BARC Presence a Key Factor In Site Selection for Greenbelt
Greenbelt and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) are inextricably linked. It’s no coincidence that they are neighbors. The presence of BARC was a key factor in the selection in 1935 of a site for the new town. The prospect was first raised on a visit to BARC in February 1935 by Rexford Tugwell, then […]
Council Hears Wayfinding Plan; Some Signs May Cost up to $30K
On September 17, Greenbelt City Council held a worksession to discuss a draft of the city’s new wayfinding plan that aims to use directional, place-identifying and welcoming signs to create a cohesive city identity. The city’s Assistant Director of Planning, Jaime Fearer, shared a presentation of the final draft plan, which she said staff had […]
Three Dead from Gun Violence Including Local 14-Year-Old
A 25-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were fatally shot in separate incidents in Greenbelt over the weekend. Meanwhile, another man died Sunday after succumbing to injuries from an earlier shooting. Juan Gonzalez, 25; Carltin Bayong, 14; and Mancel Johnson, 49, were all fatally shot in the Franklin Park area of the city. Gonzalez was […]
City Council Candidate Bios
The News Review has received biographies from Bill Orleans and incumbent Amy Knesel. Candidate biographies are prepared by the candidates and published in the order they are received by the paper.
Bill Orleans
When first permitted to run for council, or from council, as it may be, Orleans’ biography was published in the October 20, 2011 issue of the News Review. It’s archived, and can be read, new and improved at billorleans.com. It is a recitation of a few stories relevant to the construct of his character. He […]
Amy Knesel
When Amy Knesel joined Greenbelt’s City Council in January 2024, she expected to help guide the city through a time of transition. Instead, she quickly found herself immersed in the day-to-day life of local government: meeting fellow officials, learning about the challenges facing the city and listening to countless residents share their concerns, stories and […]
Annual Utopia Film Festival Coming October 18, 19, 20
From filmmakers in China, Iran and Italy to filmmakers in Greenbelt, Hyattsville and Takoma Park, 39 compelling works from near and far will screen at this year’s Utopia Film Festival, October 18 to 20. Venues include the historic Greenbelt Cinema, New Deal Café and the Greenbelt Firehouse. The Festival, now in its 21st year, is […]
Election 2025: Answers to Question 1
The News Review, as it does for every city council election, asked the candidates to respond to questions. Answers are limited to 150 words. If an answer exceeds the limit, the answer is cut off at that point. Responses will be published in various orders to avoid favoring candidates. Here are the answers we received […]
City Council Candidate Bios
The News Review has received biographies from Frankie Fritz and Kevin Lockhart and incumbents Emmett Jordan and Kristen Weaver. Candidate biographies are prepared by the candidates and published in the order they are received by the paper.
Frankie Fritz
Frankie Santos Fritz is a community organizer and policy analyst for local government who has called the D.C. metro area home since moving here for college in 2013 and has been active in Maryland politics since 2017. Raised by paternal grandparents, a teaching assistant and a United States postal worker, in a union household, Fritz […]