Tim Hughes, an environmental specialist with the Prince William County Public Works Department, recently accepted a Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter.
The association’s 2023 project award in the “Environment Less than $5 Million” category was for installing a trash collection system called a bandalong in Neabsco Creek.
“This was a team effort between Parks and Public Works, and we got lucky and found a private partner in Micron Technology,” Hughes said. “Their corporate team in Manassas was looking for a watershed restoration project because Micron uses a lot of water in their microchip manufacturing process. They donated $300,000 that fully paid for the Bandalong, the installation, and the first year of operations and maintenance.
tThe bandalong floats in the creek during storm events and catches floatable litter that would otherwise scatter into the 300-acre Neabsco estuary, which is part of the Prince William County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism system.
In a just over a year, the bandalong collected 5,565 pieces of foam measuring less than 2.5 centimeters in diameter and 4,214 foam pieces greater than 2.5 centimeters. The Bandalong also captured 3,553 single-use plastic bottles, 647 cigarette butts, and 37 cigarette lighters.
Some other trash that wound up in the bandalong rather than the watershed included plastic bottle caps, glass beverage bottles, cardboard, plastic bags, plastic lids, plastic straws, construction materials, balloons, clothing, shoes, fishing gear and more.
The bandalong collected 16,476 pieces of litter otherwise destined for the estuary.
“All that litter would have polluted the estuary. With big storms, it gets out of the estuary into the Potomac River and beyond, from the river to the Chesapeake Bay and on to the ocean,” Hughes said. “It’s collecting the vast majority of trash.”
The bandalong also helps with volunteer cleanups. Before the Bandalong, volunteers gathered twice a year in the Neabsco Creek estuary to collect trash, often at personal risk.
“Marine debris and trash in our waterways have been a growing environmental issue. People are looking for solutions other than volunteer cleanups,” Hughes said. “It’s much safer and easier. All the trash gets collected in the Bandalong.”
Volunteers who regularly attend cleanups have noticed. Lynda Silverstrand, a long-time volunteer with the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition, said that fallen trees once trapped bottles and other trash that floated down the creek, and it looked as if someone had dumped the trash at the choke points.
“The trash used to go down into the wetlands,” Silverstrand said. “The Bandalong collects a lot of tennis balls, footballs, and basketballs. We used to get so many bags of trash. In the last two cleanups, there just hasn’t been that much. It’s very little compared to the past.”
See a video about the Bandalong here.
The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award was established to promote excellence in the management, administration, and implementation of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant, the architect, the engineer, and the contractor working together to complete public works projects.
Couples looking to take the plunge and say “I do” can register to get married on Valentine’s Day at the 5th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Bash at the Prince William County courthouse.
“It’s a happy day for so many people,” said Clerk of Circuit Corut Jacqueline Smith about the Feb. 14 event, to be held at 9329 Main Street in Manassas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We look forward to Valentine’s Day all year, and the old church is such a charming place for weddings… Being that we’re in a 148-year-old church, it just kind of made sense to me,” said Billy Wiseman, co-founder of Three Monkeys.
“It’s something nice to do for people planning to get married in some room. Instead, they can actually get married in a church. We enjoy giving back to the community. We partnered with the Clerk’s office. I said, ‘We’ve got this space. It’s a church. What do you guys think?’ They were all about it. It snowballed where everybody is doing a little to help make it a big event.”
Several Manassas businesses plan to sponsor surprises for the couples to celebrate their nuptials.
On their sixth anniversary, Katherine and Rene Campos renewed their vows at the old church last year. “We wanted to keep a date that would be memorable. It’s also a holiday, so it’s really cute.” Katherine Campos said.
Larry Bronstone married Samea Whahab during last year’s ceremonies to please his bride. “Valentine’s Day was her first pick,” he said.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office is scheduling appointments for the Valentine’s Day Wedding Bash. Call 703-792-6036 or email [email protected] to get on the schedule.
On Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, the Commonwealth graduated its 137th generation of Virginia State Troopers. The 31 new troopers were presented their diplomas during commencement exercises at 10 a.m. at the State Police Training Academy located at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike in North Chesterfield County.
Governor Glenn Youngkin spoke at the graduation ceremony.
