The City of Manassas has maintained high credit ratings with the two major global credit rating agencies, Moody’s and S&P Global, according to a Monday press release.

These credit ratings ensure the city can borrow money at lower interest rates and signal the city is in a stable financial condition. The lowest rating an entity can receive is a C or D, depending on the agency issuing the rating. These ratings, according to Investopedia, help investors determine the riskiness associated with investing in bonds issued by a company, government or a government agency.

Moody’s gave the city an AAA rating, the highest rating a municipality can get. S&P Global maintained the city’s AAA rating from the previous year.

“The upgraded rating is the result of the commitment and hard work of staff and implementing sound, modern financial policies that benefit the City of Manassas,” Interim City Manager Douglas Keen said.

Lisa Sievel-Otten, the city’s acting communications director, said Manassas first received the AAA rating from S&P Global in July 2016, and has maintained it since. Other than that, the city could not provide more historical data on the credit ratings.

Neighboring localities have also received top ratings from the major rating agencies, including Prince William County, Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria and Fauquier County, to name a few.

Update 2 p.m. Oct. 25: An earlier version of this article stated Moody’s gave the City of Manassas a Aa1 rating. Moody’s gave the city a rating of AAA, and the Aa1 rating was from 2023. 

On Oct. 17, Prince William County broke ground on the new Fire and Rescue Department’s Station 27 near the Dumfries and Spriggs Roads intersection. This station will be the county’s 23rd.

Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, the district in which the station will reside, said this is of the utmost importance to the community.

“With Station 27, we’re bringing faster emergency response times, state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated team of firefighters and first responders,” Bailey said. “… It’s an investment in our future and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in making this vision a reality.”

The three-story, 20,419-square-foot station will be the county’s 23rd fire station and is expected to open in October 2026. Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle said the work of his department withstands the test of time, and so will this building.

“Things happen. The alarm sounds. The men and women of the fire rescue system stand up. They go out to help the community, and then things go back to normal,” LaBelle said. “But just to be clear, 30 years from now, it will continue to happen. Not only will people continue to respond, but this community I know will continue to stand up and provide the resources necessary to make that happen.”

County Executive Chris Shorter also emphasized this point, saying the county continues to provide for its first responders.

“They put their lives on the line for us each and every day,” Shorter said. “It really is a testament to them and our community that we build facilities like this to make sure that they can do what they do best, and that is protecting our community for our residents. This station means a faster response time in critical situations. It means knowing that in times of crisis, we will arrive swiftly. And it means peace of mind for families, businesses and schools in the area.”

Dominion Energy will donate a historic cottage to the City of Manassas in a ceremony on Monday at 3 p.m. at the current building site.

“The cultural value of the cottage within the community cannot be underestimated,” Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger said.

The cottage used to be the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth (MIS) and was chartered in 1893 by Jennie Dean, a former slave and resident of Prince William County. The structure was originally built on Wellington Road by the existing Jennie Dean Elementary School building but was moved to Jefferson Street in the 1960s.

MIS grew throughout the early 20th century, becoming an African American regional public school for Fairfax, Prince William and Fauquier County students in 1937. Most of the historic buildings that were originally part of the MIS campus were demolished in the 1960s when the structure was moved.

The city did a structural analysis to see if the cottage could be relocated to its original resting place on Wellington Road. It was determined that the cottage can be safely moved, likely in the fall of 2026 once the new Jennie Dean Elementary School building is occupied. It’s estimated the relocation will cost between $40,000 and $50,000; Dominion has pledged a donation of an unnamed amount to assist in funding the relocation.

And, Manassas Museum Associates have pledged a $25,000 donation to begin a fundraising campaign to restore and stabilize the cottage; the campaign is expected to launch in early 2025.

If you’re going to the ceremony:

• Where: 9506 Jefferson St., Manassas
• When: Monday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m.

Volunteer Prince William has several opportunities for the rest of the year, so make sure to check them out below.

Greetings, Prince William: We have a breaking volunteer opportunity that’s short notice but would be great for groups! KABOOM!, AWS In Communities and Prince William County Parks & Recreation invite you, your family and friends to help build a new playspace during Build Week from Wednesday to Saturday at Fairmont Park, 9805 Fairmont Ave., Manassas 20109.

Lots of volunteer help is needed to complete this important project since building an entire playground is no easy feat. The schedule is Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ribbon cutting will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m.  This would be a fabulous opportunity for offices, groups, clubs, etc. to bring smiles to the faces of children in this neighborhood!  Visit the Prince William County events page for more information, which includes a link to the Eventbrite page where volunteers can sign up.

