Neighborhood Notes

HOT lanes delay: A 10-mile extension of the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia is behind schedule as the project is entangled in a contractual dispute over soil conditions that has slowed construction. Officials said the $565 million project was to be finished in October 2022, but the project will take longer to complete. [The Washington Post/paywall]

Wastewater windfall: This significant proposed investment by the Commonwealth is part of the Governor’s historic funding for the Chesapeake Bay and clean water infrastructure, as well as important water conservation and clean water accessibility initiatives. [Press release]

Gang related: An uptick in shootings and gun violence in the Woodbridge area is related to a dispute between rival gangs, Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham said Thursday. [Prince William Times/paywall]

Data centers: The Prince William Conservation Alliance plans a discussion on data centers, from the Rural Crescent to the Occoquan Reservoir. [Press release]

Six PDR properties identified: This week, Stafford County recognized the owners of the six properties most recently added to its Purchase of Development Rights Program. The properties bring the total number of acres preserved by the program to 1,035 and the number of development rights retired to 273. [Stafford County Government]

Open road: Route 628 (Winding Creek Road) in Stafford County reopened to through traffic today between Route 733 (Embrey Mill Road) and Route 1947 (Walpole Street). [Press Release]

Manassas man defrauds Amazon: A Manassas man pleaded guilty today to defrauding the online retailer, Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon), of over $300,000 by operating a mail fraud scheme to buy high-end products, claim a refund, then return a similar item of significantly lesser value. [U.S. Attorney’s Office]

Collective bargaining: Prince William County will decide this week if it will allow employees in its fire and rescue, and police departments to form collective bargaining units. [Insidenova.com]

Dumfries Christmas Parade: Here are some photos from Mayor Derrick Wood, who took part in the 47th Annual Dumfries Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 11. [Mayor Derrick Wood Facebook]

Nokesville Christmas Parade: In western Prince William County, the village of Nokesville held its annual Christmas parade. [Mike Beaty/Flickr]

Baseball team announces new front office staff: The FredNats have hired Adam Flock as their new Community Relations Manager as a part of the creative services team and Brian Lehman as their new Ticket Sales Account Executive on their sales team. Long-time franchise employee Rich Crosslin has been promoted to Box Office Manager for the organization. [Fredericksburg Nationals]

Dumfries area toy collection: We Back Blue, Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Department of Transportation will collect toys for children in need Saturday, December 11, from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Target store near Dumfries. Collections will go to Toys for Tots, and some toys will also be donated to the Town of Dumfries Police Department for “Christmas in Dumfries.” [We Back Blue]

Time for water art: The Prince William County Service Authority is seeking talented young artists to enter the 2022 Water Art Invitational. Winning students and their art teachers will receive cash prizes, while the winning artwork will be displayed in Service Authority facilities and featured in next year’s Water Art Invitational wall calendar. [Prince William Service Authority]

HOT lanes give back: Transurban, operators and developers of the I-495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, donated to Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial today, following a “Drive to Donate” event on November 17. [Transurban]

Battlefield threat: Manassas National Battlefield Park’s superintendent has issued two letters opposing a plan to allow data centers on 2,133 acres of land adjacent to the park, calling it “the single greatest threat to Manassas National Battlefield Park in nearly three decades.” [Prince William Times]

Teacher pay raises: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam plans to propose a 10% teacher raise and record funding for pre-K-12 public education in his budget proposal for next year, according to a Monday announcement. [The Center Square]