Features

Council Member Theresa Coates Ellis highlighted the event during the March 9, 2026, City Council meeting, calling it “a big favorite in our city.” She encouraged everyone to “wear your green so you don’t get pinched” and to “support our businesses afterwards—our restaurants and our shops, and our factory and our museum… so much to see and do in Manassas.”

The parade offers a classic seasonal kickoff, with participants and spectators alike filling the charming downtown area to celebrate Irish heritage and local spirit.


Manassas

The City of Manassas Republican Committee has a new leader following an uncontested election. Pat Geary was elected chairman on March 11, 2026, succeeding outgoing Chairman George Ellis. Geary will serve a two-year term.

Geary, a retired senior federal official, has resided in Manassas for the past seven years with his wife, daughter, and son. He brings extensive leadership experience, having held positions at the local, state, and national levels across multiple states over the last 45 years. A published author, trainer, and parliamentarian, Geary has traveled widely across all 50 states and four continents, focusing on policy development, process improvement, and career advancement for others.


Fredericksburg

The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. (HFFI) celebrated outstanding contributions to historic preservation during its 71st Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The event honored individuals, businesses, and organizations for their exceptional efforts in safeguarding the Fredericksburg area’s unique cultural heritage and historic built environment.

The awards highlight a range of projects and lifelong commitments that protect the city’s architectural legacy, from rehabilitating historic homes to restoring iconic signage and conserving key structures.


Stafford

Stafford County Public Schools is advancing a phased reduction of its 60 elementary modular classrooms—installed between 2021 and 2024 to accommodate a surge in student enrollment—as updated November 2025 projections reflect slower future growth and a rare recent one-year decline.

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Features

From mid-March through early May, thousands of anadromous fish surge upstream, drawing wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, anglers, and families to the riverbanks. Stafford County stands out as a prime, accessible spot to witness this ancient migration—often called one of the region’s best-kept secrets for those seeking an authentic outdoor experience blending wildlife, history, and seasonal wonder.

American shad (*Alosa sapidissima*) and hickory shad (along with river herring like alewife and blueback) are the stars. These fish spend most of their lives in the salty Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay but return each spring to freshwater rivers to spawn.


Prince William

Prince William County’s financial advisors presented a stark assessment during the Board of County Supervisors work session on March 10, 2026: the county’s outstanding debt is on track to surge more than 60% over the next five years, reaching approximately $1.94 billion by the end of FY2031.

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Manassas

Manassas Regional Airport successfully completed its first Full-Scale Exercise on March 11 to test the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), a key step in maintaining readiness and supporting its path toward commercial passenger service.

The drill, required under 14 CFR § 139.325 by the Federal Aviation Administration for Class I airports, must occur at least once every 36 consecutive calendar months. It simulated a realistic scenario involving coordination among multiple agencies to ensure effective response capabilities.


Schools

Stafford County Public Schools is considering expanding non-transportation zones (NTZs), areas where no bus service is provided, and families are responsible for getting students to school.

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Prince William

Detectives executed a search warrant at the Gainesville home of the primary suspect, 19-year-old J’Shaun Zomari Williams, of the 14200 block of Haro Trail. Williams was not located during the attempted service of the warrants and remains at large. Police are asking the public for help in locating him.

Williams, described as a Black male, 6’1”, 175 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes, faces charges including murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, discharge of a firearm into an occupied dwelling, willful discharge of a firearm in a public place, concealed carry, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.