Originals

Prince William

Man accused of damaging Iwo Jima memorial faces federal charges

By Alan Gloss
Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano. Photo: Prince William County Police Department

A Mexican national accused of damaging the Iwo Jima memorial near Marine Corps Base Quantico faces federal charges upon his transfer to federal custody, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, remains in Prince William County custody following an Oct. 26 bond hearing in Prince William County Circuit Court. Judge Petula Metzler reversed a cashless bail order issued by Prince William General District Judge Fernando Villarroel, setting a $2,500 bond and ordering mental health screening and treatment as conditions of release.

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Prince William

Board adopts 2027 legislative agenda

By Potomac Local News

The Board of County Supervisors adopted its 2027 legislative agenda Tuesday, giving county staff authority to begin lining up sponsors in the General Assembly for roughly 125 positions heading into the 2027 session.

Legislative Affairs Liaison Glynn Loope presented the package during the regular meeting. The board adopted it unanimously. Prefiling of bills for the 2027 General Assembly begins with draft requests due to the Division of Legislative Services by 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2026. Prefiling ends at 10:00 a.m. on the opening day, Wednesday, January 13, 2027. The short session is scheduled to adjourn around February 27, 2027. The county said it would start soliciting sponsors immediately.

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Manassas

Manassas council names Ralph Smith interim mayor effective Oct. 27

By Potomac Local News

Manassas City Council unanimously appointed Council Member Ralph J. Smith as interim mayor on Oct. 26, 2026, with his term beginning Oct. 27 and running until certification of the November 2027 mayoral election.

Vice Mayor Mark D. Wolfe presided after former Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger’s resignation took effect Sept. 30. Davis-Younger had first said in February she would leave at the end of 2026, then moved the date up; Potomac Local News reported the city’s confirmation of the earlier exit and covered her final meeting on Sept. 28. Smith, Wolfe and Council Member Tom Osina had each made their case at an Oct. 5 special meeting, but council took no vote that night.

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Manassas

Manassas airport outlines landing-fee waivers to lure airlines by late 2027

By PLN News

Manassas Airport Director Juan Rivera outlined a draft Air Carrier Incentive Program at the Oct. 19 City Council work session, proposing to waive landing fees for two years on new nonstop service in an effort to draw commercial flights by late 2027.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg EDA explores its own social presence. Counsel raises legal question

By PLN News
City of Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority website
Screenshot of City of Fredericksburg EDA website

Members of the city’s Economic Development Authority spent part of their Oct. 5 retreat discussing whether the authority should build its own social-media presence and run short influencer campaigns aimed at people who might live or work in the city, not only visitors. No vote was taken and no contract was awarded.

Secretary Eugeniy Mikityuk and board member David Fraser led the discussion under the retreat’s second theme: marketing, tourism, and public perception. Mikityuk proposed a standalone EDA social presence focused on working and living in Fredericksburg, the authority’s loan program, employers, and entrepreneurs. He said it would not copy the work already done by Visit Fredericksburg or Fredericksburg Main Street.

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Stafford

Stafford board denies Sheetz convenience store rezoning at Enon Road

By PLN News
Proposed front elevation of the Sheetz at Enon Road and Route 1
Proposed front elevation of the Sheetz at Enon Road and Route 1, from the applicant's exhibits in the Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting packet. Rendering by Convenience Architecture and Design P.C., via Stafford County.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20 denied a rezoning and conditional use permit for a Sheetz convenience store and fuel station at the Enon Road and Route 1 intersection.

The proposal sought to rezone about 3.88 acres from A-1 Agricultural and B-1 Commercial to B-2 Urban Commercial on parcels 45-283, 45-284 and 46-17A. It also requested a conditional use permit for a convenience store with a drive-thru and fuel sales.

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Features

Communities for Youth drew about 100 students to free night at Woodbridge IKEA

By Deen Lateef
Students work on a puzzle during the Communities for Youth gathering at the Woodbridge IKEA on Oct. 15. Credit Deen Lateef.

On Oct. 15, the IKEA store in Woodbridge filled with teenagers. They were not shopping. They played board games, listened to live music and went back for seconds on meatballs.

The free event was put on by Communities for Youth, a local youth-led group that hosts gatherings so students have a place to meet outside school and work. Founder Owen Meyer counted about 100 students.

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Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg School Board considers two student representatives starting in 2027

By PLN News

The Fredericksburg City School Board heard a proposal Monday for two student representatives and will vote on the process at its November meeting.

Vice Chair Molly McFadden presented the recommendations. She developed them with Superintendent Dr. Marceline Catlett, James Monroe High School Principal Marcus Petty, and Clerk Angela Wilson. The group reviewed Virginia School Boards Association guidelines and the practices of neighboring divisions.

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