Manassas

Manassas Councilwoman Teresa Coates-Ellis says she was “surprised” and “frustrated” by a recent proposal to more than double the salaries of the city’s mayor and council members—an idea that drew heavy criticism from residents and prompted the council to delay a final vote until September.

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Prince William

BRISTOW, Va. – The folks at Celebree School of Bristow just told Potomac Local News they’re giving away free backpacks to help local families gear up for the school year.

On Saturday, August 16, from 10 a.m. to noon, you can stop by their campus at 10368 Bristow Center Drive to pick up a brand-new backpack—no registration, no cost, and no strings attached. It’s first-come, first-served, and one backpack per child while supplies last.


Schools

The event, held in the parking lot of Target at Stafford Marketplace, featured music, giveaways, children’s book readings, and the collection of filled Empower Packs—backpacks stocked with school supplies for students in need.

SCOUT, which stands for Strengthening Community through Outreach, Understanding, and Trust, was unveiled at 9 a.m. to applause and chants of “Roll out SCOUT!” led by School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund. The vehicle is designed to bring educational resources, enrollment help, wellness information, and support services directly into neighborhoods across Stafford County.


Event

Join the New Dominion Choraliers put on a concert to honor the 250th Anniversary of the USA! The music in this choral concert captures the heart and soul of the American spirit through patriotic tunes and songs from the heartland. Joining the chorus are dancers from Dance Etc. School of the Arts and accompaniment from the talented members of Legacy Brass.

This family friendly and FREE event is perfect for young and old. Kids, parents, and grandparents will be familiar with many of the songs in this inspirational program. There are two opportunities to attend: Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 pm or Sunday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m.


Stafford

STAFFORD, Va. – The folks at Stafford County’s Capital Projects department just let Potomac Local News know they’re holding a design public hearing on a project that could ease traffic at a key local intersection.

The Poplar Road and Truslow Road Intersection Improvement Project aims to widen Poplar Road and add new turning lanes at its intersection with Truslow and Robeli Farms roads. The hearing happens Wednesday, August 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stafford High School, 63 Stafford Indians Lane in Fredericksburg.


Politics

GAINESVILLE, Va. – The Prince William Democratic Committee just told Potomac Local News they’ll hold a caucus next weekend to pick their nominee for the Gainesville District seat—and we now know the first candidate.

Jewan “Jack” Tiwari, a longtime Gainesville and Manassas resident, has officially announced he’s running for the seat on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. The seat was left vacant after Supervisor Bob Weir passed away in July.


Manassas

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle‑Sears, the Republican nominee for Virginia governor, will make two stops in the Greater Manassas area today as part of her statewide campaign tour, “Operation Defend & Deliver.”

Sears is expected to appear at the 34th Annual African American Culture Arts Festival at Metz Middle School in Manassas between 12 and 1 p.m. The free, family-friendly event, hosted by the African American Foundation of Prince William County, runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features more than 125 exhibitors — including arts and crafts vendors, cultural retailers, youth groups, college and school exhibits, a Health Fair, Business and Job Expos, a Classic Car Show, and food vendors.


Prince William

DUMFRIES, Va. — The Dumfries Town Council will vote on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, on whether to terminate its lease agreement with Historic Dumfries Virginia, Inc. (HDVI) — the nonprofit that has operated the Weems-Botts Museum and adjacent annex for over 50 years.

The proposed resolution appears on the Council’s public meeting agenda and, according to an email from HDVI, follows a 6-1 closed-session vote on July 1 to remove HDVI from the historic property and its annex, which also houses the group’s research library and visitor center. If approved, the resolution would effectively evict the organization from the town-owned property by mid-August.


Manassas

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – The At Home retail store on Sudley Road near Manassas will permanently close its doors this fall, following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by the Texas-based home décor chain.

Located at Manassas Mall, 8300 Sudley Road, the Manassas store is among 26 underperforming locations across the U.S. that will shutter as part of a corporate reorganization plan. According to court documents and multiple news reports, the company aims to close the affected stores by September 30, 2025.


Manassas

MANASSAS, Va. – A 65-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter following a deadly crash that took place last weekend in Manassas.

Police arrested Jeffrey Fortman on July 31, five days after the crash that killed 72-year-old Earline Steward. The collision happened around 6:05 p.m. on July 26 at the intersection of Ashton Avenue and Godwin Drive. Steward, the only person in her car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others from the second vehicle were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.