•     Opening Note

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Good morning, and happy Monday! This week is full of fall fun, from Halloween events and trunk-or-treats to workshops and a chance to roll up your sleeves: volunteers are still needed to help build a new playground at Hellwig Park, which is our lead story below. If you’re riding VRE into D.C., check the service update in our news brief before you head out. As always, thank you for reading, and tell us what you’d like to see in The Gazette by replying to this email.

A sunny, dry week with highs in the 60s and low 70s and cool nights in the 40s. Tuesday is the warmest day, and clouds build a bit by the weekend, with a slight chance of rain Sunday.

•     ☀️ Mon, Oct 19 — Sunny, high 69°/low 48°, 3% rain

•     🌤️ Tue, Oct 20 — Mostly Sunny, high 72°/low 47°, 3% rain

•     ☀️ Wed, Oct 21 — Sunny, high 66°/low 45°, 3% rain

•     🌤️ Thu, Oct 22 — Mostly Sunny, high 70°/low 47°, 11% rain

•     🌤️ Fri, Oct 23 — Mostly Sunny, high 67°/low 44°, 4% rain

•     ⛅ Sat, Oct 24 — Partly Cloudy, high 63°/low 43°, 11% rain

•     ⛅ Sun, Oct 25 — Partly Cloudy, high 64°/low 46°, 24% rain

 WEEKLY NEWS BRIEF

Amtrak and VRE Pause Service Into Union Station Through Oct. 26

Amtrak began a nine-day shutdown of a junction just south of Union Station after service ended Friday, Oct. 16, to rebuild A-Interlocking in the First Street Tunnel. Trains are scheduled to resume Monday morning, Oct. 26. VRE is still running on the Fredericksburg Line (including Woodbridge and Rippon) and the Manassas Line (including Manassas and Manassas Park), but trains are not serving Union Station. Riders heading into D.C. can take Metro from the L’Enfant Plaza, Crystal City or Alexandria VRE stations, and should check VRE’s website for the modified schedule. Most Amtrak trains between Union Station and Virginia are canceled or shortened, with limited Amtrak Virginia service and timed buses between Alexandria and Union Station.

Read the full story: woodbridgegazette.com/p/amtrak-and-vre-pause-service-into-union-station-through-oct-26

19 Prince William County Schools Earn Purple Star Distinguished Award for Supporting Military Families

Nineteen Prince William County Public Schools earned the 2026 Purple Star Distinguished School Award from the Virginia Department of Education, bringing the division to 51 Purple Star schools. Eighteen are renewals, and Glenkirk Elementary is the lone first-time honoree. Eight schools earned the award for a third time: Bristow Run, Gravely, Kyle Wilson, Mary Williams, Minnieville and Old Bridge elementaries, Gainesville Middle and C.D. Hylton High. The designation recognizes schools that meet the educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected students.

Read the full story: woodbridgegazette.com/p/19-prince-william-county-schools-earn-purple-star-distinguished-award-for-supporting-military-famili

Sprouts Grant Will Bring a Hoop House to Brentsville District High School

A $5,000 grant from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, the charitable arm of Sprouts Farmers Market, will help Brentsville’s agriculture and special education students build a 30-by-30-foot hoop house. Students plan to grow thornless raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and quick-growing greens for muffins and salads at the school’s Bengal Cafe, with Tractor Supply Co. in Woodbridge providing raised beds. School leaders hope to have it running by early spring.

Read the full story: woodbridgegazette.com/p/sprouts-grant-will-bring-a-hoop-house-to-brentsville-district-high-school

Public Safety: Youth Firesetting Prevention Program Launches

Prince William County’s Fire Marshal’s Office has launched a Youth Firesetting Prevention Program, established July 1, offering education and behavioral health support as an alternative to formal court proceedings for eligible youth. It fills a gap left when Fairfax and Loudoun closed their programs to outside agencies in 2025. Parents worried about a child’s fire-setting can go through a health care provider, school counselor or Community Services without waiting for an incident.

