Woman, 55, sexually assaulted inside business

Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.

An Education-First Platform

Lateef, an ophthalmologist and longtime public servant, has served on the Prince William County School Board since 2018. Under his leadership, teacher salaries have increased by 61%, making the county more competitive with neighboring school divisions. Additionally, the county’s graduation rate has risen to 95%, the highest in its history.

When the toilet gets clogged, or the pipe springs a leak, it might be time to call Mr. Rooter, the newest plumbing place in Fredericksburg, to fix the problem.

Officials gathered on Thursday, January 30, 2025, to cut the ribbon on the new Westwood Center office just east of I-95.

“When we started Mr. Rooter here in Fredericksburg, we set out to create not just another plumbing service, but a local business that our community can trust — whether it is for routine plumbing repair, an emergency fix, or a major installation,” said Gilbert Mwenedata, owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fredericksburg. “We’re proud to be part of this wonderful community, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with our neighbors, customers, and other local businesses,” he said.

The Haymarket Town Council is set to meet tonight, Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. to receive an update from the town manager on several ongoing projects and initiatives. The meeting will occur at the Council Chambers, located at 15000 Washington St., Suite 100, in Haymarket.

Among the key topics on the agenda, town officials will discuss:

Park Sidewalk Project: Progress continues on the asphalt work, tree planting, and signage installation along Washington Street, with lighting and benches set to be delivered soon.
Stormwater Assessment Program: Officials have identified three major problem areas for stormwater drainage improvements, with full surveying expected to be completed by April 2025.
Town Center Development: Town staff are reviewing the latest submission of the site plan, with discussions focused on prioritization and financing.
Highpointe at Haymarket: The rezoning application for a proposed workforce housing project remains on hold.

ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.

Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.