🌱 Historic Online Portal In Prince William + Polar Bear Regatta

Hello, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 63 Low: 48.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warmer. High: 74 Low: 57.
• Friday: Cooler with a shower. High: 64 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories today in Lake Ridge-Occoquan:

1. Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline C. Smith has launched the Historic Online Portal (HOP) in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. The initiative aims to provide greater public access to local historical archives dating back to colonial times, including wills and lists of heirs from the 1700s. The project was funded by technology trust grant monies secured by the Clerk of Circuit Court, without any additional cost to taxpayers. The HOP, which has been underway for the past eight years, is in its early stages and is expected to expand in the coming months. (Press Release Desk)
2. On Mar. 18, the 2023 high school rowing season kicked off with the Polar Bear Regatta, which ran along the Occoquan River. Breezy conditions didn't deter the participants, who came from 23 schools in the NoVA area, from traveling the 1500-meter course. A full list of events and top placers can be found at the link. (Inside NoVA)
3. Calling all runners: the Marine Corps 17.75K is scheduled for 7 a.m. this Saturday, Mar. 25 at Prince William Forest Park, less than a half hour outside the Lake Ridge-Occoquan area. The 17.75K distance commemorates the year the U.S. Marine Corps was founded. To learn more or register for the race, visit marinemarathon.com. (Visit Prince William, Virginia via Facebook)

Coming up in and around Lake Ridge-Occoquan:

Wednesday, March 22

• Reading To Dogs At Chinn Park Regional Library, Woodbridge (4:00 PM)
• Vegetable Gardening At Central Library, Manassas (6:30 PM)

Thursday, March 23

• AARP Tax Aide At Chinn Park Regional Library, Woodbridge (10:00 AM)
• YogaSix Lake Ridge Community Classes At 12184 Chaucer Lane (6:30 PM)

Friday, March 24

• Alex The Red Parez At Water's End Brewery (6:00 PM)

Saturday, March 25

• Fairfax Band: Magic Of John Williams At Fairfax High School Auditorium, Fairfax City (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up, local house hunters! Here are five more homes to recently hit the Lake Ridge-Occoquan real estate market. (Lake Ridge-Occoquan Patch)
• The Prince William County Police Department is seeking qualified college students for paid summer internships. Those who wish to learn more or apply can do so here. (Prince William County Police Department via Facebook)
• If you missed last night's public hearing on the county's proposed FY 2024 budget, you will have another opportunity to attend on Apr. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers of the McCoart Building. (Prince William County Government, Virginia via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with a new update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.