We continue our survey series with our sixth question to our candidates. To help voters in Virginia’s 7th District and statewide make an informed decision, we continue a feature series offering insights into each candidate’s stand on critical issues affecting our area.
Candidates are emailed a question and asked to reply by a deadline. This format lets voters quickly compare the candidates’ views on critical issues, helping them make an informed choice come election day.
Occoquan Elementary is set to become the first net-zero school in Prince William County Schools and will be located in Woodbridge. The new 120,000-square-foot, three-level building will replace the oldest school in PWCS.
“The new Occoquan Elementary School will be a beacon of progress, embodying our dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment while respecting and preserving our planet,” Babur B. Lateef, chairman of the PWCS School Board, said at the ceremony. “This school will be a place where innovation thrives, where students are inspired to think critically and creatively and where they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. By harnessing the power of the sun and the earth, we are setting a precedent for future generations, teaching them the importance of sustainability and the impact of their choices on the world around them.”
Commuters and residents in Woodbridge should prepare for a planned lane closure that will impact traffic on the Opitz Boulevard westbound overpass at Interstate 95. The closure, scheduled from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, is necessary to construct a new ramp linking the I-95 E-ZPass Express Lanes to Opitz Boulevard.
This infrastructure project aims to enhance traffic flow and accessibility to key destinations in the area, including Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and nearby commercial centers. However, as the construction enters a critical phase, disruptions are anticipated. The specific lane closure will allow workers to safely implement parts of the new ramp directly above the Opitz Boulevard overpass.
On Sept. 25, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) in Woodbridge celebrated the new mural recently completed by a local artist, Alethea Marie Robinson.
SNVMC President Jeff Joyner had the idea to have a mural throughout the hallway entering the north side of the hospital from the employee parking lot. Instead of a regular hallway, this one is now adorned with vibrant colors, flowers and butterflies.
Originally moved to the fall during the pandemic, Stafford continues to hold this event in October, unlike other jurisdictions that celebrate in August.
The event will be held at Stafford Marketplace in North Stafford and provides an opportunity for neighbors to meet and connect outside. Registration opened on June 21. The opening ceremony will begin at 5 p.m., and the event is free to the public. Attendees are reminded to leave pets at home unless they are service animals and to refrain from smoking. Weather conditions are monitored, and updates will be provided on the sheriff’s Facebook and X accounts if necessary.
Dear Members,
We seek your insights on the ongoing challenges with the Stafford County Public Schools transportation system. As many of you know, the start of the school year was marked by significant bus scheduling issues, leaving 3,000 children without transportation, as reported in late August. This has continued with late buses and some that never showed, profoundly affecting students and families.
ARLnow.com: “An Arlington business owner and veteran was featured on NBC’s Today Show this week for a life of service to others…Cheeks, of Dumfries, has fostered over 20 children since the late 2000s. In July, she earned the title of Foster Parent of the Year in Prince William County.”
The City of Fredericksburg’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Events received four awards at the 71st Annual Conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society in Norfolk, Virginia. Over 400 delegates, exhibitors, speakers, and volunteers from across the state attended the event, which highlights excellence in parks and recreation programs.
Out of 140 applications across 16 categories, Fredericksburg was recognized in four areas:
On the night of September 29, police were called to the 13500 block of Langtree Lane in Woodbridge to address an attempted carjacking. The incident occurred between a 30-year-old woman and an acquaintance, during which a verbal altercation escalated. The suspect tried to forcibly take the woman’s keys, leading to a brief physical struggle before they separated. The suspect was arrested the following day without any injuries being reported from the incident. He is now facing charges of attempted carjacking and is being held without bond.
