By Alan Gloss and Sarah Romero
Dumfries is celebrating its 275th anniversary this weekend, amid budgetary woes as it prepares for a three-day extravaganza to mark the occasion. Originally, the town council approved a $100,000 budget for the celebration, but it was revealed Tuesday that planners had overspent by $28,000.
Dean Park Lane in Manassas has been cordoned off due to a significant police presence, leaving residents and parents concerned about the safety of Dean Elementary School students. Authorities have enacted a “shelter-in-place” protocol at the school as a precautionary measure, but details regarding the cause remain scarce.
Concerns escalated when the nearby Martin K. Alloy Boys and Girls Club announced it would also be on lockdown surrounding the situation.
Ava Conway, a distinguished student who received an associate degree with the highest honors, served as the keynote speaker for the event. At just 18 years old, Conway hails from Eastern View High School, where she is set to graduate with an advanced diploma on May 18. Ranking in the top 10 percent of her class, Conway is faced with a choice between three universities for her continued education.
During the ceremony, Germanna conferred a total of 1,307 degrees and credentials upon 867 students. Conway, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in fine arts to fulfill her dream of becoming a drama teacher, reflected on her journey through Germanna’s Scholars program, which allows students to earn degrees without leaving their county. This initiative, spearheaded by Culpeper businessman Joe Daniels and generously supported by him and his wife Linda, provides significant opportunities for local students.
Incoming students have enrolled at McDaniel College as members of the Class of 2028. This list includes students who have deposited as of May 3, 2024. Micah Hagander and Sydney Turner of Stafford.
The following people were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines: Yanyna Yaich of Woodbridge at the University of West Alabama and Nina Buckley of Montclair at George Mason University.
Animal Control Officer M. Schultz responded to the 14000 block of Glenkirk Road in Gainesville for a stuck bird. He arrived to find a red-tailed hawk in need of rescue. Thanks to help from PWC Fire & Rescue, Officer Schultz was able to safely free the bird without causing further harm. The hawk has been transported to Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for further evaluation.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, we urge you to recognize the impactful contributions of local educators who shape the futures of our children.
In Manassas, the teachers at Lightbridge Academy, a recent addition to our community, are actively engaged in addressing the pressing issue of the Childcare Cliff. Offering educational services for children aged six weeks to six years, they play a vital role in alleviating the burdens faced by Virginia parents.
As we gear up for the much-anticipated 275th-anniversary gala of the Town of Dumfries, we’re curious to know how many of you are already in the loop about this historic event. Scheduled to take place at the prestigious National Museum of the Marine Corps. Potomac Local News has written multiple stories about the upcoming event, dating back to January 2024.
Longtime Manassas business owner Xiao Yin (pronounced Shee-ow Yin) “Tang” Byrom has announced her candidacy for the Republican ticket for Mayor of Manassas. She will challenge incumbent Michelle Davis-Younger, the Democratic Party nominee.
Highlighting her priorities, Yin emphasized two key initiatives aimed at addressing the pressing needs of Manassas residents. First, she stressed the importance of tackling turnover in key roles within the city.
