In partnership with
Sound familiar?
Over 4 million people have had the same lightbulb moment.
Morning Brew is a free daily newsletter that breaks down what's happening in business, finance, and tech — clearly, quickly, and with enough personality to make it the best email in your inbox.
No yelling. No filler. Just the news, finally making sense.
IN THIS ISSUE
● Weather
● The Lead
● Together With
● Weekly News Brief
● New Businesses
● Community
● Events & What's On
● Save the Dates
OPENING NOTE
Good morning, Prince William County —
It's back to school this week — Prince William and Fairfax County kids head back to class Monday. Manassas Park and Loudoun County students have already had a week under their belts since Aug. 17, and Manassas city and Stafford County started even earlier, on Aug. 12.
If you're heading anywhere near I-66 and Prince William Parkway after dark this week, consider yourself warned: VDOT's got nightly ramp closures running clear through Labor Day weekend, and Sudley Road is about to become everyone's new best friend. The silver lining is that slugging — the carpool-without-commitment tradition longtime 95/395 commuters swear by — is finally coming to that corridor this fall, with a Gainesville pickup point among the first stops. Free rides, no reservations, no small talk required (unless you want it).
Meanwhile Stonebridge just keeps adding storefronts — Lovesac's doors are open, and Bebop Korean-Mexican Grill is on deck, even if we're still waiting on an opening date.
Mark your calendars for Sept. 10 — Prince William County is holding a special ceremony for the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, complete with a performance from the Osbourn Park Madrigal Choir. Details below.
As always, thanks for reading and for being part of the Gazette community. — Marie
WEATHER
A warm week ahead with a good stretch of sun mid-week — but Thursday looks like a genuine washout, so plan accordingly if you're headed to any outdoor events.
● ☀️ Mon, Aug 24: 82°/59°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
● ☀️ Tue, Aug 25: 82°/59°, sunny, 5% chance of rain
● ⛅ Wed, Aug 26: 84°/62°, partly cloudy, 20% chance of rain
● 🌧️ Thu, Aug 27: 78°/70°, showers likely, 75% chance of rain
● 🌤️ Fri, Aug 28: 86°/68°, mostly sunny, 20% chance of rain
● 🌤️ Sat, Aug 29: 82°/62°, mostly sunny, 15% chance of rain
THE LEAD
New I-66 Slugging Network Launches This Fall, Giving Gainesville Commuters a Toll-Free Option
A new coalition is bringing the region's carpooling tradition to the I-66 corridor, with a Gainesville pickup point among the first stops.
Woodbridge Gazette Staff
A new coalition is bringing the region's decades-old carpooling tradition to the I-66 corridor this fall, with a Gainesville park-and-ride pickup point among the first stops on the network. The I-66 Slugging Network aims to give commuters a free, informal alternative to toll lanes — matching drivers headed toward D.C. with riders waiting at designated pickup points, no fare and no reservation required.
Organizers say the model mirrors the long-running I-95/395 slug lines that have moved commuters for decades, and registration and pickup-point details are available now at slugi66.com ahead of the fall launch.
Read the full story: woodbridgegazette.com
WEEKLY NEWS BRIEF
Regulators must decide how customers repay Dominion's latest $1 billion fuel shortfall — on top of one they're still paying off.
Source: Woodbridge Gazette Staff
VDOT crews are paving the Route 234/Exit 44 interchange, closing ramps 11 p.m.–4 a.m. nightly. Eastbound I-66 to southbound Prince William Parkway and northbound Prince William Parkway to eastbound I-66 close nightly Aug. 23–28; westbound I-66 to southbound Prince William Parkway and northbound Prince William Parkway to westbound I-66 close nightly Aug. 28–Sept. 2. Detours run via Sudley Road and Balls Ford Road.
Source: VDOT
Data Center Overlay Rezoning Heads Back for a Re-Hearing
A public notice issue is sending the county's Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay rezoning back through the process, with the Planning Commission re-hearing it Sept. 9 and the Board of County Supervisors voting Sept. 22.
Source: Prince William Times / Potomac Local
After a three-year pause, JK Land Holdings is again seeking county approval to build up to five data centers on the 82-acre Gardner Property in Gainesville, the former Hillwood Camping Park site, near Amazon's existing Village Place Technology Park. The project would need a special use permit and a comprehensive plan amendment since it sits outside the county's Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District; developers estimate a five-to-seven-year construction timeline tied to substation power availability.
By Woodbridge Gazette Staff, Aug. 22, 2026
The Fall Arts & Crafts Show returns Sept. 26–27 with 300 artisans, two new attractions, and the annual disappearance of every parking space in town. A local's guide to doing it right.
By Woodbridge Gazette Staff, Aug. 22, 2026
Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger Moves Up Resignation to Sept. 30
Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger will now leave office Sept. 30 — nearly three months earlier than the end-of-2026 timeline she announced in February — following her final City Council meeting Sept. 28. The city says it will follow the City Charter and state law during the transition and aims for a smooth handover.
Read more: insidenova.com
OmniRide (Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission) is marking 40 years of service to the community in 2026, looking back at milestones from its history since 1986.
