Grab your scarves, gloves, and a sense of adventure—ice skating season is back in Manassas! The beloved ice rink at the Harris Pavilion is set to open this Friday, November 22, just in time to kickstart the holiday spirit. Whether you're a pro gliding effortlessly across the ice or someone still mastering the art of staying upright, skating is magical under the pavilion lights.
This year's skating season is a little shorter than usual, ending on January 5. Why the early end? The rink will undergo some much-needed repairs to improve the ice quality and prepare for an exciting concert season next year. So, please make the most of the skating season while it lasts.
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On Friday, November 15, 2024, the graduates of Leadership Prince William's Emerging Leaders program gathered at the historic Manassas Museum to celebrate the culmination of their eight-week journey into leadership development. The ceremony, held at 5 p.m., honored the participants' achievements and inspired them to embark on the next chapter of their leadership endeavors.
Arron Tolson of Leadership Prince William addressed the graduates, emphasizing the importance of their newfound skills. “This is not the end. It is just the beginning. Now you have a framework to go out into the community and make change,” said Tolson. He described the class as “motivating, competent, overcomers, purposeful, energetic, and dreamers,” adding that these qualities will strengthen the community and empower future leaders.
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On Wednesday, Electra, headquartered in Manassas, revealed the design of its new EL9 Ultra Short hybrid, nine-passenger aircraft.
More than 300 people were at the unveiling of the new aircraft in Manassas, including industry professionals, partners, customers and government officials.
According to a press release from Electra, the hybrid aircraft will be able to conduct "ultra-short" takeoffs and landings in soccer field-size spaces, which were previously limited to helicopter landings.
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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed the left lane of westbound Balls Ford Road at the bridge over Prince William Parkway, near Gainesville, following damage caused by a truck strike. The closure was announced today, two days after a northbound vehicle on Prince William Parkway struck the bridge’s underside on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
VDOT has confirmed that the lane closure will be in place for an extended period to allow for further inspections and assessments of the bridge’s structural integrity. Officials have stated that an additional inspection will occur in the coming days, after which repair plans will be developed based on the findings.
Travelers using the bridge are advised to expect delays and to exercise caution in the area as crews continue to work on the affected span.
The Balls Ford Road bridge opened to traffic in April 2023 as part of a significant $64 million improvement project to widen a 1.2-mile section of Balls Ford Road between Doane Drive and Ashton Avenue in the Gainesville Magisterial District. This comprehensive upgrade transformed the corridor into a four-lane divided roadway featuring a 16-foot-wide grass median, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path, and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the road.
#Manassas: The left lane of westbound Balls Ford Road over Prince William Parkway will have an extended closure due to a bridge strike. Expect delays and pls watch for crews working in the area. @pwcgov @PWCPolice pic.twitter.com/O0toYjzLVI
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) November 14, 2024
Despite the congestion of the presidential election and national politics, there were several important local races that voters decided on last week, including the Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) Board.
In the race for four Board seats, the eight candidates ran spirited campaigns discussing a variety of issues, including absenteeism, standardized test scores, community engagement and the like.
The results
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Around 100 Unity Reed High School (URHS) students attended a skilled trades expo sponsored by Prince William County's Department of Facilities and Fleet Management (FFM) earlier this month.
Held at the school driver's education range, the event was meant to "inspire students to consider careers in public service and skilled trades," a county press release stated.
FFM showcased various vehicles in the fleet and its maintenance equipment. The Prince William County Police Department also brought some emergency vehicles to show URHS students how to manage and maintain the vehicle during an emergency.
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Prince William County's Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is now conducting its Housing and Community Needs Survey to gather resident perspectives on these needs.
Because the county, the City of Manassas and Manassas Park receive $3 million in federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the county is administering this survey to best determine where the highest needs are in the community.
Some of the questions on the form are:
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ARTfactory's community theatre, Rooftop Productions, will be functioning under a new name, ARTfactory Actors Theatre, and paying its actors beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
The ARTfactory's transition marks a significant one for the area, as it is the only professional theatre company in the Greater Manassas area.
Talya Conroy, CEO of the ARTfactory, said paying actors is part of the organization's mission and the nonprofit was ready to take the leap.
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Founded in 2020, Commonwealth Aviation has merged with Aero Elite and expanded to a new office space in Manassas, becoming one of the largest flight schools in the mid-Atlantic. The new location was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on November 1, offering a professional and welcoming environment for students and pilots.
Press Release:
In 2020, Founder Kyle McDaniel launched Commonwealth Aviation with one airplane and five customers. The flight school quickly grew its client list by leveraging business relationships and a large customer base at Virginia's busiest regional airport right here in Manassas. After a recent merger with Aero Elite, the company has expanded to a beautiful 1,300+ square foot office space in APP Jet Center to accommodate 17 Manassas-based instructors, seven administrative staff, and maintenance operations for five to six local aircrafts. The merger — with 40 total instructors across five locations — makes Aero Elite one of the largest flight schools in the mid-Atlantic region.