Author: Press Release

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that the week of April 13 through April 19 is National Telecommunicator Week. The Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Communications Officers who staff the Stafford County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Communications Officers receive and process all calls for service via 9-1-1 (both landlines and cell phones) as well as emergency and non-emergency administrative telephone calls and support first responders through dispatch services.

The Stafford County Emergency Communications Center would like to invite the public to an Open House on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 9:00am – 1:00pm, located at the Public Safety Center, 1225 Courthouse Road in Stafford. The ECC will be open to the public to tour this state- of- the- art facility. This will be an excellent opportunity for the public to get an up close and personal look at what goes on in a 9-1-1 Center.

The Prince William SPCA proudly announces it will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2014. From just a handful of volunteers in 2004 to more than 200 volunteers today, the organization has become the voice of companion animals in the greater Prince William County region. Over the last ten years, it has been instrumental in its efforts to improve the lives of companion animals in our community. Whether it is promoting shelter pet adoptions on the P.A.W. Express Mobile Adoption Van or raising money for coupons to offset the cost of spay/neuter surgeries, the PWSPCA is focused on animal welfare. Where there is a need, its volunteers work to address it.

“The Prince William SPCA, like many organizations, was formed out of a need that was not being addressed in the community,” says Jennifer Tomb, board member and co-founder of the PWSPCA. She adds, “In 2004, adoption rates at the local shelter were low and euthanasia rates were high. Rescue organizations were at capacity. The community was growing, yet services for animals were not keeping up with the demand. It was apparent that the community needed a new group to help solve the larger problems facing companion animals.” In September 2004, several animal lovers came together and decided to form the Prince William SPCA. Taking its mission in a different direction than rescues, the PWSPCA’s continues to focus its volunteer and financial resources on increasing spay/neuter options, improving the lives of shelter pets and providing more programs for companion animals.

At a special board meeting held on February 25, 2014, the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association (LRPRA) voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with the Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation to lease LRPRA common ground as part of the McCoart-to-Occoquan Trail System.

Lake Ridge is a 42-year-old unincorporated planned community of 41,000 residents on the banks of the Occoquan Reservoir. With over 7,300 members and stretching over 4,000 acres, Lake Ridge is among the largest homeowners associations in the nation.

George Mason University has chosen S. David Wu, the dean of a prestigious engineering college, to be its next provost and executive vice president.

Wu joins Mason after a 27-year career at Lehigh University, including the past decade as its dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. He brings a wealth of experience that will strengthen George Mason and its mission to set the standard for public universities in the 21st century.

The Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is raising funds for the Curation and Conservation of American Civil War Artifacts at the Old Brentsville Jail using one of the newest tools in philanthropy, “Crowdsourcing”.

“Crowdsourcing harnesses the power of the internet and engages small donors in the important work of philanthropy,” according to Chuck Mills, a member of the Foundation’s Board. “We are using the Indiegogo platform for this exciting initiative which went live on March 15 and will run for sixty days”, says Mills, “Even very small donations are welcome, appreciated, and important in preserving history for future generations.”

OCCOQUAN, Va — Mr. Terence Quinn, owner and president of Quinn’s Goldsmith, received a custom design award at the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Jeff Roberts, IJO president and CEO, presented Mr. Quinn with the prestigious award at the awards banquet.

The competition was open to all IJO members from Canada and the United States. There were four categories each determined by price.

The Rotary Club of Lake Ridge Virginia will be hosting its 17th annual Celebrity Luncheon on April 23rd at Bistro L’Hermitage in Occoquan to raise money for local and international charities.

The popular fundraiser features local elected officials and community leaders as waiters and waitresses, with a catch. “While everyone can enjoy a delicious lunch from our favorite upscale restaurant, they may find they are missing silverware, napkins and water, “ explained Lance Frye, Lake Ridge Rotary’s President-elect, who is heading up the event. “In order to receive their glass of water, for example, our guests will be expected to tip the celebrities. So once you give your celebrity server a buck, you get your water. It is a fun way to raise money in addition to the ticket price.

Leadership Prince William and Youth For Tomorrow have joined forces to expand leadership development programs in the Greater Prince William Area, including a new youth leadership initiative.

Youth For Tomorrow has agreed to partner with Leadership Prince William in several ways:

OWL VFD, usually known for putting out fires and responding to 911 calls, put their hair on the line to raise funds for research to find new cures for childhood cancer. On March 8, 2013, Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department hosted their 9th Annual St. Baldrick’s Event. With 61 heads shaved, OWL VFD raised more than $40,000 and still counting, exceeding last year’s efforts by at least $9,000 dollars.

“A bald head to give a kid with cancer a chance for a cure? Absolutely! It gets a bit cold, but I am happy to help,” says Firefighter Ernest DeSantis.

Sewer mains get damaged in a number of ways, including the intrusion of tree roots and the internal deterioration of the line due to grease, oils and other corrosive substances.

When mains are damaged, heavy rains can cause infiltration of groundwater into the sewer system. In the worst case scenario, it can cause a backup into a home or business.