Updated 1 p.m. April 19 — Former Gainesville District Supervisor John Stirrup collapsed at tonight’s Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting on April 18, 2023.
According to sources, Stirrup, who is running for the House of Delegates District 21 seat in Haymarket, was rushed to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, where he’s lying in intensive care.
His condition has improved, according to a post on his Facebook page.
John is now feeling much better, resting and even telling a few dad jokes to the hospital staff. He and Heidi are incredibly grateful for the first responders, medical team, and all those who have reached out and offered prayers and support.
Fire and rescue crews resuscitated Stirrup at the board meeting before loading him by stretcher onto an ambulance. Stirrup was speaking during public comment time, talking about the county’s violent crime rate, which has increased 70% since 2019, and the jail board’s abolishment of the 287(g) program, which had county jail officers partner with federal immigration and customs authorities to hand over jail inmates suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large Ann Wheeler called a meeting recess until 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Supervisors were in the public comment portion o the meeting and then were to engage in budget markup when leaders were to decide what to cut from the fiscal year 2024 budget.
After returning from recess, County Executive Christopher Shorter said, “What we witnessed here tonight was a medical emergency. The response from our first responders here was amazing.”
Stirrup, a conservative, served on the Board of County Supervisors for two terms from 2004 until 2011. Stirrup left the county government and later lobbied on its behalf.
Stirrup has a Republican challenger in Josh Quill, who is also seeking the party’s nomination in a June 20 Primary.
Here’s a transcript of Stirrup’s speech, delivered just before he collapsed:
A NOVEC employee was shocked and flown to a hospital this afternoon.
This afternoon at 4:37 PM, units were dispatched to the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) Innovation Substation, located in the 9300 block of Godwin Drive, for a report of an individual who was electrocuted. A NOVEC employee, working on equipment, was accidentally electrocuted. The employee was rescued by fire and rescue personnel approximately 16’ in the air on a manlift. The adult male victim was flown by helicopter to an area trauma center for evaluation.
— Prince William Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Matt Smolksy
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Police said the general manager of the Potomac Shores Golf Club near Dumfries could have been using his phone to film women for months.
Unlawful Filming – On April 12 at 8:47PM, officers responded to the Potomac Shores
Golf Club located at 1750 Dunnington Pl. in Dumfries (22026) to investigate an unlawful
filming. The investigation revealed an employee located a phone actively recording in one
of the stalls inside the women’s restroom at the club. The employee notified a supervisor
who contacted the police. During the investigation, officers determined the phone
belonged to the club’s General Manager, identified as the accused, which had possibly
been recording on and off for the last several months. On April 13, the accused, identifiedas Craig Robert LUCKEY, was arrested. On April 17, following additional investigation into
the evidence located, a search warrant was executed at the home of the accused in Woodbridge and additional charges were obtained. Investigators are seeking to speak to anyone who has information regarding this investigation. The investigation continues.Arrested on April 13:
Craig Robert LUCKEY, 55, of 3319 Broker Ln. in Woodbridge Charged with 5 counts of unlawful filming
Court Date: July 20, 2023 | Bond: Unavailable
Town residents, who must go to the post office to pick up their mail, may still do so. Meanwhile, the postal service encourages residents who have other USPS businesses to go to other post offices in Woodbridge or Lorton. A statement from the USPS is posted below.
Meanwhile, the USPS did not provide PLN with a damage estimate or if a police investigation led to charges. Occoquan Police Chief and Town Manager Adam Linn referred us to the postal service for those answers, saying it’s a federal case because the post office is a federal facility.
A vehicle struck the Occoquan Post Office on Friday after normal business hours. The Post Office was damaged, which has caused temporary closure of the retail counter. P.O. Box customers can still pick up mail and packages. Customers can also mail prepaid packages and stamped mail. However, retail services requiring a transaction, such as purchasing stamps, are not available at the Occoquan Post Office at this time. The nearest locations for full retail services are the Prince William Post Office, located at 3360 Post Office Road in Woodbridge, and the Lorton Post Office, located at 7726 Gunston Plaza in Lorton. We look forward to reopening the retail counter when the property owner makes repairs. We thank customers for their understanding.
Philip Bogenberger, USPS spokesman
The National Park Service will begin improving wastewater systems at Prince William Forest Park’s campgrounds this summer.
The work will require periodic closures at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground and Oak Ridge Campground and the extended closure of Cabin Camp 3. These improvements will ensure that Prince William Forest Park can continue to welcome visitors to these campgrounds into the future, providing a convenient and fun experience for all.
The work will cause the following campsite and cabin closures:
- Cabin Camp 3 individual and group cabins will remain closed through Aug. 2.
- Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground campsites and amphitheater will be closed from June 20 through Oct. 27.
- Oak Ridge Campground A Loop sites A1 – A24 and the A Loop restroom will be closed from Aug. 1 through Nov. 16.
These closure dates may change depending on the completion of the project and factors such as weather.
The Chopawamsic Backcountry Area, Oak Ridge Campground sites A25 – A42, B and C Loops, and Cabin Camps 1, 2, 4, and 5 will remain open to campers.
Nearly 295,000 people visited Prince William Forest Park in 2022. The park sits just off Joplin Road, at 18170 Park Entrance Road, in Triangle.
The park’s activities include camping, hiking, picnicking, and bicycling.
Manassas Park City Manager Laszlo Palko just got some more spending power.
The Manassas Park Governing Body on April 11, 2023, voted 4-3 to allow Palko to spend up to $100,000, approving contacts for items already laid out in the city's budget and capital improvement plan, approved annually by the governing body, without asking the governing body for permission.
