Manassas Park - Page 12 of 16 - Potomac Local News

Call to Action: Volunteer Prince William Needs More Hands

Published December 23, 2024 at 11:00AM

[Julia M Cameron via Pexels]

Greetings, Prince William: Although we’re in the holiday season, Martin Luther King Day isn’t too far off, and the MLK Youth Community Choir is seeking students in grades K-12 to join the choir and make a joyful noise! Participants will rehearse for a pre-event concert at Chinn Park Regional Library on Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room followed by a special performance at the Prince William Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta (PWCAC- DST) 40th Annual Dr. King Youth Oratorical Competition and Program being held Jan. 18. Rehearsals have begun, but more participants are welcome – no tryout is needed!

2024 Winter Light Extravaganza Brightens Manassas Park

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 23, 2024 at 10:00AM

Manassas Park celebrated the holiday season with its fourth annual Winter Light Extravaganza. Organized by the City’s Community Maintenance Working Group, the event brought festive cheer as residents adorned their homes with dazzling light displays.

Over 20 homes participated in this year’s contest, with awards in categories such as Best Citywide, Best House, and Committee Favorite. Scout Troop 1372 judges scored the homes, commending creativity and holiday spirit.

Farewell Mayor Rishell

By Potomac Local News

Published December 20, 2024 at 8:00AM

On the latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, our founder, Uriah Kiser, sits down with Mayor Rishell for an insightful conversation about her journey, her achievements, and her vision for Manassas Park’s future.

Why Listen to This Episode?

Local Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter to Host 40th Competition Next Month

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published December 18, 2024 at 11:00AM

The Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is marking its 40th celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. in January. [Courtesy photo]

DST is one of the Divine Nine organizations, a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities that the National Pan-Hellenic Council governs. PWCAC-DST has been hosting this oratorical event for 40 years, which predates the first national celebration of the holiday in 1986.

Middle and high school students throughout the Prince William County area, including the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, will display their oratorical skills. According to a press release from the organization, this year’s six regional competitors must center their speeches on “Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy: My Voice, My Choice, My Future.”

Manassas Park Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacant Governing Body, School Board Seats

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 13, 2024 at 8:01PM

The City of Manassas Park has two terms expiring. Manassas Park School Board term expires June 30, 2026.

? The City of Manassas Park has two terms expiring. Manassas Park School Board term expiring June 30, 2026. Interim appointment Manassas Park Governing Body due to Alanna Mensing winning seat as Mayor. Resumes accepted until 4pm on January 7, 2025. https://t.co/9Gfsk9Ubhz pic.twitter.com/jF9oDymMTL

78th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Winners Announced

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published December 9, 2024 at 11:00AM

The Patriot High School Marching Band won second place in the 78th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. [Photo/Mike Beaty]

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.

Call to Action: Holiday Volunteers Needed Around Prince William

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published December 9, 2024 at 9:00AM

[Samuel Peter via Pexels]

Volunteer Prince William has opened up several new opportunities through the holiday season. Make sure to check out some below. Get into the holiday spirit by supporting the Town of Dumfries Holiday Parade on Dec. 14! Volunteers age 18+ are needed to help direct patrons, provide traffic control, act as route monitors and any other help […]

B&B Theatres to Open in Manassas Park, Replacing Scrapped Cinema Café Project

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 6, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated December 8, 2024 at 6:23PM

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.

Naresh Bhatt Waives Speedy Trial Rights as Murder and Defilement Charges Mount

By Alan Gloss

Published December 5, 2024 at 8:32AM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

In front of Prince William Circuit Court Judge Kimberly A. Irving on December 4, 2024, prosecutors read the additional charges of First Degree Murder and Defiling a Dead Body to the defendant Naresh Bhatt.

He was indicted on First Degree Murder and Physically Defiling charges in the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, in August.

Charges Upgraded in Missing Manassas Park Mom’s Disappearance

By Alan Gloss

Published December 3, 2024 at 10:54AM | Updated December 8, 2024 at 6:24PM

Members of the community held a vigil for Mamta Kafle Bhatt in August 2024. Kafle Bhatt was last seen July 27, 2024 (Photo by Alan Gloss)

A Prince William County Grand Jury returned an indictment of First Degree Murder and Physically Defiling the body of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, against her husband and Manassas Park resident Naresh Bhatt.

In a Dec. 2 press conference, Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo said, “I feel we have a strong case despite not having a body,” His department has been working closely with prosecutors to develop the case despite Bhatt not cooperating. “Based on the evidence at the crime scene, we knew early on we were dealing with a murder,” Lugo added, “all the evidence points to one person, and that is [Bhatt].”