• You can help vulnerable families have a holiday meal for Thanksgiving! ACTS’ Share the Bounty distribution is coming in November, and they would love to have volunteers help with sorting donations and assembling the Share the Bounty bags during October and November. This will take place in their Food Donation Center, 17958 Dr. David Cline Drive in Dumfries, Monday through Thursday. Volunteer hours are flexible between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  You’ll feel great knowing your giving spirit will help food-insecure families have a Happy Thanksgiving
• BEACON for English Language and Literacy is recruiting volunteers to teach adult ESOL students! They have an Urgent Need for In-Person Evening Volunteers for the current fall semester, along with their upcoming winter session, which begins on Dec. 2. Morning classes meet on Monday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and evening classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. No teaching or language experience is required, and training is provided.  To learn more, please sign up for a virtual information session at Info session sign-up or contact Seth at 571-428-2524
• Brain Injury Services (BIS) has an ongoing need for volunteers to be Providing a Link for Survivors for survivors of brain injury.  This is a one-to-one friendship program for brain injury survivors; the program connects BIS clients with volunteers who can help them socialize in the community and rebuild social skills through friendship. Once a month outings for coffee, walks, chess, lunch, etc. can help a client get their life back on track following such a traumatic occurrence!  Please visit their website for more information.
• Do you enjoy supporting live concerts?  Clearbrook Center of the Arts located in Lake Ridge needs volunteer Event Stagehands age 18+ to contribute to the smooth running of their events.  Jobs include guiding show bands to their designated staging areas, assisting bands with load-in/breakdown and helping with stage setup/breakdown. You get to enjoy some great live music and get Free admission to a future Clearbrook concert of your choice!  To view the concert schedule, visit their website and visit their SignUp Genius page to volunteer.
• Education Majors and Retired Teachers! The Literacy Engagement Action Project (LEAP) at George Mason University is seeking volunteers age 18+ to provide literacy tutoring for students in grades K-5 at Boys & Girls Club in Dumfries and the Community Center in Georgetown South in Manassas. This is a paid internship running through the school year on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Training and materials are provided.  Interns must successfully complete a background check.  You’ll get excited as you help a child open new worlds through literacy and reading!
• You can help fight food insecurity! NVFS is conducting a Fall Food Drive to support the SERVE Hunger Resource Center and fight food insecurity!  The whole family can get involved – donation drop-off dates run through Wednesday at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas 20110. Please visit their website for a list of requested foods.
• If you enjoy helping children get excited about learning, we have a wonderful opportunity for you! Pink Space Theory needs a parent volunteer to serve as a link between program participants and Pink Space Theory. The Liaison will attend events to connect with other parents and help orient them to their resources, as well as provide necessary support options within the school and community.  The schedule is weekday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m. for a total of about six hours a month; some weekends would also need your help. The volunteer must be a resident of Prince William County and bilingual skills in Spanish are required. You’ll love watching participants get excited about learning and increase their confidence! Please visit their website.
• Help SERVE’s Hunger Resource Center get their shelves re-stocked! On Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., SERVE is holding “Unstuff the Truck” at SERVE’s Hunger Resource Center, 10056 Dean Drive, Manassas 20110.  Volunteers age 16+ are needed to help unload, weigh, sort and place donated food into the designated locations in the warehouse. Be prepared to lift up to 20 pounds; volunteers should be able to volunteer for the entire shift.  It’s a terrific way to get in service hours and help re-stock the Hunger Resource Center so SERVE can continue to provide food assistance to local food insecure families!
• Is your office, club, Scout troop or service group looking for a volunteer opportunity?  Streetlight Community Outreach Ministries will be opening their hypothermia shelter located at 14716 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge and groups are needed to prepare and drop off meals for 30 adult residents from Nov. 1 through March 30, 2025.  Meals are needed each night and should be prepared off-site and dropped off at the shelter between 6:30 and 7 p.m.  Your group will provide comfort for the homeless with a hot, nourishing meal they can enjoy during the cold winter months! Please visit their website to sign up and get more information.

The ARTfactory will host its inaugural haunted house, Factory of Fear: Where Nightmares are Forged, on Friday and Saturday.

The ARTfactory’s building, which many believe is haunted, will be transformed into different levels of scariness for visitors to enjoy. Ahyrel Tinker, director of education at the ARTfactory, created the haunted house.

