I enjoyed listening to many of the comments during the December 16 public tech center hearing. Hearing different perspectives matters to me. It gives me a fuller picture and helps me sort through my own worries and questions. I don’t get that same feeling on social media. Facebook often turns into a back-and-forth between people who have already made up …
For nearly five decades, Skydive Orange has been inviting people to do something most only imagine: step to the edge, take a breath, and trust the sky. Founded in 1977 and located at the Orange County Airport, Skydive Orange is Northern Virginia’s largest and most established skydiving center. Over the years, it has earned a reputation as the region’s go-to …
From the very beginning, Sweet Reasons was built on a belief that dessert should feel indulgent, intentional, and made with heart. That belief was affirmed on a national stage when Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes, tasted one of Sweet Reasons’ creations on Cupcake Wars. “Your cupcake was just a beautiful combination of flavor and texture. It was really indulgent …
Orange County officials are advancing a proposed zoning change aimed at regulating how data centers could be developed in the county, as leaders work to modernize land-use policies and establish clear standards before large-scale technology projects move forward. The proposed Technology (T) Zoning District, developed by the Orange County Planning Commission, would create a zoning classification and accompanying regulations specifically …
Shannon Horton stood before members of the Richmond Wine Society this year carrying both pride and remembrance as she accepted the 2025 Joe Formica Award, honoring the legacy of her late father, Dennis Horton, whose early vision helped shape what is now considered one of the most respected wine regions on the East Coast. Dennis Horton was a foundational figure …
I am always ridiculously excited to visit local shops. It’s not just the special finds you can’t get anywhere else—it’s the feeling of walking into a place owned by local families. And trust me, there are some real gems right here in our own hometown. My editor, Judi Cooper, and I have put together a delicious list of our favorite …
The Orange County Voice is devoted to celebrating local excellence in our community. We’ve done that through telling stories. Now, for the first time, we’ve asked you – our readeres – to nominate and vote for members of our community who are doing great things. From local businesses to local leaders and heroes, musicians and locations around the county – …
Photos by John Heishman Long rows of greenhouses stretch across a 28-acre site off of Thornhill Rd in Orange, where millions of flowering plants are grown each year and shipped to Costco and other retailers up and down the East Coast and as far as Georgia. For owner and president Ed Van Hoven, the operation known as American Color is …
Orange County remains in a severe drought, part of a dry spell that began in early August and has intensified through the fall. Aside from a few brief showers, the region has seen little meaningful rainfall. From August through mid-November, the county typically receives about 12 inches of rain. This year, totals are closer to 5 inches — roughly 7 …
The Prospect Heights Middle School auditorium filled with applause on Nov. 3 as the Orange County Lions Club honored three young artists whose work captured this year’s international Peace Poster theme, “Together as One.” For more than 30 years, Lions Clubs around the world have sponsored the Peace Poster contest, inviting students to express their vision of peace through art. …