The Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) Board received an update on chronic absenteeism in the district on Feb. 25 from Jennifer Cassata, MCPS' executive director of accountability and finance.
Cassata said addressing absenteeism takes a village, and the district has just that. MCPS has employed a hierarchical structure of those accountable for students, including counselors, teachers, attendance officers, administrative associates and principals.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Data centers in Prince William County could see an increase in the tax rate for computers and peripherals used by data centers as the Board of County Supervisors deliberates on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The proposed tax rate for computer and peripheral (C&P) equipment is set to rise from $3.70 to $4.15 per $100 of assessed value, a move that could significantly impact data center operators and businesses utilizing advanced technology.
The Board of County Supervisors voted to advertise the new C&P tax rate, meaning they can lower the rate during their upcoming budget discussions but cannot raise it beyond the advertised amount. Some supervisors expressed concerns about the increase, arguing it could deter business investment, while others emphasized the need for additional revenue to support county services.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
A Manassas mother of three, LaToya Crabbe, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge for the October 21, 2024, shooting death of her husband, Curtis Crabbe. This marks the second time she has been indicted, following the dismissal of an earlier indictment due to prosecutorial unpreparedness.
Late last month, Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Angela Horan ordered Crabbe's release from jail after dismissing a second-degree murder charge against her, citing repeated missed deadlines by the prosecution.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
The discussion over school security in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is intensifying as parents and advocacy groups push for armed security personnel in elementary schools, particularly in overcrowded schools like Covington-Harper Elementary School near Dumfries.
The debate comes after the recent installation of Evolv security scanners in middle and high schools, raising questions about whether elementary schools need enhanced security measures.
At the February 19, 2025, PWCS School Board meeting, speakers urged the board to consider adding School Resource Officers (SROs) to elementary schools, arguing that younger students are especially vulnerable in the event of a security threat.
Advocacy for Armed Security in Elementary Schools
Jen Donnelly, chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, spoke in favor of armed security personnel for elementary schools, explicitly citing security concerns at Covington Harbor, where hundreds of students walk between trailers used as classrooms due to overcrowding.
"I know that we have roving security guards who make regular stops at all of our elementary schools, but in my opinion, this doesn’t go far enough," Donnelly told the school board. "At a minimum, I urge that you find funds in the budget to ensure these children are safeguarded by SROs at each location".
Donnelly also emphasized the importance of securing funding for school security enhancements, warning that federal funding for PWCS could be at risk due to other policy decisions. She argued that prioritizing school safety is essential, even if budget constraints make it difficult.
Concerns About Over-Policing and Budget Constraints
While some parents support armed security officers in elementary schools, others and some school board members question whether this approach is necessary or practical.
School Board Member Loree Y. Williams (Woodbridge District) raised concerns about balancing security improvements with maintaining a welcoming school environment.
"We have taken major steps forward with Evolv security scanners in middle and high schools, ensuring our students are safer," Williams said. "But the question is whether armed officers in elementary schools will actually improve safety outcomes or if we should focus on expanding mental health and early intervention programs".
Evolv Scanners: A Step Forward in School Security?
On school campuses, Prince William County PWCS reported a significant decrease in non-firearm weapons, such as knives and brass knuckles. Over the last school year, these incidents dropped by 72%. Notably, since the implementation of the Evolv system, PWCS has not reported a single firearm on any campus.
The Evolv weapons detection system, approved by the school board in May 2023, uses artificial intelligence and sensors to detect weapons and other threats. Unlike traditional metal detectors, the system allows students to walk through in groups without stopping, reducing wait times and minimizing disruptions. While the system has been successfully deployed in middle, high, and nontraditional schools, it has not been implemented in elementary schools, leading to concerns about the lack of similar security measures for younger students. The school board has not yet formally proposed introducing armed security officers in elementary schools. However, the topic is expected to be discussed further in upcoming budget meetings as board members consider funding priorities and community concerns. The next school board meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2025.
Stafford County Administrator Bill Ashton presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget to the Board of Supervisors on March 4, 2025.