The new troopers have received more than 1,300 hours of classroom and field instruction in more than 100 different subjects, including de-escalation techniques, strategies to assist people in mental health crises, ethics and leadership, fair and impartial policing, constitutional law, emergency medical trauma care, and public and community relations. The members of the 137th Basic Session began their 28 weeks of academic, physical, and practical training at the Academy on June 30, 2022.
The graduates of the 137th Basic Session are from every corner of the Commonwealth, as well as Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and the countries of the Dominican Republic and Egypt.
Upon graduation, the new troopers will report to their duty assignments across Virginia. For their final training phase, each trooper will spend an additional six weeks paired up with a Field Training Officer learning his or her new patrol area.
Every year, The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Network of Enterprising Women (CNEW) chooses a different, local nonprofit and raises money throughout the year at their quarterly events. On January 17, CNEW presented the 2022 nonprofit of the year, Empowerhouse, with a $9,000 check.
Four events took place over the past year as part of the fundraising effort: The Women’s Symposium, Fashion Show, Wine & Nine, and Annual Silent Auction and Awards are all important initiatives that help to empower and inspire women in our community. The $9,000 check presented to Empowerhouse is a testament to the work that CNEW puts in and the impact that we have in our local communities.
Empowerhouse provides confidential domestic violence assistance. The organization serves the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline. Services include a free and confidential 24-hour hotline, temporary and emergency shelter, information, referrals, and advocacy.
From Prince William police:
Aggravated Malicious Wounding
On February 2 at 4:10AM, officers responded to a residence located in the 16000 block of Crest Dr. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate an assault. Upon arriving at the residence, officers encountered the victim, a 30-year-old woman, who was unconscious and suffering from a stab wound.
Officers began performing first aid until fire and rescue personnel arrived and transported the victim to an area hospital where she is expected to survive. The investigation revealed that the victim and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in an escalated verbal altercation. During the encounter, the accused retrieved a knife and stabbed the victim. Another occupant of the home intervened and the accused contacted emergency services.
Arrested on February 2:
Paul A ENGLAND, 54, of 16003 Crest Dr. in Woodbridge Charged with aggravated malicious wounding
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Strong-Arm Robbery
On February 1 at 11:35AM, officers responded to the area of Old Post Ter. near Old Kings Rd. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate an assault. The investigation revealed the victim, who was working as a taxi driver, was driving a female passenger, later identified as the accused, to their destination when the accused requested to stop in the above area. A verbal altercation over payment ensued between the victim and the accused.
At one point, the accused grabbed the victim’s property which led to a physical struggle. During the struggle, the accused assaulted the victim before twisting the victim’s shirt around her neck. The parties eventually separated, and the accused fled foot. While checking the area, officers located the accused at a nearby residence and took her into custody without incident. The accused was found in possession of the victim’s property. The victim reported minor injuries.
Arrested on February 1:
Jessica E RIVERO, 41, of 1821 Old Post Ter. in Woodbridge Charged with robbery and attempted strangulation
Court Date: April 10, 2023 | Bond: $10,000 Secured Bond
Strong-Arm Robbery
On February 1 at 8:44AM, officers responded to the Subway located at 11004 Sudley Manor Dr. in Manassas (20109) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed two unknown men approached the service counter and demanded money from the register. The employee ran out of a back door as one of the suspects took the register before fleeing the business. No weapons were displayed or brandished during the incident. The cash register and an undisclosed amount of money were reported missing. The suspects were described as a Hispanic male last seen wearing a fitted cap, a mask, an unzipped dark-colored sweater, and a black male last seen wearing a mask, a black jacket with the hood up and dark colored pants.
Armed Robbery
On February 2 at 4:45AM, officers responded to the 7500 block of Bosbury Ct. in Manassas (20111) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed the victim, who was operating for a private ride service, was in the above area for an arranged fare when an unknown male, possibly a teenager, approached the vehicle and got into the backseat. The male immediately brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s property. The suspect fled on foot before the victim drove out of the area and contacted police. No injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. The investigation continues. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’10”, wearing all black clothing.
Armed Robbery
On February 1 at 10:59AM, officers responded to the area of Poplar St. and June St. in Manassas (20111) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed the victim, who was operating for a private ride service, was in the above area at the conclusion of an arranged fare when the male passenger brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s property. The suspect, possibly a juvenile, took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the vehicle on foot. No injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male last seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black pants and shoes and carrying a black backpack.
At a special meeting on Wednesday, February 1, the Manassas Economic Development Authority voted to buy the Olde Towne Inn in Historic Downtown for $5.75 million.
