STAFFORD, Va. — A new addition is coming to Stafford County’s food scene.
Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe, a growing chain known for its smoothies, açai bowls, croffles (a hybrid of croissant and waffle), and other sweet treats, is set to open its doors at 296 Garrisonville Road in North Stafford. A banner reading “Coming Soon” now hangs on the former vape shop in the Concepts building, formerly a shoe store, located near a Home Depot.
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Dumfries
At 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2025, fire and rescue units were dispatched to the 17000 block of Washington Street in Dumfries. Crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the home. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control. While no injuries were reported, the fire caused major damage, displacing three adults and seven children. The Red Cross is assisting the affected family. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire was sparked by lint in the home’s dryer vent hose, which ignited nearby clothing.
Woodbridge
On Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 9:53 a.m., firefighters responded to the 4000 block of Hardy Ridge Drive in Woodbridge, where they encountered an active kitchen fire rapidly spreading. Fire crews managed to extinguish the flames. One occupant and a neighbor were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later released. The blaze caused significant structural damage, and the home was deemed unsafe to occupy by the Building Official. The Red Cross is providing aid to two adults and two children. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated on the stovetop and was accidental.
[Photo: Prince William County Government]
Transportation Director Rick Canizales announced a new series of public town halls during a recent episode of the Potomac Local News podcast. The sessions, to be held throughout the county, will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss their ideas, priorities, and concerns directly with transportation planners.
“We want to know what they want to see in the future,” said Canizales. “Not just what we already have going on. This is the first step in building a transportation network that’s truly community-driven.”
Public Input Wanted on Future Projects
The three upcoming meetings will each focus on a specific region of the county—East, West, and Mid-County. At each event, staff will present current and upcoming projects and gather feedback on what the transportation system should look like in the future, including road redesigns, new bike and pedestrian paths, additional transit connections, and train station access.
“We’ve done a lot of public meetings for individual projects,” Canizales explained. “But what we hadn’t done until now is ask: What kind of transportation system do you want?”
Canizales emphasized that the town halls are not just informational sessions. Attendees will learn how transportation projects are planned, funded, and constructed, and then will be asked to share their ideas.
Town Hall Meeting Schedule
All events are from 6 to 8 p.m. and include presentations, interactive maps, and staff available to answer questions:
- East End
Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Tuesday, April 30 - West End
Patriot High School, 10504 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA 20181
Wednesday, May 7 - Mid County
McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192
Thursday, May 15
Major Projects Already Underway
The county is currently managing a $1 billion capital transportation program—up from $300 million just a decade ago. Funding comes from a combination of local dollars, state support, and regional grants through the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
Some of the high-profile projects currently in design or development include:
- $80 million Minneville Road / Prince William Parkway Interchange (East End): Fully funded by local dollars, this project will create a grade-separated interchange to improve traffic flow and safety.
- Wellington Road / Sudley Manor Drive Interchange (West End): A key project recently funded by the NVTA to reduce congestion between Brentsville and I-66.
- Old Bridge Road / Prince William Parkway Redesign (Mid County): Will finally realign the Parkway to flow through as originally intended, adding lanes and easing travel to I-95.
“These are transformative improvements,” said Canizales. “But what’s more exciting is what we haven’t planned yet—the ideas we’ll get from residents.”
Shifting the Focus from Cars to People
Prince William’s transportation program now dedicates nearly 40% of its funding to multimodal infrastructure—bicycle lanes, sidewalks, pedestrian bridges, and transit upgrades.
A recent milestone was the county’s first-ever pedestrian bridge over a major highway, part of the Brentsville Road/Prince William Parkway interchange. Another landmark: the 1,400-space parking garage and transit center built near Potomac Mills and Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, designed to support carpooling and OmniRide bus service.
“We’re not just building roads anymore,” said Canizales. “We’re building mobility. This is about moving people, not just vehicles.”
