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VRE Runs Special Sunday Trains August 23

By Uriah Kiser
A Virginia Railway Express train pulls into the Fredericksburg train station. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/PLN]

Virginia Railway Express will operate modified service on Sunday, August 23, with northbound morning trains and southbound afternoon trains, giving Northern and Central Virginia residents a way to reach the Washington region without driving into expected gridlock from the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. The one-day service, detailed in a VRE press release, coincides with the IndyCar street race around the National Mall that is projected to draw about 140,000 visitors daily and trigger extensive road closures and parking restrictions in the District.

Tickets will cost the usual VRE rates and can be bought through the VRE Mobile app or station ticket machines. The press release does not list specific train times, stations served on each line, or the exact number of trips; a schedule PDF is available on vre.org and is subject to change. The special Sunday run also serves as a test of demand and operations for a possible regular weekend service once major projects, such as the Long Bridge expansion, are completed under VRE’s System Plan 2050. District officials are urging travelers to use transit that weekend.

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Manassas

New Control Tower Would Be Significantly Taller and Larger Than the Existing 1990s Structure

By Uriah Kiser

As the Federal Aviation Administration clears the environmental path for commercial service at Washington Manassas Airport, detailed plans for a replacement air traffic control tower are also advancing.

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Event

2026 Ocean, River Cruises and Guided Tours Showcase

BlackRock Center For The Arts

12901 Town Commons Dr

Germantown, Maryland 20874

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Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!

Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.

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Prince William

Parks Seek Volunteers for Historic Sites

By Uriah Kiser

Virginia’s sales tax holiday continues through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, letting Prince William families buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, emergency preparedness items such as generators, and certain Energy Star or WaterSense products without state sales tax. A Weekly Happenings post from Volunteer Prince William dated Aug. 7 also promotes a Town of Dumfries “Hot Spot Clean-Up Day” along Quantico Creek on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at Jeff Simpson Community Center.

The same post lists a wide range of other local volunteer needs, including invasive plant removal at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, battlefield guides at Bristoe Station, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue handlers and drivers, Prince William Special Olympics support roles, Girls on the Run of NOVA coaches for the fall season, daytime shifts at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, food box deliveries with ACTS, ESL classroom help at Grace United Methodist Church, and outdoor work at Leopold’s Preserve.

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Manassas

Manassas City Schools Welcomes New Principals and Assistant Principals

By Uriah Kiser

The Manassas City School Board introduced five new administrative leaders during its regular meeting as the division prepares for the 2026-27 school year, beginning August 12, 2026.

Montell Brown will serve as principal of Baldwin Intermediate School. He joins MCPS from Fairfax County Public Schools, where he was an assistant principal, and brings leadership experience across elementary, middle, and high school settings.

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Prince William

Prince William County Police Host Sixth Annual Community Fair Sept. 12

By Uriah Kiser
Officer Kevin Jeschke a member of the Western District has been with Prince William County Police since 2017. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

The free, family-friendly event aims to celebrate the county’s diversity, promote unity across communities, and give residents a closer look at the many facets of police work. Displays from the Police Department and other public-safety agencies and county government organizations will line the plaza, alongside live music, food trucks, pet adoptions, a dunk tank, and live exhibitions that include a demonstration by the department’s dive team.

Police Chief Peter Newsham invited the community in a video message: “I’m here to invite you to our sixth annual community fair. It’s going to take place right here at McCourt in the plaza. You’ll see service providers lining this entire plaza in the back. We’ll have our dunk tank. We’ll have live exhibitions, including an exhibition from our dive team. There’ll be food. There’ll be live music. This is a great event. Every time we’ve come out here, we’ve had a wonderful time. It’s family friendly. If you’re available, remember September 12th, noon to four, right here at the plaza at McCourt. Hope you can join us.”

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Prince William

Haymarket Council Weighs Schoolhouse Commons Rezoning

By Uriah Kiser

Haymarket Town Council continued its review of the Schoolhouse Commons rezoning at 14600 Washington Street during its regular meeting Aug. 3. The proposal from Greystone Companies seeks to rezone the former school site for mixed-use development with about 58 townhomes and retained commercial space.

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Stafford

Two Displaced After Early-Morning House Fire in Stafford County

By Uriah Kiser

A two-story single-family home in the 100 block of Indian Point Road sustained significant fire damage early Saturday after flames involved the attached garage and rapidly extended into the residence, attic and roof, Stafford County Fire Rescue reported. Units were dispatched around 1:45 a.m., ensured occupants were safely out, and brought the fire under control in approximately 45 minutes with assistance from City of Fredericksburg personnel. No injuries were reported, and working smoke alarms were present in the home.

Two occupants were displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. The fire remains under routine investigation by the Stafford Fire Marshal’s Office.

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Prince William

Three Alarm Fire Hits Woodbridge Apartments

By Uriah Kiser

A three-alarm fire tore through an apartment building in the Landings at Markham’s Grant community in Woodbridge on Saturday afternoon, displacing 19 residents and injuring two firefighters.

According to the department’s press release, early reports show at least 12 adults and seven children were displaced and are receiving help from the Red Cross. Two firefighters were taken to a local medical facility with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office.

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