News

Seventy years ago today America began a transformation that would take it from being an inward-looking and isolationist backwater to becoming one of the greatest powers the world has ever known. The country the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941 was not the same country that would defeat them a scant three years and nine months later.

The transformation of the U.S. is all the more remarkable when you consider how ill-prepared the country really was to conduct World War II, even though that war sure seems all but inevitable in hindsight. Prior to World War II we could only count 190,000 soldiers and 464 tanks in the U.S. Army. At the time, neither the soldiers nor the tanks seemed ready for war. The soldiers’ training was generally inferior and their weapons did not compare favorably to those of other nations. In 1939, our forces were basically equal to those of Romania.


News

Dumfries, Va. — Some local authors encourage you give the gift of literature this holiday season, and they’re hoping you gift their books.

Twelve authors who live or work in Prince William County all have published books this holiday season. They can range from short stories to novels.


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Police said 59-year-old Kil Sun Flom was killed after she collided with a petroleum truck. Both vehicles were traveling east on Leesburg Pike, said Fairfax County police.

Crash investigators reported Tuesday that Flom was attempting to merge from the right lane on Leesburg Pike east into the center lane and collided with the truck. She pulled forward slightly, got out of her car, stepped in front of the truck below the driver’s view of site and was crushed when the truck began moving forward, police said.


Traffic

Virginia transportation officials for the first time Tuesday announced the price tag for the proposed High Occupancy Toll lanes on Interstate 95, and said they’re close to a deal to begin construction.

The lanes are expected to cost taxpayers $97 million, and the private firm that will construct and operate the lanes, Fluor-Transurban, $843 million. While all of the workings of a final public-private transportation contract are in place, the state and the private firm have yet to sign the deal but say it, along with the first phases of construction, could begin as early as spring.


Stafford County, Va. — Investigators in Stafford released a composite sketch of the man they say tried to rape a woman late last month.

The attack happened Nov. 27 in a wooded area off Shasta Place in the England Run neighborhood of Stafford County, said sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy.


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By Kristina Schnack Kotlus

Woodbridge, Va. — No one likes standing in line, especially during the holidays. But for the six of every 1,000 children living with autism the waiting, music, lights, and people can prevent them from enjoying the traditional visit to Santa many children anticipate each year.


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Woodbridge, Va. — Leesylvania State Park is hosting a Gingerbread House Party to benefit a non-profit that works to provide toys to children with cancer.

The event will take place on Saturday, December 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those attending the Gingerbread House Party are asked to pay only in the form of a new toy for the “Trevor’s Treasure” box.


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