SPORTS: Colgan, Battlefield girls dominate all-Class 6 girls soccer team. PAGE 12
July 6, 2023 | Vol. 22, No. 27 | www.princewilliamtimes.com | $1.00 Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Catching a flight out of Manassas? It could happen in the next 2 years, city council says
Manassas Airport public hearing
When: Monday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m., Jennie Dean Elementary School, 9601 Prince William St., Manassas What: The Manassas City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to bring commercial airline service to the Manassas Regional Airport.
By Cher Muzyk
Times Staff Writer
Prince William, Fauquier and Manassas-area residents could soon have an alternative to Dulles or Reagan National much closer to home. A plan to bring commercial flights to Manassas Regional Airport is in the works, and it could happen within the next two years. The Manassas City Council heard a presentation last week from Avports to build a commercial airline operation at the Manassas Regional Airport. Avports is a Dulles-based company that operates about a dozen airports across the country. Avports was the sole respondent to a “request for proposal” the City
COURTESY OF AVPORTS
An artist’s rendering of what the Manassas Regional Airport could look like if it were expanded to offer commercial service. of Manassas put out on May 19 in search of a commercial airport operator. The RFP was issued after the city council discussed opening the airport to commercial airline service in closed sessions in recent months,
according to Manassas City Manager Pat Pate. There was an air of excitement among city council members about the proposal this week. Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger said the move
would bring more people to the city. “Residents are so excited. It is the buzz right now,” Davis Younger said Thursday, June 29. The Manassas Regional Airport is located between Va. 28 and Va. 234 on land that belongs to the City of Manassas but is surrounded by Prince William County. It’s the largest general aviation airport in Virginia, but only serves small, private aircraft. See AIRPORT, page 6
‘I love the sense of community’ Hundreds turn out for Dale City 4th of July parade By Jill Palermo
Times Staff Writer
Jordan Gardner and her friend, Christina Peterson, drove all the way from Nokesville to enjoy Tuesday’s Dale City 4th of July Parade. Gardner brought her 2- and 5-year-old daughters who were dressed in red, white and blue and rode in a wagon decorated for the occasion. “I love the sense of community,” Peterson said of the parade. Gardner echoed her sentiment, saying she loves “the energy” of the event. “And obviously, the tradition,” Gardner added. “The tradition is really important.” The Fourth of July parade has been an annual tradition in Dale City for the past 54 years. Over the decades, it’s grown to be one of the largest Independence Day parades in Virginia. This year, several hundred people lined Dale Boulevard to watch the parade’s 114 entrants -a mix of churches, community groups, veterans’ associations, local businesses, scout troops, youth sports clubs, elected officials and candidates on the ballot this November – make their way down Dale City’s main thoroughfare. See PARADE, page 2
PHOTOS BY DOUG STROUD
Scenes from the 54th Annual Dale City July 4th Parade: Members of the Muslim Association of Virginia march along Dale Boulevard. Bottom left: Prince William County schools Superintendent LaTanya McDade waves to the crowds. Bottom right: David Geib and his goggled Akita, Soraya, wave to the crowd from their yellow convertible.
Primary election analysis: Western PWC districts fueled Jefferson’s win, page 3
Summer reading for all kicks off at the libraries, page 10
88 DULLES, VA