News

Stafford Schools Partner with George Mason’s Direct Admissions Program

By Caitlyn Meisner
George Mason University has partnered with local school divisions for its Direct Admissions program. [Photo/Courtesy of Visit Prince William]

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.

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Two Domestic Assault Arrests in Woodbridge Top Prince William Police Blotter

By Jazbia Chaudhry
[Photo: Alan Gloss]

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.

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Traffic Stops Have Increased in Manassas, New Police Data Shows

By Caitlyn Meisner

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.

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Alternative Education Program Funding Approved for Manassas City Schools

By Caitlyn Meisner
Manassas City Councilor Theresa Coates-Ellis at the July 28, 2025, meeting discussing the MCPS alternative education program funding request. [Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

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.

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Manassas City Council Approves Schools’ Purchase of 8700 Centreville

By Caitlyn Meisner
Manassas Public Schools HQ at 8700 Centreville Road.

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A Fairy Tale with a Twist Is Coming to Manassas—And It’s Just for Kids (and Their Grown-Ups)

By Potomac Local News

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.

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Prince William Kicks Off Nation’s 250th Anniversary with New Sign, Exhibit

By Caitlyn Meisner
The new sign outside Williams Ordinary to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary next year. [Courtesy of the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation]

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.

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The Prince William County Fair is Back: What’s New and Returning in 2025

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Graphic courtesy of Prince William County Fairgrounds]

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.

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Budget Director Wants to Restructure the Fire Levy Fund in Prince William

By Caitlyn Meisner
Prince William County's Fire & Rescue System Engine 23. [Courtesy of PWCFRS]

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