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Good Morning, Dale City! 🌞
Happy Tuesday! If yesterday felt like restarting an old computer, hopefully today everything is finally loaded and ready to go.
In today’s Dale City Spotlight:
😂 Make Me Laugh
📰 Local News
🎉 Local Events
🏫School News
🚗 Traffic & Transportation
🍏Health-Wise
💰 Smart Money Daily
💡Business Spotlight
🍽️ Recipe of the Week
🌤️ Sky Watch: Weather Forecast
“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” ~ Zig Ziglar
Reflection: Success rarely happens accidentally. Prepare intentionally for the future you want.
Make Me Laugh😂
A newcomer asked an older Southern gentleman,
“I keep hearing people say ‘Bless your heart.’ What does it mean?”
The old man smiled.
“Well, sometimes it means somebody truly cares about you.”
“And the other times?”
He took a sip of sweet tea.
“Son, if you have to ask, bless your heart.”
Local News 📰
🚧 $115.5 Million Prince William Parkway Project Could Eliminate Two Traffic Signals
Prince William County is moving forward with plans for a major reconstruction of Route 234/Prince William Parkway at Sudley Manor Drive and Wellington Road.
The estimated $115.5 million project would remove the traffic signals at both intersections and convert the Route 234 connections to right-in/right-out access.
A new roadway and bridge would connect Sudley Manor Drive and Wellington Road over Route 234, allowing traffic to cross the parkway without using the existing signalized intersections. The county transportation department lists a public information meeting for October 7 at 6 p.m. M.Journal →
🚗Prince William Car Tax Deadline Is Getting Close
Here's one deadline worth putting on the refrigerator.
Prince William County personal-property taxes—commonly called the car tax—and business tangible-property taxes are due Monday, October 5.
The county says unpaid balances after October 5 face a 10% late-payment penalty, with interest also accruing.
Taxpayer Services is extending its hours until 6 p.m. on October 1, 2 and 5 at its Woodbridge and Manassas locations. More →
Virginia’s return to RGGI could raise Dominion bills, but rebates may offset the cost
Virginia’s return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative could soon show up on Dominion Energy bills, including those of Prince William County customers. Dominion is seeking approval for a new charge of roughly $13 a month on a typical residential bill, though its proposal to spread the cost over two years would bring the monthly impact closer to $10.
There’s a counterbalance: Virginia law requires 45% of the state’s proceeds from the program’s emissions auctions to go toward lowering customer bills. For households, the question is how the new charge and those savings will add up. More→
Virginia DMV wait times hit record low of 8.3 minutes
A visit to the Virginia DMV may be getting a lot shorter. Average wait times have fallen to a record-low 8.3 minutes in 2026, compared with about 37 minutes in 2019.
The drop follows a series of reforms, though the available figures don’t single out which changes made the biggest difference. For Virginians heading to the DMV, the headline is simple: the average wait is now less than a quarter of what it was seven years ago.
Local Events 🎉
🏫School News
🎥 Colgan Students Bring Prince William History to Life
Students at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School have created videos highlighting historic places around Prince William County as part of the America 250 commemoration.
The project combines local history with student research and video storytelling, encouraging students—and viewers—to discover the history sitting in their own backyard.
🎓 Woodbridge High Student Named National Merit Semifinalist
PWCS announced Friday that six students have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, including Sophia Ramirez Jam of Woodbridge High School.
The other PWCS semifinalists are Sajeela Ahmad, William Hamilton and Samuel Zhang of Colgan High; Abigail Chang of Gainesville High; and Devin Wanchoo of Osbourn Park High. More →
💼 Gar-Field and Woodbridge Students Are Learning to Run Real Businesses.
Students at Gar-Field and Woodbridge high schools are among PWCS students participating in DECA chapters where they develop skills in marketing, finance, management, hospitality and entrepreneurship.
