Thursday, May 9, 2013
Letter to local lawmaker from Trader Joe's official does encourage Prince William County-area residents to keep the hope for TJ's alive.
It looks like the popular Trader Joe's food store chain won't be doing business in the Prince William County-area anytime soon, leaving many area residents to continue their regular mecca to the nearest TJ's in Centreville. In April, Prince William County Supervisor Michael May reached out to the company and asked if it would consider opening a store in Woodbridge. May's letter prompted a response from Rachel Broderick of Trader Joe's customer relations. "While there isn't "one" reason why there isn't a TJ's where you live and work, one thing I can tell you is that we expand at a much slower rate than most grocery stores because we are still a privately held company," Broderick wrote. "While your area isn't in our two-year plan for …
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Four Manassas police officers received awards from the Prince William Chamber of Commerce for their valor.
The business community recognized the work of four Manassas Police officers by presenting them with awards. On April 24, Prince William Chamber of Commerce bestowed the Bronze Medal of Valor, the Life Saving Award and the Hillary Robinette Award upon the officers during a special ceremony, according to the city of Manassas website. Here's a run down each award and the actions that prompted the bestowal. Life Saving Award On May 25, 2012, Police Officer First Class D.T. Villanueva was providing assistance at the scene of an accident at the intersection Wellington and Cloverhill roads when a citizen flagged him down. The citizen let him know that a juvenile had fallen from a skateboard and was seriously injured. When Officer Villanueva …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The cities of Manassas and Manassas Park are each searching for new city managers.
Both Manassas and Manassas Park are searching for new city managers to lead each city, after the men in the current positions announced they would both be departing in June. After about a year on the job, Manassas City Manager John Budesky announced in March that he would be leaving his post to take care of a sick family member near Richmond. He's moving to Hanover to be near the sick family member and has accepted another position in the Richmond area. Meanwhile, James "Jim" Zumwalt, city manager of Manassas Park, told city council members last month that he wants to join his wife in retirement. Zumwalt began working as the city manager in January 2011, after serving in a similar role in Paduca, Ky. Zumwalt's last day is June 30, the end…
Monday, May 6, 2013
The city is hoping Saturday's game overthrew the Ford Motor Company as the Guinness world record holders for the largest Red Light, Green Light game.
Some 755 people showed up Saturday to play the children's game Red Light-Green Light—far more than the 452 needed to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest game ever played. Though it's not official, it appears the City of Manassas has overthrown the current Guinness world record holder, the Ford Motor Company, who rallied up 451 people in Dearborn Mich. back on Sept. 18, 2012 to play for the world record. City officials said the required documentation is on its way to the Guinness World Records’ team of adjudicators in London to verify the city's attempt was successful. The game was the kickoff to the First Virginia Community Bank Fourth Annual Big Day of Serving organized by employees from the Manassas Neighborhood Services …
Sunday, May 5, 2013
The Republican Party in Virginia decided to have a primary in 2013, but later changed its mind.
Virginia’s Republican Party annual convention is set for May 17 and 18, and delegates from around the state will select nominees for Lt. Governor and Attorney General. GOP officials have gone back and forth in recent years on whether to host a convention or conduct an open primary. In 2011, GOP officials had decided to hold a primary in 2013, but a group of newly elected members of the Commonwealth's GOP central committee changed course in 2012 and switched to a closed convention. The switch to a convention saves local governments and the state money — primaries are paid for with state and local dollars, but convention costs come directly from the Virginia GOP’s funds. It was the announcement of plans for a 2013 convention that drove Lt. …
Friday, May 3, 2013
The Manassas Fire Marshal's office said the three children set a fire that caused $500 in property damage in April.
Manassas fire officials said three children are responsible for a fire near the rear of Kershaw Court in the Bristoe Station neighborhood. It happened at 8 p.m. on April 26 when Manassas Fire and Rescue officers along with city police responded to an outside fire that had spread to a fence on Kershaw Court. No injuries were reported, but the fire did cause $500 in property damage, city officials said. On Tuesday, authorities charged the three children under Virginia Fire Code 18.2-81, Burning or Destroying Personal Property (Class 4 felony) and 18.2-86, Setting Fire to Woods, Fences, and/or Grass (Class 6 felony). City officials said the fire marshal's office is working to keep the community safe from fire while deterring illegal fire-…
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Don't forget! Friday is the first day of the 2013 Smart Markets Inc. farmers' market at the Manassas Park City Hall parking lot.
The much anticipated return of the abundant variety found at the Smart Markets Inc. farmers' market is upon us. The 2013 debut of the evening farmers' market is Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Manassas Park City Hall parking lot which is bordered by Manassas Drive and Park Center Court. Look for these vendors: Absolute BBQ; Angelic Beef; Cakes by Shelby; Cavanna Pasta; Crazy Farm, Delicias del Sur; Fabbioli Cellars; Joie de Vivre Fine Foods; The Kettle Corn Guy; Queen Victoria’s Island Punch; Taste of Local Food Truck; Three Peas in a Pod Cupcakery; Tyson Farm and Orchards, Whim Pops; the Wicked Oak Farm—which is bringing pork, chicken and eggs—and lastly, Chef Bon’s Gluten Free Yum Truck. Contact Jean Janssen of Smart Markets, Inc. at …
Ms. Christina Ross hit it big-and she didn't even have to gamble.
Wednesday wasn't the average dreaded hump day for Osbourn Park High teacher Christina Ross. A day of teaching seniors suffering from spring fever was well rewarded when she discovered she'd won the Virginia Lottery Super Teacher Award which comes with a personal $2,000 check. Award co-sponsor Supply Room Inc. also gave her a $2,000 classroom credit for supplies. "Well, I'm going quit my second job," a smiling Ross said when asked what she was going to do with her award money. The gift came as a total surprise to the Advanced Placement government teacher. School administrators lured Ross and her class to the Osbourn Park library for the big reveal by making up a story about something being wrong with the roof over her classroom. School …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Local law enforcement officials have criticized the decision to cut funding. What do you think?
A recent decision by the Board of County Supervisors to cut funding for substance abuse treatment for inmates at the jail has gotten a lot of criticism from local law enforcement officials. The program, called the Drug Offender Rehabilitation Module, provides treatment for drug addicts and helps the inmates enter classes for their GED and employment. Both Prince William County Sheriff Glendall Hill and Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert criticized the decision in the Washington Post recently. “It’s penny-wise and pound-foolish. That program is going to save the county a lot of money," Ebert told the Post. The Board is expected to use the money from the cuts to hire up to four new police officers. What do you think? Penny-wise and pound-…
Monday, April 29, 2013
Top news of the week from our Patches around Virginia and DC.
Patch has 31 community sites in Virginia and D.C. Here are some of the top stories from around the region over the past week. 16. Mark Wahlberg Visits: Actor Mark Wahlberg visited T.C. Williams High School on Wednesday morning for an assembly presented by Get Schooled, a nonprofit that aims to engage high school students in an effort to improve graduation rates and empower more students to achieve in college. “I had to work really hard to get where I’m at,” Wahlberg said. “And I don’t mind working really hard to try and maintain it." 15. Runner Pledges 30 Races: Arlington resident Lauren Bailey is halfway through a personal challenge that has been daunting and exhilarating — running 30 races in one year, the year of her 30th birthday. …
Michele Frantz
9:57 am on Friday, May 10, 2013
Good for them, placing integrity above additional profits. I wish more businesses behaved this way. more ›