Candidates in 13th, 50th House races to debate tonight

Four candidates vying for House of Delegates seats in Prince William County will debate tonight on Zoom. The Prince William Committee of 100 will host candidates in in the 13th District (Democrat incumbent Danica Roem and Republican challenger Christopher Stone) and 50th District (Democrat Michelle Maldonado and Republican Dr. Steve Pleickhardt). [Prince William Committee of 100]

Stafford couple die of COVID two weeks apart, leaving behind five children

A Stafford County couple in their 40s contracted the virus and died within about two weeks of each other, leaving behind five children and one grandson. [Fredericksburg.com]

New security checkpoints to open at Reagan National next month

A ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday marked “major completion” of a $1 billion improvement project at Reagan National Airport, which will have a big impact on travelers. [WTOP]

First-time candidate Sandy Cole challenging Incumbent Meg Bohmke in Stafford’s Falmouth supervisors race

Stafford County Supervisor Meg Bohmke, who has represented the Falmouth District for nearly eight years, faces political newcomer Sandy Cole in the Nov. 2 election. [Fredericksburg.com]

Ballot drop box opened outside Stafford Government Center 

The [Stafford County] General Registrar has opened a secure drop box, complete with security cameras, outside her office at 1300 Courthouse Road. Absentee ballots may be dropped off. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is Oct. 22. [Twitter]

Zombie bar crawl scheduled 

Zombies will roam the streets of Downtown Manassas this Saturday, October 16 as part of a zombie bar crawl. [Twitter]

Major delays tonight and tomorrow to open second southbound bridge over Rappahannock River

Travelers can expect major delays on Interstate 95 southbound to allow the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to open the second I-95 southbound bridge over the Rappahannock River in the Fredericksburg area. [VDOT]

Prince William officials optimistic Bennett Elementary will reopen next week

Health and school officials remain optimistic that Bennett Elementary, the first Prince William County school building to be completely closed for in-person learning this school year, will be back open for students by next week. But they are stopping short of telling parents to plan for the return. [Insidenova.com]

Loudoun County schools tried to conceal sexual assault against daughter in bathroom, father says

On June 22, Scott Smith was arrested at a Loudoun County, Virginia, school board meeting, a meeting that was ultimately deemed an “unlawful assembly” after many attendees vocally opposed a policy on transgender students. [The Daily Wire]

Mason facilities plan to call for academic core, verdant “necklace” on Fairfax campus

A core academic area surrounded by natural beauty. Less traffic congestion. More housing for students and staff. Additional retail outlets. And the demise of the original campus buildings that are near and dear to some alums’ heart but aren’t really up to current academic standards. [Sun Gazette Newspapers]

First-time candidates seek open Garrisonville seat on Stafford School Board

With current Garrisonville representative Pamela Yeung seeking election to the Board of Supervisors, two first-time candidates are looking to replace her on the School Board. [Fredericksburg.com]

New e-commerce overlay district aims to meet distribution and fulfillment industry demand
Last week, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously to pass a Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) with better definitions and performance standards for distribution and fulfillment centers as well as the creation of an E-Commerce Overlay District. [Prince William County Government]

New hours for county Landfill, compost facilities
On Saturday, October 30, new weekend hours go into effect for the County Landfill on Dumfries Road. The landfill will open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. [Prince William County Government]

Non profit host 5K run-walk to raise money for rent
CFH, Inc. a 42-year-old Northern Virginia nonprofit, has announced its plans for the 4th Annual CFH 5K Run-Walk for Affordable Housing. The 2021 CFH 5k Run-Walk for Affordable Housing, which will help to fund the group’s variety of housing-based programs, will be a virtual 5k in which registrants can complete the course of their choosing any time from November 2 – November 14. [cfhva.org]

Fairfax board asks Northam to waive witness requirement for absentee ballots

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is asking Gov. Ralph Northam to waive the witness signature requirement for absentee ballots cast by mail in this fall’s election. [Insidenova.com]

McAuliffe narrowly leads Youngkin in Virginia governor contest

With voting underway, Democrats hold small but narrowing leads in Virginia’s statewide races, according to our survey of likely voters in the Nov. 2 general election. [The Wason Center at CNU]

Prince William County accelerates investment in universal broadband

Prince William County’s Department of Information Technology (DoIT) today announced additional investments in its Technology Inclusion Initiative (TII). The program seeks to deliver affordable, universal broadband access County-wide, and to expand technology literacy among County residents and businesses. [Prince William County Government]

Stafford’s Economic Development Department launches new website

The Stafford County Department of Economic Development and Tourism has launched a new version of the county’s economic development website, www.GoStaffordva.com. Users are invited to visit the website and take a tour of the new features. [Stafford County Government]

Prince William takes home 4 awards from IEDC conference 

Prince William County Department of Economic Development programs and partnerships were recognized at this year’s International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2021 Excellence Awards, which were announced earlier today at the organization’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. [Prince William County Government]

Police Department recognizes member Promotions

On Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, Police Chief Peter Newsham recognized several members during a long-awaited promotion ceremony. [Prince William County Government]

Census: Prince William is the 10th most diverse county in the U.S.

