Manassas

MANASSAS, Va. – Actors Theatre at the ARTfactory is bringing high-energy comedy to the stage this summer with Lend Me a Soprano, a fast-paced farce by acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig. The show runs from June 13 to 22 at the Wind River Theatre in downtown Manassas.

This gender-swapped take on Tony Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor, directed by Vince Worthington, is set in 1934 at the fictional Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Audiences can expect a night full of backstage mayhem as the characters scramble to save a performance of Carmen when their star soprano arrives late, a jealous husband crashes the scene, and a young assistant must think on her feet to prevent a disaster.


News

According to the school division, the fair aimed to encourage student participation in middle and high school sports. Thirty tables highlighted Virginia High School League (VHSL) programs and activities. Coaches and student-athletes were on hand to answer questions and inspire attendees to get involved.

“This event is all about showing students that there’s a place for everyone in PWCS,” said Ashley Ausborn, PWCS coordinator of sports medicine. “Whether you’re into track, robotics, or wanting to try something new, we want kids to feel excited and confident about getting involved.”


News

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – The Prince William County Police Department is hitting the streets for two important missions in the coming weeks: keeping drivers safe and supporting Special Olympics athletes.

First up, officers are joining law enforcement across Virginia for the annual “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement campaign, running now through June 1, 2025. According to a department announcement, officers will be out in full force during high-visibility patrols, day and night, to ensure drivers and passengers are buckled up. The campaign reminds everyone to “wear your seatbelt every time”—a message that could save lives.


Schools

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Falmouth Elementary School students got a fresh taste of hands-on learning today, thanks to a Project Learning Garden enhancement grant from Cox Enterprises and the Captain Planet Foundation. The school celebrated the expansion of its outdoor classroom during a community event that drew local leaders and education supporters.

Originally built by students in 2017, the school’s learning garden now includes five raised beds filled with organic soil where students grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. With the help of a $500 grant, new gardening tools, a Vitamix blender, and a mobile cooking cart, students harvested their produce and prepared a garden-fresh salad—learning about nutrition, science, and sustainability in the process.


Manassas

MANASSAS, Va. – Virginia Railway Express (VRE) unveiled a sweeping set of changes coming to its downtown Manassas station, promising major improvements in safety, accessibility, and future service flexibility.

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Fredericksburg

The river reached its peak early on May 15 following heavy rainfall in the Shenandoah Valley the day before. The National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning for Fredericksburg, as the 13-foot crest marked the official start of flooding, according to local river gauge data.

City staff quickly activated their flood preparedness plan at Old Mill Park, the city’s most popular park located right along the river. That included removing porta-potties, pumping out bathrooms, and detaching fixtures at risk of water damage.


Prince William

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – A man has been arrested and charged with murder following a deadly shooting that took place in a wooded area behind a shopping center on Smoketown Road Wednesday evening.

Prince William County Police say officers responded to the 14200 block of Smoketown Road at 5:13 p.m. on May 21, 2025. Initially, there were no signs of injuries in the area, but a search led officers to discover three adult males with gunshot wounds in a secluded wooded section behind the shopping complex.


Pets

Winston was adopted just yesterday by a family who already had a dog, Dory. The adopter, a bit hesitant about adding a feline to the mix, asked if he could return Winston if things didn’t work out. The shelter’s answer? Yes—but they always recommend giving pets time to adjust.

Turns out, time wasn’t needed. From the moment they met, Dory and Winston clicked. The gentle dog found a little brother to watch over, and the curious kitten found a best friend. It’s a heartwarming match that shows just how magical adoption can be.