MANASSAS, Va. — Democratic Congressmen Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) appeared before a packed audience Friday morning at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters to reflect on their first 100 days in office.

The event, titled “The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective,” was moderated by UVA Health Chief External Affairs Officer Jen Siciliano and offered a sweeping look at the challenges facing Northern Virginia and the nation.

Both lawmakers, elected in November 2024, emphasized the urgency of their work amid what they described as a time of national “chaos” and “uncertainty” that has rattled communities, economies, and institutions alike.

“We’re facing unprecedented circumstances — not just politically, but economically and institutionally,” said Subramanyam, a former state legislator and Obama-era White House tech advisor. “Even the most seasoned members of Congress haven’t seen anything like this, so in many ways, freshmen like us are just as prepared.”

Vindman: “Smart Growth” Vision and Focus on Democracy

In a one-on-one interview after the event, Rep. Vindman told Potomac Local News that his long-term vision for Northern Virginia centers on “smart growth through smart-funded infrastructure,” which includes bringing more industry to the region and capitalizing on the area’s strong schools and educational institutions. However, he cautioned that his immediate focus remains on “preserving the republic.”

That, Vindman said, means protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, “especially for families like Shannon and Luca’s in Stafford County, who rely on Medicaid for 24-hour care,” he said. He also called for defending democratic norms and due process. “We have to hold the line on what America stands for,” he said.

Response to Book Spending Allegations

Vindman had no comment when asked about a New York Post report that his campaign spent nearly $39,000 at a Florida bookstore where his brother, Alexander Vindman, held book signings.

Chamber CEO Sweeney: “Fantastic Kickoff” to New Headquarters

Prince William Chamber of Commerce CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney praised the event as a “fantastic kickoff” to the organization’s new home and called the conversation “refreshing and honest.”

“Having two freshman congressmen that serve in this unpredictable, uncertain time was wonderful,” Sweeney said. “They really shed light on what’s possible, what to look forward to, and what to be concerned about.”

While some attendees expressed concerns about immigration and workforce shortages, Sweeney said he hadn’t directly heard of businesses losing employees due to immigration issues. Instead, he highlighted how major industries — including healthcare and tech — are banding together to weather economic turbulence.

“Inova, Kaiser, Sentara, UVA Health, AWS, Google, and Iron Mountain were all in the same room this week trying to figure this out together,” he said.

One bright spot came from UVA Health, which Sweeney said has fully resolved its nursing shortage by training high school graduates for entry-level clinical roles and supporting them toward becoming registered nurses. “They’ve built a pipeline — no open nursing positions today,” he said.

On the other hand, retail businesses in Manassas City were described as “very, very concerned.” According to Sweeney, while the impact of tariffs hasn’t yet shown up on expense reports, foot traffic has dropped as consumers tighten discretionary spending. “We’ll see how it plays out, but our members are watching it closely,” he said.

Economic Warning Signs and Workforce Concerns

Both congressmen warned that tariffs, federal spending cuts, and efforts to relocate federal agencies to red states are threatening the region’s economic stability. Vindman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said his district could lose billions in economic activity if current policies continue. Subramanyam added that unpredictability is deterring businesses from investing in innovation and long-term growth.

“You can’t plan if you don’t know what tomorrow brings,” Vindman said. “That’s the worst environment for business.”

A 30-day warning period for photo red light enforcement at the intersection of Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue in Manassas will begin on May 1, 2025.

After the warning period ends on June 1, 2025, active enforcement will start, and citations will be issued to violators. Each potential violation will be reviewed by a Manassas City Police Officer before a citation is issued.

The fine for violations is a $50 civil penalty and does not impact the driver’s license status. This enforcement is part of the city’s effort to improve roadway safety by encouraging compliance with traffic laws and reducing vehicle crashes.

30-Day Warning Period to Begin May 1, 2025, for Photo Red Light Enforcement at Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue Intersection

As part of the ongoing photo red light enforcement campaign, traffic safety and engineering studies have determined that photo red light enforcement is appropriate for the intersection of Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue based on studies of violations and crashes at this location.

On May 1, 2025, a 30-day warning period will begin at this intersection. After the 30-day warning period on June 1, 2025, active enforcement will occur, and citations will be issued to violators. Each potential violation is reviewed by a Manassas City Police Officer prior to a citation being issued. If it is determined that a violation did occur, a citation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The fine is a $50 civil penalty and does not impact driver’s license status.

The goal of photo red light enforcement is to improve roadway safety by encouraging compliance with traffic laws and reducing vehicle crashes. For more information on the City of Manassas photo red light enforcement program, visit https://www.manassasva.gov/police_department/red_light_camera_program.php

Current active intersections include:

• Liberia Avenue & Centreville Road
• Liberia Avenue & Euclid Avenue
• Liberia Avenue & Signal Hill Road
• Center Street & Grant Avenue

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, will headline this year’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner hosted by the Prince William County Republican Committee on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Foxchase Manor, located just outside Manassas.

