Community Corner
Top News Of 2025: Manassas Mall Rezoning, Route 28 Bypass, Data Centers, Salary Hikes
Top news of 2025: Manassas Mall rezoning, county supervisor dies, Digital Gateway lawsuit, salary increases, assisted living resident rape.
MANASSAS, VA — There was plenty of news Manassas Patch readers were following in 2025, from the Manassas Mall rezoning and Digital Gateway lawsuit to the Route 28 bypass cancellation.
One of the biggest stories was the ongoing lawsuits against the rezoning to allow the large Digital Gateway data center campus. A judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs against Digital Gateway's rezoning in one lawsuit, and the Prince William Board of County Supervisors is pursuing an appeal. A resident also shared with Patch a large spike in property tax bills as lawsuits stall the development.
In other business and development news, Manassas City Council purchased a downtown property and have development decisions to make about a former DMV property for affordable housing, the Manassas Shopping Center redevelopment and more. There was also notable business news like the Amazon Fresh store being replaced, a Publix location in the works and NOVA Live rebranded and intoduced new businesses.
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In politics and government news, Supervisor Bob Weir died and was replaced by George Stewart in a special election, ICE arrests drew scrutiny for arrests, salary increases were approved for Manassas City Council and the mayor, and Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger spoke to Patch in a two-part interview series.
In police and fire news, there were various arrests and court updates for child sex crimes, an arrest for an intoxicated drive near the Manassas tree lighting, rape of an assisted living resident, conviction for killing of a pregnant victim, crimes against animals and more.
Find out what's happening in Manassasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
There were also notable feel-good stories in the community, including a girl helping a lost child at a 5K, a librarian going viral for his Gen Z lingo, the opening of the City of Manassas Community Center, high school students helping children learn STEM, and more.
See top stories by category below. Be sure to subscribe to Manassas Patch to get free news alerts and a daily newsletter to stay up to date with Manassas news in 2026 and send tips to Manassas@patch.com.
Around the Community
- Liberia House To Celebrate 200th Anniversary In Manassas
- First Community Center In Manassas City Holds Ribbon Cutting
- After Prince William County Cemetery Site Lawsuit Dismissed, Appeal Sought
- Low Food Pantry Supply Leads To PWC Hunger Free Campaign
- An Example For All: Manassas Girl, 11, Helps Reunite Lost Girl At 5K
- Pop Off, King: VA Librarian Uses Gen Z Slang In Video To Promote Library Services
- Manassas, Prince William County Take Spotlight In New TV Episode
- Undetonated Civil War Projectile Found At Manassas Historic Site
- Supply Chain Issues Delay Harris Pavilion Renovations, Allowing More 2025 Events
- Prince William County's Doves Landing Park To Be Protected With Conservation Easement
- First Chronic Wasting Disease Case Found In Deer At Manassas National Battlefield
Politics and Government
- A Chat With Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger On Development, Salary Hike, Real Estate
- Traffic, Criticism, Affordable Housing: Manassas Mayor Shares Priorities
- Digital Gateway Appeal Sought By Prince William County Supervisors
- Amid Digital Gateway Appeals, More Legal Funds Approved By Prince William Co. Supervisors
- ICE Allowed Access To Prince William Co. Training Facility, To Ire Of Immigrant Advocates
- ICE Arrests At Prince William County Courthouse Criticized By Advocacy Group
- Salary Increases Approved For Manassas Mayor, City Council; Mayor Shares Opposition
- 'Unapologetically Honest': Bob Weir, Gainesville District Supervisor, Dies
- George T. Stewart Sworn In As Gainesville District Supervisor
- Sonia Vasquez Luna To Seek Re-Election To Manassas City Council In 2026
- VA House 22nd District Election 2025: Guzmán Flips Seat
- VA House 21st Seat 2025 Election: Thomas Wins Competitive Race
- How Manassas Precincts Voted In 2025 Virginia Gubernatorial Election
- Final Budget With Tax Rates, School Funding Approved By Manassas City Council
- Data Center's Bank Tenant Leaves Manassas With Lower Than Expected Revenue
- Couple Sees Taxes Soar $35K While Trapped By Lawsuits Over NoVA Data Center
- Driver's License-Scanning Technology Coming To Prince William County Landfill
- ICE Detainment Of Citizen In Manassas Leads Scrutinized By Senator
- Underground Lines Sought By Supervisors For Prince William Co. Power Line Project
- Davis-Younger Sworn In For Second Term Along With New, Returning Council Members
Schools
- 10 PW County, Manassas Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists For 2026
- America's Healthiest Schools Ranking Includes Manassas Area School With All-Star Honor
- Funds Approved For Manassas Schools Administrative Building Purchase
- Virtual Virginia Academy To Be Added At Manassas City Public Schools
- Response To Racial, Antisemitic Harassment At PWC School Scrutinized By Feds
- 'You Can Be Anything': Osbourn Park Students Help Kids Find Interest In STEM
- Wage Increase Agreement For Employees Reached Between PWCS, Union
- Prince William County Student Named Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist
- Manassas Student Wins Statewide Art Contest On Elementary Level
- Cappies 2025 Award Winners Include Prince William County School
- Latest National Merit Scholarship Winners Include Prince William County Student
- Prince William County Student Awarded $2,500 National Merit Scholarship
- Osbourn High School's Music Program Receives Blue Ribbon Award
Business and Development
- Major Manassas Mall Redevelopment Approved By Supervisors
- Affordable Housing Vote At Former DMV Site Delayed As Manassas Residents Speak Out
- Manassas Ice and Fuel Company Property Purchase Approved By Council
- Manassas Shopping Center Redevelopment Concepts Proposed, Council Responds
- Economic Development Authority Details Purchase Agreements Near Manassas Shopping Center
- Manassas Development Proposed With Residential Units, Hotel, Parking
- Carbonara To Open Second Location In Western Prince William County
- New Grocery Store Planned For Former Amazon Fresh Space In Manassas: Report
- Manassas Mall Seeks To Fill Void As Dulles Expo Center Closes: Report
- Garden Center In Prince William County Sold To Data Center Developer: Report
- Publix To Open Prince William County Location: Report
- Call Your Mother, Sephora, More Businesses Planned At Virginia Gateway
- Award-Winning Greek Olive Oil Maker Finds Home In Prince William County
- Manassas-Based Surry Shop Peanuts Has Lasting Power Since 1980s Founding
- Gaming Adventure Center Debuts At Manassas Mall, Plans March Grand Opening
- Grounds Central Station In Manassas Expanding Current Location
- Tous Les Jours To Open Manassas Location
- Flavor Hive To Expand Food Truck Location To Brick-And-Mortar In Manassas
- New Wawa Approved Along Route 28 In Manassas Area
- New Cake Bakery In Manassas To Hold Ribbon Cutting In September
- Popular Coffee Bar Opens Location In Prince William County
- Farm Brew Live Changes Name To NOVA LIVE, Introduces New Concepts In Manassas
- New Hotel Opens Near NOVA Live Campus In Manassas
- Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Development Drives Company's Expansion In Manassas
- AI-Powered Robot Company Opening Regional Location In Manassas
- Grocery Stores, High-End, Local Restaurants: Manassas Residents Share Wishlist
- New Barnes & Noble Store To Open In Western PWC With Book Signings
- First Chipotle In City Of Manassas To Locate Near Hospital
Transportation
- Route 28 Bypass Project Ended By Prince William County Supervisors
- Route 28 Widening Eyed After Bypass Project Cancellation
- Millions Spent On Route 28 Bypass To Be Repaid After Project Canceled
- Manassas Line Purchase Secured For Virginia Railway Express: Report
- Long Bridge Project Prompts Schedule Changes On VRE's Manassas, Fredericksburg Lines
- Fare Increase Proposed For Virginia Railway Express, Public Feedback Accepted
- New Parking Garage Supports Manassas Park VRE Station, Downtown
- Latest Red Light Camera Enforcement Takes Effect In Manassas
- Trail Alongside Manassas VRE Line Explored Around Manassas
- Red Light Camera Enforcement To Begin At New Manassas Intersection
- Parking Expansion Project To Begin At Former Olde Towne Inn Lot In Manassas
Crime and Safety
- Manassas Police Chief Addresses Crime Trends, Traffic Safety Concerns
- 2 Dead After House Fire In Manassas, Fundraiser For Family Says
- Online Child Solicitation Leads To Prince William County Man's Arrest
- Rape Of 85-Year-Old Woman At Assisted Living Home Leads To Charges
- Double Killing Involving Pregnant Victim In Manassas Leads To Conviction
- Cop, Street Signs Struck By Driver During Manassas Tree Lighting
- Man Sentenced After Mass Shooting Plot At Prince William County Church
- Over 50K Fentanyl Pills Found As Manassas Man Sentenced For Drug Trafficking
- Person With Medical Emergency Dies After Arrest By Manassas Police
- Assistant Coach Accused Of Sex Crimes Against Juvenile In Manassas
- Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Girl In Prince William County
- Horse Trapped In Pool Rescued By Prince William County Firefighters
- Manassas Teen Killed Fleeing Police In Motorcycle Crash: Authorities
- Hate-Related Assault In Manassas Area Leads To Arrest: Police
- 4-Year-Old's Death Tied To Abuse And Neglect By Relatives In Manassas
- Chuck E. Cheese Indecent Exposure In Manassas Leads To Charges
- Indecent Exposures Target Women In Dale City, Manassas: Police
- Gunfire Hits Manassas Area Home After Woman Receives Text Threats: Police
- Senior Living Resident Sexually Assaulted In Manassas Area: Police
- Restaurant Shooting In Prince William County Leads To Charges For Teen
- Woman Convicted Of Lesser Charge In Manassas Killing Of Ex-Boyfriend
- Reward Offered After Emaciated Dog Abandoned In Cage Outside Manassas Clinic
- Fatal Shooting In Manassas Area Prompts Man's Prison Sentence
- Illegal Gambling Machines Found Hidden Behind Fake Wall At NoVA Business
- Owner Charged After Dog Left Unattended In Car Dies: Police
- 23 Cats Seized From Prince William County Home Animal Cruelty Case: Police
- Fire At Manassas Grocery Store Causes Temporary Closure
- Gainesville Man Faces Charges Tied To Sexual Assault Of Minor
- E-Scooter Rider Dies After Crash With Vehicle In Manassas Area: Police
- Wanted Driver Arrested After Hit-And-Run With Stolen Vehicle: Police
- Gang-Related Assault At Prince William County Jail Leads to Second Of 2 Sentences
- Teen Rape In Downtown Manassas Leads To 30-Year Sentence
- Political Party Office In Manassas Vandalized On July 4
- Prince William Co., Manassas Residents Among 16 Arrests In Child Exploitation Sting
- Body Confirmed To Be Man Who Went Missing After Crash: Police
- First Responders Honored For Finding Abducted Special Needs Child: More Details
- Sheriff Makes Multiple Arrests In MD, VA Involving Sexual Exploitation Of Children
- Vehicle Driver Expected To Survive Train Collision, Charges Pending: Police
- Manassas Park Crash Into Home Kills 1 Person: Police
- 4 Children Without Proper Restraints Injured In PWC Crash, Manassas Man Charged
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