The program goes beyond classroom exercises. Students operate school-based enterprises, manage inventory, work with customers, make financial decisions and tackle business scenarios in competitions. DECA chapters also operate at Colgan, Gainesville and Osbourn Park. More →
PWCS Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month Across Schools
PWCS is marking National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated nationwide from September 15 to October 15.
Schools across the division will honor the rich histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. In a district where diversity is valued, these celebrations help students see themselves in the curriculum and deepen their appreciation for a variety of experiences and perspectives. More→
🚗 TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION
🚌 New Manassas-to-Vienna OmniRide Express Route Proposed
A proposed OmniRide Express route between Manassas and Vienna could give western Prince William commuters another connection into the regional transit system.
A public hearing is scheduled for October 13 from 5–6 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Library.
According to the current proposal, the service would be funded through either the I-66 Commuter Choice program or Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
Important details—including stops, frequency, operating schedule and potential start date—have not yet been announced. More →
🚦 Minnieville Road Reminder
Construction continues to affect travel through the Prince William Parkway/Minnieville Road intersection.
Through traffic and right turns remain available, along with the eastbound Prince William Parkway-to-southbound Minnieville left turn. Other left-turn movements are restricted and detoured. More →
Health-Wise🍏
☕Scientists Just Discovered What Coffee Really Does to Your Gut and Brain
A new study suggests coffee — caffeinated or decaf — may influence mood, stress, memory, and attention by reshaping the gut microbiome, adding to growing evidence of a strong gut-brain connection. More →
💰 Smart Money Daily
💵Americans’ inflation expectations rise to a three-month high
Americans are bracing for higher prices. In the University of Michigan’s September survey, year-ahead inflation expectations jumped to 4.6%, their highest level since June.
The figure reflects what consumers think prices will do over the next 12 months, not how fast they’re rising today. Still, the three-month high suggests inflation remains a concern for households. More→
Elon's new company is private. These 3 tickers aren't.
The next Apple may already exist. Insider sources say Elon has spent two years building a secret device inside Tesla's facilities — one he claims will be "10x bigger than the largest product in history."
There's just one problem: the company is private, and unless you know Elon personally, you can't buy a single share. That was true until Guardian's research team found three public ticker symbols sitting in the launch supply chain.
Click here to see all 3 tickers, free of charge.
You won't hear these names on CNBC — Wall Street hasn't published a word on the connection. But when the launch hits September 21, that quiet ends.
Some are already calling this the biggest opportunity since AI. For anyone who missed Apple before the iPhone, this may be a second look at that kind of setup.
Business Spotlight🔦
Bistro L'Hermitage
Refined French cuisine & wines are served in a quaint setting with the feeling of a village auberge.
Located in the historic Occoquan Waterfront Area, Bistro L'Hermitage is a Classic French Bistro offering a romantic and sophisticated dining experience.
Montclair Family Restaurant
We offer a large selection of menu options, from our hearty breakfast platters and daily specials, to our slow-roasted rotisserie chicken and gourmet desserts.
Down Home Comfort Cafe
At our cafe, we strive to bring you the flavors and traditions of the South through our carefully crafted menu. From classic Southern favorites such as fried chicken, fried and smothered pork chops, red beans and rice, potato salad, collard greens, and cornbread to innovative dishes that blend traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques, our culinary team ensures every dish is a memorable taste sensation. Visit Them Here→
Recipe of the Week 🍽️
Baked Ziti: A Classic Italian-American Comfort Dish
Baked Ziti is a popular Italian-American pasta casserole that's loved for its hearty, cheesy goodness. It's a dish that's often served at family gatherings and potlucks, offering a comforting blend of pasta, tomato sauce, cheese, and sometimes meat. Originating from Italian immigrants in the United States, it's a dish that brings together traditional Italian flavors with a touch of American creativity. More→
🌤️ Weather
As you head into the day, remember that every great accomplishment began somewhere—with an idea, a decision, or someone willing to take that first step. Don’t let the size of a dream convince you it’s beyond your reach. Start where you are, use what you have, and see how far you can go. After all, “the impossible starts somewhere.”
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