Listen to the full interview with Rick Canizales
Watch or listen to the full podcast episode embedded below to learn about how Prince William is changing the way it thinks about transportation planning—and how you can have a voice in what comes next.
HAYMARKET, Va. — The Town of Haymarket welcomed a flavorful new addition to its dining scene on Friday, April 19, with the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Himalayan Grill, located at 6624 Watts Rd, Haymarket.
Mayor TracyLynn Pater, joined by Police Chief Allen Sibert, members of the Town Council, police officers, local business owners, family, and friends, helped celebrate the occasion. The ribbon was ceremoniously cut by Mayor Pater and Aanvi Thapa, the 8-year-old daughter of owners Nepal and Anita Thapa, who are longtime Gainesville residents.
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Who could resist this adorable head tilt?
Drac is a charming, curious pup currently available for adoption at the City of Manassas Animal Adoption Center. With one look, he’ll melt your heart—and he’s hoping you’ll find him as irresistible in person as he is in photos.
Whether you’re looking for a loyal walking buddy, a backyard explorer, or just a best friend to cuddle with at the end of the day, Drac could be the perfect match.
The City of Manassas Animal Adoption Center is located at:
10039 Dean Drive, Manassas, VA 20110
703-257-2420
You can learn more about Drac and other adoptable pets by visiting the official adoption page.
Stop by and meet Drac in person—you just might fall in love.
MANASSAS PARK, Va. — A major residential project proposed just outside Manassas Park's borders is moving through its second round of review in Prince William County, and city leaders are taking a close look at the plan's potential impact on local roads and services.
Representatives from D.R. Horton, the developer behind the Mayfield Crossing project, and attorney Noah Klein of Venable LLP presented an updated site plan to the Manassas Park Governing Body during its April 15, 2025, meeting. The project site, approximately 20 acres located at the intersection of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive, is nearly surrounded by Manassas Park city limits.
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Led by Prysm Capital, the funding round brings on Jay Park as a new board member. The EL9 uses blown-lift and hybrid-electric technology to offer the agility of a helicopter, the quiet of an electric vehicle, and the cost-efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft. Electra has already secured over 2,200 pre-orders worth more than $10 billion and is working with the U.S. military through multiple SBIR contracts to explore defense applications.
Electra’s CEO, Marc Allen, says the EL9 represents a leap forward in advanced air mobility, with capabilities that can transform commercial air travel and military logistics alike.
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A fire on Easter evening displaced five residents from a single-family home in the 400 block of Smith Street, near Brooke Road in Stafford County. Fire and rescue crews from Stafford and Fredericksburg responded to the scene just before 6 p.m. and quickly brought the blaze under control within 20 minutes.
One person was home at the time and safely evacuated after being alerted by neighbors. Two individuals were treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
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MANASSAS, Va. — A piece of American history has been unearthed at the Liberia House, one of the most historically significant sites in Northern Virginia.
During a stream restoration project on the property on April 9, 2025, contractors uncovered a Civil War-era three-inch Shankle artillery shell, a rare and potentially dangerous artifact dating back over 160 years. The find was made during excavation work intended to reroute the stream back to its original course as part of a more comprehensive stormwater management effort.
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STAFFORD, Va. — The average homeowner in Stafford County will pay $130 more in property taxes starting July 1, 2025, after the Board of Supervisors approved a three-percent increase to the real estate tax rate—the county’s central funding source for local government and schools. Homeowners with a property assessed at the county average of $434,400 will receive a $4,069 bill.
According to data from Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky, average residential tax bills have increased 62% since 2012, when the typical homeowner paid $2,506. Over the same period, the average home value rose nearly 60%, slightly trailing the pace of tax increases.
After a marathon meeting that stretched past midnight on April 15, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors adopted a $399 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, along with a $1.45 billion, 10-year Capital Improvement Program. The board’s vote also set the new real estate tax rate at $0.9236 per $100 of assessed value, effective with the June 2025 tax payment. Supervisors Meg Bohmke (Falmouth), Crystal Vanuch (Rock Hill), and Darryl English (Hartwood), all Republicans, voted to oppose all tax increases.
