OmniRide: “At the June meeting, the [Northern Virginia Transportation] Commission will be asked to approve the adoption of the I-395/95 Commuter Choice FY 2024-2025 Program of Projects shown in Table 1 (attached) and refer it to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for consideration and final action later in June, contingent upon comparable action by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC). The action also commits to completing the funding awards for two larger capital construction projects in the FY 2026-2027 Programs of Projects as permitted under adopted program policy.”
“The proposed program includes 13 projects that support the I-395/95 corridor improvement goals of moving more people and creating viable, effective transportation options, as well as NVTC’s program administration and oversight activities for the two (2)-year period. The resolution will authorize the NVTC Executive Director to execute the Standard Project Agreements for the selected projects following CTB action. The NVTC-PRTC Joint Commission Working Group (JCWG) endorsed the recommended Program of Projects in April, both full Commissions received briefings on the program last month, and the public comments received broadly support individual projects included in the program.”
“OmniRide Route D-200 Service Enhancement: Dale City to Ballston (Continuation) OmniRide ($304,626) — This project would continue two (2) of morning and two (2) of evening trips provided by OmniRide’s D-200 commuter express route between Dale City and the Pentagon, Rosslyn, and Ballston. The route serves three (3) commuter lots, including Horner Road, Telegraph Road, and Dale City, allowing commuters to travel efficiently and avoid some of the most congested parts of the I-395/95 corridor.”
“OmniRide Prince William Metro Express Service Enhancement: Dale City to Franconia-Springfield Station (Continuation) OmniRide ($671,678 — This project would continue fare-free, expanded peak-period service between Woodbridge, Potomac Mills, the Horner Road commuter lot, and Franconia-Springfield Station. The route is one of the busiest in the OmniRide system and links commuters traveling to and from the Potomac Mills area with Metrorail, Metrobus, Amtrak, Fairfax Connector, Virginia Railway Express, and other OmniRide bus services.”
“OmniRide Route 1 Local Service Enhancement: Quantico to Woodbridge Station (Continuation) OmniRide ($755,020) — This project would continue fare-free, expanded peak-period local bus service along U.S. Route 1 in eastern Prince William County. This route connects key residential and employment areas along the corridor to OmniRide express buses, Virginia Railway Express commuter rail, and Amtrak trains.”
David Hartnett, 57, whose been missing since late last month, is dead, according to the Stafford sheriff’s office.
His body was lying beside the Rappahannock River, under the Falmouth Bridge.
Hartnett left his home on April 20 and was last seen at a gas station near the Falmouth Bridge on Route 1. Hartnett’s body was recovered, the sheriff’s office reports.
More as we have it.
Incident Alert: The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to attempt to locate David Hartnett. David left a group home on Home Street the evening of April 20th. David is believed to have been at the Valero in Fredericksburg just across the Falmouth bridge on April 23rd.
This morning, Stafford County Search and Rescue Team, ATV Team, Drone Team, and detectives conducted a search along the river based on David’s recent cell phone data. Our office was assisted by Fire and Rescue, and their Swift Water Rescue Team, Dogs East, and the Fredericksburg City Watershed Manager.
We continue to follow leads in this case. David is a 57-year-old white male with brown hair, green eyes, 5’11” and 240 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki pants, a red flannel shirt, and red cap. He is known to frequent downtown businesses, the welcome center, and the Fredericksburg Library.
Meeting reporters are residents like you who want to help neighbors understand what is happening in their local governments in Prince William and Stafford counties, Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Manassas Park cities.
Meeting reporters attend public meetings, take notes on events of the meeting, and then submit their notes to us at PLN.
Meeting reporters receive meeting training and are paid $50 per meeting ($17 per hour, three-hour minimum, more for longer meetings as needed).
Join us Monday, June 5, 2023, for our next meeting reporter training on Zoom (space is limited): https://calendly.com/potomaclocalnews/documenter-reporter-training?month=2023-06&date=2023-06-05Â
More info about our meeting reporter program: https://potomaclocal.com/2023/04/14/we-want-to-pay-documenters-to-report-the-news/
Please welcome Natalie Villalobos, our newest community meeting reporter.
Natalie is a Woodbridge native and now covers the Prince William Board of County Supervisors for us.
Also joining our team is Robert Grimes, who will be covering meetings in the Stafford County and Fredericksburg areas.
