Occoquan – Page 3 – Potomac Local News

Published April 17, 2025 at 10:00AM

Buona Peep-etito! D’Rocco’s gets sweet and saucy with this pasta-perfect nod to Lady and the Tramp. Mangia, marshmallows [Photo: Visit Occoquan via Facebook]

Now in its 8th year, the town’s beloved Peeps Show is officially underway, running from April 15 through April 19, and it’s got local businesses, families, and kids competing — and laughing — with displays built entirely out of those colorful, sugary springtime staples: Peeps.

“It’s a lot of fun and it’s a family-friendly event for kids of all ages and adults,” said Sarah Burzio, executive director of Visit Occoquan.

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Occoquan Town Council Looks to Expand Riverwalk, Address Long-Term Maintenance Needs

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 22, 2025 at 8:00AM

Occoquan riverwalk. [Photo: Occoquan Town Government Facebook page]

The Occoquan Town Council is moving forward with plans to expand its Riverwalk and is weighing long-term maintenance strategies to protect the existing waterfront walkway.

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Will Prince William County Absorb Training Costs for Town Police?

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 16, 2025 at 12:00PM

Weir

The Board of County Supervisors has directed staff to review agreements between the Prince William County Police Department and incorporated towns regarding using the Mike Pennington Scenario-Based Training Center. The move comes after Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir requested a formal review of the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) governing town law enforcement agencies’ access to the facility.

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Occoquan Town Council Moves Forward with Business Recruitment Study

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 2, 2025 at 11:08PM

The Occoquan Town Council has directed town staff to research the feasibility of a business recruitment program.

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Developer Seeks Changes as Costs Rise for The Mill at Occoquan Project

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 27, 2025 at 9:42PM | Updated February 28, 2025 at 12:43AM

A rendering of the "Mill at Occoquan" presented in 2019.

The long-awaited Mill at Occoquan development faces financial hurdles. The project’s developer, Kevin Sills, is reaching out to the town council to discuss potential changes in the project’s scope.

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Features

Love, Music, and Classic Rock: Big Fat Doug Belford Experience Heats Up Occoquan

By Mike Salmon

Published February 19, 2025 at 3:26PM

Big Fat Daddy with Meri Schaefer and Brian Curtiss and John David Coppola with the peace sign. [Photo: Mike Salmon]

To set the mood for Valentine’s night, rockers of two local bands jammed the stage at Madigan’s in Occoquan to hammer out tunes for all the lovebirds or the singles keeping their eyes peeled for their special someone.

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Riverwalk, Stormwater, and Public Safety on the Agenda for Occoquan Budget Session

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 17, 2025 at 10:24PM

The Occoquan Town Council is set to hold its first FY2026 budget work session on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

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Occoquan’s Mill Project Delayed, Spot on Mill Closes, and Firelight Night Returns

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 9, 2025 at 10:16AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:18AM

The Occoquan Town Council is advancing key initiatives, including the integration of the town’s police department with Prince William County’s computer-assisted dispatch system, improving emergency response. A public hearing is set to discuss a new cigarette sales tax ordinance, aligning with neighboring jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the 2025 events calendar has been approved, featuring Riverfest, the Arts and Crafts Show, trivia nights, and the return of the Holiday Artisan Market with Santa’s arrival by boat. Read about them here.

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Prince William County Schools’ $1 Billion Capital Improvement Plan

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 30, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:50AM

The Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center is the headquarters for the Prince William County Public School System. [Photo via Prince William County Public Schools]

Prince William County Schools (PWCS) are embarking on an ambitious $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) aimed at alleviating overcrowding, modernizing aging school facilities, and preparing for future shifts in student enrollment. The plan, presented at the January 15, 2025, school board work session, includes new school constructions, significant renovations, and sustainability-focused upgrades.

To address overcrowding in high-growth areas, PWCS will build multiple new schools, including:

Occoquan Replacement School – Scheduled to open in December 2025, this school will add 226 seats and include specialized programs for students with special education and autism support needs.
Woodbridge Area Elementary School – Opening in the 2026-2027 school year, this school will provide a capacity of approximately 632 students and will serve the Cardinal and Neabsco Mills Districts, areas currently experiencing significant overcrowding.

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Prince William

Prince William Supervisors Approve Additional Funding for Ellicott Street Sidewalk Project

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 6, 2025 at 10:29PM

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved an additional $472,000 in federal funding to advance the Ellicott Street Sidewalk Project, a critical initiative to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in Occoquan. The funding comes through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, bringing the project closer to completion.

The project, which has evolved since its inception, will construct 675 feet of sidewalk along Ellicott Street, connecting Mill Street to Poplar Alley and extending toward Union Street. It also includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps and crossings to address accessibility concerns. The initiative aims to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly connection between the town’s historic and business districts and the planned Occoquan Greenway trail.

“The Ellicott Street Sidewalk Project is one of several pedestrian improvement efforts we’ve pursued over the years,” said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta. “This specific project will create a safer, more contiguous connection to Mill Street and the town’s historic and business district.”

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