The project was made possible through a public/private partnership between Stafford County, the Langley Flight Foundation, the Stafford County Historical Society, the Stafford Regional Airport, and private donors. The aircraft will be on permanent display at the airport, along with interactive kiosks with educational programming on the science and history of flight.
The Foundation is hosting a community open house on May 11th from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Stafford Regional Airport with aviation activities for kids and aerodrome demonstrations every half hour. Aerodrome No. 5 was one of several experimental aircraft developed by Samuel Pierpont Langley, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, in the mid-1890s to demonstrate heavier-than-air mechanical flight. Powered by a 1.5 hp steam-powered engine, the unmanned aerodrome weighed just over 24 pounds and flew 3,330 feet over 1 minute and thirty seconds on May 6, 1896, in Stafford County. T
When word of the test flight got out, it shocked the scientific community and changed attitudes toward the possibility of manned flight around the world. Over the past 16 months, KipAero of Dallas, Texas, has constructed the aerodrome reproduction in its original May 1896 configuration following detailed measurements of the original Aerodrome No. 5 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The Langley Flight Foundation and KipAero hope to flight test a second reproduction in the future.
The Langley Flight Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to commemorating this seminal achievement in aeronautics, inspiring the pursuit of aviation-related STEM education opportunities, and promoting the growth of the aviation and aerospace industry in the region. For more information, visit langfound.org/langleyinitiative.
The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Dale City and Mullen Elementary Schools as 2024 Green Ribbon Schools, making them the only two schools in Virginia to receive the honor.
"We are immensely proud of Dale City and Mullen elementary schools’ achievements in being named 2024 Green Ribbon Schools. This prestigious honor reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability education, and the well-being of our students. By fostering a culture of eco-consciousness, we empower our young learners to become responsible global citizens. Congratulations to both school communities," said Prince William County School Board Chairman At-Large Dr. Babur Lateef.
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We are honored to have the Honorable Andrea O. Bailey of the Potomac District, along with the esteemed leadership of Prince William County, hosting our 4th Annual 5K Walk for Mental Health Awareness. This event is a testament to their commitment to educate, advocate for, and dispel myths and stigma surrounding mental illness.
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Cast your vote by participating in our reader survey. Simply click our one-answer Google Form and type in your top pick for the tastiest pizza joint in Fredericksburg, Manassas, Woodbridge, and beyond.
Let’s crown the reigning pizza champion of Potomac Local Land together! Share your favorite spot and spread the word to fellow pizza lovers. Stay tuned for the results, coming soon!
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On May 1, 2024, Jose Rafael Lizama, a 47-year-old Manassas Park resident, made his first appearance in front of Prince William County Judge Wallace S. Covington. Lizama is accused of driving drunk and striking and killing Justin Burns, of Blackstone, 39, who was crossing the 8900 block of Center Street in downtown Manassas, near Old Town Sports Pub, just before 11 p.m. on December 2, 2023.
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“Virginia’s colleges are not preschools where petulant children need to learn basic rules and manners. Campus officials and law enforcement officers told these young adults the rules. They broke the rules, and now they’ll face the consequences,” said Delegate Todd Gilbert.
“I applaud Governor Youngkin, the Attorney General, and our law enforcement community for the even-handed way they have handled this difficult situation. Some members of the House of Delegates – including Dels. Rozia Henson (Woodbridge), Adele McClure, Joshua Cole (Fredericksburg), and Nadarius Clark – fail to recognize the unlawful nature of some of these protests. They have also associated themselves with the worst of the bigoted messages blaring from speakers on campuses.”
Gilber’s comments come after Democrats issued a statement condemning police action to reign in violent protests on campuses.
Recent protests erupted at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Mary Washington University, drawing attention to various issues ranging from campus safety concerns to social justice grievances. Tensions escalated as demonstrators voiced their demands, prompting discussions about the handling of protests and potential implications for campus communities.
Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation:Â Mason Neck State Park will host the 26th Annual Eagle Festival on May 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Park staff along with many exhibitors will be on the visitor center lawn for a full day of animal shows, hands-on activities, and outdoor recreation clinics that aim to highlight the rich natural history of Northern Virginia as well as foster stewardship of our environment.
“Guests will be able to see animals such as hawks and owls up close as well as learn about the majestic bald eagles, with the hopes of seeing one in flight during the event,” said Mason Neck State Park Chief Ranger Jamie Leeuwrik,
Parking for the event this year will be located offsite at Pohick Bay Regional Park at the Pirate’s Cove Waterpark. Shuttles will be provided to and from the festival at Mason Neck State Park and will run about every 15-20 minutes from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The family-friendly event is free and will include a variety of food vendors, musical performances, and a puppet show.
“Caroline Seitz, the star of Kids Nature Shows, puts on such a fun and interactive show for kids and adults to experience the animals they might see at the park,” said Leeuwrik. “There will be a musical performance at 11 a.m. and another at 1:45 p.m. Eagle Festival is a great way to bring together the local community for programs and activities all in the name of conservation and preservation.”
Almost 60 years ago, Elizabeth Hartwell led a successful grassroots effort to preserve more than 5,000 acres of wetland habitats on the Mason Neck Peninsula in Fairfax County. Today her legacy lives on – especially through the annual Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park.
This event celebrates the decades of conservation work that has taken place on the Mason Neck Peninsula. Had it not been for the work done by individuals like Hartwell, nicknamed “The Eagle Lady” and for whom the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge is named, the area would look drastically different than it does today.
Virginia Department of Transportation:Â The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a hybrid public information meeting Thursday, May 2 on planned innovative intersection improvements along Route 28 (Centreville Road) between Manassas Drive (Route 213) and Spruce Street based on recommendations from the Centreville Road (Route 28) STARS Study. The project aims to improve safety, operations, and pedestrian accessibility and mobility.
The Route 28 intersections at Maplewood Drive and Browns Lane will be converted to restricted crossing U-turns (RCUTs) and a median U-turn (MUT) will be constructed between Birch Street and Spruce Street.
Other project improvements include:
- Extending the southbound Route 28 left-turn/u-turn lane at Blooms Quarry Lane.
- Installing concrete medians between Spruce Street and Browns Lane, and reconstructing medians between Browns Lane and Manassas Drive.
- Adding and reconstructing sidewalks with grass buffers along southbound Route 28 between Spruce Street and Old Centreville Road, and along northbound Route 28 between Blooms Quarry Lane and Browns Lane.
- Constructing and upgrading curb ramps
- Striping new crosswalks
- Enhancing drainage and stormwater management
Participate:
- Stop by between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the Manassas Park City Hall Governing Body Chambers, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, to view displays and talk with project staff.
- Join the meeting virtually at 7 p.m. when the presentation begins.
- If you do not wish to register virtually via the above link, you may join by phone at 434-230-0065 (use the following access code/PIN when prompted: 747-854-650#).
Give Feedback through May 30:
- Provide comments at the meeting.
- Fill out the online comment form on the project webpage.
- Email [email protected] (please put “Route 28 Innovative Intersections” in the subject line).
- Mail comments to Ms. Hong Ha, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax.
The meeting video recording and PDF presentation will be posted online at vdot.virginia.gov/28Innovative.
Prince William County has advised members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors may attend the meeting. No votes will be taken at the event and County business will not be transacted.
