By URIAH KISER
DALE CITY, Va. — When fire and HAZMAT crews were called to Tracy Martinez’s childhood home Friday night, she thought the home was vacant.
Martinez says a man was living in the home illegally when fire and rescue crews rushed to the scene Friday, after the man disturbed some stored chemicals meant for use in the home’s backyard swimming pool. Once disturbed, they began to bubble causing a chemical reaction and his nose to burn.
Not true, said Martinez.
“This man has been squatting at our home since December,” said Martinez. “The house is not in foreclosure.”
He’s been squatting, or living in the home without permission, since December, she says. The man was a roommate of another man who two years ago signed a lease with Martinez’s parents – who still own the home and were concerned when the found out what happened on Friday night. The leaser moved out in December on good terms, but the roommate must have stayed behind, said Martinez.
“I was driving by the house last week and I saw cars in the driveway and thought ‘they shouldn’t be there,’ so now we contacted legal help us get him removed from the house,” said Martinez. “That was the home I grew up in, and I have a lot of great childhood memories in the home. But as the years have gone by and things like this happen, those fond memories have become faded.”
The man refused treatment and didn’t suffer serious injuries.
While the landlords in this case are working to remove the alleged squatter, landlords who don’t visit their properties often have posed a problem in Dale City.
“It’s absentee landlords, with no one looking to make sure the tenants are well behaved, that’s a problem,” said Neabsco Action Alliance spokeswoman Connie Moser. “We have a rental across the street. They continually park their cars blocking the sidewalk and have a dog that barks 24/7. The owner lives away and has a property management company deal with the lease.”
The alliance, along with much of Moser’s community work, focuses on redeveloping Dale City into a community of homeowners who take pride in their houses.
“When I moved…it was a family oriented neighborhood with neat lawns and well tended homes. I spend a huge amount of time trying to keep up in a neighborhood where the people who do care are aging and fast falling into a state of inability to keep up basic property maintenance,” said Moser.
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Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Jan. 27 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St. The Department of Economic Development, led by Director Patrick Small, will present its fiscal year 2024 report to City Council.
Fiscal year 2024 — from July 2023 to July 2024 — showed an increase in industrial and retail vacancies in the last two quarters of the fiscal year. However, office space vacancies increased slightly over the fiscal year to just over 3.5%.
The city generated $12.9 million in sales taxes and $6.25 million in meal taxes, both increases from fiscal year 2023, the department’s presentation states. The department estimates nearly 340,000 people visited Manassas in fiscal year 2024, generating $60.5 million in spending in the city.
Inspired by the devastating wildfires in California that have affected over 38,600 acres and led to evacuation orders for 88,000 residents as of Jan. 15, we reached out to Stafford County’s Fire and Rescue team to explore how they get ready for wildfires in this area.
A wildfire outbreak began in California on January 7, 2025 and continues as of Jan., 23. Over 47,000 acres have burned, with a new fire starting yesterday in Hughes County. Over 16,000 structures have burned due to wildfires in 2025.
Katie Brady, county fire department spokeswoman and Fire Life Safety Manager, clarified that “wildfire” is a broad blanket term. Stafford is likelier to experience “brush fires” than quick-moving wildfires that cause widespread destruction like California’s. Brushfires can range in size from a few feet to several acres and can be precursors to a larger wildfire capable of causing significant damage. Brushfires are more common when the area experiences drought conditions, like in 2024.
The disciplinary action taken against Patriot High School Principal Michael Bishop earlier this month is the latest chapter in a turbulent tenure at the school, Insidenova.com reports.
Bishop was placed on involuntary leave, the school announced Jan. 9.
The school division did not provide further details upon request from InsideNoVa because it is a “personnel matter,” said Diana Gulotta, the school system’s director of communications.
Fredericksburg police arrested Daquan Warren, 24, for a December 2024 shooting and investigated a January 20 shots fired and burglary incident on Townsend Boulevard. Stafford County saw assaults at Chatham Heights Road and North Stafford High School, a break-in on Ripley Road, and larcenies at Walmart, Buffalo Wild Wings, and an ABC store. In Prince William County, a strong-arm robbery on Balls Ford Road resulted in the arrest of Jose Fernando Martinez-Gonzalez. Authorities urge public assistance with investigations and provide tips hotlines for each jurisdiction.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