I’m excited to be working with both of them.
Meeting reporters are residents like you who want to help neighbors understand what is happening in their local governments, from Fredericksburg to Manassas.
Meeting reporters attend public meetings, take notes on events of the meeting, and then submit their notes to us at PLN.
Meeting reporters receive meeting training and are paid $50 per meeting ($17 per hour, three-hour minimum, more for longer meetings as needed).
Join us Monday, June 5, 2023, for our next meeting reporter training on Zoom (space is limited): https://calendly.com/potomaclocalnews/documenter-reporter-training?month=2023-06&date=2023-06-05Â
More info about our documented program: https://potomaclocal.com/2023/04/14/we-want-to-pay-documenters-to-report-the-news/
This week’s Take Me-Home-Tuesday post is from Prince William County Animal Bureau at 14807 Bristow Road, near Manassas.
Right now, we are overflowing with critters, 26 total Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters and Mice.
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]
A Dumfries woman is charged with attempted murder in connection to a house fire in Woodbridge.
Arson, Attempted Murder*Arrest – On April 22, Fire Marshals charged a suspect in connection to the townhouse fire that occurred in the 4000 block of Dane Ridge Circle (Woodbridge) on April 2, 2023. The suspect resided at the incident location. At the time of the fire, another occupant was in the home. Evidence from the scene and the suspect’s actions ultimately led to her identity in the incident. Following the investigation, Fire Marshals obtained arrest warrants for the suspect, identified as Jessica Marie Knox, in connection with the incident. On April 22, the suspect was located and arrested without incident in Prince William County by Fire Marshals with assistance from the Prince William County Police Department.
Arrested on April 22:
Jessica Marie Knox, 37, of Woodbridge, Virginia
Charged with 1 count of Attempted Murder in the 1st degree, and Arson of an occupied dwelling.
Court Date: June 13 / Bond: Personal Recognizance Bond
— Prince William County fire marshal
Theresa Coates Ellis, Manassas City Council Member and with the Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival, announced the 3rd Annual Manassas Bee Festival. It will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Liberia House and Grounds, 8601 Portner Avenue, in Manassas.
The Manassas Bee Festival promises to be an experience coupled with education to continue to bring awareness to save our pollinators, according to a press release by the festival.
The event is free to visitors. Sponsors (many levels), Vendors ($50), Volunteers, and Experts are still being accepted on the website: manassasbeefestival.com.
Visitors are encouraged to dress like a pollinator or with a nature theme for the costume parade and waggle dance. Manassas Ballet Theatre will be there to help you make a costume to join if you don’t already have one.
“Because of the Manassas Bee Festival, and with the support of the City of Manassas residents, committees, leadership, staff, and community stakeholders, organic partnerships have formed, increasing public awareness of the importance of saving our pollinators. Without our pollinators, we will not thrive. We need each other to survive,”
Ellis initiated the Bee City USA (Xerces Society) designation and a resolution for urban beekeeping as a Manassas City Council Member in early 2021. Ellis was trained as a Prince William County Master Gardener years ago, She is a hobby beekeeper with her husband, George Ellis – both members of the Prince William Regional Beekeepers Association offering training and practice.
Both set up a honey bee apiary, and the Scouts donated and installed native bee boxes at Liberia House and Grounds, a Manassas City park with historic native gardens.
With the Bee City USA designation comes the responsibility to raise awareness to plant natives and save our declining pollinators, which is important for our growing food source. The Manassas Bee Festival launched in 2021. Mayor Davis-Younger also signed the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge at the event.
The festival continues annually during pollinator week, welcoming thousands of visitors from Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Many groups visit to share their practices and understand the challenges to save our pollinators, such as reducing pesticide use, habitat destruction, and mites.
UVA Health Prince William Medical Center is one of our top sponsors for our farm animals.
Manassas Garden Club, and GFWC Woman’s Club of Manassas, both with hands-on projects and causes for the community, including our parks.
Both Manassas Rotary and Bull Run Rotary members and local service organizations will be sponsoring and volunteering. Rotary “bee headbands” will be available to wear to show support for the pollinators.
We will be joined by the Prince William Library Manassas City branch, Department of Social Services, Community Service, and Keep Manassas Beautiful, with resources to share.
Visit manassasbeefestival.com to be a sponsor, vendor, volunteer, or expert, or visit.