The decision followed hours of tense debate, marked by pointed exchanges between board members as they wrestled with competing priorities. Despite the friction, the board passed a budget that prioritizes education, public safety, and capital infrastructure, while cutting more than $4 million from earlier proposals.
Key Budget Outcomes
The adopted budget includes:
- $11.8 million in additional funding for Stafford County Public Schools, supporting teacher raises and debt service for three new schools.
- A 2.75% mid-year raise for county employees, effective January 1, 2026.
- $4.5 million for public safety, including funding for a new Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
- $3.9 million for general government operations, including eight new revenue-neutral staff positions.
Nearly 86% of all new revenue is dedicated to education. Supervisors emphasized their commitment to ensuring school employee raises remain on par with county staff, with revenue from a proposed 1% meals tax increase expected to fund the pay boost. That public hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2025.
Supervisor Monica Gary (Aquia District) supported that strategy, stating, “I’m not comfortable taking the plan we had to earmark the meals tax for schools and giving it to the jail.”
Budget Cuts and Tradeoffs
To bring the tax rate below the originally proposed level, supervisors approved over $4.1 million in cuts, including:
Reduced funding for agencies such as the Economic Development Authority and Fredericksburg Regional Alliance.
- Scaled-back vehicle purchases.
- Delayed salary increases from July 1 to January 1.
- Shifted sheriff’s vehicle purchases from ongoing to one-time funds.
Despite these reductions, the board left a $344,959 funding gap, instructing the county administrator to find the savings elsewhere in the budget.
Supervisor Meg Bohmke (Falmouth District) expressed frustration with how some changes were introduced during the meeting, saying, “We should have all been properly informed at the same time… I don’t like doing this in front of everybody. This is really kind of embarrassing.”
Jail Funding Sparks Debate
A narrow 4-3 vote resulted in the board rejecting a proposed $2.1 million increase to the Rappahannock Regional Jail budget, opting instead to maintain the facility’s current level of funding. The decision prompted immediate questions about its potential impact on jail operations and employee compensation.
Supervisor Dr. Pamela Yeung (Garrisonville District) asked, “Does that mean jail officers get no pay increase?” Supervisor Darrell E. English (Hartwood District) added, “I’m not comfortable with that,” though he ultimately supported the cut.
Supervisor Crystal Vanuch (Rock Hill District), who frequently clashed with colleagues during the meeting, warned about long-term impacts: “Pretty soon we’re going to have a tariff tax.”
When you’re literally dealing with a narcissist to work with, this is what, at some times, you’re just like, enough is enough,” said Vice Chairwoman Tinesha Allen (Griffis-Widewater District). She later clarified the comment was directed at a fellow board member, not a constituent. The remark appeared aimed at Vanuch, amid visible friction between the two.
Chairman Deuntay Diggs (George Washington District) acknowledged the legal risks associated with the funding change but expressed confidence in resolving the matter with regional partners. “If you do something to harm people, or I perceive that it’s going to harm people, I get heated,” he said.
The board also reallocated funds collected by the transient occupancy tax (TOT), which is currently collected from hotel stays of 30 days or less, from the Parks Department to the general fund. Diggs defended the decision, clarifying, “We’re not defunding them… we are taking one to fill a placement and then the 2% is going back in.”
Capital Improvements and Bonds Approved
The board approved $84 million in capital spending for FY2026, with long-term investments planned over the next decade. Major upcoming projects include:
- Rebuilding Drew Middle School
- Renovating Hartwood Elementary
- Rebuilding the Aquia Fire Station
- Installing sidewalks on Greenspring Road
- Upgrading the Onville Road/Route 1 intersection
- Phased water and sewer system upgrades
To support school construction, the board authorized up to $180 million in Virginia Public School Authority bonds.
