âThis is more than just a commuting road,â said Backmon. âIt will be transformationalâimproving the quality of life, increasing access to jobs, and stimulating economic vitality.â
Backmon addressed the Dumfries Town Council on March 18, delivering an update on NVTA's investments in Prince William County and urging local leaders to prepare for an upcoming opportunity to apply for new transportation funding. The NVTA will issue its next Call for Projects this spring, covering fiscal years 2030 and 2031.
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Volunteers with Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS), just outside Fredericksburg, care for 22 dogs rescued from hoarding in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The animals had been living in deplorable outdoor conditions.
The rescue, which occurred on March 20, was part of a coordinated effort between ODHS and Squishy Face Crew (SFC), a Fredericksburg-based foster-focused rescue group. The ODHS team made a nine-hour round trip to meet a transport team in Beckley, West Virginia, and bring the dogs to safety.
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OâRiley is a lovable 2-year-old hound mix with a sleek gray and black coat and a personality that shines even brighter. Found as a stray, he came to the shelter with a possible fracture in his right hind leg and a small head woundâbut after some much-needed care, heâs fully recovered and ready for a new beginning.
This good boy is full of heart, adventure, and the classic houndâs musical voice. Whether itâs a walk in the park, a cuddle on the couch, or a road trip with the windows down, OâRiley is ready to be your loyal companion.
You can meet O’Riley at the Stafford County Animal Shelter, located at 26 Frosty Lane, Stafford, VA 22554. For more information or to schedule a visit, call (540) 658-7387 or visit staffordcountyanimalcontrol.com.
Donât waitâOâRileyâs forever home could be with you.
Three local music groupsâOld Bridge Chamber Orchestra, Gainesville Community Choir, and South Loudoun Youth Choraleâwill perform together at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m.
The concert, Illuminare: Songs of Light and Life, will bring 300 musicians together for one evening. The program includes Lux: The Dawn from On High by Dan Forrest, selections from Mozartâs Requiem, and music from video games.
Each group shares a focus on music performance, education, and community involvement.
Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra (OBCO), formed in 1998, is an all-volunteer group that presents concerts in Prince William County. The group is led by Music Director David Kirven. More information is at obco.org.
Gainesville Community Choir (GCC) is a non-auditioned group that includes vocal technique and music literacy in its rehearsals. The choir received the 2023 Seefeldt Award for Outstanding Arts Organization, and its conductor Jacob Lash received the 2024 Seefeldt Award for Outstanding Arts Educator. Learn more at gainesvillecommunitychoir.com.
South Loudoun Youth Chorale (SLYC) works with young singers to build music skills and support music programs. Artistic Director Laura Lazarevich and Associate Artistic Director Erik Jacobs will lead the group. Details at slychorale.org.
Tickets are available through the Hylton Performing Arts Center website. Prices are $25â$35 for adults, $20â$30 for seniors, $5 for youth ages 6â17, and free for children under 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The concert will last about two hours with one intermission.
To purchase tickets, visit: hylton.calendar.gmu.edu/illuminare-songs-of-light-and-life
Families in Stafford County must now opt-in to receive school bus transportation for the 2025â26 academic yearâa major change prompted by last yearâs transportation meltdown that left thousands of students without a ride to school.
Starting April 8, 2025, parents and guardians must log into the school divisionâs system and indicate whether their child will ride the bus. The district will not assign bus service to students who are not registered through the opt-in system.
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A routine agreement for using school buses by Prince William County government agencies was anything but routine Tuesday, as the Board of County Supervisors raised sharp concerns over dramatic cost increases and deferred the decision for further negotiations.
The board voted 5-2 to defer action on the agreement until April 8, after supervisors questioned a 72% hike in hourly rates and a 66% jump in mileage fees proposed by Prince William County Public Schools.
The agreement would allow county departmentsâprimarily Parks and Recreationâto use PWCS buses and drivers for programs such as summer camps and events like the Neabsco Boardwalk Holiday Walk of Lights. The proposed rate change would increase the hourly rate from $32 to $55 and the mileage fee from $1.50 to $2.50. A new clause would also require the county to provide insurance for the use of school busesâanother point that drew criticism.
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As spring approaches, the Prince William County Solid Waste Division is making it easier than ever for residents to tackle their annual spring cleaning with a series of environmentally friendly programs and events designed to reduce landfill waste.
Through initiatives like Dumpster Days, Community Clean-Ups, and a special paper shredding event, residents are encouraged to declutter responsiblyâby recycling, donating, composting, or properly disposing of items that canât be reused.
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Willing Warriors, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting recovering service members and their families, will hold a community-wide event this spring to celebrate a decade of healing and hope.
The organization will mark its 10-year anniversary with a celebration on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run near Haymarket. The retreat provides free, week-long stays for wounded service members and their families, offering them rest, reconnection, and recovery in a peaceful setting.
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The panel, moderated by University of Mary Washington political science professor Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, focused on the sweeping changes being proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal initiative aiming to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending.
Federal cuts coming
