An industrial accident claimed the life of a Stafford County man on the morning of October 15, 2024. Douglas Contreras-Zuniga, 57, was fatally injured while working at Norfleet Quality LLC, a company known for providing premium mulch products and a longtime supplier to the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.
The Fredericksburg Police and Fire Departments responded to the accident at the company's location on 103 Central Road after receiving a distress call at 7:40 a.m. Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered that Contreras-Zuniga had sustained severe trauma to his right leg. Despite their efforts, paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
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Northern Virginia is home to more data centers than anywhere else, and Prince William County is quickly catching up to neighboring Loudoun County, potentially overtaking it as the top data center hub. While the rapid growth of data centers brings economic benefits, some residents are concerned about the impact on local infrastructure, particularly the strain on our electricity grid.
What do you think? Do you fear the expansion of data centers will affect our area’s power supply? Let us know by voting in our poll below!
"Robert Portner was also a great benefactor of the city and is famous in his own right. Residents supported several community conversations and responded to surveys during the master planning process and have expressed much support for saving the home and for creating a surrounding park," Sievel-Otten said. "Preserving the 3.5 acres of green space around the house also satisfies a desire residents always express in our surveys for more parks and recreation spaces."
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Saturday at Annaburg Park (9201 Maple St.) at 1:30 p.m. Attendees can also enjoy an art show following the ceremony.
The construction of Manassas' first Wawa is nearing completion, supporting the city's long-term efforts to revitalize a key highway corridor. The new Wawa will provide 24/7 service, benefiting employees at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center.
Ribbon-cutting details will be announced soon, according to the Manassas Economic Development Department.
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There’s still time to secure your spot for one of the most exciting fall events in Prince William County—the Fall Reverse Raffle & Dinner. This Saturday, October 19, 2024, the event promises an evening of fun and a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize.
The event, hosted by Volunteer Prince William, is a fantastic way to spend an evening and supports the Untrim-A-Tree program, which helps provide Christmas to 4,000 local children and 800 seniors in need at Christmas.
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The training is open to all faith-based organizations in an effort to assist them in securing a safe worship environment. The event will be lecture-based and provide tools for organizations to keep worship spaces secure, as well as an introduction to the Worship Watch Program (WWP).
According to the county's website, WWP is a proactive program that encourages houses of worship to become more involved in reducing the opportunity for crimes to occur on their premises. The program operates similarly to a community watch program.
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Dear Readers,
We are excited to present to you the second installment of our History and Heritage Feature Series, sponsored by Sentara. This special series celebrates the rich cultural heritage and history of Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.
We will delve into the historical events, landmarks, and personal stories that have shaped our communities. From in-depth articles on significant historical milestones to spotlights on notable landmarks and engaging oral histories from long-time residents, our series aims to connect you with the past in a meaningful and enlightening way.
We are proud to partner with Sentara, a name synonymous with community involvement and support. Sentara’s sponsorship helps make this series possible, allowing us to bring these important stories to you while highlighting their commitment to preserving our local history.
Join us as we explore the places, events, and people that tell the story of our region’s past. Understanding our history is crucial to building a better future and maintaining the rich traditions that define us.
Thank you for your continued support of local journalism.
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News
Annaburg Manor Unveils First Phase of Renovations, Opens to Public
This Saturday, the City of Manassas will celebrate the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Annaburg Manor, a historic estate built in 1892 by the Portner family. Once a nursing home and hospital, the manor was purchased by the city in 2019 with the vision of transforming it into a public park. After years of renovations, the first phase of the project is complete, opening the grounds to the public.
Mary Helen Dellinger, Curator at the Manassas Museum, spoke about the challenges the city faced while restoring the manor. “The single biggest challenge for us was that there were no architectural plans showing what the building looked like before. We don’t know what the inside of it looked like during Portner’s time; we only have pictures of the outside,” Dellinger explained. Changes made by previous owners complicated efforts to determine which parts of the house were original and which were later additions. To aid the process, the city worked with Portner’s descendants and used old photographs.
The restoration of Annaburg Manor was more of a renovation than a true historical restoration, according to Dellinger. “The home was in rough shape. There was mold, debris, and old systems that needed to be replaced,” she said. While they chose not to fully restore the home to its original 1892 condition, the team aimed to stay as faithful as possible to its historic design.
One notable feature of the renovation is the addition of a fountain to the manor’s grounds. While the original fountain was custom-cast and could not be replicated, a new fountain was installed that pays homage to the original water feature. “It’s not the exact sculpture that was there, but I think it’ll make the house look nice and is a nod to the original fountain,” Dellinger noted.
Beyond the structural renovations, the project aims to enhance the community’s green spaces. “One of the things we heard from the community was that there was nowhere in that area of town that was walkable,” Dellinger shared. Annaburg Manor is expected to provide much-needed green space where locals can relax and enjoy nature.
Looking ahead, there are plans for further development. While the public will initially only be able to tour the grounds, Dellinger hinted at future events and rental opportunities. “You’ll be able to rent the space for any kind of event,” she said, adding that the manor’s spacious porch would make it a picturesque wedding venue, with meetings and other gatherings possible inside the house.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at 9201 Maple Street, Manassas.
Press Release:
Journey Theater is pleased to present the World Premiere of Dr. Harry J. Kantrovich's and Bruce H. “Doc” Norton’s Voices From Vietnam, a collection of interviews, stories, letter and reflections from Vietnam Veterans; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as well as the Nurses and Women who served, POWs, MIA families, a Vietnamese refugee, an embassy statesman and college and school students. In February 2023, Harry Kantrovich, a retired Navy Master Chief met Bruce H. “Doc” Norton, a retired Marine Corps Major and Vietnam Veteran. Harry asked Doc to collaborate on a play and an accompanying book about Vietnam. Journey Theater in Warrenton, VA agreed to premiere the play and the accompanying book. Performances in 2024 will be at Journey Theater at Vint Hill, 4175 Bludau Drive, Warrenton, VA on Fridays and Saturdays, November 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 PM and Sundays, November 10, 17, 24 at 2:00 PM. There will be a Special November 16 Matinee for students, teachers and parents at a reduced price. Matinee Performances will feature post-show talkback sessions with panelists answering questions from the audience. The show is being produced by Stacie Duvall, Walter Meyer and Douglas Barylski. Order tickets today at: Journey Church, Vint Hill | Theater
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