Held at the school driver's education range, the event was meant to "inspire students to consider careers in public service and skilled trades," a county press release stated.
FFM showcased various vehicles in the fleet and its maintenance equipment. The Prince William County Police Department also brought some emergency vehicles to show URHS students how to manage and maintain the vehicle during an emergency.
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The Stafford County School Board is deciding on new high school boundaries as the district confronts rising enrollment numbers, resource imbalances, and transportation challenges. The Board is set to cast its final vote on December 10, 2024 in January 2025, a decision that will impact thousands of families across the county.
The anticipated decision comes as Stafford County experiences unprecedented growth, with an expected increase of over 2,400 students in the next five years. By 2034, that number is projected to exceed 6,000 additional students, straining existing facilities and prompting the need for realigned boundaries.
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Opitz Boulevard Ramp Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 11 a.m. to noon, local leaders will officially open the Opitz Boulevard ramp on the 95 Express Lanes. This $70 million project, funded by Transurban and executed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Shirley Contracting Company, provides a dedicated northbound access point for morning commuters, connecting directly to a busy area that includes Sentara Medical Center, Potomac Mills, and the new Neabsco-Potomac Commuter Garage. This new entry to the Express Lanes is the first stand-alone ramp integrated into the 95/395 Express Lanes network, and it is expected to relieve congestion for drivers heading northbound during peak hours.
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At the Occoquan Town Council’s November 6 meeting, members revisited the Riverwalk Project, a long-anticipated expansion to connect more of the town’s waterfront to its main pedestrian pathways.
This discussion followed up on plans from the September 20, 2022 meeting, when the council authorized the Berkley Group to develop a comprehensive project vision covering the Riverwalk and Riverwalk Overlook expansions. This plan, funded through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), involved a survey of local conditions, community feedback sessions, and preliminary diagrams, ultimately completed in September 2023.
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On November 7, an investigation was initiated into an assault at Freedom High School involving a school security officer who allegedly pinched an 18-year-old female student's cheek during an inappropriate conversation on October 8. The officer, 41, was charged with assault and battery and served with a summons on November 8.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Assault & Battery – On November 7, the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Freedom High School located at 15201 Neabsco Mills Rd in Woodbridge (22191) began an investigation into an assault by a school staff member against a student that reportedly occurred on October 8. The investigation revealed the victim, an 18-year-old female student, was on a bus in the parking lot of the school when she encountered a school security officer, identified as the accused. During the encounter, the accused pinched the victim’s cheek while he engaged in an inappropriate conversation. No injuries were reported. The incident recently came to the attention of school officials who notified the police. Following the investigation, the SRO obtained a summons for the accused, identified as Pedro S. CHIRINO who was served on November 8.Charged on November 8: [No photo available] Pedro S. CHIRINO, 41, of 4008 Presidential Hill Lp in Dumfries Charged with assault & battery Court Date: Pending | Status: Released on Court Summons
Because the county, the City of Manassas and Manassas Park receive $3 million in federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the county is administering this survey to best determine where the highest needs are in the community.
Some of the questions on the form are:
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What we’re covering just this week:
– School Boundary Changes: With Stafford County’s high schools set to face unprecedented growth, the school board is taking decisive action on new boundaries that will affect thousands of families.
– Occoquan’s Riverwalk Project: The Town Council is on a mission to connect more of Occoquan’s beautiful waterfront, but challenges remain.
– Stafford’s New Courthouse: At $209 million, this proposed facility is more than just a building—it’s a response to critical needs for space, safety, and accessibility.
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At the November 6, 2024, Prince William County School Board meeting, multiple parents addressed the board with concerns and feedback about the district's pilot cell phone policy, which restricts student phone use during school hours.
The policy, which affects both middle and high schools, allows limited cell phone use for high school students during lunch and hallway transitions, while middle school students follow a stricter "off and away for the day" rule.
