News

Several big projects are in the work for the landfill through the Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board (R-Board) including a new landfill cell, glass recycling program, and wheel wash system.

The R-Board has had an overall drop in revenues for the fiscal year 2020, yet they’re still on-budget since they were ahead of it prior to the coronavirus pandemic taking hold. 


Prince William

Lisamarie Kane will take over as principal of Osbourn Park High School, just outside Manassas, on July 1, 2020.

Kane replaces Neil Beech, who was previously named the principal of the “13th” High School, planned for an opening in Gainesville next year.


The Community Feeding Taskforce continues to have a big need for volunteers who can work in their warehouse located at 8418 Kao Circle, Manassas 20110. Shifts are weekdays, 8 a.m.-Noon or Noon-4 p.m. Duties include receiving bulk food donations, sorting, shelving, and filling smaller orders for shipping to select food distribution locations throughout the area. Be prepared to lift up to 50 pounds. To register, please create an account on volunteerprincewilliam.org, then go into the opportunity to respond. Please email [email protected]  to learn more.

* If you are facing food insecurity, or someone you know needs food assistance during the coronavirus pandemic, the Community Feeding Taskforce Food Helpline is open! This resource is available to anyone living in Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County. Hours for the helpline are Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.. Please call 703.794.4668 during operating hours to request food assistance. Callers over 65 years old will be redirected to ACTS/NVFS (SERVE) food assistance programs to register for direct delivery to their home. Please help spread the word on this important resource! Se habla Español.


Event

Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!

Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.


Prince William

This past Friday saw the Prince William Chamber of Commerce (PWCC) partner with the Prince William County Economic Development (EDO) and Emergency Management Departments (EMD) to provide area businesses with masks and hand sanitizer in celebration of the kickoff of the Phase 1 reopening in the region.

Staff and volunteers from all three organizations as well as two members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors manned three locations throughout the region, providing over 4,000 masks and close to 500 gallons of sanitizer to around 200 area businesses. The locations were at the PWCC’s office in Manassas, the EDO’s office in Gainesville, and the EMD held their end at the Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge.


Prince William

The Prince William County Police Department aims to diversify its ranks.

The department, in conjunction with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), is requesting input from the community on how to improve diversity in recruiting and hiring. The current demographics of the department are as follows: 76% White, 8% African-American, 11% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 2% other.


Opinion

The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy, paraphrasing Dr. King. In this moment of challenge and controversy, we stand with you. We are angry and grieved over the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and we are committed to stand with you as we all fight the racism, inequality, and systemic oppression that continues to plague our society.

And as African-American men who care deeply about our country and our city, we are especially affected by these events.


News

Germanna Community College is offering free zoom sessions for citizens in need of computer and career help over the Summer.

In an effort to help local people laid off due to the pandemic, Germanna Community College is offering a free “Summer Skillup” online class this summer called, “Computers and Career Planning- Your Path to Success.” The class builds an understanding of computer essentials, popular programs, and integrates this knowledge into resume creation for job searches, states Michael Zitz, of Germanna College in an email.


Opinion

As Chair of the Board of PRTC, I understand the importance of providing reliable, safe, and efficient transportation for residents around Prince William County and the D.C. area. The goal of our transit services – The OmniRide and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) – has always been to get residents where they need to go while reducing congestion. OmniRide and the VRE rely heavily on our transit employees to help carry out these goals. Now with COVID-19 critically impacting our economy, our transit workers are even more vital in providing critical transportation services.


Opinion

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” These are the words that come to mind as we contemplate a great injustice that has rattled the nation over the past several days.

Although the death of George Floyd took place hundreds of miles from Stafford County, the impact of this injustice has reverberated across the nation including here in our community. Alongside our community, we watched with horror the chilling video of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd for a prolonged period of time as he pleaded for help and yelled “I can’t breathe.” Several officers stood nearby—doing nothing—as George Floyd took his last breath and died at the hands of the officers who took an oath to protect and serve their communities.