Read the county’s announcement: pwcva.gov/news/prince-william-county-launches-youth-firesetting-prevention-program

Chinn Park Library Renovation Continues; Temporary Branch Open

Chinn Park Library is closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in winter 2027 with a makerspace and a small business resource center, created with the county’s Economic Development and Tourism department. In the meantime, the Chinn Park ASC Library, 13083 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge, is open Monday through Friday, 10am–5pm, with access to the collection, computers and Wi-Fi.

Source: Prince William Public Libraries

Library Cards Now Stay Active Until a Child’s 18th Birthday

Prince William Public Libraries has made a small change for families: library cards for children now stay active until the child’s 18th birthday. Details are at pwcva.gov/library.

Source: Prince William Public Libraries

Library Catalog Reminder: New PIN Format

If you haven’t logged in since the library’s new online catalog launched Aug. 26, your PIN is now the last four digits of the primary phone number on your account. More at pwcva.gov/library.

Source: Prince William Public Libraries

Northern Virginia Veterans to March in National Veterans Day Parade

On Sunday, Nov. 8, the Northern Virginia Veterans Association (NOVA Veterans) will march in the 2026 National Veterans Day Parade. The group says the march is a chance to focus attention on the region’s most vulnerable veterans, many of whom suffer mentally or physically in ways that keep them from accessing goods and services they qualify for. To sponsor NOVA Veterans or ask questions, contact [email protected].

The Hidden Gem — This new boutique and workshop space at 306 Commerce St. in historic Occoquan opened Oct. 3 and held its ribbon cutting Saturday, Oct. 17. It carries art and handcrafted goods, crystals, jewelry and squishies, and offers metaphysical services. The space also hosts classes such as children’s yoga, and artists and artisans can display work on consignment with flexible terms. Owner Morgan Spangler says she wanted a shop where every piece has a story and local makers have a real home for their work.

Pumpkins, Mums and a Wooden Castle: Lake Ridge Nursery Is in Full Fall Mode

Lake Ridge Nursery, 3705 Old Bridge Rd., Woodbridge, is decked out for fall through Oct. 31, with pumpkins, hay-bale displays and mums in red, orange, yellow and white. Kids can play on a wooden castle and a small train set, both free. Hours through Oct. 31 are Mon.–Sat. 9am–7pm and Sun. 9am–6pm. Pumpkins are $0.79/lb, white squash $0.89/lb, and mums $8.99 each or 3 for $24.99. The nursery’s Holiday Open House is Nov. 12–15.

Read the full story: woodbridgegazette.com/p/pumpkins-mums-and-a-wooden-castle-lake-ridge-nursery-is-in-full-fall-mode

Prince William Has a New Poet Laureate

Katie Richards of Dale City was crowned Prince William County’s seventh Poet Laureate on Oct. 10 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, accepting the crown from John Dutton of Manassas. She serves a 2026–28 term. Tuesday, Oct. 20, is Poet Laureate Day, dedicated by Supervisor Kenny Boddye. More about the program at thepoetlaureatecircle.org.

Source: Bristow Beat, Stacy Shaw (bristowbeat.com/stories/untitled,177599)

Halloween at the Library

Prince William Public Libraries is bringing back its Halloween Story Times and Parades, and costumes are encouraged. All start at 10:30am: Dale City on Wednesday, Oct. 28; Central on Thursday, Oct. 29; Bull Run, Haymarket Gainesville and Montclair on Friday, Oct. 30; and Lake Ridge (Family Story Time) on Saturday, Oct. 31. Manassas City Library is also running a Halloween Pet Costume Contest: email a photo of your pet in costume through Oct. 25, vote on social media Oct. 26–30, and the winner is announced Saturday, Oct. 31.

