Press release:

Prince William County, VA… Are you brave enough to weather the February elements in support of a worthy cause? If so, registration has opened for the 2025 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia. This year’s event is at Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge (22191) on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.


Funland Fredericksburg has launched The Wishing Tree program, allowing guests to donate special experiences to families in need through Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Fredericksburg, with the park matching all donations.

The program runs from November 8 to December 15, with donated experiences distributed to families on December 15.


The Prince William County Human Rights Commission is once again accepting nominations for its Universal Human Rights Day Awards. These awards recognize people in the community who have made significant contributions in fostering equality and advancing human rights for all people in Prince William County. All submissions are due by Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.

Past awardees have been recognized for their work in combating sex trafficking, addressing homelessness and alleviating food insecurity. Others earned the award through activities such as mentoring Prince William County youth, providing health education and workshops tutoring, supporting college and career planning, and promoting informed decision-making.


Three left lanes will close starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, leaving two right lanes open. By 11 a.m. Sunday, an additional lane will reopen, allowing three lanes of traffic. The ramp from I-66 East to Route 28 North will also be limited to a single lane.

All lanes are expected to reopen by 7 p.m. Sunday, though the schedule may change due to weather. For updates, visit the project website or follow @VaDOTNOVA on X.


Key enhancements include a 550-foot platform extension, a new 840-foot island platform, and three elevator towers connected by pedestrian bridges. STV designed the necessary track improvements and a 714-foot retaining wall to support a third track, minimizing disruptions to MCBQ. This project, part of a long-standing partnership between STV and VRE, reflects collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Amtrak, and CSX Transportation.

Press release:


 On November 15, Prince William County will join communities across the nation in celebration of the America Recycles Day (ARD). ARD, an initiative of Keep America Beautiful is an annual awareness campaign dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States since 1997.

To celebrate America Recycles Day, County staff and Keep Prince William Beautiful volunteers will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk with residents about recycling in Prince William County and the “I Recycle” pledge contest at Chinn Park Regional Library on November 13, and Central Library on November 15.


Prince William County’s Solid Waste Division is hosting a free paper shredding event on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pfitzner Stadium parking lot in Woodbridge. This event, open only to residents, allows up to four boxes of confidential documents (e.g., bank statements, tax returns) per household. Non-confidential papers, like junk mail, should go to regular recycling. Participants must stay in their vehicles, with boxes placed in the rear for easy access by event staff. Visit pwcva.gov/trashandrecycling for more guidelines and future shred dates

The Prince William County Solid Waste Division will hold a free document shredding event on Saturday, November 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until trucks reach capacity. The event will be at the Pfitzner Stadium parking lot, 7 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, Va.


Starting Wednesday, Wegmans Food Markets will kick off its companywide Check Out Hunger scan campaign to raise money for the company’s 48 Feeding America food bank partners. According to Feeding America, more than 47 million people in the United States face hunger, including 1 in 5 children. The annual Check Out Hunger campaign raises critical funds for local food banks who provide year-round assistance to food-insecure families.

From October 23 to November 30, customers can donate $2, $3, $5, or any amount at checkout, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to each store’s local food bank. In response to Hurricane Helene, Wegmans’ four North Carolina stores launched their campaign early on October 1 to raise money for local food banks assisting with disaster relief efforts. All donations made at Wegmans’ North Carolina stores will continue to go directly to the shared Feeding the Carolinas fund for local food banks.


Mary Washington Healthcare’s Stafford Hospital has been certified by The Joint Commission (TJC) as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital. The Fredericksburg hospital campus has been certified since 2009.

TJC is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards and accredits health care organizations and programs within the United States. The Acute Stroke Ready Hospital designation is awarded to facilities that meet rigorous standards for stroke care. This includes having a dedicated stroke-focused program, trained staff, and the necessary equipment to diagnose and treat strokes swiftly and effectively. This designation is particularly impactful for Stafford Hospital, as it enhances the hospital’s capability to serve a growing community, ensuring that critical stroke care is quickly accessible to those who need it most.


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