Manassas

79% of Manassas Residents Think it’s a Good Place to Live, Survey Finds

By Caitlyn Meisner
One area of the city indicated they think Manassas is an excellent place to live (dark blue), while the rest said it was overall a good place to live (light blue). [Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

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Manassas Voter Turnout Dips in 2024, Early Voting Gains Popularity

By Uriah Kiser

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.

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Manassas City Council Approves $3.1 Million Purchase of Downtown Property

By Uriah Kiser
Manassas City Hall

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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Tracy Hammond, Manassas Teacher, Named Local Teacher of the Year

By Caitlyn Meisner
From left to right: Eric Brent, Ed.D., MCPS Culturally Responsive and Equitable Practices Lead; Craig Gfeller, Deputy Superintendent; Kevin Newman, Ed.D., Superintendent; Tracy Hammond, Special Education Teacher at Haydon Elementary School; Laura Goldzung, Principal at Haydon Elementary School; and Natalie Short, Assistant Principal at Haydon Elementary School.

Correction: An earlier version of this article did not include Laura Goldzung’s educational distinction, an Ed.D. We have updated the article and photo caption to reflect her degree.

Tracy Hammond, a special education teacher in Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS), was recently given the Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year award from the district.

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Unlicensed Tow Operator Charged in $26K Scam, Prince William Resident Recovers Stolen Car After Two Months

By Alan Gloss
A photo of Tillman’s flatbed tow truck from a Facebook page associated with his business. (Facebook)

A Prince William County resident, Bethany Selvage, has her car back nearly two months after an unlicensed tow operator stole it, according to police. On January 2, 2025, Manassas City Police located Selvage’s 2018 Nissan Sentra.

Police have since charged Michael Tillman, owner of Tillman’s Auto Salon in Manassas, with a third felony offense related to illegal towing and demanding exorbitant fees for vehicle release. This charge represents the third vehicle Tillman is accused of stealing, and authorities say more charges are likely as they uncover years of him towing without a license.

In the most recent case, police say Tillman took a 2018 Toyota Yaris from the Raising Cane’s parking lot on Liberia Avenue just outside Manassas under false pretenses. The Yaris owners had contacted their insurance company, which arranged for a tow truck. Police said Tillman arrived before the legitimate tow company, misrepresented himself as the insurance company’s provider, and obtained the vehicle.

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Two House Fires Displace Multiple Families in Prince William County

By Uriah Kiser
16300 block of Boatswain Circle in Woodbridge

At 9:48 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2025, firefighters were dispatched to the 16300 block of Boatswain Circle in Woodbridge after reports of a fire in a home. All occupants evacuated safely before crews arrived, reporting the fire was in a basement bedroom. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which caused moderate damage to the home.

One adult occupant sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local medical facility. The fire displaced five adults and three children. The Red Cross is assisting the affected families. Due to the extent of the damage, the building official declared the home unsafe for occupancy.

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Supervisor Calls for Closure of Route 28 Bypass Project

By Uriah Kiser
Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega (center)[Yesli Vega/Facebook]

“The Route 28 Bypass Project is a major regional transportation project administered by Prince William County. While I acknowledge and appreciate all the planning, design, engineering, and community engagement that has occurred across multiple jurisdictions, I no longer have confidence the project is viable or maintains the necessary support to move forward,” Vega stated.

The proposed resolution, presented at an upcoming board meeting, aims to allow the board to deliberate openly and determine the next steps for the controversial project.

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Former Colgan High Student Chosen for Global Art Show

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Graphic courtesy of Prince William County Schools]

Daryl Price, a 2024 graduate of Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School in Manassas, now has his artwork on display in an international exhibition.

Price submitted his Advanced Placement (AP) art studio portfolio to the College Board in 2024, and was one of 50 students selected out of 80,000 to have their artwork displayed on the international stage.

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Unity Reed High Girls Soccer Mentor Loch Lomond Students

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Pixabay via Pexels]

Unity Reed High, a school in Prince William County Schools (PWCS) has partnered with another district school in Manassas, Loch Lomond, to introduce the younger students to organized sports at the Super Scotties Soccer Club.

The club was created to promote respect, kindness, teamwork and sportsmanship in young children at Loch Lomond.

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Preview: Jan. 13 Manassas City Council Meeting

By Caitlyn Meisner

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