 at 1:00PM

Clerk of the Circuit Court Jacqueline Smith (bottom left) presents an update on her office’s services and funding requests to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during its April 1, 2025, meeting.

A Prince William County Supervisor is calling for a review of how the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park contribute to the operation of the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, citing concerns about equity as the office expands its public service offerings and technology footprint.

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The Next Chapter for Fredericksburg Readers: Novel Opens Downtown

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published April 11, 2025 at 9:00AM

Fredericksburg welcomed a new novelty to its downtown business scene last week: Novel, an independent bookstore and plant shop has opened its doors at 212 William Street.

Novel, owned and operated by Andie Ayers, offers a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction titles, unique gifts, and a quiet space designed for connection and conversation.

Prince William Leaders Voice Concern Over Federal Funding Uncertainties

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published April 10, 2025 at 11:00AM

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors and Prince William County Schools administrators met on April 1.

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With County EDA in Place, Dumfries Seeks More Control Over Business Development

By Potomac Local News

Published April 9, 2025 at 1:00PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

The Town of Dumfries is considering forming its own Economic Development Authority (EDA), a move that town leaders say would give them more flexibility and control over how to attract, retain, and grow businesses within the town’s borders.

At its April 1, 2025 meeting, the Town Council received a detailed presentation outlining the authority and potential benefits of creating an EDA under the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, passed by the state legislature in 1966. The act allows localities to establish Economic or Industrial Development Authorities (EDAs or IDAs) as separate legal entities to facilitate economic development.