🌱 Hoadly Marketplace Fatal Shooting + Blue Ribbon School Award

Hello, everybody. Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your Thursday edition of the Manassas Park Patch newsletter, filled with all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warmer. High: 77 Low: 53.
• Friday: Cloudy, a shower; cooler. High: 59 Low: 45.
• Saturday: Cloudy with a few showers. High: 62 Low: 46.
• Sunday: Sunny and pleasant. High: 67 Low: 42.

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Here are the top three stories today in Manassas Park:

1. A 37-year-old man was fatally shot early Monday morning at Hoadly Marketplace in nearby Manassas, according to the Prince William County Police Department. The shooting does not appear to be a random act, as investigators said the victim and a female acquaintance were approached by a vehicle before the shots were fired. The victim's identity will be revealed after notifying the next of kin. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the police. (NBC4 Washington)
2. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) faces a lawsuit from a Northern Virginia citizens’ group over its plans to expand the express lanes to the American Legion Bridge. VDOT has admitted that without Maryland's help, the new express lanes will actually slow down northbound traffic for everyone else. The Northern Virginia Citizens Association is asking a federal judge to halt the work, claiming that VDOT changed the project without revising its environmental impact statement. The department said in a response that officials "complied with all applicable environmental requirements." (WUSA 9)
3. Manassas Park High School's music program has once again received the Blue Ribbon School Award for Music from the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA). The school's symphonic band achieved a "Superior" rating for the 2023 District Band Assessment, while the chamber singers and concert choir also earned perfect "Superior" ratings from all four judges at the District IX Choir Assessment. The prestigious Blue Ribbon School Award award recognizes excellence in band, orchestra, and choral performance and is the highest honor given to a school's music program in Virginia. (Manassas Park City Schools via Facebook)

Coming up around Manassas Park:

Thursday, March 23

• Ryan Jewel At Farm Brew Live, Manassas (5:00 PM)

Friday, March 24

• Spilled Ink Open Mic Event At Jirani Coffeehouse (6:00 PM)

Saturday, March 25

• 8th Annual Prince William/Manassas History Symposium - “Historic Communities Of Change” At Old Manassas Courthouse, Manassas (8:30 AM)

Sunday, March 26

• Spring Fling Drag Brunch At The Salisbury Center, Manassas (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up, local house hunters. Five new properties have just hit the Manassas Park real estate market. (Manassas Park Patch)
• If you're looking for a career in law enforcement, the Manassas Park Police Department is hiring for several positions. You can learn more about open roles and apply online. (City of Manassas Park, VA via Facebook)
• An announcement from Prince William Public Libraries: the legacy OverDrive app will be discontinued as of May 1. Users will need to switch over to Libby, OverDrive's newer reading app, by that date. (Prince William Public Libraries via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll see you around.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.