Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle presented an ambitious plan to replace aging fire stations, upgrade firefighting equipment, and implement a systemwide approach to purchasing fire apparatus during a Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) work session on Tuesday.
The proposal, which spans Fiscal Year 2026 through 2031, aims to improve response times, station reliability, and firefighter safety while addressing rising costs and resource demands. The plan also includes a $158.3 million investment in four new or replacement fire stations and overhauling the county’s equipment procurement process.
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Concerns Over Health and Safety
Woof Houze, located at 501 Musselman Road, has been a key facility for dog training and behavioral rehabilitation. Owner Adia Washington and several supporters spoke at a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 4, 2025, detailing health concerns among staff, customers, and animals due to prolonged exposure to airborne silica dust.
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Manassas is working on a major maintenance project at Harris Pavilion, a well-known community hub in downtown Manassas.
Beginning in March, crews will replace the leaking coolant pipes beneath the 23-year-old pavilion’s concrete surface to ensure the continued operation of the seasonal ice rink and other community events.
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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.Â
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.Â
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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.
