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.
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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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.
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.
Mike Salmon was on hand Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, for the ribbon-cutting at historic Goolrick’s in downtown Fredericksburg.
The long-awaited reopening of the landmark soda fountain and lunch counter brought neighbors together at 901 Caroline Street. Watch the video below for the sights and sounds of the celebration.
Sgt. Jeremy Hurt of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office was indicted Monday in Prince William County on a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter from a deadly August 2025 crash on Interstate 95 near the Quantico exit, 7News reported. A source told the outlet the crash followed a chase that began in the Fredericksburg area in which Hurt allegedly rammed the suspect’s vehicle, killing Josue Enoc Martinez of Spotsylvania; Hurt also faces a misdemeanor reckless driving charge.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office said it stands strongly behind Hurt, who has been placed on administrative assignment, while Virginia State Police investigated and the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is handling the case. Hurt was arrested Tuesday, released on bail, and has a hearing set for Aug. 14.
Residents and visitors across Northern Virginia have two downtown First Friday celebrations to choose from this evening, Aug. 7, 2026.
“It’s shaping up to be an awesome First Friday (8/7/26) here in Historic Downtown Manassas” with a “Dog Days of Summer” theme, live music, vendors, and dog-friendly amenities including misting tents and water bowls, the City of Manassas reported on Facebook.
“Stafford County is pleased to announce the hiring of Thomas “Tom” Ellsworth as the County’s new Planning and Zoning Director,” Stafford County reported. Ellsworth joins from Maricopa County, Arizona, where he served as Director of Planning and Development in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions and a major data center hub, bringing more than 25 years of experience in development review, zoning policy and organizational leadership.
In Stafford, Ellsworth will oversee development review, the Planning Commission, long-range planning, zoning, land conservation and data centers. County Administrator Bill Ashton said his background will allow him to contribute immediately to strengthening processes and guiding growth in the Northern Virginia locality.
