At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) Board approved the school year calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, opting for earlier starts to the year.

In a 4-2 vote with one abstention, the School Board voted to start on Aug. 12 in the upcoming two school years. The Board members who voted in favor of earlier start dates, or Option A, said they did so to remain in line with the survey results.

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At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Manassas City School Board approved the fiscal year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which outlines significant facility and resource investments to improve the district's educational environment.

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On Monday, leaders from Prince William County gathered to celebrate the start of improvements to two of the soccer fields at George Hellwig Memorial Park in Manassas.

The improvements are scheduled to be completed by March 2025.

According to a county press release, fields three and eight are undergoing renovations to upgrade and install synthetic turf, respectively. Field three is scheduled to also receive a large underground stormwater management system, new concrete walkways, fencing, goals and behind-goal netting.

Hellwig Park is 132 acres with eight soccer fields, five baseball diamonds, three tennis courts, two basketball courts, a pickleball court and a small playground. The park is located at 14420 Bristow Road in Manassas, located in the Coles District of the county.

“As a coach who has spent countless hours on these fields, I’m so excited to support the turf improvements here at Hellwig,” Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega said. “These upgrades not only enhance the experience for our local athletes of all ages, but strengthen Prince William County’s commitment to health, wellness and community.”

The park was named in 1987 for George Hellwig, a president of the Coles District Volunteer Fire Department for three years as well as a rescue caption and chairman of the board. He’s most known for his efforts in getting an emergency medical training program started in the county.

In this Potomac Local News Podcast episode, Manassas is shaping its future while honoring its past. Host Uriah Kiser sits down with Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis to discuss the North Star Branding Study findings, tackling challenges like preserving history, fostering economic growth, and addressing community concerns. Stay tuned for local news highlights, including a shocking insurance scam and updates on the City Council’s new term.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction: Host Uriah Kiser sets the stage for a discussion of the North Star Branding Study’s findings and their implications for Manassas’ future. The podcast also teases other local stories, including an insurance scam and City Council updates.
• Conversation with Theresa Coates Ellis:
  • North Star Branding Study: Theresa discusses the study’s insights, including the city’s brand awareness and challenges in balancing its historical identity with modern growth.
  • Balancing History and Growth: Discussion on preserving Manassas’ Civil War legacy while fostering tech and business opportunities.
  • Community Concerns: Addressing high taxes, overdevelopment, and the need for workforce readiness in tech industries.
  • Future Vision for Manassas: Theresa shares her vision for redeveloping key areas and fostering investment to make Manassas a thriving community.
• Local News Highlights:
  • Insurance Scam Story: A troubling case of predatory towing in Prince William County, with police investigation updates and tips for residents to avoid similar scams.
  • City Council Swearing-In Ceremony: Details about the January 2025 ceremony, reflections on a contentious election season, and hopes for a collaborative future.
• Closing Thoughts: Uriah reflects on the power of local journalism, encourages community engagement, and invites listeners to share their thoughts on the podcast and local news stories.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about the North Star Branding Study results and its role in shaping Manassas’ identity.
• Understand how Manassas balances historic preservation with modern economic development.
• Discover actionable insights for preventing predatory towing scams.
• Gain perspective on the recent City Council election and what it means for Manassas residents.

What to Listen For:

• Insights from Theresa Coates Ellis about preserving Manassas’ historic charm while embracing its future.
• Shocking details about the insurance scam and police response.
• Reflections on the heated City Council election and the swearing-in ceremony.

Listen to the full episode for these stories and more, and subscribe for updates on what’s shaping Northern Virginia communities!

Manassas City Council met for the final official time in 2024 in a nearly 2.5-hour meeting, sending off Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky and approving the Safford Subaru expansion.

Council will be on a two-week recess beginning Dec. 16 through the holiday season. Their first scheduled meeting back will be in early January.

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Following Saturday’s 78th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, the winners were announced on Facebook Sunday evening in several categories.

The parade organizers released a comprehensive list of winners in performance and float categories. The Chairman’s Award was given to the Manassas Park High School Marching Cougars, who earned a perfect score for their performance during the parade. The Parade Committee Award went to Caporales San Simon VA USA, a Bolivian cultural association.

All of the award winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Manassas City Hall. Winners will receive a trophy and certificate.

Here are the rest of the awards:

Dance Company

1st: Stage Door Dance Studio

2nd: Manassas Ballet Theatre

3rd: Prince William Dance Academy

Cheerleading, Majorette, Step Teams

1st: Unity Reed High School AF JROTC

2nd: Grace E. Metz Middle School Cheer

3rd: Osbourn Park High School Cheer Program

Float – Other

1st: Mayfield Intermediate School

2nd: St. Thomas United Methodist Church

3rd: Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center

Float – Business

1st: K&M Roofing and Contracting LLC.

2nd: American Drengr Krav Maga

3rd: Ameri-Cans

Business Vehicles

1st: Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia – Arlington to Haymarket

2nd: Move4Free Realty LLC

3rd: Ashton Family Restaurant

Equestrian / Animals

1st: Union de asociaciones de charros del estado de Virginia

2nd: Peace of Mind K9

3rd: Dream in NOVA

Nonprofit Organization

1st: Historic Manassas, Inc.

2nd: Alpha-Bet Cooperative Preschool

3rd: Prince William Chamber of Commerce

Sections of Sinclair Lane, or Route 747, will be closed to through traffic Monday starting at 9 a.m. through Thursday at 2 p.m. for drainage pipe replacement.

