Known for its Nashville-style hot chicken and signature smash burgers, the fast-growing chain launched in Woodbridge in 2023 and has expanded to more than 25 locations across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Its Manassas Park debut comes just weeks after the All American Steakhouse opened nearby, signaling new momentum in the city’s plan to build a vibrant dining and entertainment district.

City Manager Carl Cole said the restaurant opening shows how years of planning are beginning to take hold. “The plan has been working to develop the downtown, and Nash & Smashed is just the latest in a string of success stories,” Cole said. “We’ve brought in several hundred units of housing, and we have about 450 more on the books within walking distance. That customer base sustains businesses and builds our tax base. It really is an ecosystem that works together.”


Eligible Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) high schoolers will now receive admission offers directly from George Mason University (GMU), a step in the institution’s expansion into the region through the Direct Admissions program.

The program, which began in the fall of 2023, was piloted to try to reach students who may experience challenges in pursuing higher education. The release from 2023 stated that if eligible, students would not have to submit an application fee, teacher recommendations or essays.


The most serious incident happened around 2:30 a.m. on July 30 at Woodbridge Station Apartments, where 23-year-old Yahziel Tyrik Collins allegedly hit a 28-year-old man in the head with a metal pot during an argument. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

On August 4, officers arrested 53-year-old Bryant Lee Hardy after a woman reported that he assaulted her and prevented her from leaving an apartment at River Oaks Apartments the night before. She later contacted police and reported minor injuries.


Calls for service to the Manassas City Police Department (MCPD) have decreased in recent months as traffic stops and enforcement citations have increased in 2025, a recent presentation to City Council shows.

Chief of Police Douglas Keen presented crime data for the city from January to June 2025 in an effort to “push back and fight incorrect information” from social media, he said.


The pilot funding request was approved unanimously by the MCPS School Board on May 13 and needed to be formally approved by City Council. The Board requested $2 million from its fund balance be used to get the program off the ground.

Council’s approval of this funding went hand-in-hand with its approval of the Board’s purchase of 8700 Centreville Road, where the program would be housed along with the district’s Central Office staff and operations.


This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today! Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


MANASSAS, Va. – A brand-new theater troupe for young audiences is making its debut this weekend with a playful spin on a classic fairy tale. The folks at the ARTfactory in Manassas just told Potomac Local News that their new group, Actors Theatre for Young Audiences, is kicking off with The Sleeping Beauty—a musical packed with comedy, magic, and even a dragon.

Performances will be held at the Wind River Theater inside the ARTfactory on August 2, 9, and 16 at 11 a.m.—perfect timing for a morning outing with the kids. This isn’t your typical fairy tale: the show features quirky characters like Chester the Jester, Tipsy the Mystic, and a royal magician who accidentally turns himself into a frog.


The exhibit and sign is the latest collaboration between the county’s Office of Historic Preservation and Preserve Prince William, a nonprofit aimed at raising funds for preservation programs.

The tall “LOVE” sign is outside the front of Dumfries’ Williams Ordinary along Route 1. Historic Communities Coordinator Lauren Maloy said this was strategic.


The Fairgrounds have been a regional staple since 1949, when it was first used for a dairy show organized by World War II veterans who wanted to promote agriculture in the county, a Visit Prince William website states. It is the largest county fair in the Commonwealth, and it has consistently drawn more than 90,000 visitors in recent years.

Bridget Mullins with the Fair said attendees can visit the 4-H Club demonstrations or the livestock shows to delve into the Fair’s history.


View More Stories