The budget, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, prioritizes school funding, public safety, and community services while addressing challenges such as population growth and state-mandated tax relief programs. The All-Funds Budget totals $1,015,097,345.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
"We have intentionally designed some of the interior to not only focus on our learning but also honor the legacy of Jennie Dean," Deputy Superintendent Craig Gfeller said at the School Board's Feb. 25 meeting. "... I want to thank our partner, the Manassas Museum, who has been a real partner to us in gathering artifacts to be able to authentically honor the legacy of Jennie Dean."
As of January, construction began on the new school site with safety barriers and signage being installed. Due to inclement weather, the construction crew had to work around cold temperatures and wet conditions, the progress report stated.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
The Town of Haymarket’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget has sparked a mix of concern and debate among residents following its presentation to the Town Council on Monday, March 3. While the budget aims to balance financial stability with needed investments in public safety, infrastructure, and economic development, some residents question whether it does enough to address the town’s most pressing issues.
Residents Demand Transparency on Tax Rates
During the public hearing, several residents voiced concerns over rising property assessments and their impact on their tax bills. Bob Weir, a former Town Council member and current Prince William County Gainesville Distirct Supervisor, did not mince words when addressing the council.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Built to replace a decades-old diamond interchange, the DDI has allowed for smoother traffic flow, reduced conflict points, and increased safety, according to Kelly Hannon, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Fredericksburg District.
Traffic Growth & Shifting Patterns
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
In an op-ed published by The FXBG Advance, Mayor Kerry Devine warned that rejecting the TOD could push Fredericksburg to the back of Dominion’s “rapidly expanding project list,” potentially delaying or preventing the city from securing the necessary power for a proposed data center campus.
Seeking clarification, Potomac Local News asked Dominion whether the City Council’s decision would have affected Fredericksburg’s place in the company’s project queue.
“Requests for transmission infrastructure to serve large new customers, like data centers, are evaluated in the order they are received,” responded Aaron Ruby, Dominion’s Director of Virginia & Offshore Wind Media. “I believe that’s what was meant by the project queue.”
Ruby did not elaborate on whether any specific localities had been deprioritized in the past, nor did he provide examples of projects being moved to the back of the line.
Background: City Council Approves Technology Overlay District
On February 25, 2025, Fredericksburg’s City Council unanimously approved the TOD, paving the way for the city’s first data center campus. The project, led by The Silver Companies in partnership with STACK Infrastructure, is expected to include between eight and twelve data centers in Celebrate Virginia South.
Fredericksburg joins nearby Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Caroline counties, with multiple data centers operating within their jurisdictions. Proponents say the TOD positions the city to compete for a lucrative data center industry share.
Supporters: Economic Benefits and Strategic Planning
Supporters of the measure argue that the TOD is an essential step in attracting data center investment, which could generate significant tax revenue for Fredericksburg.
“This could bring up to $60 million annually, funding for schools, infrastructure, and helping to keep property taxes stable,” said Councilman Will Mackintosh.
Others believe the overlay district allows the city to set clear guidelines for data center development, ensuring new projects align with Fredericksburg’s long-term vision.
Opponents: Environmental, Transparency, and Health Concerns
Critics warn that the data centers’ immense energy demands could conflict with Fredericksburg’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. Environmental activist Alexanna Hengy pointed out that the proposed data center campus could double the city’s energy consumption.
“There are serious concerns about what this will do to our climate goals,” Hengy said.
Some residents also expressed frustration over the speed of the approval process. Former City Council member Matt Kelly criticized what he saw as a lack of transparency, arguing that the city had not provided sufficient details on energy and water agreements before making a final decision.
Additionally, there are concerns about the proposed data centers’ proximity to residential areas. Hengy noted that some facilities would be built within 120 feet of apartment buildings and a nursing home, raising fears about noise pollution and potential health risks for nearby residents.
With the TOD approved, developers must now work with Dominion Energy to assess the site’s power infrastructure. Ruby stated that Dominion will only begin evaluating the project’s energy needs once a data center officially moves forward with development.
“It’s too early to say how much infrastructure would be needed or what the timeframe would be, since that all depends on the size and scope of the development,” Ruby explained.
