Locals Only Archives - Page 49 of 182

Published February 7, 2025 at 11:00AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:19AM

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Manassas

‘We’re Awesome’: Economic Development Team Talks Manassas’ Growth

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published February 6, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:21AM

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Voodoo Brothers Cajun on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Manassas Dept. of Economic Development)

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Manassas

Manassas’ Community Development Celebrates Fiscal Year 2024 Successes

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published February 3, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:26AM

[Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

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Originals

Prince William Staff Predict Home Prices to Continue Rising

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published January 27, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

[Engin Akyurt via Pexels]

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Originals

Subcommittee Rejects Bill to Regulate Data Centers Near Schools, Parks

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 27, 2025 at 6:16AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

Village Place Technology Park in Gainesville, approved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2022

The Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee rejected a bill that sought to regulate the siting of data centers near schools, parks, and residential areas. Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) presented HB1984, which would have required local government approval for data center developments only if they were located at least a quarter mile away from such properties. The subcommittee voted 8-0 to “lay the bill on the table,” effectively killing it.

The vote dealt a setback to those advocating for tighter regulation of Virginia’s rapidly growing data center industry. Data centers, which house servers and infrastructure critical for cloud computing and internet services, have been a source of contention due to their noise, construction impacts, and potential encroachment on residential and community spaces.

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Originals

Virginia House Subcommittee Votes Down Bill Addressing Homelessness in Vehicles

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 27, 2025 at 6:16AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

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Originals

Dumfries Charter Amendments Advance

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 27, 2025 at 6:15AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

On January 24, 2025, the Virginia House of Delegates Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee reviewed several critical bills advanced. A charter amendment for the Town of Dumfries was unanimous, while a proposal to protect unhoused individuals seeking shelter in vehicles was rejected.

Delegate Candi Mundon King (D-Stafford, Woodbridge) introduced House Bill 2352, which proposes significant updates to the charter of Dumfries in Prince William County. The bill seeks to modernize the town’s governance structure and clarify its administrative framework. After receiving an 8–0 recommendation from the subcommittee, the committee voted 19–0 to report the bill to the full House of Delegates.

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Originals

OmniRide Hits 1 Million Riders, Eyes 2 Million by June

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 24, 2025 at 2:51PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:15AM

OmniRide has reached a significant milestone, serving 1 million passengers in FY2024. This achievement signals a post-pandemic recovery for the regional transit provider and sets the stage for even greater success, with projections to double ridership to 2 million passengers by June 2025, according to agency officials.

During soon-to-be released Potomac Local News Podcast episode, OmniRide Executive Director Bob Schneider shared insights about the agency’s new routes and its vision for the future. He highlighted the introduction of new services to Warrenton and Front Royal as a pivotal step in expanding OmniRide’s reach and addressing regional transportation needs.

“These new routes are about connecting communities and providing meaningful transit options,” Schneider said. “We’re seeing positive feedback from passengers in Warrenton and Front Royal, and while it’s still early days, these routes are running on time, and riders are happy with the service. We’re excited to watch these areas grow into key parts of our system.”

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Manassas

Man Accused of Abducting Manassas Schoolgirl Faces Grand Jury; Faces Deportation, says Family

By Alan Gloss

Published January 24, 2025 at 2:34PM

Jesus Enrique Ramirez Cabrera, 23, of Manassas, appeared in a Prince William County court Thursday, January 23, for a preliminary hearing related to his arrest last fall after he was accused of abducting a Manassas City school girl at a city bus stop.

Initially, Ramirez Cabrera was charged with Abduction of a Minor, Robbery using Force, both felonies and misdemeanors, Petit Larceny, and Impersonating an Officer.

After a delay to consult with the victim, Assistant District Attorney Elena Ventura announced that the Commonwealth was dropping the two misdemeanor charges. Nebye Kahssai of the Public Defender’s Office told Judge Lisa Baird that Ramirez Cabrera waived his right to a preliminary trial.
Initially, Ramirez Cabrera was charged with Abduction of a Minor, Robbery using Force, both felonies and misdemeanors Petit Larceny, and Impersonating an Officer.

After a delay to consult with the victim, Assistant District Attorney Elena Ventura announced that the Commonwealth was dropping the two misdemeanor charges. Nebye Kahssai of the Public Defender’s Office told Judge Lisa Baird that Ramirez Cabrera waived his right to a preliminary trial.

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Manassas

Preview: Jan. 27 Manassas City Council Meeting

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published January 24, 2025 at 11:00AM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:16AM

Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Jan. 27 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St. The Department of Economic Development, led by Director Patrick Small, will present its fiscal year 2024 report to City Council.

Fiscal year 2024 — from July 2023 to July 2024 — showed an increase in industrial and retail vacancies in the last two quarters of the fiscal year. However, office space vacancies increased slightly over the fiscal year to just over 3.5%.

The city generated $12.9 million in sales taxes and $6.25 million in meal taxes, both increases from fiscal year 2023, the department’s presentation states. The department estimates nearly 340,000 people visited Manassas in fiscal year 2024, generating $60.5 million in spending in the city.

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