February 18 is Battery Day! A day to pay homage to an everyday item that humans often take for granted.

If batteries were human, they would probably feel unappreciated and even neglected based on careless ways they can be treated.

However, batteries should be respected every day. Batteries power so many different devices and provide convenience and freedom that are unmatched by an electrical cord. To appreciate batteries, imagine what your life would be like without them.

Batteries are used in countless commonplace items — mobile phones, flashlights, laptop computers, radios, tablets, watches, e-cigarettes, smoke detectors, handheld game devices, television remotes, toys, automotive vehicles, robo vacuum cleaners, garden tools, hoverboards, and more. Many of these items, which are powered by batteries, we would not want to live without.

Batteries are so commonplace and versatile that it is easy to be lulled into complacency when using or handling them. However, if these ubiquitous power packs are handled, stored or disposed of improperly, they can be dangerous to humans and harmful to the environment.

More and more, improperly disposed batteries are the cause of fires and explosions at recycling facilities, landfills, and waste incinerators. According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report, the number of accidents involving batteries is increasing every year. For example, over 25,000 fire incidents involving about 400 different lithium battery powered consumer products occurred in the five-year period between 2013 and 2018. However, in the last three years, more than 31,000 fires of the same type occurred.

All types of batteries can be dangerous if not handled, stored, and transported properly. Incredibly, 9-volt batteries have been linked to home fires. News 5 Cleveland provides the story of two home fires caused by 9-volt batteries that were improperly stored.

Tips for Battery Care and Storage:

• Never touch or allow anything else to touch both terminals at the same time.
• Never store batteries loose, piled, or bagged in such a way that posts can touch.
• Store batteries out of reach of children.
• Small batteries should be stored in original packaging whenever possible.
• 9-volt batteries should be stored standing up if possible.
• Do not store batteries in “junk drawers” or boxes of assorted items.
• Never allow batteries to contact metal – don’t’ store them around paper clips, binder clips, coins, silverware, screwdrivers, etc.
• Don’t store different types of batteries together.
• Never burn or expose batteries to flames.
• Be aware that all batteries will eventually leak. Watch for corrosion. Avoid touching corroded batteries with bare hands.
• Even weak or dead batteries will retain enough charge to cause fires or shock, so careful.
• Never allow batteries to contact water.
• Never take apart a battery.
• Only recharge batteries that are designed to be recharged.
• Any tool used around batteries should be non-conductive.
• Never smoke around batteries.
• Recycle used batteries properly.

Residents of Fauquier County and the cities of Fredericksburg and Harrisonburg were among the 58 new Virginia State Police (VSP) Troopers who officially graduated on Friday.

During the 135th Basic Session’s 27-week tenure at the VSP Academy, trainees received instruction in more than 100 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours. Academy training includes such areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self- defense, cultural diversity and firearms.

• Trooper Justin C. Grable, 23, of Fauquier County, will begin his VSP career in Clarke County.
• Trooper Logan A. Hinnant, 24, of the city of Fredericksburg, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bluefield University and begins his VSP career in Prince William County.
• Fauquier County resident, Trooper Kortney M. Leazer, 22, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and will begin her VSP career in Bedford County.
• City of Harrisonburg resident, Trooper Eli S. Thies, 22, heads to Henrico County for his first duty assignment.

On Thursday, February 24, the Chamber will celebrate 12 years of Excellence in Business for Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Nominations were accepted through December from members of the community for Prince William Chamber of Commerce members.  Chamber Members could be nominated in one of seven categories.  Each of these nominees will be eligible to win the People’s Choice Award, where the winner is selected by the Chamber Membership via a survey.

The Chamber also accepted nominations for the Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards.  Awarded to two not-for-profit organizations making a demonstrable positive contribution to the quality of life in the Greater Prince William Region.  Each award is accompanied by a check for $1,000 to continue the winner’s work.  Awards are given in two categories:  Arts & Education or Health & Human Services.  In addition, the 7th Annual Charles J. Colgan Visionary Award will be announced and presented.  As in the past the 3 jurisdictions also have an opportunity to award a deserving business or individual of their choosing to receive an award.

Winners are chosen by a committee of Chamber Members and will be announced the evening of the awards.

Introducing the Prince William Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business Award Nominees for the following categories:

Community Outreach
•     3 Monkeys Pub and Chophouse
•     Apple Federal Credit Union
•     Burke & Herbert Bank
•     Commonwealth Aviation
•     Dominion Woman’s Club
•     Future Kings
•     George Mason University/MAP Clinic
•     House of Mercy Food Pantry and Thrift Store
•     Jewelry By Designs
•     John Marshall Bank
•     Mosquito Joe
•     Northwest Federal Credit Union
•     Potomac Valley Church
•     Rosie’s Gaming Emporium
•     Speak Up Manassas Toastmasters
•     Tuscani Restaurant

Emerging Business of the Year
•     Circle of Trust Senior Resources LLC
•     Commonwealth Aviation
•     Crazy Good Mask
•     Northern Virginia Food Rescue
•     Pride In Planning, LLC
•     Pure barre Woodbridge
•     Red Effects Infrared Fitness
•     Spherion Staffing and Recruiting
•     Synergy HomeCare of Lake Ridge
•     Teachables
•     The Salisbury Center

Excellence in Business (11+ Employees)
•     Able Moving & Storage, Inc.
•     Bella Vita Italian Restaurant
•     Brown, Mobley & Way P.C.
•     Chantilly Air
•     CroppMetcalfe
•     G&C Tire and auto Service
•     Glory Days Grill
•     Loudoun Insurance Group
•     Micron Technology, Inc.
•     Milrich Virtual Professionals LLC
•     Mr. Handyman
•     Northwest Federal Credit Union
•     OmniRide
•     Pineapple Payments
•     The Junkluggers of Gainesville, VA
•     Whitlock Wealth Management
•     Wind River Chimes