Source: Prince William Public Libraries (pwcva.gov/library)

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Tue, Oct 20

•     Hellwig Park Playground Build — George Hellwig Memorial Park, 14420 Bristow Rd., Manassas, 8am daily through Fri., Oct. 23; volunteers sign up by day through KABOOM!’s website (see The Lead)

•     Beyond the Storm Drain: Virginia Conservation Assistance Program — City of Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Rd., Manassas, 6:30–7:30pm; presented with the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District. The fall stormwater series continues Tuesdays through Nov. 10

•     Punch Needle Jack-o’-lanterns (teens and adults) — Central Library, 2–7pm

Wed, Oct 21

•     Surveillance Technology Town Hall — Virtual, 6:30–8pm; Supervisors Andrea O. Bailey and Kenny Boddye host a community conversation with the Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Invited panelists include Prince William County Police, the NAACP, the ACLU of Virginia and state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy. Topics include Flock Safety cameras, Axon, red light cameras, license plate readers and drones

Fri, Oct 23

•     Book-or-Treat — McKay Used Books, 5–7pm; meet local authors and vendors, and kid-friendly costumes are encouraged. Info: mckayusedbooks.com/events

•     Visions Across America Opening Reception — Annaburg Manor, 9201 Maple St., Manassas, 5-7pm; free and open to the public. The juried exhibit celebrating America’s 250th anniversary continues Sat.-Sun., Oct. 24-25, noon-4pm, and the artwork is for sale, with the city’s share of sales supporting Annaburg Manor renovations.

•     Cemetery Tours — City Cemetery, Manassas, 6:30 and 7:30pm; $10; presented by the Manassas Museum

Sat, Oct 24

•     Haunted Happenings — Historic Downtown Manassas, 10am–2pm; trick-or-treat stroll through participating shops and restaurants

•     Family Pumpkin Carving — Veterans Memorial Park, 14300 Veterans Dr., Woodbridge, 10am–noon; ages 6 months and up, $15; carving tools and one pumpkin provided for each registered participant

•     Road to Victory at Rippon Lodge — Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, 11am–3pm; free, donations welcome; colonial living history focused on the Revolutionary War, with historical vignettes, civilian camp followers, enslaved soldiers and indigenous scouts, crafts and colonial-era games. 703-499-9812

•     Woodbridge/Stonebridge Fall-O-Ween — Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, 11am–4pm; free, pet friendly, rain or shine; kids and pet costume contests and holiday arts and crafts vendors

•     Bridging Futures Haunted House Fundraiser — Manassas Park Community Center, 6pm; $50 Walmart gift card raffle, hot chocolate, arroz con leche and Baja Blast. Donations are also accepted, and proceeds benefit the Bridging Futures Scholarship Fund

Sun, Oct 25

•     Creative Makers Workshop: Leather Craft and Tooling — Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, 14300 Minnieville Rd., Dale City, 2:30–4pm; ages 16 and up, no experience needed; learn to shape, stamp and personalize real leather while making a custom project. Registration required through Prince William Parks & Recreation

•     Board and Brush — Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, 14300 Minnieville Rd., Dale City, 2:30–4:30pm; ages 16 and up, $74; guided class to paint your own custom wood sign. A second session is Sat., Nov. 7, 3–5pm. Registration required through Prince William Parks & Recreation

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•     Mon, Oct 26 and Wed, Oct 28 — Free Birth Prep Class: Villa Advocacy Group’s “Becoming” collective. Mon. 5–6:30pm on Zoom; Wed. 5–6:30pm at Villa Studios, 3900 Lansing Ct., Dumfries; every other week after. Spanish and Farsi/Dari translation available. Space is limited; register at [email protected]

•     Thu, Oct 29 — PWC Trunk or Treat: Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center, 13025 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge, 4–6pm; free, ages 6 months–12 years; staff from several county agencies will greet families at the trunks

•     Sat, Oct 31 — Trunk or Treat: Garrison Park, 17749 Main St., Dumfries, 5–7pm; free, candy while supplies last

•     Sat, Oct 31 — OmniRide Halloween Bus: noon–3pm, Triangle Plaza (18050 Triangle Shopping Plaza, Dumfries) and Prince William Plaza (14490 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Woodbridge); giveaways, snacks, candy, games, face painting

•     Sat, Oct 31 — Mall-O-Ween Boo Bash: Potomac Mills, 2700 Potomac Mills Cir., Woodbridge, 1–3pm; mall-wide, store-to-store trick-or-treating (look for the pumpkin sticker in participating retailer windows), roaming Halloween characters and a photo station in Grand Court

•     Sun, Nov 1 — Daylight Saving Time Ends: Clocks fall back one hour at 2am, so set them back before bed Saturday night, Oct. 31.

See you next week.

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