The motel was originally constructed in the 1960s. It is located in the geographic center of the downtown neighborhood and sits on an entire city block.
The building and property are identified in the city’s comprehensive plan as a key development site and have long been discussed as ideal for redevelopment.
“I’m excited the EDA is able to help our City Council in acquiring this property,” said EDA Chairman Gary L. Jones, II. “One of our key functions as an Authority is to support the City through real estate acquisition and disposition. I can’t think of a bigger impact we could have on the continued revitalization of Downtown than this.”
According to the city’s press release detailing the sale, discussions with the property owners about buying the Olde Towne Inn have been taking place for years. Private investors and developers expressed interest in purchasing the property. However, the city government opted to buy the building.
“Recently, our discussions have been about having the owners themselves build a new hotel or facilitating a sale to a third party for that same purpose,” said Patrick Small, who is the City’s Economic Development Director. “After a lot of discussion, modeling, and planning the owners decided that they preferred to have the city acquire the property because they felt that the best use of the site would result from a more public process.”
The EDA has 60 days to conduct due diligence on the site and the right to assign the contract to the City Council, which could complete the purchase. No decisions regarding the continued temporary operation of the property in its current condition or the future use of the site have been made.
In 2016, the city purchased the Grant Avenue shopping center for $3.2 million and demolished a portion of the plaza to make way for a new police station. On December 12, 2022, the city’s police department took possession of its new $40 million public safety center.
Also, in 2022, the city council decided to carry on a project to gut and renovate city hall, at 9027 Center Street, across from the recently purchased motel, after project costs soared 40% higher than anticipated to $13 million.
Later, the city council balked at a request from the city school board to purchase the largest office building in the city, 8700 Centreville Road, for $11.5 million. The school division relied on the city council for funding and had hoped to relocate its division headquarters to the site.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Rappahannock Regional Jail inmate.
Always Flavored, the flavor-centric Sauce and Seasoning company in Fredericksburg, is celebrating two second-place honors from the 2023 Scovie Awards for its Sweet Virginia Love BBQ Sauce in the Barbecue Sauce-Unique category and Ritabeata’s Mild Hot Sauce in the Prepared Sauce-Prepared category.
“We couldn’t be more excited that our products were recognized and appreciated at such a national and international level,” Rita Witte, owner, and founder said. “It is gratifying and pleasing to know our sauces keep tantalizing and dazzling the taste buds of even some of the toughest food critics.”
The judging comprised 80-100 culinary experts and is usually held the first Monday between the New Mexico State Fair and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This year’s competition had 934 entries from 151 companies across 37 states and 12 countries, which included, but weren’t limited to, England, Hungary, Germany, Canada, and Australia.
Always Flavored creates sauces, seasonings, and condiments, including a growing line of hot sauce flavors, barbeque sauce, and various spices and rubs. All products are sourced locally.
Ritabeata’s Mild Hot Sauce is a fermented sauce made with moderate heat with jalapeños, serranos, and long chilies.
Sweet Virginia Love BBQ Sauce is a balance of sweet and savory for beef, poultry, and fish dishes with low heat.
On Nov. 20, 2022, Always Flavored opened its first bistro and retail store at 1711 Princess Anne Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Before opening the bistro, Always Flavored sold products through its online store at alwaysflavored.com and farmers’ markets, local events, and several local stores.
Germanna announced the lawmaker’s visit in a press release after the event had concluded.
This follows a development from October in which Germanna announced a $15 million Stafford County public-private expansion deal that will triple its training space there, meaning many more critically needed cybersecurity professionals will be graduating.
The curriculum emphasizes data analytics and business processes and their applications in cybersecurity management. Students gain proficiency in cybersecurity policy, conducting risk assessments, coordinating incident response, leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence to understand attacks on business assets, and overall management of the cybersecurity function within a business.
Graduates enter the workforce with the skills to serve as cybersecurity analysts, auditors, planners, and more.
In October 2022, Germanna Community College announced an expansion in Stafford County with the purchase of its new Stafford Center of Educational Excellence at Center Street.
Two buildings, named the Barbara J. Fried Center at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Center at 25 Center Street, totaling over 74,000 square feet, both just off Route 610 in North Stafford, will meet Germanna’s space requirements in Stafford for the foreseeable future, said Jack Rowley, president of GCC’s Real Estate Foundation.
