As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget process, the Department of Public Works (DPW) requested the landfill change its hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open on Sundays. Currently, the landfill is open 69 hours per week Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Khattab Shammout, the DPW director, said he heard many Board members call on him to consider reopening the landfill on Sundays when he was first appointed. Shammout said he was concerned with maintaining the facility's current hours and adding an extra day of work.
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At the center of the controversy is School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, who has called for professionalism among board members after a February 19, 2025, altercation between board members Lorree Williams (Woodbridge District) and Erika Tredinnick (Brentsville District) over racial identity.
Meanwhile, the March 5, 2025, meeting became a battleground over LGBTQ+ rights and DEI programs, with community members voicing strong opinions on both sides.
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Residents voiced strong opposition during the March 4, 2025, governing body meeting after the city voted 4-3 to disband the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. The decision, made without public comment beforehand, drew sharp criticism from former officials and community members who accused the governing body of a lack of transparency and disregard for volunteer efforts.
Laura Hampton, a former governing body member, condemned the decision, stating that it was based on misinformation and made without consultation.
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Stafford County Public Schools offers high school programs that teach students vocational skills in several fields. The Culinary Arts program, offered at Stafford, Brooke Point, and Mountainview High Schools, provides students the opportunity to learn basic cooking techniques, work in a real-world setting, and gain valuable industry certifications.
Stafford High School’s Chef Josh Raven said the program aims to educate students not only in cooking, but also in the essential skills required for a successful career in the food industry. Raven, who took on the role of Culinary Arts instructor during the COVID-19 pandemic, has over 25 years of experience in fine dining, corporate kitchens, catering, and fast food. He said the only challenge of leading the program is simply having enough space for the number of students who want to join.
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As construction progresses on the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, a debate is unfolding over the future of the existing historic building. The Manassas City School Board is weighing multiple options, including repurposing the facility into a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Innovation Hub, preserving its legacy, or demolishing it altogether.
A Vision for Vocational Training
At a school board work session on February 27, 2025, Jared Johnson, founder of the Manassas-based nonprofit Larry’s Legacy, proposed transforming the old Jennie Dean Elementary into a CTE Innovation Hub. The initiative aims to expand vocational training opportunities for underrepresented students, introducing pathways in aviation maintenance, culinary arts, performing arts and fashion, pharmacy technician training, residential skilled trades, ROTC, and TV and podcast production.
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The Haymarket Town Council has deferred a decision on a special use permit (SUP) application for the proposed Islamic Center at 14600 Washington Street, opting to continue discussions at a March 31 work session at 7 p.m.
The application, submitted by Mohammed Kasim Gul, seeks approval to establish a permanent place of worship for the local Muslim community in the old Pace West school building at 14600 Washington Street, now home to QBE, a federal contracting firm in the old school building. The nearest Islamic center is about 13 miles away, requiring residents to travel 20-30 minutes for daily and Friday prayers.
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As Stafford County prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, officials and citizens alike are raising concerns over the mounting financial burden of a state-mandated tax exemption for disabled veterans. The issue, discussed at the March 4, 2025, Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting, has sparked debate over the program's sustainability and impact on county taxpayers.
Mayausky: "A Worthy Program, But an Unfunded Mandate"
Stafford County Commissioner of Revenue Scott Mayausky detailed the rapid growth of the veteran tax relief program, which has significantly expanded since its inception in 2011.
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Welcome to a new Potomac Local News series, "Meet Prince William."
We've started this series so Prince William County residents can get to know the important people working behind the scenes to make the county run smoothly and efficiently. This is an opportunity to learn from experts on the county.
We'll be continuing this series with other leaders; please let us know who you'd like to know more about in the comments! Potomac Local has asked each leader the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
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Entrepreneurs, non-profit directors, business leaders, ministers, life coaches, and more: Fredericksburg’s Most Influential Women Awards will once again recognize women who have made meaningful and lasting impacts on their communities.
The idea for the awards event originated four years ago when Gary Holland, one of the co-founders, came up with the concept while on vacation. He had an idea to “have an event to celebrate the accomplishments of women in the local region,” Holland said. He shared the thought with his friend Vernon Green, and the two decided to make it a reality. Their nonprofit organizations, ACT Enough, Inc. and G3 Community Services, Inc., have since served as the title sponsors and primary coordinators of the event.
What began as an event focused on Stafford County has since expanded to include King George, Caroline, and Spotslyvania, as well as Central Virginia, with nominees coming from areas ranging from Fairfax to Richmond. The goal of the event remains the same: to highlight women who may not receive the recognition they deserve for their accomplishments in a variety of fields.
“The objective is to solicit nominations via social media and word-of-mouth from across the region of women that are accomplishing amazing things, but typically don’t receive the recognition that they truly deserve,” Holland explained.
- The 2023 awards were attended by several elected officials. Co-founders Green (far right) and Holland (center, plaid) posed with several of Stafford’s elected officials, including Sheriff Decatur, Commissioner Mayausky, Supervisors Gary and Yeung, former Supervisor Coen, and now Senator Durant.
The awards program has seen significant growth since its inception. The first banquet attracted around 120 attendees, and each year the attendance has grown, with this year’s event expected to surpass 200 attendees. Past banquets have been held at various venues, including the Fredericksburg Expo Center, and this year, the event will take place at the A&B Creative Events Center in Spotsylvania.
Each year, a diverse selection committee is assembled to review nominations and select the honorees. The committee, made up of individuals with various backgrounds, ensures that the selection process is inclusive and representative of the community.
“We ensure diversity and representation in the Honorees and the honorable mentions by making sure that the selection committee itself is diverse and has representation across various sectors,” Holland said.
The awards ceremony, which will take place on March 29, 2025, includes a networking hour before a catered meal and awards ceremony. The event will feature live music from Brencore Entertainment and be emceed by Sharvette Mitchell, a Richmond-based social media personality.
The keynote speaker for the evening is Dalmyra Caesar, a former White House executive who served as Director of White House personnel and as the Biden-Harris campaign’s Human Resources director, and Coach Tee, an inspirational speaker, will also address the attendees.
- Then-Senator Abigail Spanberger visited in 2023 and 2024.
The event also features a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting Empowerhouse VA and Loisann’s Hope House, two local organizations that support survivors of domestic violence and homelessness. Hammond credited the support of local businesses and organizations across the region for the growth of the annual awards program.
Looking ahead, the founders of the awards program have plans to expand the event even further. “Our goal is to cover the entire state and have multiple banquets in different parts of the state,” Holland said.
For now, the focus remains on celebrating the women of Central Virginia and inspiring future generations of women to continue making a difference in their communities. “We recognize young women during the banquet… to inspire the young women to pursue their goals to pursue their dreams,” said Holland.
The black-tie event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on March 29 at the A&B Creative Event Center. While nominations have closed, tickets and sponsorships are available online.
