A Stafford woman is charged with assault and battery after she commanded her dog to attack deputies, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office:

From the sheriff's office:

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

As of July 17, a total of 178 people in Prince William County have died due to the coronavirus disease.

There have been 8,240 cases of coronavirus reported in the county, and 728 people have been hospitalized since the start of the pandemic in early March.

Coronavirus cases in Prince William County are on the decline, and so are the number of fatalities. The number of hospitalizations remains steady, according to Brian Misner, the county’s emergency services coordinator.

The trend lines for deaths, hospitalizations, and positive cases are all trending lower in the past week.

There has been a slight uptick in cases in Woodbridge and Dale City, said Misner.  He declined to call it a “spike,” however, Supervisors Margaret Franklin and Andrea Bailey pushed back and, telling Miser they do consider the increase in cases a “spike,” and pushed for more street-level data on the rate of infection in their respective magisterial districts.

County data show increases in coronavirus cases in zip codes 22191 in Woodbridge, 22193 in Dale City, and 20110 just outside Manassas.

Supervisors Yesli Vega and Peter Candland, of the Coles and Gainesville districts, repetitive, asked Miser to provide the board more information on how the virus is being transmitted in the county.

“We’ve heard that the virus is being spread through poor workplace conditions,” said Vega.

Miser offered to bring more information back to the board on August 4.

The county, as well as the state, is operating in Phase III of the governor’s post-pandemic reopening plan. Service-industry businesses, like restaurants and barbershops, are open again.

As are county government facilities like the McCoart and Sudley North government centers in Woodbridge, and near Manassas, respectively, so residents can pay their taxes and access other county services.

The Ferlazzo county government building, at 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge, remains closed to the public. The gym now houses about 40 homeless people who have contracted the disease. A nearby motel on Route 234 near Dumfries is hosting about 60 additional homeless residents who have coronavirus, said Misner.

Starting July 27, the county will offer more coronavirus testing at multiple sites like the Woodbridge Senior Center, Splashdown Water Park near Manassas, James Long Park in Gainesville, Cloverdale Park in Dale City, and Metz Middle School in Manassas City.

Neabsco District Supervisor Vitor Angry suggested the county do a better job in utilizing electronic messaging signs at the entrances of county schools to inform residents about coronavirus tests, and where to get them.

Through the Prince William Food Rescue program, more than 2 million pounds of food has been collected for residents in need.

The county’s libraries reopened as of July 6 with summer camp programs for children. A total of $900,000 will be used by the county to continue to purchase food for seniors and disabled residents through December 31, while $100,000 of county money will be given to the food rescue program to aid its operations, said Misner.

Meanwhile, Prince William County Executive Christopher Martino asked supervisors to unlock $5 million of a total of $42 million it received in CARES Act money it received from the Federal Government to cover an estimated $15 million in coronavirus-related costs the county government is expected to accrue by December.

“There’s a lot going on and we’re going to need help,” said Martino.

Obituary Pending

The City of Fredericksburg released a press statement today announcing its first coronavirus related death.

The death is that of a male city resident in his 70s who passed away July 21. This is the 47th death in the region, and the 2,048th death in the Commonwealth of Virginia due to the coronavirus.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the $142 million Balls Ford Interchange Project that is expected to help relieve traffic congestion.

Construction will begin this fall and is expected to be completed in November 2022.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors recently approved the final design for the Prince William Parkway Interchange and Balls Ford Road Realignment project.

According to communications analyst Keith Walker, the project will realign roughly 1.9 miles of Balls Ford Road, between Devlin Road and Doane Drive, into a four-lane, divided roadway. The roadway will also contain a raised median, a sidewalk on one side, and a multi-use path on the other side.

Walker states the project will take Balls Ford Road over the Prince William Parkway with a diverging diamond interchange. The project will also include a bridge over the existing Norfolk Southern Railway.

The Prince William County Department of Transportation will administer the project with state money that came through the Transform I-66 Outside the Beltway Concessionaire Fund. That fund granted $143 million to fully finance the project, according to Walker.

The goal of the completed road project is to relieve existing and predicted future traffic congestion and improve the safety of drivers at the Balls Ford Road-Prince William Parkway intersection, according to Walker.

Anyone with questions on the project can email the project manager Mary Ankers at [email protected] with “Realigned Balls Ford Interchange” referenced in the subject line.

More information about transportation projects in the county is available at pwcgov.org.

A colorful beer has been added to the menu at Old Bust Head Brew and it is available on draft and to-go for customers to come and try.

Old Bust Head Brew calls it: Summer Cherry Wit. It is a tart brew that is made with sweet and sour cherry puree, according to Old Bust Head Brew’s Twitter post.

The brewery stated that they add an orange peel and coriander to give it a spice while the wheat in the brew along with Pilsen malts helps keep the brew smooth and crushable.

?New Beer Alert! ?

Summer Cherry Wit is a tart fruited wit brewed w/ heaps of sweet & sour cherry puree. Orange peel & coriander add subtle spice while wheat & Pilsen malts help keep Summer Cherry smooth and crushable.

Summer Cherry Wit is available on draft & to-go Sat 7/18! pic.twitter.com/gcjQI6U0G2

— Old Bust Head Brew (@oldbustheadbrew) July 17, 2020

Old Bust Head Brewery is located at 7134 Farm Station Road in Vint Hill.

Potomac Local is on a mission to help bring restaurants back on their feet after the hard-hitting effects of the pandemic. If you are a business owner and would like us to consider posting about your establishment, please tweet us @PotomacLocal on Twitter.

The 2020 Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) weekend events will shift to virtual-only due to ongoing public health concerns from the coronavirus.

According to a press release from the Marine Corps Marathon Organization, officials have stated how they feel about the virtual event and why they chose that route.

“We explored various approaches to safely execute a live event and held numerous meetings with Marine Corps leadership, local government and public health officials,” said Rick Nealis, director of the Marine Corps Marathon Organization. “We understand this is disappointing news for many, but we could no longer envision a way to gather together in compliance with safety guidelines. While we are unable to celebrate in-person this October, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the 45th anniversary event to the homes of runners around the world through a rewarding and engaging virtual experience.”

According to the press release, the virtual MCM events including the MCM, MCM10K, MCM50K, and the MCM Semper Fun Mile must be completed between October 1 and November 10, the Marine Corps birthday. All participants will receive the corresponding participant shirt, commemorative bib, patch, and/or finisher medal.

Runners will also have access to an online event program, personalized finisher certificate, the MCM audio experience, and several new digital engagement platforms, according to Public Relations Coordinator Jheanel Walters.

Further instructions and a link to the registration change form will be sent this week to the e-mail address provided by participants during registration. The deadline for currently registered runners to take action on the change form is August 5, 2020.

Walters states that runners who are currently in the live MCM or MCM50K category have the option to defer entry to a future year (2021, 2022, or 2023) of the runner’s choice at no additional fee. These runners will have a guaranteed virtual entry available for purchase for 24 hours following initiation of the deferment process.

Runners may also request a full registration refund including carbo dining tickets and bib mail out, if purchased.

According to Walter, runners who already deferred to a future year and paid a deferment fee will receive an automatic refund of the $30 fee and have the option to remain deferred for a later year or request a full registration refund including carbo dining tickets and bib mail out, if purchased.

Walter states runners who previously transferred directly from the live to the virtual event have the option to request a partial refund of the registration fee, minus the $45 virtual entry fee, or cancel their registration and request a full registration refund.

Virtual event registration is open to the public. Entry fees are $45 for the MCM and MCM50K, $33 for the MCM10K, and $20 for the Semper Fun Mile, according to Walters.

Refunds of registration fees will be processed beginning on August 6, 2020 and may take between four to six weeks to complete. Processing fees will not be refunded.

“Health and safety are our top priorities during this challenging time,” said Libby Garvey, Arlington County Board Chair. “The Marine Corps Marathon is a treasured event and tradition in our community that Arlingtonians look forward to each year. As we celebrate the race’s 45th anniversary this year, we will be enthusiastically and virtually cheering on each runner. We can’t wait to welcome these dedicated athletes and fans back to Arlington in person in 2021.”

In addition to marking its 45th anniversary, this year’s MCM commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima by featuring actual volcanic ash collected at that site within the event medal.

Dolores Veronica Maier Roeske, aged 87, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 surrounded by family at the home she shared with her youngest son’s family.

Dolores was born to Wilhelm Maier and Marie Schgoer on December 1, 1932 in Wolf Point, Montana.  She was the second youngest of nine raised on her family farm when, as a high school senior, she opted to take an au pair job in town to be closer to school. She graduated high school and moved to Great Falls, Montana with her sister Mathilda (Tillie) where the sisters and their friends attended USO dances. At one dance, Dolores caught the eye of a young airman, Elmer Otto Roeske. The couple married on June 22, 1957 after a yearlong courtship. A family quickly followed with the birth of their first son in 1958. The Air Force moved the family several times over the next 10 years – Illinois to Texas to Arlington, VA during which time the couple welcomed two more sons. Of all the postings, Dolores enjoyed Texas the most, but the USAF had other plans and stationed Elmer at the Pentagon in 1967. When Elmer retired from the USAF in 1971, the couple permanently settled in Prince William County, VA and opened the Triangle Bakery.   After the couple entered full retirement, they embarked on many road trips to visit family and friends in Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Wolf Point, Montana as well as many other excursions. When they were home, they frequented local berry picking farms, County fairs and area attractions, most times with a grandchild or two in tow.

A devoted Catholic all her life, Dolores was very active in Our Lady of Angels parish, attending daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration and was part of the Catholic Women’s Council. She encouraged her sons to send their children to local Catholic schools and often joined her grandchildren for their weekly Masses and special events. She found solace in praying the Rosary daily and thoroughly enjoyed Mother Angelica’s EWTN programs, but her greatest joy may have been when Elmer converted to Catholicism. She will be fondly remembered for her tender care of Elmer, doting on her grandchildren and her homemade strawberry jam.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Rodney of Dallas, TX., Raymond and Stephanie of Lovettsville, VA and Richard and Angela of Montclair, VA, seven grandchildren – Michael (USMC) and wife Ekaterina, Lauren, Christopher (USN), Stephen (US Army) and wife Amanda, Annalea, Nikolas and Richard Joseph (Ricky) – and four great-grandchildren, Rilee Saunders, Chiara, Freya (Michael) and Braylon Thomas (Lauren) as well as her niece Marlene (Lee) Maurer and nephews Doug (Cherie) Heser, Ike Heser and Dean Maier.  Survivors from her husband’s side include Connie Rudsinki Pigati, Richard Rudsnki and Sally Rudsinki Pelg, and many great nieces and nephews and dear friends Helen Hackett, Rita and John Cierny.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Elmer, and her brothers, Joseph, William, James, Francis and sisters Marie Heser, Victoria Maier, Mathilda Maier, Genevieve (Sister Mary Cordis) Maier.

The family would like to thank the Adult Day Care Center Staff who provided her a warm and nurturing environment for the last 5 years to spend her daytime hours.  VITAS Hospice for their care and compassion her last 2 years.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home in Dale City where Life Celebration services will be held from 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-8:00PM. Her funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Triangle, VA on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 11:00AM, with internment at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA immediately following Mass. Please have a face covering and be sure to practice social distancing while attending the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102.  We will be setting up a Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team in her honor.