As Prince William County grapples with shifting enrollment patterns, declining birth rates, and increasing school capacity concerns, school leaders are moving forward with plans to open the county’s 14th high school in the 2029-30 school year.
The new school, which may feature specialized programs such as robotics and drone labs, is intended to relieve overcrowding in central and eastern Prince William County high schools, including Colgan, Freedom, and Woodbridge. However, with fewer students entering the school system than graduating, the long-term necessity of the new school and countywide redistricting remains a topic of debate.
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Red Dragon, 6 Bears & A Goat, Highmark, and Strangeways – Fredericksburg’s local breweries have helped the city earn a nomination for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Town Beer Scenes. Staunton is the only other Virginia city on the list.
The city said the nomination celebrates the area’s craft beer culture and recognizes the community of brewers and craft beer enthusiasts. Josh Summits, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the city, said, “This nomination is a testament to the hard work of our local breweries and the support of our community. We invite everyone to cast their votes daily and help us showcase Fredericksburg’s exceptional beer culture to the nation.”
The Fredericksburg area, including Stafford and Spotsylvania, is home to 12 breweries and a new dog park with a taphouse expected to open this year. Stafford is home to World Beer Cup winner Barley Naked and the newly opened Laudenbach Brewing. The Fredericksburg Area Beer Trail marks the breweries located in Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, and Stafford, and offers a Passport visitors can have stamped at each participating brewery.
The nomination also noted Fredericksburg’s annual beer festivals at the Fairgrounds and the city’s Oktoberfest celebration, which began in downtown Fredericksburg before moving to the FredNats stadium.
The Brewer’s Association estimates the brewing industry contributed over $1.6 billion to Virginia’s economy in 2023 and over 11,000 jobs.
Fans can visit USA Today daily and cast their vote for Fredericksburg, VA.
Voting ends on February 24 at noon, and the top 10 winners will be announced on March 5.
The Prince William County School Board is considering a proposal that would redistrict three new residential developments in the Brentsville District due to overcrowding at The Nokesville School, Insidenova.com reports.
The School Board in November directed division staff to develop a redistricting proposal related to the three developments. The division brought the proposal to the board at its Jan. 22 meeting.
The three developments – Bristow Corner, Bristow Crossing and Thomas Farm at Bristow Station – have already been approved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and would be districted to The Nokesville School.
Weems Elementary School in Manassas has seen remarkable progress in recent years, particularly in reducing chronic absenteeism and improving student literacy. Under the leadership of Principal Michelle Huppman, the school has created an environment focused on equity, achievement, and community involvement, leading to academic improvements.
One of the school's most notable achievements is reducing chronic absenteeism. In the 2022-2023 school year, Weems faced a concerning % chronic absence rate of 28%. This figure, which emerged after the pandemic, reflected the challenges many schools faced. However, the school has halved that number through dedication and hard work. "I am so happy to share with you that Weems' current chronic absence rate, as reflected in the school quality profile, is half of that number, down to 14%. This is a school community that rose to the challenge," said Sarah Brescia, a Manassas City school board member.
The improvement in attendance has had a direct impact on student achievement. Huppman explained, “Last year, we had a 24% increase in literacy pass rates for our students in kindergarten through second grade. For the Virginia Standards of Learning reading test, we had a 6% increase in pass rates for our students in third and fourth grade.” While math scores dropped slightly due to virtual instruction during the pandemic, Principal Huppman is optimistic about the future. "This year, we are fully staffed in all classrooms and in all instructional support positions without the need for virtual instructors," she said.
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Fredericksburg Police have launched automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones at Hugh Mercer Elementary and James Monroe High School to curb speeding and improve safety. The move is part of a partnership formed in November 2024 between the Fredericksburg Police Department and the city, aiming to reduce speeding near schools and protect students, staff, and families.
To ease drivers into the new system, the city implemented a 30-day warning period following the installation of the cameras. During this period, violators received warnings instead of citations, a step the city said was designed to "educate drivers and encourage compliance with speed limits."
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Cute and sweet Niffy has been at the shelter for four months, waiting patiently to find a family to call her own. This adorable girl is about four and has a gentle, loving nature. She gets along well with other dogs and loves going for long walks. Niffy is happiest when she’s curled up next to you for a cuddle session when she’s not out on an adventure.
Despite many visitors who promise to return for her, Niffy is still patiently waiting for the right family to take her home. This sweet girl deserves a loving home where she can feel safe, cherished, and adored.
If you’re interested in adopting Niffy, please don’t hesitate to ask for more information.
Contact Information:
- Call the Manassas Animal Adoption Center at 703-257-2420
- Visit the shelter’s page for more details: Manassas Animal Adoption Center
Let’s help Niffy find the home she deserves!
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the home after a concerned friend discovered a deceased female and called 911. Upon arrival, deputies found both victims dead at the scene. Investigators have now confirmed that both victims died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the autopsy, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as gunshot wounds. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) continue their investigation and work around the clock to process evidence and interview potential witnesses. While the relationship between the victims remains under investigation, it has been confirmed that they were living together at the residence.
“We are working diligently to gather all the necessary information to bring clarity to this tragic situation,” said Major Elizabeth Scott. “Our team is following every lead and continuing to process evidence.”
