Press Release

Clearing subdivision streets and low-volume secondary roads is the leading task for Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crew members today in the 14-county Fredericksburg District.

VDOT crews and contractor staff worked overnight to plow state-maintained streets in neighborhoods and apply sand for additional traction. Crews will continue working 24 hours a day, in 12-hour shifts, until all roads are clear. VDOT’s goal is to have all state roads passable by Thursday morning, which is 48 hours after the end of this storm.

For 40 years, families in need from Manassas and Western Prince William County have turned to SERVE for the most basic of needs: a safe place to sleep, their next meal, or perhaps a warm winter jacket. On Friday, March 20, members of the community will come together to mark the first 40 years of SERVE with a special dinner dance at the Continental Events Center, 9705 Liberia Avenue, in Manassas, at 6:30 p.m.

The program will feature a buffet dinner, silent auction, dancing and music provided by the Type A Band. Special Founder’s Awards will be given to the individual, civic group, faith-based organization, and company who have been particularly strong supporters of SERVE over the years.

Ways to Help Prevent Frozen Water Pipes:

Seal air drafts around fixtures.

As yet another brutal cold front bears down on our area, the Prince William Professional Fire Fighters are happy to relay that with the help of our community we have been able to supply over $2,000 in winter coats to children right here in our community. As public servants we are often called to help our neighbors in the most desperate moments of their lives. We are afforded, like it or not, a raw view of the struggle that families are enduring right here in Prince William County. It is awe inspiring to see the community that we serve rally to help those in need.

We held multiple fundraising efforts throughout last year. These included church collections, a poker run, and first annual Prince William Cup Soccer Tournament between PWC Career Fire Fighters and PWC Police. The coats were distributed through Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary School in Woodbridge and BARN Transitional Housing for homeless women and children in Bristow.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews have nearly 900 pieces of equipment ready to deploy in the 14-county Fredericksburg District as soon as snow begins to fall this afternoon.

Yesterday, VDOT crews pre-treated main roads with salt brine to prevent ice and snow from bonding with the pavement. Crews treated Interstate 95, primary roads and key secondary roads throughout the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck, and Middle Peninsula.

Route 1 traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction over the Falmouth Bridge between Stafford County and Fredericksburg tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for repairs to a damaged bridge joint.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) bridge crew will weld a piece of damaged steel on the joint to prevent further damage and deterioration, and to prevent it from becoming a safety hazard for motorists.

Northbound and southbound Interstate 95 traffic will be affected tonight by emergency bridge repair work at the Route 17 overpasses in Stafford County, just north of the Rappahannock River bridge at Exit 133/Falmouth.

Crews will be surveying the deck on two bridges, requiring lane closures in both directions.

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) invites high school students from Virginia’s First District to participate in the 2015 Congressional Art Competition.  The theme for this year’s competition is “Virginia the Beautiful.” All artwork is due by April 8, 2015, and can be submitted to any of Wittman’s congressional office locations.

“The Congressional Art Competition provides a great opportunity for aspiring artists to hone their skills and showcase their talent,” Wittman said. “I look forward to seeing all of the impressive entries that feature the beauty of our Commonwealth from the next generation of local artists. 

January, 2015, Project Mend-A-House (PMAH) will hold it’s first Spring Into Health Fair on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Hylton Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington on 5070 Dale Boulevard in Woodbridge. This free event is a great opportunity for residents of the Prince William Region to check in on their health and ask questions in a no-pressure environment.

The Spring Into Health Fair will feature over 10 free health screenings and assessments including a series of fall risk screening tools. Workshops will be given on a variety of health topics, from anxiety and depression to concussions and sports medicine. There will be activities, prizes and demonstrations for the whole family including a chance to win one of five $100 VISA gift cards!