Prince William County is the most diverse county in Virginia and the 10th most diverse county in the nation, coming in just behind Brooklyn, New York, according to the 2020 United States Census. [Prince William Times]

‘Things don’t look that bad’: Princeton experts offer roadmap for a Va. redistricting compromise

The Virginia Redistricting Commission’s recent meetings have taken on a gloomy tone, with many predicting it’s all but certain to fail and leave it to the Supreme Court of Virginia to redraw the state’s political maps. [Virginia Mercury]

Will Fort Belvoir get a new name? It’s not clear yet

The commission charged with renaming military bases that honor the Confederacy said it is uncertain whether Fort Belvoir will fall within its jurisdiction. [Insidenova.com]

Prince William County proclaims October 2021 Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Prince William County is home to many brave patients and survivors of breast cancer. With that in mind, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors has proclaimed October 2021 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. [Prince William County Government]

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is October 23

On Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – the Prince William County Police Department and the Manassas City Police Department will join with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and community groups to provide you with a safe and legal way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. [Prince William County Government]

Stafford County Government Offices to Close for Columbus Day

Stafford offices, departments, facilities, and all courts will be closed on Monday, October 11, 2021, in observance of Columbus Day. [Stafford County Government]

Walk-in service at Virginia’s DMV offices restarts Tuesday

Good news, Virginians. You can now wait in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles without scheduling an appointment beforehand. [Richmond Times-Dispatch]

More petitions to remove Loudoun County School Board members eligible for court filing

The group Fight for Schools now has the signatures needed to file removal petitions against School Board members Denise Corbo (At-Large) and Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) in circuit court. [Loudoun Now]

3 Wednesdays now early dismissal days after teachers say they need more planning time.

Principals and teachers have indicated a need for more time to collaborate without adding additional school days to the calendar. [Fredericksburg City Schools]

Fairfax County sets Oct. 11 deadline for employees to get COVID-19 vaccine
All Fairfax County employees will be required to be fully vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 tests by Monday, Oct. 11, FFXnow has learned. [FFXNow]

MWHC at capacity, delaying surgeries because of high numbers of virus patients
In the last week, Mary Washington Healthcare has treated more COVID-19 patients in its intensive care units than at any other point during the 18-month pandemic, forcing the health care system to postpone for at least two weeks some surgeries for people with cancer or heart-related issues. [Fredericksburg.com]

Extended Express Lanes in Virginia may help ease traffic on I-495
Drivers on Interstate 495 will likely see congestion ease up in Northern Virginia — but not before years of Express Lane construction on the three-mile stretch of the road that ends near the banks ofNot ones to rest on their laurels, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School students Tony Bright, Arman Lateef, and Gabriel Ralston, have built on their science fair success to have their research published in the Pre-Collegiate Health Review. the Potomac. [WTOP]

Plan presented for event space at Haymarket park
A Haymarket couple wants to breathe new life into the town’s park. [Insidenova.com]

Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School Students’ Research Published in Peer-review Journal
Not ones to rest on their laurels, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School students Tony Bright, Arman Lateef, and Gabriel Ralston, have built on their science fair success to have their research published in the Pre-Collegiate Health Review. [Prince William County Public Schools]

Vaccination center reopens in Woodbridge, boosters to be offered
The Virginia Department Health (VDH) announced that Virginia’s Community Vaccination Clinic (CVC) will open Thursday, Oct.7 at the former Gander Mt. store , 14011 Worth Avenue, Woodbridge, VA 22192. [Prince William County Government]

Stafford Schools to modify bell schedule
The Stafford County School Board voted and approved a temporary change in school hours beginning Oct 12. The schedule will be in effect for four weeks (through November 5) to allow other transportation measures time for implementation. [Twitter/Stafford County Public Schools]

Sups vote to settle cemetery case
Stafford County supervisors have agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the All Muslim Association of America claiming supervisors engaged in discrimination by denying a proposed cemetery on Garrisonville Road. [Fredericksburg.com]

New elementary to replace church, non-profit office
Prince William County needs a new elementary school in north Woodbridge to alleviate crowding at least five area schools, but the site the school division chose for the new building will displace an existing church and a nonprofit dedicated to helping the homeless. [Prince William Times]

Racial and Social Justice Commission tackles CRT
Prince William County had been relatively free of the debates around critical race theory that have exploded in other Northern Virginia localities, but the topic is quickly creeping into local government meetings. [Insidenova.com]

SRO rules under review
Prince William County’s school resource officers – police officers assigned to work in public middle and high schools – could soon operate under a new set of rules regarding when students are subject to arrest for misbehaving in school. [Prince William Times]

Bluegrass musical shines at Riverside
After months and months of waiting in the wings, it’s safe to say that “Bright Star” was worth the wait. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s feel-good bluegrass musical is finally getting its chance to shine at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, and it is absolutely beaming with talent. [Fredericksburg.com]