Source: OmniRide/PRTC
Prince William Elections Office Opens Its Doors for Third Annual Open House Aug. 29 — Free, guided tours show how the county runs elections, Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The program has earned national recognition, including a 2026 People's Choice Award from The Election Center. Registration required.
NEW BUSINESSES
Bebop Korean-Mexican Grill — Coming soon to Stonebridge in Woodbridge. No opening date announced yet.
Lovesac, Stonebridge in Woodbridge — Open now, bringing modular Sactionals and beanbag chairs to Woodbridge shoppers.
GameOn bar+arcade, Stonebridge — Opening Q4 2026 at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center (Building 124760, Suite 00059), the 90s-inspired arcade bar spans roughly 4,258 square feet. Founded by Casey and Eli Linthicum in Annapolis in 2022, GameOn was ranked among the Top 21 Best Arcades in the U.S. in its first year and has since expanded to Baltimore, Maryland, and D.C. before choosing Prince William County as its next stop. Family-friendly during the day (minors must be accompanied by an adult), the venue switches to 21+ starting at 9 p.m.
POP MART, Potomac Mills — The collectible toy and art brand has opened at Potomac Mills, bringing its designer collectibles to Prince William County.
Source: InsideNoVa, by Sébastien Kraft (Aug. 21, 2026)
COMMUNITY
Community Day at Off Limitz Adventure Park
Off Limitz Adventure Park in Woodbridge is hosting a free Community Day on Saturday, Aug. 29, starting at 11 a.m. — a family-friendly way to close out the month.
● "Are you a local business owner? Post a business listing on The Woodbridge Gazette! It's an easy way to reach a local audience and connect with customers close to home."
Join the conversation in the Friends of the Gazette Facebook group.
EVENTS & WHAT'S ON
Mon, Aug 24
● Mobile Library at Rollins Ford Park — Prince William County Parks & Recreation, 14500 Rollins Ford Rd, Nokesville, 2–4pm
● Reading to Dogs: Multiple Dates and Times — Chinn Park Regional Library, 13083 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge, 10am–5pm
● Monday Mania — Skate N' Fun Zone, 7878 Sudley Rd, Manassas, 6–9pm
● Speed Puzzle Night at Eavesdrop! — Eavesdrop Brewery, 7223 Centreville Road #Suite 115, Manassas, 7–9:30pm
Tue, Aug 25
● LEGO Club: Multiple Dates and Times — Chinn Park Regional Library, 13083 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge, 10am–5pm
Wed, Aug 26
● Custom Arts & Crafts Night at Rockwood — Cordero Hospitality Group, 7505 Iron Bar Lane, Gainesville, 7–9pm, $30/person
● Night Market at Eavesdrop Brewery — 9223 Centreville Road, Manassas, 7pm — local artists, makers, live music, and craft beer
Thu, Aug 27
● In the Footsteps of the Excelsior Brigade: The Battle of Kettle Run, 1862 — Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 10501 Tenth Alabama Way, Bristow, 5pm
● Raging Reptiles Show — Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St, Manassas, 5pm — free, hands-on reptile show for families
Fri, Aug 28
● Walking Tours of Historic Prince William Towns: Buckland — Buckland, 6–7pm, free
Sat, Aug 29
● CCOM Summer Fest — Vendor event with gluten-free treats. Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Woodbridge, 12pm
Sun, Aug 30
● The Maiden Band — Soulful rock and roll jam session. The Electric Palm Restaurant, Woodbridge, 3pm
Farmers Markets This Week
● Thu, Aug 27: Long Family Farmers Market — Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, 2300 Opitz Blvd, Woodbridge, 2–7pm · Prince William Farmers Market — 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, 3–7pm · Manassas, Harris Pavilion — 9201 Center St, Manassas, 8am–1pm
● Sat, Aug 29: Historic Manassas, Prince William St. lot, 8am–1pm · Manassas Park, 100 Park Central Plaza, 9am–1pm · Gainesville, Virginia Gateway, 9am–1:30pm · Dumfries, 17739 Main St, 9am–2pm
● Sun, Aug 30: Dale City Farmers Market — 14090 Gemini Way, Woodbridge, 8am–1pm
Full guide: woodbridgegazette.com
SAVE THE DATES
● Thu, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. — 25th Anniversary Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony — Sean T. Connaughton Plaza (1 County Complex Court). The Board of County Supervisors marks 25 years since Sept. 11 with a reading of the names of the 22 Prince William County residents lost that day, personal reflections, and a performance by the Osbourn Park High School Madrigal Choir. All are welcome.
● Sept. 26–27 — Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show — Historic Occoquan. See the full local's guide in this issue's News Brief above.
● Sept. 19–20 — Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair — 9am–5pm both days, $30 adults / $16 youth 6–11 / free under 6. Our "worth the drive" pick.
THANKS FOR READING
As always, thank you for starting your Monday with us,
Marie Clementi — Editor · The Woodbridge Gazette
Follow us: Instagram @WoodbridgeGazette · X @WBGazetteVA