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Bel O’Neill, president of the committee, said the committee’s decision to focus on human trafficking coincided with National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. While initially unaware of the national event, the alignment added importance to the local initiative, she added.

A panel comprising experts such as Wesley Dawson, director of the office of community safety in Prince William County, Detective Abigail McLaughlin, with Prince William police special victims unit, and representatives from ACTS and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of human trafficking.


News

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responding to snowfall over the past 24 hours in the Fredericksburg area and western regions of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Crews are applying sand and salt to roads, bridges, ramps, and overpasses to enhance traction and minimize icing as pavement temperatures decrease.

Currently, Interstate 95 and primary roads in Fredericksburg and the surrounding district are still clear. However, a VDOT spokeswoman anticipates that this situation will change rapidly as snowfall persists throughout the evening and overnight.


Obituaries

Ann Kovacevich Ostrander, 84, of Cape Charles, Virginia, passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side in the early morning of December 23, 2023.

She was born in Freedom, PA, in 1939 to Sofija and Michael Kovacevich. She married Walter Ostrander in September 1963 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Ann and Walt settled in Dale City, VA, in 1970, where they raised three children.


Obituaries

She loved the Lord and always took us to church showing hospitality often to Christian college groups and missionaries. She taught for 27 years at Westgate Elementary, mostly in 2nd grade. During her last 15 years in Manassas, she was an avid Mallwalker, often going two laps. In 2015, she moved to Sayre, Pa., near Ruth (Sandberg) Houser, where she often saw her grandkids and one great-grandson Archer.

She took a great interest in people, often asking questions about their future plans. We always felt loved, and we’ll treasure the many pillowcases she decorated with needlepoint for us. She touched many hearts.


Obituaries

Our lives are unfinished books which we are writing day by day. When completed one day, others will read them and remember what we did and had to say.

A busy and energetic life ended December 16, 2023, when Melvin (Chops) Maurice Dunn, Jr, a resident of Manassas, VA, was called to his heavenly home. Melvin was born on August 16, 1958, in


Obituaries

Albert Steven McCarthy, age 87, of Haymarket, Virginia and formerly of Dale City passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2023 surrounded by his family.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce. They were married for 55 years before her death. Al and Joyce were actively involved in the Hylton Boys & Girls Club of Dale City. Coach McCarthy was a long-time youth baseball, football, and basketball coach in Prince William County, winning the Virginia State AAU 12 and under Basketball Championship in 1993. He also was an Assistant Coach with the Ocean Lakes High School Boys’ Basketball team for the 1999-2000 season in Virginia Beach where he and his wife Joyce retired in 1998. He returned to Prince William County in 2015 after the death of his wife, Joyce.


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Greetings, Prince William – There’s still time to spread holiday cheer with Boxes of Basics! You can make local children’s holidays brighter by sponsoring a Box of Basics clothing.  All items go to children in need, referred by local school social workers, other nonprofits and community organizations.

Your generosity can help multiple kids.  It’s super easy: 1) Visit https://bit.ly/3MCjEA7; 2) Select a size/gender of Boxes of Basics and sign up; 3) Use the shopping list provided to help fill a box; 4) Deliver your unwrapped items at one of their convenient donation sites by December 20.  You’ll feel great knowing your purchases will help a child meet their basic clothing needs!  Please visit https://boxesofbasics.org/clothing-donations for a list of donation sites.


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Volunteer Prince William is working hard on Untrim a Tree, which provides gifts for children attending Title I schools in the community, along with Senior Baskets for homebound senior citizens.

Last year over 3,500 children got gifts for Christmas and over 500 Senior Baskets were donated! We anticipate the need will be just as great this year, and you can help! Individuals, groups, clubs, families, etc. can come together to make Christmas possible for everyone! New location this year: Prince William County Fairgrounds, donation drop-off dates are December 10 (9am-8pm), or December 11-12 (12pm-8pm).


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