A countywide showcase of music and community spirit will return next month as Stafford County’s five high school marching bands come together for the 15th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger event.

Event coordinator Deb Pickeral and the drum majors representing each high school announced plans for this year’s concert during a presentation before the Stafford County School Board.


Tracy Blake (Facebook) – “No matter what’s happening around us, the mission stays the same: make sure every student has the support, opportunities, and encouragement to thrive — in school and in life,” Blake wrote on Facebook.

This is Blake’s first public statement since the Prince William County School Board voted to censure him on October 18, 2025.


Public schools across Northern Virginia will close on Monday, October 20, 2025, in observance of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights.

Stafford County, Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park schools will all recognize the holiday this year, giving students and staff the day off. Offices and administrative buildings in each division will also be closed.


School Board Censures Vice Chair Tracy Blake After October 1 Confrontation with Tredinnick

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


The Prince William Education Association’s (PWEA) new budget shows that nearly half of all projected spending will go toward governance, officer compensation, and benefits — as the organization remains under the control of the Virginia Education Association (VEA).

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


From calming spaces at school dances to smaller group participation at crowded events, parents and educators in Stafford County are working to make school life more inclusive for students with disabilities.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


The Manassas City School Board heard its first full update Tuesday night on Manassas Pathways, a $2 million alternative education program set to open in January 2026 for students who need a nontraditional path to graduation.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


The University of Mary Washington is opening its doors to prospective students this fall with two special open house events highlighting its acclaimed Honors Program and growing opportunities in STEM and STEAM fields.

The first open house, scheduled for Saturday, October 18, will focus on UMW’s Honors Program, which emphasizes creativity, leadership, and academic rigor across disciplines. Attendees will meet honors faculty and students, tour residence halls, and learn how the program supports high-achieving students through research, mentorship, and community engagement.


Prince William County School Board member Erica Tredennick says Prince William County Public Schools denied her request to bring a personal security aide to a recent division event following her confrontation with Vice Chair Tracy Blake on October 1, 2025.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


Stafford County Public Schools unveiled sweeping curriculum updates for 2026–27, featuring two new specialty centers, major state-mandated changes to career and technical education, and a redesigned program for English learners.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


View More Stories