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Today’s Take Me-Home-Tuesday pets post comes from the Prince William County Animal Service Center at 14807 Bristow Road, Manassas.
- Theo – Male cat between 1 – 3 years old, very friendly
- Ace – Male Pit Bull Terrier mix 1 year old. Love bug.
If you want to apply or learn about either animal, go to the Prince William County Animal Shelter page at the top of this post. You can also call 703-792-6465, or email [email protected]
We accept write-ups and photos of animals for adoption across the region. Please send them to [email protected].
Greetings, Prince William – Mark your calendars! City of Manassas Park Community Services is holding a Community Day on April 22, 10 am-2 pm at Manassas Park City Hall, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park! They need lots of volunteers aged 18+ beginning at 8 am. Duties include set up, welcome table, water table, support various vendor tables, parking, children’s activities and clean up. While bilingual skills in Spanish are not required, they are welcome and helpful in supporting this event. The event will be held rain or shine (moved to Manassas Park High School in case of rain). This promises to be a fun-filled day, and you’ll feel great as you share the resources and services Manassas Park offers its residents! Please email [email protected] for more information.
You can help cut the risk of injuries or death from home fires! American Red Cross needs volunteers to support the Sound the Alarm rally in Triangle on April 29, 9 am-3 pm. Partnering with the Prince William County Fire Department, volunteers will visit homes to install free smoke alarms and share home fire safety education materials. Families and friends welcome! Training will be provided on-site so previous experience is not needed. It promises to be a fun day of preparing families against home fires and making the community safer. Supplies such as smoke alarms, a drill, educational materials, and a map of your route for the day will be provided. You’ll feel great knowing you’re providing a valuable service to your community and helping to save lives! Please visit https://rdcrss.org/3U83BN6 for more information.
Brain Injury Services is looking for a PALS volunteer (Providing a Link for Survivors) to be a friend to a young woman living in Arlington, recovering from a brain injury. This would be a once-a-month commitment to accompany the client on outings. Please email [email protected] or call 703.451.8881, ext.232, for more information.
You can help our senior citizens! Prince William Area Agency on Aging is looking for Home Delivered Meals Drivers age 18+ to deliver noontime meals to homebound seniors Monday-Friday, 10 am-12 pm. Routes take about 1.5 hours to complete; schedules are flexible. The program operates out of the two senior centers in Manassas and Woodbridge. Volunteers must have dependable transportation, a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record, and proof of insurance. Volunteers must also pass a criminal background check, paid by Prince William County. You’ll get the warm fuzzies as you deliver both a smile to seniors’ faces and a hot, nutritious meal! Please contact Tracy at 703.792.4583 or visit http://bit.ly/3IPKVfJ for more information.
If you love admin work, the folks at CFH (formerly Catholics for Housing) want to meet you! They need a volunteer bilingual Office Assistant who can keep the day-to-day office operations going and assist callers and clients. Duties include answering phones, helping visitors, help with the website and program applications. Flexible schedule, 2-3 days a week, 4-6 hours each shift. Bilingual skills in Spanish required. You’ll feel great as you help this agency make affordable housing possible for their clients! Please email [email protected] for more information.
Attention Feline Fans! Last Chance Animal Rescue needs cat-loving volunteers to help with cat and kitten care and adoptions in the Manassas PetSmart, 10834 Sudley Manor Drive. Volunteers age 14+ welcome; volunteers between ages 14-17 must volunteer with a responsible adult. Duties include loving on the kitties, playing with and socializing them, feeding, and light cleaning, including litter box scooping. Volunteers would also help with greeting potential adopters, introducing them to the kitty guests, and processing adoptions. Training and orientation are provided. Be prepared to commit to one or more shifts (AM or PM) per week; hours are available on weekdays and weekends. You’ll purr with delight knowing that you’re helping to care for cats from high-kill shelters and place them in loving homes! Please visit http://bit.ly/3JxbyH0 to fill out and sign a Volunteer Agreement; please email [email protected] to learn more.
The wonderful staff at Leopold’s Preserve is busy, busy and has upcoming volunteer needs for those of you who love to be in the outdoors:
Earth Day Tree Planting event on April 22, 9 am-12 pm on their grounds, 16290 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run 20137. Volunteers of all ages are welcome; be prepared to dig holes for the trees, plant them and give them their first drink of water. This family-friendly event will help the agency develop a rare Piedmont savanna habitat on their facility. Please visit www.leopoldspreserve.com/events-1/earth-day-volunteer-tree-planting/form to sign up, email [email protected] for more information.
Leopold’s Preserve also needs bird-loving volunteers to help monitor bluebird, purple martin or wood duck boxes. Monitors regularly check the boxes to support data collection – how many birds use their nest boxes and how many babies are born. They have lots of boxes and can’t monitor all of them without your help! Please email [email protected] to learn more.
If you enjoy coaching sports, Martin K. Alloy Boys & Girls Club of Manassas wants to meet you! They need Volunteer Coaches aged 18+ to coach basketball and volleyball to youth, boys and girls. Practices are held during the week; games are normally played on weekends. Volunteers must be vaccinated (2 doses) and successfully complete a BGCGW background check. You’ll feel great as you work with youth and teens and watch them develop and improve their skills and performance! Perk: BGCGW will comp up to 2 children to play volleyball and/or basketball for FREE! Must pay for annual membership: $50 (ages 5-12) and $25 (ages 13-18). Please email [email protected] for more information.
If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
Tomorrow, April 18, 2023, is decision day for the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.
Elected leaders on the board will vote to approve the county governments' fiscal year 2024 budget and the Real Estate tax rate used to fund the $947 million spending plan. Supervisors proposed 38% percent tax hike on residents, the largest in state history.
