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OmniRide Sees Ridership Surge, But Funding Challenges Loom

By Uriah Kiser

The is experiencing a surge in ridership, with a 36% increase in February compared to January, despite one fewer service day. Early data from March indicates the trend is continuing, with ridership levels already outpacing previous weeks.

The boost in ridership was discussed at the March 6 Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) meeting and has been particularly strong on express routes, following a pattern seen across the region. Southern commuter routes, including Route 611 (Front Royal-Gainesville-Washington), Route 612 (Warrenton-Gainesville-Pentagon-L’Enfant Plaza-Navy Yard), and Route 622 (Haymarket-Rosslyn/Ballston), recorded their highest monthly ridership total yet, surpassing 11,000 trips combined.

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Dumfries Proposed $12.7M Budget is 15% Larger Than Last Year

By Uriah Kiser
Dumfries Town Hall at 17739 Main Street in Dumfries.

Dumfries Town Manager Tangela Innis has presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget for the town. The budget outlines strategic investments in infrastructure, public safety, and community programs while maintaining the town’s real estate tax rate.

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Teachers Talk Collective Bargaining in Manassas Schools Budget Hearing

By Caitlyn Meisner
Baldwin Elementary School. [Courtesy of Homes.com]

Teachers and Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) employees were vocal about the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at a recent Board meeting, voicing concerns over collective bargaining and funding.

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Settling in Fredericksburg Common for Mary Washington Grads

By Mike Salmon
After graduating from MWU, Maggie Clegg moved across the U.S. before deciding that Fredericksburg is home.

Many newly graduated college alumni like the familiarity of the college town, so they stick around after they get the degree, for one reason or another. It’s still known as ‘home,’ making escaping hard.

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Snap, Crackle, Fall: Grafton Village Students Set Off a Chain Reaction

By Kelly Sienkowski

What sound do 1,455 cereal boxes make when they fall? Light thuds, and big cheers. Stafford’s Grafton Village Elementary School students filled the hallways on Friday, March 14 to cheer as cereal boxes toppled like dominoes through the school.

The breakfast, which was tumbled, wrapped up a two-week cereal donation drive. Students brought in unopened cereal boxes to their classrooms. The classroom with the highest total number won a Domino’s pizza and popsicle party. The winning 5th grade class brought in 162 boxes.

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Will Prince William County Absorb Training Costs for Town Police?

By Uriah Kiser
Weir

The Board of County Supervisors has directed staff to review agreements between the Prince William County Police Department and incorporated towns regarding using the Mike Pennington Scenario-Based Training Center. The move comes after Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir requested a formal review of the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) governing town law enforcement agencies’ access to the facility.

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Stafford School Board Reviews Redesign Plans for Drew Middle School

By Uriah Kiser

The Stafford County School Board is moving forward with plans to redesign and rebuild Drew Middle School, with an anticipated opening in August 2028. The proposed facility, located at Oak Knoll Farm off Farm Road, aims to modernize the school’s infrastructure while accommodating growing student enrollment.

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Signal Bay Waterpark Delays Opening for Renovations

By Uriah Kiser

Summer fun at Signal Bay Waterpark will start a little later than expected this year. The city of Manassas Park has announced a delayed opening due to ongoing renovations. According to a statement from city officials, the park will now welcome visitors on Monday, June 23, about a month later than initially planned.

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Amazon Fresh near Manassas to Close This Weekend

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Prince William County Government]

The Amazon Fresh grocery store near Manassas will close its doors for the final time on Sunday, March 16, 2025, as part of the company’s ongoing evaluation of its physical store strategy.

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Fredericksburg Unveils FY2026 Budget Proposal: Tax Increase, School Funding Boost, and Major Infrastructure Investments

By Uriah Kiser

Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody presented the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal to the City Council on March 11. The proposal outline a $136.75 million spending plan to strengthen public schools, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure long-term financial stability.

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