News

During the Manassas City Council meeting on February 13, 2024, three residents voiced their concerns about the use of horse-drawn carriages in the city, urging for a ban on the practice. The speakers, identified as Asteria, Moshe, and Prius Xena, presented arguments against the continuation of horse-drawn carriage rides, emphasizing both animal welfare and public safety.

“Horse-drawn carriages provide rides to Downtown Manassas visitors each year in December,” noted Asteria, a resident living off Liberia Avenue. “But every year, these rides pose significant risks to both horses and pedestrians. Horses are prey animals, easily spooked by the noise and commotion of city streets. It’s time for the council to prioritize safety and put an end to this dangerous practice.”


Schools

The Manassas City School Board and Council held a joint meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, to discuss future plans for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School following the Board’s design approval on Feb. 13, 2024.

Council and board members met to move the process along and hopefully reach an agreement on a Special Use Permit (SUP) the School Board must obtain from the City Council before school construction may begin. Obtaining an SUP will move the decision to approve the designs and construction to the Planning Commission and then the City Council for a vote.


Event

Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon at the BlackRock Center for the Arts as Cruise Planners Beth & Rod present a special travel-inspired matinee featuring the beloved film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


News

During the February 22, 2024, Stafford County Board of Supervisors session, deliberations centered on potential fee increases aimed at bolstering funding for various county government operations.

Budget Director Andrea Light, addressing the board, outlined the forthcoming steps regarding fee adjustments. “We have assumed about $150,000 of new revenue based on the fee increases from development services.” She highlighted the proposed timeline for implementing changes, with the Board set to vote to advertise a tax rate on March 5 and the adoption of its FY2025 budget slated for April 2.


Features

This graduating class is unique as it includes both traditional trainees and members of the Expedited Law Enforcement Certified Academy. The latter comprises experienced law enforcement professionals who have already been certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and have served at least three years elsewhere in Virginia, according to a police press release.

The new troopers underwent rigorous training, including over 1,300 hours of instruction covering various subjects such as de-escalation techniques, mental health crisis intervention, ethics, constitutional law, and public relations. The Trooper Trainees of the 140th Basic Session began their training on July 26, 2023, while those in the Expedited Academy started on December 28, 2023.


Business

DHL eCommerce relocated from its Elkridge, Md. distribution center to a 138,500-square-foot location in Prince William County.

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Prince William

The National Merit Scholarship Program has selected Skye Auger at Osbourn Park High School and Joseph Dietrich at Patriot High School as 2024 National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

All finalists will be considered for National Merit scholarships awarded in 2024. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will begin notifying scholarship winners by email in March. Prince William County Public Schools posted the news to its website and congratulated to these students for demonstrating through their high academic performance, their great potential for future academic accomplishments.


Features

The parade, slated to commence at 11 a.m., will kick off at the corner of Prescott Avenue and Quarry Road, winding its way down Center Street before culminating at the iconic Harris Pavilion. Led by Vince Fitzpatrick, President of Inisfail, Inc. Atvale, Inc., the parade is a testament to the rich Irish heritage deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Prince William County and surrounding areas.

This year’s festivities are significant as Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson recently proclaimed March as Irish American Heritage Month. In her proclamation, Jefferson highlighted the enduring contributions of Irish Americans to the nation’s history, from their pivotal role in shaping cities to their significant influence in government, military, and beyond.


Breaking News

A total of 831 electricity customers were out in the neighboring Manassas city. Crews have been on site since 3:30 a.m. this morning, trying to reroute power. As of 7:30, all power was restored,  a city spokeswoman tells us.

The outage comes as Prince William police investigate a single-vehicle crash that struck a pole along Old Centreville Rd in front of Yorkshire ES. The driver fled—prolonged traffic impacts expected due to needed repairs. Drivers are urged to expect delays and to follow police directions.