During the Manassas City Council meeting on Monday, January 22, 2024, representatives from the Manassas City Government provided annual updates, looking back on 2023, on the Department of Community Development and Parks, Culture, and Recreation’s achievements and plans.
Matt Arcieri and Kisha Wilson-Sugunro presented key highlights from their respective departments’ annual reports.
As he took the stage, Biden greeted the crowd by saying, “Hello, Virginia, and the real governor, Terry McAuliffe.” McAuliffe lost the governor’s race to Glenn Youngkin by two points in 2021.
Virginia Republican Party Chairman Richard Anderson criticized Biden’s presence, stating, “Today, Joe Biden embarrassed himself and the nation by appearing in Manassas.” Anderson underscored Governor Glenn Youngkin’s triumph in the 2021 gubernatorial election and expressed confidence in the governor’s increasing popularity.
In a move to streamline its social media presence, Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) announced the deactivation of its X (formerly Twitter) account. The decision was made in response to low user engagement on the platform. Sean Bonney, a spokesman for the library, provided insight into the decision, stating, “CRRL focuses on connecting with users in our service region, and unfortunately, the X account did not generate the desired level of engagement.”
According to Bonney, CRRL, which serves the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland, commits to reaching its community through various channels. While the X account has been deactivated, the library assured that its events, services, and news will continue to be actively promoted on CRRL’s other social media accounts. There are no plans to add or remove any additional accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Flickr.
The National Weather Service forecast indicates that low pressure is moving from the Lower Mississippi Valley toward the Great Lakes through tonight. A weakening cold front associated with this system is expected to cross the region on Friday. Another wave of low pressure will approach from the Mid-South late Saturday into Sunday, with high pressure returning early next week.
In the near term (through tonight), rain is expected, especially in northern and western parts of the area. A warm front bisects southern Maryland to Stafford/Orange Counties, leading to temperature differences. Fog development is limited, and a Dense Fog Advisory in northeast Maryland may be canceled with the incoming rain. Showers will continue through mid-morning, with a relative break during midday. Rain coverage will increase again in the late afternoon and evening.
Expressing his gratitude, Anderson said, “I appreciate the support from these dedicated public servants. I look forward to fighting alongside them to improve the lives of Stafford County residents.”
Anderson, who grew up in Spotsylvania County, emphasized his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the community, attributing them to what he referred to as “Biden’s failed presidency.” He outlined his campaign’s focus on taking on key issues, including securing the border and restoring America’s standing in the world.
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “Two 18-year-old Stafford men received an early morning ride to Rappahannock Regional Jail after chasing, assaulting, and brandishing a firearm towards a victim.”
“On January 23 at approximately 12:51 a.m. Deputy S.A. Edwards responded to the area of the England Run North Apartments for a disturbance call. The victim online with our Communications Officers advised a group of people chased her, broke the rear window of her vehicle, and brandished a firearm. Fearing for the victim’s safety, Deputy Edwards quickly arrived on scene and made contact with the victim and her friends.”
The airport followed the FAA’s Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), implementing a no-fly zone during the president’s visit to the Hylton Performing Arts Center, where he unveiled the “Restore Roe” campaign platform, promising to restore a federal abortion ban.
Berry said communication was crucial during this time, and the airport disseminated information to tenants through email and social media outlets.
On Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, Manassas City Economic Development Director Patrick Small I presented an overview of the city’s economic indicators and development projects. The presentation covered various metrics, including population growth, median household incomes, housing values, and the labor force.
Small highlighted the city’s success in attracting and retaining businesses, pointing out the positive trends in property values and employment. The unemployment rate, below the state and national averages, indicated a healthy job market in the city.
According to Jheanel Butler, HMI event coordinator, the diverse soups include Sancocho from Puerto Rico Café, a hearty stew with a unique blend of beef cuts, chicken, and root vegetables. Grounds Central Station will serve roasted butternut squash soup, while SemiFreddo Italian Cuisine will present green lentil soup with prosciutto. Other highlights include Creamy Potato Soup from Vera’s Kitchen, Beef Brisket Chili from The Bone, Brunswick Stew from Hog Shack Bar-B-Q, and the intriguing Cheese Burger Soup topped with bacon from The Philadelphia Tavern. Vegans can delight in the Vegan Tomato Soup with a non-vegan grilled cheese bite from Honey & Ivy Gluten-free.
This year’s ticket includes a collectible anniversary mug for attendees, who can choose to use it at the event. Disposable tasting containers will also be provided. To add an interactive element, attendees will receive a map of all the stops with a QR code for online voting.
