The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk’s Historical Online Portal (HOP) now includes marriage licenses from the Civil War era to the early 1900s, making historical documents more accessible for research. Funded by a technology grant, this initiative provides genealogists, academics, and residents worldwide with access to pre-20th century court records at no cost to taxpayers.

Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk: The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk’s Historical Online Portal (HOP) now contains marriage licenses recorded from Civil War times to the early 1900’s. This is part of the Clerk’s ongoing initiative to make historical papers more easily accessible for research. The HOP, which launched in early 2023, also offers access to Deeds, Wills and Lists of Heirs.

The historical information from the HOP can provide valuable insight for implementing historic preservation and connecting people. Genealogists, academics, lawyers, historians, researchers, and residents can access court records pre-dating the twentieth (20th) century worldwide by using the Historical Online Portal (HOP).

The historical information is viable for locating relatives, properties and ownership, as well as artifacts of evidence. Funded by a technology grant obtained by Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith, the Historical Online Portal places no costs on taxpayers. Clerk Smith plans to add more historical topics to the HOP in the coming months.

For a tutorial, please subscribe to the Circuit Court Clerk Office’s YouTube page by clicking this link: Prince William County Clerk of Circuit Court – YouTube.

For more information or to access the Historical Online Portal, please visit pwcva.gov/department/circuit-court/research.

Manassas Town Council press release: Theresa Coates Ellis, Patron Manassas City Council Member of Manassas Bee Festival (June 22); Patricia Kouttab, Owner of Kerbobble Toys; Sherry Day, building owner of 9216 Center St.; Mark Olsen, Chair and Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director, Historic Manassas Inc., proudly announce the launch to create a new wall mural at an entrance to Historic Manassas on the wall of  Kerbobble Toys celebrating the Bee City USA designation for the City of Manassas. On May 2021, the Manassas City Council voted unanimously to become a Bee City USA, initiated by Council Member Coates Ellis, a trained master gardener and beekeeper. With that designation, the City must hold public awareness activities to plant native and to save our pollinators, including bees. The 4^th annual Manassas Bee Festival fulfills this requirement with a free family fun and educational event held on Saturday, June 22^nd from 10am to 2pm.

Coates Ellis said, “We started a nonprofit organization, Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival, so  we could give back to the community. Our goal was to contribute more public art and education to the city of Manassas with the important native plant and pollinator theme. Since 2019, we have visited many schools and groups and hosted workshops and demonstrations at the apiary at Liberia House and Grounds. This year, we are thrilled that a public art plan came together and the Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival will be donating funds for the wall mural project on Kerbobble Toys, to welcome visitors to our Historic Manassas, a Bee City USA.”

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Memorial Day Events

Prince William County: On Friday, May 24, members of the community are invited to join the Board of County Supervisors and others in a commemoration to honor and remember those who served in our nation’s armed services. The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. at the Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza, located at the Prince William County Government Center, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge.

The ceremony will include the Presentation of Colors, brief remarks by Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson, Prince William County Veterans Commission Chair Dr. Vanessa Gattis, County Executive Chris Shorter, as well as the presentation of a wreath by members of the Veterans Commission and a performance by the Marsteller Middle School 8th Grade Bass Select Choir. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of taps.

All are welcome to attend.

Potomac Region Veterans Council: As it has done for the last five decades, the Potomac Region Veterans Council (PRVC) will host the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27, 2024. The event will feature remarks by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and will be hosted by the PRVC in partnership with Marine Corps Base Quantico and the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico.

Originating in the years following the Civil War and becoming an official federal holiday in 1971, Memorial Day honors the memory of those Americans who have given their last full measure of devotion in uniform in the service of their country. As in years past, military and veteran officials will join with members of the general public in this annual observance.

The ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m. and conclude by noon. The Potomac Region Veterans Council extends a warm invitation for all to attend.

Transportation Notes

OmniRide: In observance of Memorial Day OmniRide will operate the following service on Monday, May 27:

• Express, Metro Express, and Local North-B (65B) – NO SERVICE
• Prince William Metro Express, and East-West Express – WILL RUN ON SATURDAY/WEEKEND SERVICE SCHEDULE
• Local – WILL RUN ON SATURDAY/WEEKEND SERVICE SCHEDULE

Regular service will resume Tuesday, May 28.

Transurban: I-95 Express Lanes  Summer reversal schedule will begin on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Daytime reversal will begin at 10 a.m.; overnight reversal will begin at midnight.

• For the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 27, 2024, the 95 Express Lanes will operate on a weekend schedule, with no reversal and the facility remaining open northbound.
• Regular summer reversal schedule (outlined above) will resume on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

Government Closings

Stafford County: Stafford offices, departments, facilities, and all courts will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 27, 2024. Both locations of the R-Board/Regional Landfill (Eskimo Hill and Belman Road) will be closed.

The following offices and facilities will remain open:

• Fire and Rescue Information (540) 658-7200
• Emergency 911
• Sheriff’s Office Information (540) 658-4400
• Emergency 911
• Magistrate (540) 659-2968
• All outdoor parks are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m

Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber’s Leadership Fredericksburg program graduated its seventeenth class during a May 17th ceremony at the Stevenson Ridge in Spotsylvania.