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about the case to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Spotsylvania Crime Solvers hotline at 1-800-928-5822 or online at Spotsylvania Crime Solvers. The P3tips app is also available for those who wish to submit information anonymously.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details regarding possible suspects or motives.
Among the most talked-about topics were the introduction of Saturday service, a crucial funding agreement for the Manassas Line, solutions for parking challenges at stations, and significant infrastructure projects, including the redevelopment of Seminary Yard and the Long Bridge upgrades. These initiatives are designed to improve the commuter experience and accommodate a growing ridership base.
Saturday Service: A Long-Awaited Step Forward
One of the highlights of the meeting was the ongoing development of Saturday service, a long-awaited addition approved and included in VRE’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Set to feature three round-trip trains on the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines; this service is expected to cater to weekend commuters, offering a much-needed alternative to the crowded highways in the region.
Although the exact start date and routes for the Saturday service remain under wraps, VRE Operations Board members expressed excitement about the initiative. However, some voiced concerns about the impact of shifting commuter patterns, particularly in light of the ongoing rise in remote and hybrid work arrangements. Despite these uncertainties, there is optimism that the Saturday service will meet demand and contribute to the long-term growth of VRE, expanding its service offerings and supporting regional ridership.
A Milestone for the Manassas Line
In addition to the upcoming Saturday service, the VRE board approved a significant $155 million funding agreement to acquire the Manassas Line. This agreement is a critical step in VRE’s plan to substantially improve the line’s infrastructure over the next five years. With an emphasis on enhancing operational efficiency and improving the passenger experience, the funds will support the upgrade of stations, the relocation of midday storage to Alexandria’s Seminary Yard, and the separation of freight and passenger train traffic, ultimately reducing congestion and increasing efficiency.
According to officials, the commitment to acquiring the Manassas Line is pivotal for VRE, solidifying its control over operations.
Addressing Parking Challenges
As VRE works to expand service and accommodate more passengers, parking challenges have become a central concern. The board approved a lease extension for parking at Rippon Station in Woodbridge, one of the most affected by high demand. The lack of parking spaces during peak hours has been a significant issue for commuters, and the extension will allow VRE more time to explore permanent solutions.
Among the strategies being considered to address parking shortages are acquiring additional land for new parking structures, expanding current parking lots, and partnerships with private developers and local governments to create multi-use spaces that combine parking with retail or residential developments.
Key Infrastructure Projects: Seminary Yard and Long Bridge
In addition to expanding services, VRE is pushing forward with critical infrastructure projects that will improve the overall reliability and capacity of the rail network. The redevelopment of Seminary Yard, a freight rail yard in Alexandria, is a key project that will be transformed to accommodate passenger trains. This project will help VRE store and maintain its growing fleet more efficiently, with a phased approach aiming to start utilizing parts of the yard by the end of 2025.
Another key project is the Long Bridge upgrades, which involve both the Long Bridge North and South initiatives. These upgrades aim to separate freight and passenger rail traffic, reducing congestion and improving service reliability. The completion of these projects will pave the way for an expanded rail system that can better serve both commuter and freight needs, ensuring that the region’s rail infrastructure can keep pace with growing demand.
A Manassas man who brought an Uzi to Manassas Mall got a lenient sentence after Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth offered him a sweetheart deal to close out two separate cases related to the mall shooting and a separate case where jail officials alleged he participated in a jailhouse beating with five other men who cornered and beat three members of a rival gang.
Daevon Russell, 19, of 9306 Taney Road in Manassas, who at the time, was on pre-trial probation for a 2023 Manassas City shooting that left another teen paralyzed from the neck down, went to the Manassas Mall on July 9, 2024, armed with the Uzi and got into an altercation with another group of teens in the food court.
The altercation spilled outside into the mall parking lot when the shooting began. An innocent bystander and one of the combatants suffered gunshot wounds. The stipulations of his earlier pretrial release required him not to possess weapons, and Virginia law bars those under 21 from possessing handguns.
Originally charged with six felonies and six misdemeanors, Russell faced decades in prison. Ashworth’s agreement dismissed all of the felony charges and gave him a total of one year in jail and four years of Local Offender’s Probation for the misdemeanor charges and allowed him to retain both voting and gun rights. Russell admitted to owning the gun but did not get charged with possessing it under the age of 21.
Ashworth told Potomac Local News that there may have been issues with the case. “The prosecutor handling any case must always consider the strength of the evidence, the availability and willingness of witnesses to testify, the chances of succeeding at trial, the likely sentence if we are successful at trial, and the victim’s position regarding the outcome of the case as we evaluate how to proceed with a case. It is always our intention to seek justice and keep the community safe.”
Ashworth, when asked about Russell keeping his gun rights, which are normally removed from those convicted of felony offenses, said, “If there are consequences regarding his gun rights, you’ll have to look at the appropriate code sections.” Virginia code does not prevent those convicted of only misdemeanor charges from further possessing weapons.
Despite being sentenced to one year in jail and only being in custody for six months, Prince William Adult Detention Center officials confirm Russell’s confinement for all five cases ended on January 9, 2025, just one day after Circuit Court Judge Angela Horan and General District Court Judge Che’ Rogers accepted his plea agreement. He is still being held without bond for the 2023 shooting where he is scheduled to appear at trial March 3, 2025 to answer to those charges.
Both men injured in the Mall shooting have recovered.
