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.

In a recent interview on the Potomac Local News Podcast, Diggs previewed a joint town hall scheduled for Monday, April 29, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Colonial Forge High School Library (note: location changed from the auditorium). The event will feature members of both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board, including Maureen Siegmund, Chair of the School Board.


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:


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:


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.


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, Va. – Stafford County homeowners will see a higher real estate tax rate this year — $0.9236 per $100 of assessed value — as the Board of Supervisors adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 budget on April 15. Although the tax rate is three cents higher than last year, it remains two cents lower than the original proposal by the County Administrator.

By comparison, neighboring Prince William County, with four times Stafford’s population, lowered its real estate tax rate to $0.906 per $100. Despite the rate cut, higher home values in Prince William mean its homeowners will still pay more. The average tax bill in Prince William is $5,162, based on a typical home value of $569,772. In Stafford, the average homeowner will pay $4,069 on a home valued at $434,400.


Tucked away in a charming cottage near historic Occoquan, Bistro L’Hermitage offers an authentic French dining experience that transports guests straight to the heart of Provence. Its warm lighting, classic French bistro décor, and intimate atmosphere make it the perfect setting for a romantic evening or a special celebration.?


The annual sale, running from now through Saturday, April 26, 2025, features thousands of gently used books, DVDs, and more, all at bargain prices. Proceeds help support the library’s programming and resources.

On Thursday and Friday, April 24–25, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., it is open to everyone. Shoppers can browse a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, children’s titles, cookbooks, and more.


FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – At one time, the Fredericksburg Visitors’ Center at the corner of Charlotte and Caroline Streets and the little parking lot next door were an adequate place for visitors to park. Last year, the Visitor’s Center relocated to a larger space a block away. The parking lot is now under new ownership, and access to the lot has been restricted. However, not everyone received the notice, so parking enforcement rolls in, which some see as unwarranted.

“I have heard of people being towed,” said Simon Jones, who called the signs “very unclear.” He had a latte from “Anita’s Café” next door to the lot, and the owner, Anita Crossfield, agrees that the signage needs to be clearer. She’s seen cars being towed from the lot, especially on holidays. “It’s not clear,” she said, and an updated version of the sign needs to be included. The new owners should do that, Anita said.


Early Voting Starts May 2 for June Democratic Primary

Early voting for the June Democratic Primary Election begins Friday, May 2, 2025, in Stafford County. Voters participating in the primary will choose nominees for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. The election will take place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. There is no Republican primary this cycle.


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