In an effort to advocate for policies safeguarding national parks, clean water, and combating climate change, the Virginia Conservation Network, in collaboration with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), is gearing up for the annual 2024 Conservation Lobby Day on Wednesday, January 31.

This significant event aims to unite environmental supporters from across the state, addressing the constant threats faced by Virginia’s national parks, particularly from the proliferation of data centers. The General Assembly is set to consider various bills in 2024 to tackle the impacts of data centers, including rising electricity costs and environmental pressures.


Each year, the iWRITE literacy organization organizes a publishing contest for young writers and illustrators in grades three through 12.

This year, Anushka Misra, a seventh-grade student at Gainesville Middle School, emerged as one of the 125 winners chosen from across the globe.


On January 17, 2024, Karyn Riddle, Assistant Principal at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, was honored as the 2024 Outstanding Secondary School Assistant Principal of Virginia by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP). According to a Prince William County Schools spokeswoman, a panel of school leaders, including principals and division superintendents, carefully selected Riddle for this prestigious recognition.

Riddle, a proud graduate of Osbourn Park High School, has dedicated 24 years to the education of students in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS). Her journey began at Osbourn Park High, where she spent a decade teaching and served as the school’s assistant principal for four years. Subsequently, Riddle contributed eight years in the central office as a student management supervisor, specializing in leadership development. In 2018, she assumed the role of assistant principal at Colgan High.


The Prince William County School Board voted Wednesday to designate March 5, the day of the presidential primary, as a student holiday and staff work day.

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To widen and vary the audience scope, Castaways Theatre has initiated a survey to collect opinions from the community on the types of plays they would like to see in future productions. The goal is to ensure that the theater caters to diverse preferences.

The recent productions, including the stage adaptation of the award-winning 1985 film documentary “SHOAH” and the upcoming performance of “Heathers,” highlight Castaways Theatre’s commitment to presenting various theatrical experiences.


Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Bristow) updated his legislative priorities at the end of the first week of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly.

Lovejoy emphasized his focus on two key issues: limiting the siting of data centers near certain areas and addressing potential conflicts of interest among local elected officials involved in land use proceedings.


In response to the recent surge in crime rates in Prince William County, Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin is set to host a Zoom town hall meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. The town hall aims to address community concerns and provide insights into the county’s current public safety situation.

The decision to hold this annual town hall comes on the heels of a shooting in Woodbridge, resulting in the first homicide victim in Prince William County for the year 2024. A woman lost her life after being shot and taken to a local hospital.


Roem has focused on legislation related to data centers, emphasizing the need for stringent approval processes. One of her proposed bills states that any local government land use application required for the siting of a data center must adhere to specific notice and noise abatement provisions. These provisions include notifying residents within a half-mile radius, scheduling and attending neighborhood meetings, and conducting sound studies to determine baseline and post-construction noise levels.

“I’m isolating at home in Manassas (albeit with my kitties, so not entirely alone). I plan to participate in committee and floor session remotely Monday,” Roem posted to X, formerly Twitter. “If I test negative Tuesday, I’ll mask up and return.”


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