[Photo courtesy of Historic Manassas, Inc.]
The event, held at 4 p.m. on July 11, 2025, welcomed customers, community members, and local officials to the shop at 9406 Grant Avenue. Attendees were treated to celebratory snacks, including cheese and crackers, brownies, and other goodies as part of a weekend-long event honoring the store’s decade of business.
In addition to the in-store festivities, the shop offered a 10% discount on all products from Friday through Sunday, both in-store and online. The automatic discount gave longtime fans and new customers a chance to stock up on a wide selection of fresh olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars sourced from around the world.
Manassas Olive Oil Company first opened its doors in 2014. Since then, it has become a staple in the downtown business community, known for its tasting gallery that features more than 40 varieties of oils and vinegars, along with gourmet goods like crackers, cheese, honey, spice blends, and handmade pottery.
The business also offers private group tastings for up to 20 people and encourages walk-in tastings during normal business hours, which are Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, visit manassasoliveoil.com.
MANASSAS, Va. – On Monday, July 14, the Manassas City Council is expected to vote on transferring $725,000 from its capital reserves to the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the purchase of another property behind the Manassas Shopping Center.
If approved, the transfer would fund the EDA’s second acquisition this year from J.E. Rice, Inc., for land on Portner Avenue. The pending deal comes as part of a years-long land acquisition strategy that city officials say supports redevelopment and public services, but one that has drawn increasing criticism for its lack of transparency.
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Prince William County’s newest commuter garage opened with high hopes — but nearly six months later, it’s mostly sitting empty.
The $53.5 million Neabsco-Potomac Mills Commuter Garage opened in November 2024 with 1,400 parking spaces. Yet in April, its busiest month to date, the facility saw just 4,902 daily visits — about 11.7% of capacity. The county has already spent over $186,000 on maintenance, security, and utilities.
“This is exactly what happens when policy is disconnected from reality,” says Rob Hartwell, president of Hartwell Capitol Consulting, a firm that’s been advising governments, nonprofits, and businesses for more than 30 years.
Hartwell calls it “the garage for nobody” — a concrete monument to outdated planning assumptions and squandered federal dollars.
“Taxpayer money is precious. Before we build anything, we need to ask: will people actually use it? If not, we shouldn’t spend it.” said Hartwell.
A Smarter Way Forward
With a background in government relations, sustainability, transportation policy, and economic development, Hartwell has worked with Congress, federal agencies, and local governments across the country. His firm helps decision-makers cut through bureaucracy, use data to drive decisions, and prioritize real community needs.
Hartwell Capitol Consulting offers:
- Smart policy strategy and public affairs guidance
- Deep experience in transportation and infrastructure planning
- Support for sustainable, community-driven growth
- Tactical communications to build coalitions and get results
The firm’s mission is simple: Help clients influence public policy for the better — and avoid costly mistakes like this one.
Let’s Talk About Your Next Big Idea
If you’re planning a major infrastructure investment or public policy push, don’t go it alone. Hartwell Capitol Consulting can help you build the case, bring people to the table, and get it right the first time.
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Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
9:50 a.m. update
GAINESVILLE, Va. – Power has been restored to thousands of customers in the Gainesville area after a widespread outage earlier today.
According to Dominion Energy, about 3,200 customers lost service, impacting businesses and homes near Virginia Gateway, Linton Hall Road, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Wegmans, and The Shops at Stonewall.
Dominion spokeswoman Aisha Khan confirmed that power has been restored. “Everyone is back on now,” she said, adding that the outage was “related to a substation but that is still being investigated.”
The outage came as the region remains under a Flood Watch through this evening. The National Weather Service warns that tropical moisture and slow-moving storms could bring 2–3 inches of rain per hour, with totals reaching 4–6 inches in some areas.
Thanks to State Senator Danica Roem for the tip.