“There’s nothing like this downtown and our community of spooky season lovers need something Manassas strong to haunt them this season,” Tinker said. “We listened to the feedback from last year’s sold-out Haunted Hallows event, and decided to ramp up the scare factor.”

According to a press release, a Factory of Fear Committee was developed to oversee the creation and implementation of the haunted house. The ARTfactory had many donations of decorations and props that made the haunted house possible.

If you’re going:

• When: Friday and Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m.
• Where: ARTfactory (9419 Battle St.)
• Information: Tickets are $25 per person.

The Keep the Park Beautiful (KPB) event on Oct. 14 at Scott Drive Pocket Park collected more than 100 pounds of litter throughout Manassas Park.

KPB is a part of the Manassas Park government and is a Keep America Beautiful — a nonprofit dedicated to educating and inspiring people to clean up their communities — affiliate. 10 volunteers, comprised of KPB committee members, Manassas residents and Manassas Park City Schools students, cleaned up Manassas Park for two hours.

KPB held this event at Scott Drive Pocket Park, and the volunteers also cleaned up Scott Drive, Old Centreville Road and Manassas Drive. Every month or so, KPB hosts an event in a different park of Manassas Park to help clean up that area.

At Scott Drive Pocket Park, volunteers collected cigarette butts, bottles, juice boxes, a tire, a mental rod and much more.

The next KPB event is scheduled for Nov. 11 at Lower Kent.

WTOP News: “Weeks after some faculty members at Northern Virginia Community College took a ‘no confidence’ vote in regards to President Anne Kress’ leadership, they’re now speaking out about recent policy decisions that they said are harming students.

In a memo sent to members of the college’s full-time, nine-month teaching faculty caucus on Friday afternoon, the group said decisions such as reducing summer classes, ignoring safety concerns and removing athletics programs are negatively impacting students.”

Read more.

17 men and women graduated from Prince William County’s Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 58th Session on Thursday.

Following a 24-week course of training, the 16 police officers and sheriff’s deputy attended a graduation ceremony at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas to celebrate their achievements.

The course included training in all aspects of police work, including classes in firearms, use-of-force decision-making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques and investigative work.

The personnel are listed below. Congratulations, all!

Adam B. B. Dabney is a graduate of Edmond Santa Fe High School in Oklahoma. He has family in law enforcement. Officer Dabney is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Mustapha Darboe attended Buffalo State College in New York, and Rutgers University in Newark, N.J. He speaks Mandinka. Additionally, he was the class guide of the 58th Session. Officer Darboe is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Jakob B. Dudley is a graduate of Culpeper County High School in Virginia. He has family in law enforcement. Officer Dudley is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Monique E. Greer is a graduate of State University of New York in Old Westbury, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Officer Greer is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

Luke A. Inzeo is a graduate of the Classical Cottage School in Winchester, Va. Officer Inzeo is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Jack I. Lamb is a graduate of Longwood University in Farmville, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He was the class vice president of the 58th Session. Officer Lamb is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

John E. Marksteiner is a graduate of Woodson High School in Fairfax. Officer Marksteiner is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Jhonatan G. Marquez Hernandez is a graduate of Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge. He speaks Spanish. Officer Marquez Hernandez is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

Kennedy Ntiamoah is a graduate of Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.V. He speaks Twi. Officer Ntiamoah is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

Autumn E. Reeve attended Arizona State University in Tempe. She has family in law enforcement. She was the class president of the 58th Session. Officer Reeve is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

Corey A. Reiner is a graduate of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. He was a deputy with the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office prior to joining this department. Officer Reiner is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Lissette D. Rodriguez is a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College in Sterling, with an associate degree in management. She speaks Spanish. Deputy Rodriguez is assigned to the Sheriff’s Office.

Jordan A. I. Trammell is a graduate of Jacksonville State University in Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in forensic investigations and a minor in sociology. Officer Trammell is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Justin J. Valle Acevedo is a graduate of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He speaks Spanish. Officer Valle Acevedo is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Kacie M. Webb-Broce attends Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and strategic intelligence. She serves in the Army National Guard as a military police officer at the rank of E4, and she was a deputy with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office prior to joining the Department. Officer Webb-Broce is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Michael R. Weir is a graduate of Radford University in Radford, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer Weir is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

Cory W. Wilson is a graduate of Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge. Officer Wilson is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Inside NOVA: "Some Prince William County students will soon be able to earn college credits at Northern Virginia Community College after the launch of the Collegiate High School program.

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