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Stafford County Public Schools: Stafford County Public Schools proudly recognized seven outstanding community partners during its annual Partner Appreciation Breakfast, held on Wednesday, May 15 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church. These esteemed partners have demonstrated exceptional dedication and support to students, staff, and school community throughout the academic year.

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Greetings, Prince William – Does your organization have an outstanding volunteer whose service deserves recognition? Serve Virginia has announced nominations for this year’s Governor’s Volunteerism & Community Service Awards are now open! It’s a wonderful way you can recognize and thank that special volunteer for all they’ve done to support your organization and its mission! Please visit https://bit.ly/3K2GLT1 for more information. The deadline to submit is June 25 at 5 p.m.

• The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program urgently needs friendly Volunteer Drivers age 18+ to provide rides for local patients who have appointments for treatments on weekdays. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance, pass background and vehicle records checks and complete required training. Not only will you be providing a smile and a ride, you’ll also be helping to save a life! Please visit cancer.org/drive to learn more or email Jen at [email protected].
• You can make a difference in the life of a child! CASA Children’s Intervention Services needs volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff will hold their next Virtual Information Session on June 12, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email [email protected] or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting or to inquire about alternate dates.
• Educate America, Inc, a nonprofit startup, is seeking volunteers ages 18+ to assist with providing after-school tutoring and mentoring services within five (5) to ten (10) Prince William County Public Schools during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 school year. Volunteer with Educate America and make a difference in the lives of underserved youth! Your time and expertise can positively impact the academic success and personal development of our youth—contributing to brighter futures for the next generation. Volunteers will need to have background and CPS checks completed by July 15, 2024. Please join them as a volunteer, tutor, mentor, or community partner by completing and submitting the online application form(s) at educateusainc.org/now-recruiting. Questions? Please email [email protected].
• Here’s a “Honey” of a volunteer opportunity! The Manassas Bee Festival is coming June 22 at Liberia House, 8601 Portner Avenue, Manassas and volunteer “Worker Bees” of all ages are needed to support this fun event. Volunteers under 18 are welcome to volunteer with a responsible adult or group leader. Volunteers are needed June 21 help set up the festival at Liberia House. Then, volunteers will help with the 2K Honey Hike 8:45 a.m. on June 22 at Manassas Museum lawn and on shifts during the festival on June 22. Jobs include assisting with set up, helping vendors unload, helping at the welcome tent to show the map or answer basic questions. Volunteers who sign up will get a free green t-shirt but should complete the online form at manassasbeefestival.com/contact-donations-questions/. Please be sure to indicate you are a Volunteer on the form. Please email [email protected] for more information.
• You can help homebound seniors get a hot, nutritious meal! Meals on Wheels has an urgent need for volunteers to deliver noontime meals to homebound older adults weekdays between 10 a.m. and 12p.m. Daily routes take about 1.5 hours to complete; the schedule is flexible! Volunteers must have their own vehicle, valid driver’s license, and current automobile insurance. Volunteers must also pass a background and driving record check. Meals on Wheels operates out of the Manassas and Woodbridge Senior Centers, and you’ll feel great knowing you are helping to fight food insecurity and deliver a friendly smile to our local senior population! Please visit pwcva.gov/department/area-agency-aging/volunteer for more information and volunteer forms, email [email protected] with any questions.
• The 2nd Annual Puerto Rican Festival is scheduled for June 15, 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Harris Pavilion in Manassas, and volunteers age 16+ are needed to make this a success! All sorts of fun jobs are available including setup, assisting vendors, monitoring children’s games, face painting, help with Lost and Found and more! While bilingual skills in Spanish are not required, they will be helpful. This is a family-friendly event, and you’ll feel great as you help support the culture of our neighbor in the Caribbean! Please email [email protected] for more information and to sign up.
• Gardeners, here’s a fantastic volunteer opportunity for you! PWC Office of Historic Preservation is looking for Historic Garden Volunteers to help maintain the garden at Rippon Lodge Historic Site this summer. Help is needed with planting, weeding and harvesting the fruit and vegetables. You’ll enjoy being outdoors as you help the garden illustrate what plants may have been planted by the Ellis family in a Victory Garden during World War II! Please call Rippon Lodge at 703.499.9812 for more information.

--Volunteer Prince William 

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Prince William County Schools press release: For some Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) employees, the time has come to bid farewell to their classrooms and offices—their retirement from the school division marks the end of an era as well as a stepping stone toward their next grand adventure.

Nearly 300 employees—educators, support staff, and administrators who have dedicated years of their lives in service to our students will be celebrated in a retirement ceremony on May 21. Through their crucial work and irreplaceable efforts, they have provided a safe and welcoming environment for all students to learn the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to create a thriving future for themselves and their community.

 

See the full list of retirees.

Manassas City Business Beat: The fourth office of its kind, Injury Relief Chiropractic has expanded its footprint into the growing Manassas market.

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VDOT: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its contractor will begin building an intersection improvement project at Lee Hill School Drive and Old Dominion Parkway in Spotsylvania County on Monday, April 29. The intersection is just over a mile from Lee's Hill Golf Club.

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