The project was first proposed by Superintendent Kevin Newman, Ed.D., in 2022, and recently began construction at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
"The project is generally described as demolition of the existing covered walkway, stairs and ramp and the construction of a new enclosed connector of approximately 5,650 square feet and associated site work," a website detailing contractor bids on the project states.
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NOKESVILLE, Va. – Burnside Farms is gearing up for its 2025 Summer of Sunflowers, opening Friday, July 11.
Located at 11008 Kettle Run Road in Nokesville, just 40 miles west of Washington, D.C., Burnside Farms is a family-run business known for its vibrant flower festivals. Founded by Leslie and Michael Dawley, the farm has been welcoming visitors since 2012, offering seasonal events like the Festival of Spring and the Summer of Sunflowers.
This summer, guests can explore over 70 acres of sunflowers, featuring more than 30 varieties planted in successive crops to ensure continuous blooms. The farm operates with split hours to help visitors avoid the midday heat: weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to dusk, and weekends from 6 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to dusk. The farm is closed daily from noon to 4 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase online starting today at noon. Visitors can enjoy activities like pick-your-own sunflowers, sunflower mazes, and the new 4,400-square-foot Tulip and Sunflower-themed playground. The farm also hosts events such as the Tribute to Summer Saturday Concert Series and Foamy Fridays, featuring live music and bubble-filled fun.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Burnside Farms’ website.
Officers responded to the intersection of Portsmouth Road and Ashland Avenue at 8:58 p.m. on July 9, where a 2020 Dodge Journey collided with a Ninebot KickScooter. According to police, the Dodge was making a left turn onto Ashland Avenue when the e-scooter, traveling southbound on the sidewalk along Portsmouth Road, entered the intersection without stopping.
The operator of the scooter, identified as 40-year-old Eric Corrales of Manassas, was not wearing a helmet. He was taken to a hospital, where police were notified of his death the following day.
The driver of the Dodge and the adult passengers were not injured. Investigators determined the driver, 37-year-old Little David Arris Bowser Mason, also of Manassas, did not have a valid driver’s license. He was charged with driving without a valid operator’s license and released on a court summons. A court date is pending.
Police say the investigation is ongoing as they determine whether to file additional charges.
OCCOQUAN, Va. – There was excitement in the air in Occoquan on Friday, July 11, 2025, as FOX 5 brought its popular “Zip Trip” morning show to the historic riverside town. The live broadcast transformed Mill Street into a street fair filled with residents, shopkeepers, and visitors eager to show off their community to the D.C.-area audience.
Among the crowd was David Bloxsom, who drove in from Charlottesville to take part. “It gets me to communities I’ve never been before,” he said, adding that he’s also attended Zip Trips in Solomons and Annapolis. “Gets me out of the house. Gets me a nice day. Nice summer day”.
The day’s events included a live wedding, officiated by Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith, with flowers and a romantic backdrop donated by Brandon’s Flowers of Woodbridge. “We did some beautiful silk flowers in whites and pinks,” said Jo Gale, assistant manager and wedding coordinator for the flower shop. “It’s great to bring the town together and really get a bunch of people in town when a lot of people are on vacation”.
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta spoke with the FOX 5 crew during the broadcast, highlighting the town’s unique charm. “We consider ourselves to be an oasis of calm in an otherwise really busy Northern Virginia area,” he said. Porta noted the appeal of the six-square-block historic business district, which features restaurants, boutique shops, and historic buildings.
Sherry Mangus, owner of Ballywhack Shack CafĂ©, reflected on the town’s unique charm and sense of community. “You feel like you’re in an enclave,” Mangus said. “You’re in the D.C. area, you’re in NoVA, but you are in a very, very special place. Time warp. Absolutely”
FOX 5’s visit was part of its popular Zip Trip series, which highlights communities across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. Later this month, the show will head to Fredericksburg, with a live broadcast scheduled from 7 to 11 a.m. at Riverfront Park, located at 713 Sophia Street.
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Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