For the parade, you are to decorate and design a raft, canoe, inflatable, dinghy, kayak, rowboat, or other non-motorized craft and take off in the first Occoquan Whatever Floats Your Boat Parade.
It will be a part of the Occoquan RiverFest & Craft Show on June 3 and 4, 2023. The activity invites the community to join in for its first year taking place.
Participants will paddle or row their non-motorized craft along the town’s coastline to Occoquan’s footbridge for judgment. Judging will begin at 11 a.m. at the footbridge, 460 Mill St, Occoquan Historic District, 22125.
There will also be awards for prizes in one of five categories. The five options are most creative, best eco-float, funniest, best overall, and business (sponsor).
The award ceremony will occur at River Mill Park, 407 Mill Street, Occoquan Historic District, 22125. It will start at 2 p.m.
Registration for the parade is $45 per vessel. Businesses interested in participating and becoming event sponsors must pay the fee of $150. All teams must register by May 20, 2023.
A press release states that the greater portion of registration fees goes toward Occoquan’s Million Mighty Mussel Project in partnership with Potomac RiverKeeper Network.
More information, rules, and registration can be found online.
Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 140 (Courthouse Road)
Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 137-138 for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project construction.
Wednesday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 137-138 for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project construction.
Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 137-138 for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project construction.
I-95 Southbound
Exit 148 (Quantico) to Exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville)
Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Lane closures at mile markers 148-146 for overhead message board work, part of the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project. Single lane closes nightly at 9 p.m. followed by a double lane closure at 10 p.m. All lanes open by 4:30 a.m. except on Friday, when all lanes open by 5 a.m.
Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) to Exit 118 (Thornburg)
Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 125 for construction project deliveries. Replacement of Route 17 (Mills Drive) overpass.
Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Slow roll of traffic with a full, brief traffic stop during these hours at mile marker 125 to move a construction crane into position. Replacement of Route 17 (Mills Drive) overpass.
Stafford County
Route 1
Tuesday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Mobile single lane closure on Route 1 between the intersection of Enon Road and the Prince William County line. Crews are installing rumble strips along the road shoulder as a safety enhancement at select locations.
Route 3
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lane closures and shoulder closures for utility work between Dairy Lane and Rumford Road.
Route 17
Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Mobile single lane closure on Route 17 between Stafford Lakes Parkway and the Fauquier County line. Crews are installing rumble strips along the road shoulder as a safety enhancement at select locations.
Route 616 (Poplar Road)
Wednesday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Flagging operation between Route 17 and Branch Circle Way for pavement work.
Spotsylvania County
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound, near Thornburg
Tuesday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Alternating single lane closures and flagging operation. Crews will be milling and paving Route 1 northbound and southbound in the Thornburg area, from south of the Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road/Morris Road) intersection to the Caroline County line.
Route 1 Southbound near I-95 Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Alternating two lanes closed on Route 1 southbound at various locations between the I-95 southbound off-ramp at exit 126 and the Route 17 (Mills Drive) intersection. Construction work for the exit 126 and Southpoint Parkway project.
Route 17 (Mills Drive)
Monday – Friday, 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Flagging operation between Glenwood Drive and Germanna Point Drive/Hospital Boulevard. Construction in connection with Route 17 overpass replacement at I-95 and widening of Route 17.
Route 208 (Courthouse Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Intermittent full traffic stops on Courthouse Road between Smith Station Road and Lake Anna Parkway. Utility work under permit.
Route 601 (Lawyers Road)
Monday – Wednesday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. On Lawyers Road, access to and from Route 208 (Courthouse Road) will be closed near the intersection for pipe replacement. Travelers should follow a posted detour to use Fenton Road to travel between Lawyers Road and Courthouse Road. Traffic traveling eastbound and westbound on Courthouse Road will remain open at the Lawyers Road intersection during this work.
Route 620 (Harrison Road)
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. One-way, alternating traffic. Crews will clean drainage ditches and road shoulders and perform maintenance between Route 1 and Salem Church Road.
Route 627 (Gordon Road)
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Flagging operation on Gordon Road between the intersections with Brock Road and Smith Station Road for pavement work.
Route 636 (Hood Drive)
Wednesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Flagging operation with one-way, alternating traffic between Courthouse Road and Route 1. Construction work for Hood Drive improvements.
