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Workhouse Arts Center Receives Two ArtsFairfax Grants

By Aya Karouane

Press Release:

The Workhouse Arts Center has been awarded a 2025 ArtsFairfax Operating Support Grant to further its mission to support a vibrant arts center that offers a unique combination of visual and performing arts, arts education, historical perspective, and community engagement. In addition, the Workhouse has been awarded a 2025 Project Support Grant to continue developing innovative, new community-based projects. The center is among 58 Operating Support Grant and 12 Project Support Grant recipients based in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.

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Manassas City Public Schools Struggles with High Absenteeism Rates, Particularly at Osbourn High School

By Potomac Local News

Recent data presented at the October 22 Manassas City School Board meeting showed that Osbourn High School has seen a significant rise in absenteeism. Over 16% of its student population has been categorized as chronically absent, meaning they miss more than 10% of the school year. This places Osbourn among the city’s schools, which are struggling the most with attendance, directly affecting its academic performance and state accreditation.

Student absenteeism has become a growing concern in Manassas City Public Schools, with Osbourn High School facing particularly troubling attendance trends. During a Potomac Local News forum on October 17, 2024, school board candidates and community leaders discussed the root causes of absenteeism and the efforts needed to address this critical issue.

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Osbourn High’s CTE Program Shines, New Expansion Plans on the Horizon

By Potomac Local News

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Osbourn High School is a shining example of how Manassas City Public Schools are preparing students for both college and careers by offering practical, hands-on learning experiences. The program covers a variety of fields, including health sciences, information technology, automotive technology, welding, and cosmetology, helping students gain the technical skills they need to thrive in today’s job market.

During a Potomac Local News forum held on October 17, 2024, Maidy Whitesell, a school board candidate and longtime community volunteer, highlighted the need for expanding the program to meet student demand. “There’s a lot of interest in fields like plumbing and electrical work. These are valuable skills, not just for immediate employment but for life in general. We should continue to expand the program to give our students more opportunities to succeed,” Whitesell said during a recent town hall forum on Manassas City schools.

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Manassas City Public Schools Struggle with Declining SOL Scores and Controversial Grading Policies

By Potomac Local News

Manassas City Public Schools face increased scrutiny over falling student performance and a contentious grading policy as the November election approaches. During a recent town hall hosted by Potomac Local News, candidates for the city’s school board and concerned residents discussed the troubling decline in Standards of Learning (SOL) scores and how the division’s grading practices may exacerbate the issue.

In the past year, SOL scores for Manassas students have significantly dropped, leaving the school division well below state averages. Two of the city’s schools, Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School, remain partially accredited under pandemic-era standards and struggle to meet performance benchmarks. Caitlyn Meisner, our Manassas Local Editor, covering the school board for Potomac Local News, has followed the downward trend closely since late 2023.

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Manassas City Schools Face Behavioral Challenges, Teacher Turnover, and Lingering Impacts of COVID-19

By Potomac Local News

One of the most pressing concerns discussed during the town hall was increased student behavioral problems, which have created significant classroom disruptions. School board candidate Javanese Hailey, a former teacher at Metz Middle School, shared her experience with a lack of accountability in the school.

“When I worked at Metz in 2019, there was just an absolute lack of accountability. The kids were allowed to do whatever they wanted, and there were no consequences,” Hailey said. “I had seventh graders who were on third-grade level academically, and that, coupled with behavioral issues, created chaos. It felt like something was going to break down at any moment.”

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Emergency Repairs Completed on I-95 Southbound After Multi-Vehicle Crash and Road Damage

By Uriah Kiser

All lanes on Interstate 95 southbound have reopened as of 10:35 p.m., Thursday, October 24, following a multi-vehicle crash involving at least one tractor-trailer and extensive road repairs near mile marker 108 in Caroline County. One person was injured, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The incident began at 7 a.m. when a crash blocked northbound and southbound lanes near mile marker 108. Emergency responders closed all I-95 northbound and two southbound lanes between exits 110 (Ladysmith) and 104 (Carmel Church) as they worked the scene.

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Fredericksburg Pushes for Urban Tree Canopy Expansion to Preserve Green Spaces

By Uriah Kiser
A view of Downtown Fredericksburg from above Hurkamp Park [Photo: Fredericksburg City]

Brent Hunsinger, a representative for the organization, spoke on the importance of expanding tree cover in urban areas, stating, “Thank you very much for working with the city on this issue…we feel that this is a very important step so that our lawmakers in Richmond can see that localities care about this as well, not just organizations such as Friends of the Rappahannock, as we work towards expanding that authority potentially down the road to try preserve and expand that urban tree canopy.”

Urban tree canopy initiatives provide numerous benefits, including improved air quality, reduced heat, and enhanced community well-being. These projects are increasingly recognized as essential for building climate resilience in cities, where trees help mitigate the effects of urban heat and contribute to carbon sequestration. With the legislative session approaching in January, Fredericksburg’s request for increased authority to preserve and grow its tree canopy reflects a broader commitment to environmental sustainability.

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Stafford County School Board Advocates for Legislative Support on Key Education Issues

By Uriah Kiser
Elected leaders meet at Brooke Point High School on October 17, 2024 to discuss the Stafford County Public Schools legislative agenda. [Photo: Stafford schools]

The School Board’s legislative agenda underscores several issues:

1. Cost-of-Competing Adjustment (COCA): Stafford County receives only 25% of the COCA funding that neighboring Northern Virginia districts enjoy, despite facing similar cost-of-living and market conditions. The Board urged lawmakers to support full COCA funding to help Stafford attract and retain educators, noting a $10,000 average salary gap between teachers in Stafford and nearby districts.

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Broadway Star Joins Osbourn High Choir On Stage

By Caitlyn Meisner
Arbender Robinson, a Broadway Guest Artist in Residence, taught a masterclass to Osbourn High School students from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18. [Photo courtesy of Manassas City Public Schools]

Robinson made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning production of “Hairspray” as Seaweed. Since then, he’s been in various Broadway productions, including “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” “Hair,” “Ragtime,” “The Lion King,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Les Misérables.”

During his three days with the choir, Robinson taught a three-hour masterclass, discussed his journey to Broadway, provided students with industry insights and took questions from students. A ninth-grade student, Maliya Trammell, performed “Rise Up,” and Robinson provided acting tips through song.

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Potomac River Orthodontics to Hold Event to Help Children Get Braces

By Dalila Conde
(Potomac River Orthodontics)

Potomac River Orthodontics, just off Hoadly Road in Woodbridge, is partnering with the nonprofit Smiles Change Lives to offer affordable orthodontic care to local children. 

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