News

Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis discusses budget priorities, challenges ahead

By Uriah Kiser
Coates Ellis

As the Manassas City Council is fresh off its retreat to Airlie Hotel and Conference Center in Warrenton and set to begin budget talks, Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis emphasized distinguishing between wants and needs when making decisions that impact the community. She stressed that council members serve as stewards of taxpayer money and must prioritize choices for the betterment of the community.

“When it comes to the budget, we have to look at wants and needs,” Coates Ellis stated. “We’re going to go through the budget highlights from last year to see where we are and where we’re going. There will be some wants and needs brought up from the departments.”

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Business

Dale City Sheetz faces demolition, seeks major makeover with drive-through

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Sheetz, Inc.]

Sheetz, owned by STEICO Incorporated, is petitioning the Prince William Board of County Supervisors for a special use permit (SUP) that would permit the addition of a drive-through facility. If granted, the company plans to demolish the existing structure and construct a new Sheetz gas station with updated interior design features and a reinstated drive-through for the convenience store.

The permit request will be deliberated at the county Planning Commission meeting on February 7, 2024, at the McCoart Building in Woodbridge, starting at 7 p.m. The SUP request encompasses the demolition and rebuilding of the existing Sheetz, featuring 6,100 square feet of gross floor area, with a total of 12 gas pumps.

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Features

Coffee, tea and Huntley make up the aura at Katora

By Mike Salmon
Musicians gather in the sound room upstairs. [Photo: Mike Salmon]

From the front, the Katora Coffee Shop looks like an inviting place to come in, have a cup of joe or a pastry, and converse with whoever is around. Once inside, though, there’s more to it.

The walls are adorned with local art, and a small stairway leads to a back room that doubles as a sound studio for local musicians, including Michael Huntley, who made national news on December 19, 2023, as the winner of Season 24 on NBC’s “The Voice.”

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Schools

Metz scores decline: ‘It’s clear…our students need our help urgently’

By Caitlyn Meisner

The Manassas City School Board met on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2o24, in a regular meeting to discuss Grace E. Metz Middle School, revise the calendar, and send off a longtime colleague.

The School Board heard from Grace E. Metz Middle School Principal Gary Morris on student academic success, challenges faced by the school, strategies to improve the workforce, and communication with parents.

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News

Flood watch issued for region, heavy rain expected | Water’s End Brewery sponsors our weather posts

By Uriah Kiser

Flood Watch Issued

“A Flood Watch has been issued for a large portion of our region along and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Nelson Co up to southern Baltimore Co. This Flood Watch is in effect for late this evening into Sun morning. Total amounts will range from 1.50-2.00″. The National Weather Service forecast indicates that a low-pressure system will move from the lower Mississippi River Valley to the Mid-Atlantic through Sunday morning, eventually moving offshore Sunday evening,” reports the National Weather Service.

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Prince William

Pr. William schools update: Specialty program application deadline nears

By Uriah Kiser

Thursday, February 1, marks the deadline for applications to Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) specialty programs, excluding the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, which closed in December. PWCS offers diverse and talent-driven opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students, wrote Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade.

In Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), students across different grade levels can choose specialized programs tailored to their interests and strengths:

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News

Manassas police make arrest in recent shooting incident

By Uriah Kiser

In connection with the shooting incident in the Brentwood neighborhood on January 14, 2024, Manassas City Police have arrested 33-year-old William Callaway. He was apprehended on January 25, and was found illegally carrying a concealed weapon at the time of his arrest, said police spokeswoman Alexis Williams.

Callaway is currently held without bond at the Prince William Detention Center, facing charges of Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. This arrest follows the earlier incident where a 31-year-old male victim was shot in the leg near the intersection of Digges Road and Forum Way.

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