OCCOQUAN, Va. — Occoquan is one of the prettiest painted places in America.
The Paint Quality Institute for the third time since the 1990s has reviewed historic downtown areas that use and ranked them on what unique paint schemes they use to express the town. The national competition is called the “Prettiest Painted Places in America,” and more than 200 historic districts, main streets, and downtowns are competing in the competition.
In a periodical newsletter to residents, Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta said he’s pleased his town was nominated. He also thanked the Prince William County tourism board, Discover Prince William and Manassas for submitting Occoquan in the competition.
“We are thrilled competition officials recognized this beautiful hidden gem along the Occoquan River,” Discover Prince William & Manassas Executive Director Ann Marie Maher said. “The merchants and residents of the community work hard to maintain their historic buildings and charm and it’s one of the reasons why thousands come to visit Occoquan annually.”
It’s a busy time for the small town along the Occoquan River in Prince William County. Occoquan last weekend welcomed thousands to one of its two annual craft fairs.
Other pretty painted town finalists include downtown Bowling Green, Ky; Gulf Shores, Ala.; Historic Oakwood in Raleigh, N.C.; Key West, Fla.; Old Louisville, Ky.; Old Town Alexandria, Va.; Paducah, Ky.; Selma (Ward 3), Ala.; and Historic Downtown Smithfield, Va.
After the first Prettiest Painted Places in America competition was held in the 1990s, another was held in 2000. This marks the third time the competition has been held.
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OmniRide has announced its service schedule for Monday, January 20, 2025, coinciding with both the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Riders are encouraged to plan ahead as some services will not be operating.
Service Schedule for January 20, 2025
OmniRide Express: No Service
OmniRide Metro Express: Regular schedules to both Franconia-Springfield and Tysons. Rides will be free.
OmniRide Local & East-West Express: Regular Service
OmniRide Access Paratransit & OmniRide Connect Microtransit: Regular Service
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced significant highway changes and closures to support the Virginia State Police during the upcoming Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump. Drivers traveling from Virginia into Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 20, are urged to plan ahead and use alternate routes as multiple bridges and ramps will be closed. Portable and overhead message signs will provide reminders of the closures.
The closures will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, January 20, and remain in effect until the conclusion of inaugural events. Here’s what drivers need to know:
Prince William Times – For Heather Payne and her family, paying their annual car tax bill has been difficult. Together, she and her husband owe about $600 a year on two older cars, one of which is a 2014 model.
The Paynes have five children, and they’ve struggled since the pandemic. Payne said her husband was laid off from his job in sales, and she has juggled up to four jobs at a time to pay the bills.
Now, Payne has two jobs but she and her husband are still behind on their car tax payments. In June, she was surprised when her wages were garnished to pay the bill.
The Center Square — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares hosted a press conference Tuesday with other state leaders and advocacy groups supporting legislation that would only allow biological females to compete on women’s sports teams in Virginia.
“Virginia will never roll back Title IX under the guise of false equity,” Miyares said. “Let us stand firmly with every girl and woman in Virginia to protect fairness, ensure safety, and uphold the opportunities they have earned.”
Women from the Roanoke College women’s swim team were also in attendance, as a transgender student temporarily joined their team in 2023. So was Riley Gaines, the former University of Kentucky swimmer who became a voice for the Save Women’s Sport movement after competing against transgender athlete Leah Thomas.
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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.
Featuring:
