A group of Occoquan residents have been painting rocks and hiding them around the town for people to find, bringing some color to the town and its people.
People who find these rocks have been taking photos with them and then hiding them again for others to find.
Donna Sherman, owner of Puzzle Palooza, has seen several of these rocks herself:
“I have seen a few around town, and near my store. They definitely bring a smile to my face!” Sherman said.
Other local business owners have taken notice of these unconventional masterpieces and even joined in the effort.
Paint Your Heart Out owner, Nikki Vandover-Ballard, and her daughter, Chloe, found one of these hidden treasures and helped to create more.
“We found a rock and painted more rocks because we were inspired by the one we found! We have seen people photographing the rock because it is on the bench outside of our studio,” Vandover-Ballard said.
Another mother-daughter team, Sarah Burzio (owner of Hitchcock Paper), and her daughter, Lydia, joined the Vandover-Ballard team to “bring more rainbows to the town.”
When asked how Occoquan was responding to the rocks, Councilwoman Laurie Holloway reflected on her own experience:
“Yes, those rocks are great! I found one on a walk recently, and it made my day. I ended up picking it up and moving it to a nearby spot where an Occoquan neighbor’s dog recently passed away. She’s built a little memorial there, I thought it would brighten her day to know that someone was thinking of her and her beautiful dog,” Holloway said.
According to Mayor Earnie Porta, the group responsible for beginning this initiative want to remain anonymous:
“I do know the person whose idea it was and who is leading the effort with some friends. Last week I inquired about giving them some public recognition and thanks, but they indicated that they prefered to remain anonymous and simply enjoy seeing people’s positive reactions,” Porta said.
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On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Manassas City Council received the Electoral Board’s annual report, presented by Pamela Kincheloe, who is secretary of the city’s electoral board. The report highlighted voter participation trends, the logistics of the 2024 election, and the city’s electoral outcomes. The 2024 voter turnout was 65.46%, down from 72.6% in 2020 and 66.7% in 2016. Early voting continued to grow, accounting for 44.73% of total votes, surpassing in-person voting on Election Day (43.22%), while mail-in voting made up 12.05%. Sunday voting also saw an increase, with 131 voters participating compared to previous years. Turnout by precinct ranged from 61% at Dean Elementary to 73.71% at Rand Elementary. Same-day registration presented logistical challenges, particularly at Weems Elementary, where wait times were extended due to high demand and the additional burden of curbside voting. Same-day voter registration, which began in Virginia with the 2022 General Election, allows individuals to register and vote provisionally after the traditional registration deadline.
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
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The Manassas City Council voted unanimously on Monday, January 13, 2024, to purchase a 1.56-acre property in Downtown Manassas from the Manassas Ice and Fuel Company (MIFCO). The $3.1 million acquisition is part of the city’s ongoing strategy to control downtown development and foster community-focused growth.
The newly purchased property, which includes multiple parcels on Center Street, is zoned for industrial use (I-2), allowing developments up to 75 feet in height. City officials highlighted the importance of acquiring the land to guide its future use and prevent projects that may not align with the downtown’s character.
“This purchase ensures that we, as a city, can decide what happens on this key piece of land,” said Vice Mayor Wolfe. “Without this step, the property could have been developed by-right into something like a storage facility or data center, which may not align with our downtown vision.”
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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.
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