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HAYMARKET, Va. — The Haymarket Town Council is set to revisit a controversial Chick-fil-A drive-through expansion proposal during its upcoming work session on Monday, April 28, 2025, as questions remain about the project's approval from key regulatory agencies.

Earlier this month, the council narrowly approved Special Use Permit (SUP) #2024-001 in a 4-0 vote, allowing the Chick-fil-A at 15186 Washington Street to proceed with a revised site plan known as “Exhibit 6.” The updated plan proposes extending the restaurant’s rightmost drive-through lane onto an adjacent property owned by Virginia National Bank, creating a bypass lane and adding a mobile order pickup point aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing wait times.

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MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Manassas Park homeowners could see their tax bills rise by hundreds of dollars under the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, despite a planned reduction in the city's real estate tax rate.

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STAFFORD, Va. — Chairman Deuntay Diggs of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors says the county is making “a good faith effort” to improve collaboration with the school board and engage residents following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes increased funding for schools, county services, and a higher property tax rate.

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The Prince William County Homeless Mobile Unit resumed operations this spring, offering weekly support to homeless residents in the western part of the county. The unit is stationed at Manassas Presbyterian Church, 8201 Ashton Avenue, every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m., providing hot meals and referrals for mental health, housing, and substance abuse services. Feeding Friends now operates the unit, which was previously run by Serving Our Neighbors until September 2024.

Full press release:

The Prince William County Homeless Mobile Unit reopened this spring, bringing much-needed services to the unsheltered community in the western part of the county. The mobile unit operates every Thursday from the Manassas Presbyterian Church parking lot at 8201 Ashton Avenue, offering hot lunches, as well as mental health, housing and substance abuse referrals.

Previously operated by the non-profit Serving Our Neighbors, the unit ended operations in September and was donated to Prince William County to ensure the continued delivery of services. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the donation in December, and the unit underwent refurbishment and maintenance before its relaunch. The non-profit Feeding Friends will now assume operational responsibilities.

“I’m excited to get it started up again,” said Acting Assistant Director of the Homeless Services Division,?Tanya Odell. “The mobile unit serves our most vulnerable clients. It allows us to provide services on the spot to support them. It’s definitely needed.”

Phyllis Jennings-Holt, director of the county’s Department of Social Services, also emphasized the importance of the unit in addressing the needs of the unsheltered.

“Folks are in crises,” Jennings-Holt said. “Being unsheltered has an impact on your mental health, your physical health, so being able to go somewhere, even for a short period of time, to get some needs met, to talk to someone about next steps and to possibly get some help is important.”

The mobile unit is designed to meet people where they are and provide immediate assistance to those seeking stability.

“If the client is interested in services, they will be referred to those programs or departments to link them to those services. If they need help from federal agencies, we will help them start the process,” Odell said.

The mobile unit will be staffed by social workers, mental health professionals and outreach workers, operating Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with plans to increase operating hours in the near future.

For more information on available services, visit pwcva.gov/socialservices.

Michele Hupman, Principal of Weems Elementary School, has been named the 2025 Washington Post Principal of the Year for Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS). The award was announced on April 24, 2025, and honors principals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and create impactful learning environments. Hupman has served as principal at Weems since 2022 and is recognized for improving student outcomes and school culture.

Here’s the full press release:

Manassas City Public Schools is excited to recognize Michele Hupman, Principal of Weems Elementary School, as the division’s 2025 Washington Post Principal of the Year. This distinguished honor recognizes principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their role to create exceptional learning environments, inspire excellence in school leadership, and foster meaningful improvements in their school communities.

Hupman, who has served as principal of Weems Elementary since 2022, was surprised with the announcement on Thursday, April 24, by Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman, Deputy Superintendent Craig Gfeller, and Executive Director of Human Resources Billie Kay Wingfield. She was presented with flowers and a banner to hang proudly outside the school for the next year.

A passionate educator with nearly 20 years of experience, Hupman is recognized by staff and peers as a transformative leader who brings energy, empathy, and excellence to every facet of her role. Under her leadership, Weems has seen notable improvements in academic achievement, student attendance, and school culture.

Her nomination was supported by heartfelt letters from multiple staff members, praising her hands-on leadership and uplifting presence.

“‘Have a good day on purpose’—that’s Mrs. Hupman’s tagline, and it resonates! She is positivity personified,” wrote Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Wendy King.

Whether greeting students with hugs, participating in Collaborative Learning Team meetings, attending every after-school event, or setting up monthly attendance celebrations, Hupman is known for showing up, pitching in, and lifting others up. Her leadership style is rooted in service, community connection, and a relentless belief in every student’s potential.

“She has been instrumental in improving our school culture, fostering team spirit, and encouraging inclusion and collaboration among staff, students, the community, and the PTO,” Instructional Assistant Hira Panth noted.

Others praised her leadership in professional learning and her deep investment in staff development.

“She is consistently making sure that the students are at the forefront of all the work we do and teachers have the tools needed to be successful,” said Dhanel Brown, Weems’ Instructional Facilitator. “It is because of her that I decided to apply for the role of Instructional Facilitator—she saw leadership qualities in me that I had yet to see in myself.”

Hupman was one of 27 finalists from the Washington metropolitan area selected to compete for the Post’s Principal of the Year Award.

The Fredericksburg Nationals (9-9) were shut out for the first time this season, falling 6-0 to the Charleston RiverDogs (8-10) on Thursday at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Charleston scored all six of its runs in the first two innings, capitalizing on six hits and three Fredericksburg errors.

FredNats starter Alexander Meckley was pulled in the third inning after walking three consecutive batters. Charleston’s Trevor Harrison held the FredNats scoreless over five innings, striking out seven. The FredNats loaded the bases in the second inning with no outs but failed to score and stranded 11 runners overall.

Game four of the series is scheduled for Friday at 7:05 p.m. Yoel Tejeda Jr. (1-0, 4.15 ERA) is set to start for Fredericksburg against Charleston’s Ryan Andrade (1-0, 0.64 ERA).

FREDNATS BLANKED IN 6-0 LOSS TO CHARLESTON

BOX SCORE

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The Fredericksburg Nationals (9-9) were shut out for the first time this season, falling for the second straight day to the Charleston RiverDogs (8-10), who won 6-0 behind early offense and strong pitching.

Alexander Meckley had the start for the FredNats at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, a building he hadn’t allowed a run in during his first two years for Fredericksburg. That streak met its end at the hands of the RiverDogs.

Charleston slapped hits in all directions against Meckley, finding holes with ground balls and sneaking line drives along the foul lines. Two innings in, Meckley had allowed six total hits. Add in three Fredericksburg errors and the RiverDogs jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead. Meckley walked three straight in the third inning and got the hook, but Merritt Beeker got him out of the jam with a strikeout.

It was already going to be hard for the FredNat offense against Charleston’s Trevor Harrison and the early deficit didn’t help. Harrison, 19, is Tampa Bay’s 11th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline and was coming off a scoreless, hitless 4.2 IP outing against Hickory. The righty picked up right where he left off, keeping the FredNats off balance across five scoreless innings while racking up seven strikeouts.

The only real big chance the FredNats had to score against Harrison came in the second inning when they had the bases loaded with nobody out and leadoff hitter Cristhian Vaquero coming up but Vaquero got ahead of a breaking pitch and softly lined out to first. The Nationals stranded all three runners and would go on to strand 11 total.

Nobody scored again after the six early runs for Charleston as the FredNat bats stayed quiet and the Fredericksburg bullpen was excellent. Beeker covered 3.1 innings while Erick Mejia, Adam Bloebaum and Merrick Baldo all tossed scoreless innings as well.

In the end, the RiverDog bullpen did the same and the FredNats, for the first time all year, didn’t score, giving Charleston its third shutout of 2025.

In game four on Friday, Fredericksburg hands the ball to Yoel Tejeda Jr. (1-0, 4.15) against Ryan Andrade (1-0, 0.64) in a 7:05 start.

Stafford County Utilities has introduced a new online tool to provide residents with real-time updates on water outages and repair work. The interactive map, available at utilities.staffordcountyva.gov/outage, shows active outages, affected areas, and repair status. The tool aims to enhance communication and transparency for the county’s more than 40,000 water customers.

The full press release:

Stafford County Utilities has launched a new communication tool to keep customers informed about water outages and repairs. A water outage map is now available at utilities.staffordcountyva.gov/outage, providing residents real-time updates on water outages and repairs.

Here’s how it works:

• Active, confirmed outages appear as clickable dots.
• Click the dot for the corresponding outage for details like the number of affected homes/businesses, repair status, and any related road closures.
• Once service is restored, the incident disappears from the map. (Road or landscape repairs may still be ongoing.)
  Depending on the circumstances related to the incident, restoration of roads, landscapes, etc., may still be in progress and may take additional time.

If you view the map and the header reads “no active outages,” there are most likely no ongoing incidents. If the map doesn’t show an outage but you suspect a problem, don’t hesitate to call Stafford County Utilities Customer Service at:

• Business Hours on Weekdays: (540) 658-8695
• Nights/Weekends/Holidays: (540) 658-4857

Stafford County’s new outage map highlights its commitment to reliable, responsive service. Stafford County Utilities works around the clock to ensure safe, high-quality drinking water for over 40,000 customers. Guided by the County’s “customer first” value, the team is dedicated to creating a positive experience by valuing, respecting and listening to all customers. The Utilities team works tirelessly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to ensure the availability of safe and reliable drinking water to its customers.