MANASSAS, Va. — To honor the legacy of the courthouse square and bring our community together, residents of all ages are invited to attend an afternoon of celebration at the first-ever Courthouse Fair on the Square from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Judicial Center, 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110.

Courthouse squares have long served as a symbolic heart of American counties. Their design and evolution reflect centuries of civic tradition, from colonial governance to modern community identity.


Early voting is underway across Virginia, and local election officials are beginning to report how many voters have already come through their doors.

We reached out to registrars in Prince William County, Stafford County, Fredericksburg City, Manassas City, and Manassas Park City for updates.


QUANTICO, Va. – A train blocked the only way in and out of the Town of Quantico on Wednesday morning, forcing Marine Corps officials to open a back gate that’s usually kept locked.

The train stopped at Potomac and Barnett Avenues, shutting down the sole everyday entrance to the town. Marine Corps Base Quantico said in a Facebook post that it opened Gate 3 on Broadway Avenue to let traffic flow while the crossing was blocked. The gate remained open until the train cleared, and officials later said traffic had “returned to normal.”


 


CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. – We just heard from retired Army Lt. Col. Doug Ollivant—he’s officially in the race for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District. That means he’ll face State Sen. Tara Durant in the 2026 Republican primary, with the winner taking on Democrat Rep. Eugene Vindman in November.

Ollivant, who lives in Culpeper County, says his campaign will focus on cutting government spending, strengthening the military, securing the border, and supporting families. He’s a father of seven, a grandfather of two, and a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq.


FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The folks at the Fredericksburg Police Department just told Potomac Local News they’re gearing up for the second year of their Youth Academy—and they’re looking for young people to sign up now.

The 10-week program is open to teens and young adults between the ages of 14 and 20 who want a behind-the-scenes look at how local law enforcement works. Participants will meet every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. starting September 15 at the Fredericksburg Police Department on Cowan Boulevard.


A new event center in Prince William County is inviting residents to raise a glass — and maybe make a candle while they’re at it.

Confetti & Cocktails, located near Dumfries, celebrated its official ribbon-cutting on August 21, 2025, in a ceremony hosted by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.


Known for its Nashville-style hot chicken and signature smash burgers, the fast-growing chain launched in Woodbridge in 2023 and has expanded to more than 25 locations across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Its Manassas Park debut comes just weeks after the All American Steakhouse opened nearby, signaling new momentum in the city’s plan to build a vibrant dining and entertainment district.

City Manager Carl Cole said the restaurant opening shows how years of planning are beginning to take hold. “The plan has been working to develop the downtown, and Nash & Smashed is just the latest in a string of success stories,” Cole said. “We’ve brought in several hundred units of housing, and we have about 450 more on the books within walking distance. That customer base sustains businesses and builds our tax base. It really is an ecosystem that works together.”


Eligible Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) high schoolers will now receive admission offers directly from George Mason University (GMU), a step in the institution’s expansion into the region through the Direct Admissions program.

The program, which began in the fall of 2023, was piloted to try to reach students who may experience challenges in pursuing higher education. The release from 2023 stated that if eligible, students would not have to submit an application fee, teacher recommendations or essays.


The most serious incident happened around 2:30 a.m. on July 30 at Woodbridge Station Apartments, where 23-year-old Yahziel Tyrik Collins allegedly hit a 28-year-old man in the head with a metal pot during an argument. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

On August 4, officers arrested 53-year-old Bryant Lee Hardy after a woman reported that he assaulted her and prevented her from leaving an apartment at River Oaks Apartments the night before. She later contacted police and reported minor injuries.


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