According to a release from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Sinclair Lane closures will take place between Brentsville Road and Smithfield Road. Closures will occur each weekday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The VDOT release states those needing to access Sinclair Lane will be able to, but drivers will not be able to go beyond the point of pipe replacement near the property at 11824 Sinclair Lane.

More information about these closures can be found on VDOT’s website or by visiting the 511Virginia app.

The Manassas City Council will hold a swearing-in ceremony for its newly elected and returning members on Monday, January 6, 2025,  Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The ceremony will feature the oath of office for Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, Council Member Tom Osina, Council Member Mark Wolfe, and Council Member-Elect Ashley Hutson. Following the swearing-in, all participants will immediately take their seats on the dais to begin their new terms.

Outgoing Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky will be honored after eight years on the Council. She did not seek reelection.

Exclusive interviews with Mark Wolfe, Tom Osina and Ashley Hutson offer insight into their visions for the city’s future. Davis-Younger did not respond to a request for an interview during the election.

The interviews are available to watch online:

• Mark Wolfe: Watch here
• Tom Osina: Watch here
• Ashley Hutson: Watch here

Following the ceremony, the City Council will convene its regular meeting with several key agenda items for discussion. One highlight is the decision to obtain a special use permit (SUP) for a new Subaru dealership on Liberia Avenue.

Council will review and vote on the SUP for the proposed Safford Manassas Subaru dealership at 9018 and 9020 Liberia Ave. Gramm SB Properties, LLC applied to allow motor vehicle sales, rental, and service at the site.

The city’s Community Development staff and Planning Commission have recommended approval of the permit, contingent on specific conditions to ensure the development aligns with zoning practices and the city’s land-use plan. Council held a public hearing on the matter on Nov. 25.

Approval of the SUP would signify that the proposed development is in harmony with the surrounding area and meets the city’s zoning and community standards.

Residents are encouraged to attend the swearing-in ceremony and Council meeting to witness the continuation of local governance and decision-making that shapes Manassas. For those unable to attend in person, updates and decisions from the meeting will be shared on the city’s website and streamed online.

City Council meeting begins after the 5:30 p.m. ceremony, with public participation welcome on agenda items.

Manassas Park’s downtown revitalization project is gaining momentum with the planned opening of a new B&B Theatres location. The luxury eight-screen cinema, complete with a restaurant and entertainment amenities, will anchor the city’s redevelopment initiative and fill the void left by Cinema Café’s withdrawal in 2022.

Originally, Cinema Café, a Hampton Roads-based movie theater and dining chain, had announced plans to establish a combination movie house and restaurant in Manassas Park’s Park Central development. However, by September 2022, the company backed out of the deal, citing concerns over rising inflation. This decision temporarily left the city without a major tenant for its downtown revitalization efforts.

In the city’s downtown area, an All American Steakhouse and Sports Theater and a new Jirani Coffee are also slated to open.

B&B Theatres, the fifth-largest cinema chain in the United States, has stepped in to fill the gap. With more than 50 locations across 14 states, including Virginia, the company is known for its innovative facilities, such as dine-in auditoriums and premium large-format screens. Its nearest current location to Northern Virginia is the B&B Theatres Blacksburg 11, which also features bowling alleys and arcade amenities.

The new Manassas Park location represents a significant move closer to the Washington, D.C. metro area. As part of the development, B&B Theatres will contribute to the city’s vision of a vibrant downtown hub, offering entertainment options including a restaurant and community event spaces.

The city of Manassas Park is supporting the project with $1.6 million in funding for enhancements, including a large outdoor screen and plaza improvements. Officials have also approved a $10 sale of Parcel B-2 to B&B Theatres, on which the company will build.

The Park Central project in Manassas Park is a significant redevelopment initiative to create a pedestrian-friendly downtown area. Manassas Park, in partnership with Norton Scott LLC, a leading local developer, spearheads this transformation.

A key feature of Park Central is its integration with the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station. The development includes a new parking garage adjacent to the VRE commuter rail station, enhancing commuter accessibility and supporting the city’s transit-oriented development goals.

The city’s efforts to develop Park Central have been ongoing for several years. In April 2021, construction began on the Village at Manassas Park, a component of the downtown redevelopment.

The first phase, completed in July 2022, included the new City Hall and public library. The project continues progressing, with additional amenities and infrastructure being developed to realize the city’s vision for a dynamic downtown.

The City of Manassas’ most holiday coveted events, Santa Lights Manassas and the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade are returning on Friday and Saturday.

The holiday season will kick off at 5:15 p.m. Friday with Santa Lights Manassas, an annual event for more than 30 years. The tree lighting ceremony takes place the evening before the city’s big holiday parade.

According to the event website, the evening will begin with musical performances. Santa is expected to arrive around 6 p.m., then will greet children and listen to their holiday wishes. Free wagon rides will be available, as well as ice skating at Harris Pavilion.

A 78-years-long staple of the city’s holiday celebrations, the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is returning Saturday starting at 10 a.m. More than 100 organizations, teams, businesses and bands from the city and Prince William County are expected to participate in the parade.

This year’s parade is themed “Christmas in Candyland.” It will be grand marshaled by Lucky Whitehead, a Manassas native and Osbourn High School graduate, a former National Football League (NFL) wide receiver. Currently, Whitehead plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a Canadian Football League team.

Donna Sechler will be honored as the TD Bank Woman of the Year. Sechler is a Prince William County native and has remained in the area. She’s volunteered with the parade committee for more than 13 years.

Joe Martin will be honored as the Man of the Year. Martin is a Manassas native and has spent his career serving local businesses and organizations. Most recently, in December 2022, Martin was appointed the director of business development with MP Copiers.