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The Quantico Train Station’s new construction will be completed by early 2025 and will feature a pedestrian bridge and extended platforms to improve transit efficiency and safety for the 6,000 daily passengers.
Press release
The Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation has opened voting for its Summer Photo Contest. Residents are encouraged to vote for their favorite photos to help determine the winners in various categories.
Participants can vote for multiple photos within each category but only once per image. To vote, click on the photos you wish to select, indicated by a green check mark in the upper left corner. After making your selections, click the blue Submit button at the bottom of the page.
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on August 22. The concert will start at 7 p.m. in the museum’s outdoor plaza.
The band, the premier band of the United States Marine Corps, will play various music. This includes patriotic and martial favorites, selections from the wind band repertoire, works by contemporary composers, and scores from film and theatre.
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Gabriel Rene Ramirez, 22, on August 1 at a Bromley Court home in Lake Ridge reveals that, following a report of suicidal threats and armed behavior, SWAT Team members shot the man who had been barricaded inside a home after he pointed a firearm at officers and nearby townhomes, with only one officer firing a single round, resulting in his death.
Press release:
Prince William County Deputy Chief Jarad Phelps has retired after over 28 years of service. Phelps has been appointed as the Chief of Police for the Jacksonville Police Department in North Carolina.
“Jarad has served the Prince William County community with the utmost distinction for nearly three decades,” said Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham. “I sincerely congratulate him on his second chapter and future success, and I know he will serve the community of Jacksonville with the same compassion and professionalism he has shown here.”
The Occoquan Police Department detailed the incident in a statement: “In the early morning of July 27, 2024, a member of the Occoquan Police Department working a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) impaired driving enforcement grant detail made contact with Matthew B. Lowery of Woodbridge, Virginia. Mr. Lowery, at the time, was operating a motor vehicle upon a highway within the Town of Occoquan. Following the contact, Mr. Lowery was arrested for driving under the influence under 18.2-266 and refusal of a test to determine blood alcohol content under 18.2-168.3. Mr. Lowery was transported to the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, where he was processed and released on a $2,000 bond.”
The police statement continued, noting that Lowery did not identify as a Deputy Commonwealth Attorney during the arrest: “Since that time, the Town Police have learned that Mr. Lowery is a Deputy Commonwealth Attorney for Loudoun County. At no time did Mr. Lowery identify himself as a deputy commonwealth attorney. At the time of the contact and arrest, Mr. Lowery was a private citizen, and this matter is not related to any official misconduct.”
In this episode, I talk with Manassas City School Board member Sara Brescia about the evolving grading policies in the school district. Listeners will learn about the significant post-pandemic changes, including the controversial 50-100 grading scale and removing the 55 minimum grade provision. Sara Brescia provides a deep dive into the rationale behind these changes, the challenges faced, and the pushback from the community.
The conversation also touches on the broader implications of grading policies on student behavior and engagement, the importance of setting deadlines, and the balance between flexibility and accountability in education. Sara shares her vision for the future, emphasizing the need for productive dialogue and the importance of preparing students for the real world.
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton announced its 2024-2025 theater season, featuring a lineup of musicals and comedies. The season begins with “Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors” from September 6 to October 27, followed by “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame” from December 7 to January 12, 2025. “Clyde’s” will run from March 8 to April 6, and “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be performed from May 10 to June 15. Shows will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 to $40 on the Workhouse Arts Center’s website.
Press release:
Stafford County School Board Chairman Maureen Siegmund has announced the search for a new school superintendent following the departure of Dr. Thomas Taylor. Taylor recently became the chief of Montgomery County, Md. public schools. He held the position in Stafford for two and a half years.
The School Board has unanimously approved JG Consulting to lead a nationwide search for a new superintendent and seeks community feedback on the school division’s strengths, challenges the new superintendent may face, and essential qualities and experiences for the role. Feedback can be provided through a survey by August 30 or directly to JG Consulting via email or phone.
Prince William police:
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation – On July 31 at 8:21PM, officers initially responded to a residence located in the 3400 block of Caledonia Cir in [Lake Ridge] (22192) for a report of a suicidal individual. A short time later, officers located the individual at an acquaintance’s residence in the nearby 3000 block of Bromley Ct. where he was found to be armed. The incident was contained, and over the course of the evening, officers attempted numerous times for the individual’s safe surrender. This morning, August 1, around 5:30 a.m., officers engaged the individual who was shot and killed. No officers or other community members were injured during the incident which remains contained. There is no active threat to the surrounding community. The deceased has been preliminarily identified as a 22-year-old man of Woodbridge. The Prince William County Police Department, at the request of Chief Peter Newsham, has requested the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to oversee the investigation as an independent body. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
