On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Manassas City Council and School Board convened a joint meeting to discuss findings from a space needs study and the future of shared facilities for critical city and school operations. The study, presented by Assistant City Manager Steve Burke, identified a 40,000 to 52,000 square foot requirement to house the Department of Social Services, the voter registrar, and the School Board's central office.
Past and Current Facility Plans
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On Nov. 15, UVA Health announced its medical centers in Haymarket and Manassas received “A” safety grades — the highest possible grade — for the fall by the Leapfrog Group.
The group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns a letter grade from A to F to hospitals across the United States based on more than 30 measures, including errors, accidents, injuries, infections and systems in place to prevent harm.
Hospitals that receive As “excel in 22 evidence-based measures and by actively protecting patients from harm and improving outcomes such as reduced length of stay and mortality rates,” a press release from UVA Health stated.
The UVA Health centers in Haymarket and Manassas received the A grade for the 13th year in a row; less than 30% of hospitals in the U.S. received this distinction this year.
“I am proud to once again recognize the dedication and hard work of our exceptional healthcare team, whose commitment to meeting the needs of our communities while prioritizing patient safety is unwavering,” Erik Shannon, CEO of UVA Health’s community medical centers and clinics in Northern Virginia and Culpeper, said. “Quality and patient safety are central to our 10-year strategic plan and guide us on delivering a positive patient experience. Our extraordinary team exemplifies dedication to a culture of safety and continuous improvement, ensuring the highest standards of care for everyone, every day.”
Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, said this was a significant accomplishment for the local hospitals.
“It reflects enormous dedication to your patients and their families, and your whole community should be proud. I extend my congratulations to UVA Health Haymarket and Prince William Medical Centers, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts to put patients first,” Binder said.
Welcome (or welcome back) to a Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.”
We started this series at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year with the nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County Schools, but now let's turn our attention to the new and existing Manassas City Public Schools principals. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.
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Ed Stephenson, Ph.D., Manassas City Public Schools' (MCPS) director of instruction, spoke to the Board about two potential options for each of the upcoming school years, which would follow a similar pattern to the current 2024-2025 schedule.
In the spring, MCPS went through an overhaul of the current year's calendar in an effort to maximize instructional time and professional development. The changes also moved certain holiday observances to align with professional development schedules. For example, the 2024-25 calendar extended winter break through Jan. 6 instead of having students return on Jan. 2, which is typical for most school districts.
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Grab your scarves, gloves, and a sense of adventure—ice skating season is back in Manassas! The beloved ice rink at the Harris Pavilion is set to open this Friday, November 22, just in time to kickstart the holiday spirit. Whether you’re a pro gliding effortlessly across the ice or someone still mastering the art of staying upright, skating is magical under the pavilion lights.
This year’s skating season is a little shorter than usual, ending on January 5. Why the early end? The rink will undergo some much-needed repairs to improve the ice quality and prepare for an exciting concert season next year. So, please make the most of the skating season while it lasts.
What to Know Before You Go
Admission: $8 per skater, with skate rentals available for an additional cost.
Group Admission: Planning a fun outing with friends, family, or coworkers? Groups of 10 or more can snag a special rate of $13 per skater, which includes skate rentals.
Booking: Don’t wait until the last minute—secure your spot on the ice early! Admission and skate rental tickets can be reserved online.
Why We Love the Harris Pavilion Rink
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Manassas, the Harris Pavilion is more than just an ice skating rink—it’s a winter tradition. Skating here feels like stepping into a snow globe, surrounded by the charm of historic buildings, twinkling lights, and the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers. After your skate, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa from one of the nearby cafes or take a stroll to see the holiday decorations around the city.
Mark Your Calendar!
Whether it’s your first time on the ice or your 100th, the Manassas City Ice Skating Rink offers an unforgettable way to embrace the season. So dust off your skates (or rent a pair), rally your crew, and join the fun this Friday. Let’s make some memories before the repairs begin—January 5 will be here before we know it!
For tickets and more information, visit the Harris Pavilion website. See you on the ice!
On Friday, November 15, 2024, the graduates of Leadership Prince William's Emerging Leaders program gathered at the historic Manassas Museum to celebrate the culmination of their eight-week journey into leadership development. The ceremony, held at 5 p.m., honored the participants' achievements and inspired them to embark on the next chapter of their leadership endeavors.
Arron Tolson of Leadership Prince William addressed the graduates, emphasizing the importance of their newfound skills. “This is not the end. It is just the beginning. Now you have a framework to go out into the community and make change,” said Tolson. He described the class as “motivating, competent, overcomers, purposeful, energetic, and dreamers,” adding that these qualities will strengthen the community and empower future leaders.
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More than 300 people were at the unveiling of the new aircraft in Manassas, including industry professionals, partners, customers and government officials.
According to a press release from Electra, the hybrid aircraft will be able to conduct “ultra-short” takeoffs and landings in soccer field-size spaces, which were previously limited to helicopter landings.
“This unlocks thousands of new locations for direct air service, including small regional airports or unconventional sites like grass fields or parking lots, offering seamless point-to-point regional connectivity for both passengers and cargo,” the press release stated.
The EL9 also operates with lower carbon emissions and noise than conventional planes. The press release stated the plane can recharge while in flight.
“[Wednesday’s] reveal of the EL9 showcases the dedication of our incredible team and partners,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “This aircraft is more than a new design — it’s the gateway to a cleaner, quieter and more affordable future for regional travel.”
THe plane can take off and land in 150 feet and cruises at 175 knots. The EL9 has the capacity for nine passengers and a cargo weight limited to 3,000 pounds. So far, Electra has received more than 2,100 orders from 52 global operators. The first test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and service entry anticipated in 2029.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed the left lane of westbound Balls Ford Road at the bridge over Prince William Parkway, near Gainesville, following damage caused by a truck strike. The closure was announced today, two days after a northbound vehicle on Prince William Parkway struck the bridge’s underside on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
VDOT has confirmed that the lane closure will be in place for an extended period to allow for further inspections and assessments of the bridge’s structural integrity. Officials have stated that an additional inspection will occur in the coming days, after which repair plans will be developed based on the findings.
Travelers using the bridge are advised to expect delays and to exercise caution in the area as crews continue to work on the affected span.
The Balls Ford Road bridge opened to traffic in April 2023 as part of a significant $64 million improvement project to widen a 1.2-mile section of Balls Ford Road between Doane Drive and Ashton Avenue in the Gainesville Magisterial District. This comprehensive upgrade transformed the corridor into a four-lane divided roadway featuring a 16-foot-wide grass median, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path, and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the road.
#Manassas: The left lane of westbound Balls Ford Road over Prince William Parkway will have an extended closure due to a bridge strike. Expect delays and pls watch for crews working in the area. @pwcgov @PWCPolice pic.twitter.com/O0toYjzLVI
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) November 14, 2024
In the race for four Board seats, the eight candidates ran spirited campaigns discussing a variety of issues, including absenteeism, standardized test scores, community engagement and the like.
The results
