Originals - Page 8 of 431 - Potomac Local News

From Immigration to Infrastructure: Mayor Davis Younger Addresses City Concerns

Published February 5, 2025 at 5:25PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:21AM

Manassas Mayor Michele Davis Younger [Photo: Mike Beaty]

In this exclusive interview, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger discusses key city issues, including immigration enforcement, budget concerns, tax rates, and economic development. She addresses the potential loss of state and federal funding, her stance on tax increases, and the city’s approach to revitalization projects. Younger reflects on her first-term accomplishments, such as securing the sale of the Old Town Inn, and outlines future plans, including a new Veterans Advisory Council. She also weighs in on data center expansion, the canceled Route 28 Bypass project, and the importance of community engagement.

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Woodbridge Notes: State of the Parks Event, New Dumfries Gym, and Water Academy Award

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 5, 2025 at 5:16PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:21AM

L-R, Susan D. Pekarek, NACWA’s Award Committee Chair pictured with Michelle Miranda, Community Engagement Manager and Calvin D. Farr, General Manager & CEO, both with Prince William Water

The latest Woodbridge Notes highlights key community updates, including the 2025 State of the Parks event on February 13 at Chinn Park Regional Library, where residents can learn about upcoming projects and initiatives in Prince William County parks. In Dumfries, Workout Anytime is set to open the same day, with Gary Wortham Jr. as general manager, bringing his passion for fitness and community building. Additionally, Prince William Water’s Water Academy has won a National Environmental Achievement Award for its efforts in educating the public on clean water initiatives. Stay informed with the latest local developments and events.

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Savor the Sounds: NSHS Band’s Annual Fundraiser Serves Pasta and Live Music

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published February 5, 2025 at 3:40PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:21AM

North Stafford High School Concert Band

The North Stafford High School (NSHS) Band is hosting its annual fundraiser dinner February 7, featuring live music, homemade pasta, and a silent auction. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature the North Stafford Jazz Ensemble, made up of 24 student musicians from the school’s band program.

The fundraiser is organized by the NSHS Band Booster Organization, which is made of parents of band members. It aims to raise essential funds that will directly support the band program and be used to support purchasing music, equipment, and providing instruction.

Stafford Schools Urge Parents to Help Curb Flu Spread Amid Rising Cases

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 5, 2025 at 11:04AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:23AM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford County Public Schools advise families and staff to practice good hygiene habits to reduce the spread of flu, colds, and other viruses as cases rise in the community.

Parents are encouraged to ensure children wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their faces, and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. The CDC and Virginia Department of Health recommend flu vaccinations for anyone six months and older.

Events Around Prince William, Manassas in February

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published February 5, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:24AM

[Emily Ranquist via Pexels]

Wednesday (Feb. 5)

Friday (Feb. 7)

Weather Watch: Wintry Mix and Ice Storm Possible Wednesday Evening

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 4, 2025 at 10:52PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:24AM

A winter storm is expected to impact the region starting Wednesday evening, bringing the potential for significant ice accumulation in some areas. The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for parts of the Potomac Highlands, Northern Shenandoah Valley, and Northern Virginia Blue Ridge.

Prince William County is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday. Stafford County is currently not under any advisory.

Prince William County Kills Route 28 Bypass Project After Years of Controversy

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 4, 2025 at 8:46PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:24AM

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.

Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.

County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.

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Manassas City Council Discusses Major Redevelopment Plans

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 4, 2025 at 7:00PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:24AM

A parking garage located in Downtown Manassas, next to the city's Virginia Railway Express / Amtrak station.

Manassas city officials are discussing major redevelopment projects, particularly in Old Town, Mathis Avenue, and Fairview Avenue. According to the city council, these discussions come as multiple developers have expressed interest in city-owned properties, prompting the council to consider issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to attract large-scale investment. A key focus of the meeting was the Old Town Inn site, where city officials debated whether to prioritize a new hotel or a mixed-use project. The lack of parking downtown remains a significant challenge, and council members acknowledged that constructing a 300-space parking deck is critical to enabling future development.

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What’s On the Agenda? Stafford’s Board of Supervisors Meets Today, Feb. 4

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published February 4, 2025 at 12:43PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:24AM

Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting today, Tuesday, February 4, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online.
The board will review revisions to the Code of Performance for 2025. At the last meeting, on Jan. 7, the board learned that if they wished to add new language to the draft they worked on in 2024, they would have to re-review the entire draft Code of Performance and Ethical Standards which the By-laws Committee worked on over the summer of 2024 and consider it again for adoption.

The board requested an additional consideration that County employees would be required to take leave for any board activities, work meetings, or constituent outreach. Those leave requests would be submitted to the County Administrator for public review. This rule would likely have the most impact on the new Chairman of the Board, Deuntay Diggs, who is also a Deputy with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. The agenda states the requests will be considered and a new draft presented at a future meeting.
The board will review revisions to the Code of Performance for 2025. At the last meeting, on Jan. 7, the board learned that if they wished to add new language to the draft they worked on in 2024, they would have to re-review the entire draft Code of Performance and Ethical Standards which the By-laws Committee worked on over the summer of 2024 and consider it again for adoption.

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End of the Road? Vote Expected as Sup Pushes to Cancel Route 28 Bypass, Citing Community Impact

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 3, 2025 at 7:09PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:24AM

Vega

Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega is pushing to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass project, a multi-year effort designed to alleviate congestion on Route 28 by extending Godwin Drive to connect Manassas with Dulles Airport. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is set to vote on her resolution during its meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The project, initially endorsed in September 2020, was meant to relieve congestion on Route 28 by constructing a four-lane divided bypass extending Godwin Drive across Sudley Road. The road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County.

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