Innovation in Hospitality & Tourism
•     Bella Vita Italian Restaurant
•     CraftWorx Taproom
•     MurLarkey Distilled Spirits
•     The Osprey’s at Belmont Bay
•     Transaction Expert
•     Zandra’s Taqueria

Innovative Practice or Partnership of the Year
•     Buffalo Wild Wings
•     George Mason University/College of Health and Human Services
•     Historic Manassas Inc
•     House of Mercy
•     Metro Sign & Design, Inc
•     Patient First
•     Teachables
•     The City of Manassas, SkillSource Group, PW County Schools Adult Education Program

Tech Company of the Year
•     BAE Systems
•     General Computer Development (GCD)
•     Transaction Expert

Excellence in Small Business
•     Carter Group Consultants
•     Circle of Trust Senior Resources, LLC.
•     Commonwealth Aviation
•     De Lune Corp
•     District Hemp
•     Eidos Technologies, LLC
•     Evolution Printing
•     fiveC Consulting
•     Frye & Company, CPAs
•     Humbrecht Law PLLC
•     Kwons Champion School
•     McNeal and Company Creative Solutions
•     Mini Price Storage
•     Mystic Flow Wellness Center
•     Oak Hill Awards Inc.
•     Pampa’s Fox Catering
•     Professionals by Design
•     SBR Workplace Leadership Services
•     Semifreddo Italian Cuisine
•     Spherion Staffing & Recruiting
•     Sweeney Barn
•     Transaction Expert

Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Award – Arts & Education
•     Freedom Museum
•     Greater Manassas Baseball League (GMBL)
•     Prince William Library Foundation
•     Virginia National Ballet

Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Award – Health & Human Services
•     Agape Love in Action, Inc
•     CASA Children’s Intervention Services, Inc
•     Community Residences, Inc.
•     Dominion Womans Club – SWEATS FOR VA VETS
•     House of Mercy
•     Keep Prince William Beautiful
•     Leadership Prince William
•     LifeConnect Community Church
•     Northern Virginia Food Rescue
•     Semper K9 Assistance Dogs
•     Streetlight Community Outreach Ministries
•     Volunteer Prince William

Charles J. Colgan Visionary Award
•     Dr. Randall Edwards
•     Lovey Hammel
•     Dr. Alice Howard
•     Michael Lubeley, Esq
•     The Honorable Harry J. “Hal” Parrish, II

The 2022 Business Awards and Silent Auction is only made possible thanks to the many sponsors and event partners. Huge thank you to the Business Growth Vision Partner – Prince William County Industrial Development Authority, Charles J. Colgan Visionary Award Sponsor – Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C., Program Sponsor – Loveless Porter Architects, LLC, and Celebration Toast Sponsor – Whitlock Wealth Management.

Enjoy a black tie optional evening out and recognize the business leaders of our local community of innovation, community involvement and incredible growth as entrepreneurs and a business community.

Join us Thursday, February 24, 5:30 p.m. at Heritage Hunt Gold and Country Club, 6901 Arthur Hills Dr. Gainesville. Tickets: Members $95.00 & $125 for Future Members with Table Sponsors Available.

A plated dinner, wine and cash bar will be provided. This event will include a Silent Auction for attendees. Register to attend at pwchamber.org or call 703-368-6600.

A team of students from Metz Middle School was selected as one of 57 winners in an inaugural nationwide challenge designed to attract, engage and prepare future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals.

The winning teams of the NASA TechRise Student Challenge will gain real-world STEM experience by building experiments that autonomously operate and collect data from the edge of space aboard a suborbital rocket or a high-altitude balloon.

NASA received more than 600 proposals from teams in grades sixth through twelfth, hoping to win the opportunity to design, build then launch their experiment. Metz’s team, Purple Wind, was the only middle school team in the state to win and one of only two teams in the Commonwealth to be selected.

Carey Hancey, a science teacher at Metz, serves as the team sponsor. Purple Wind is comprised of both seventh and eighth-grade students from her IMS Research classes. She said the team’s concept came from an interest in Mars colonization. Since Mars is windy, the students wanted to research how wind could energize a LED light board to promote vegetation on the planet.

“As Mars encompasses a third of the gravitational pull as that witnessed on Earth, the students wanted to gather data on whether microgravity conditions would affect the luminosity of a LED light board,” explained Hancey.

As a winning team, Purple Wind will receive $1,500 to build their experiment and a NASA-funded spot to test it on a suborbital rocket flight operated by Blue Origin or UP Aerospace. While on the suborbital rocket, the experiment will have three minutes of testing in microgravity.

Winners also receive a suite of materials for preparing their payloads, access to flight simulator software, and technical support from experts. Developed experiments will be sent in later this year. Those experiments are expected to launch in Spring 2023.

“The support from the administration and the school board was much appreciated,” Hancey said. “I am certainly pleased that this team was awarded this opportunity for academic enrichment and group work. Not to mention the mentorship that will provide support and allow the students to interact with professionals!”

Administered by Future Engineers, the challenge aims to inspire students to seek a deeper understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, space exploration, coding, and electronics, as well as an appreciation of the importance of test data.

“At NASA, we educate and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “The TechRise Student Challenge is an excellent way for students to get hands-on experience designing, building, and launching experiments on suborbital vehicles. I’m so impressed we received hundreds of entries from across the country, and I want to congratulate the winning teams. I can’t wait to see these incredible experiments come to life!”

Winning proposals included measuring greenhouse gases, space farm irrigation systems, lunar dust mitigation, exploring human health in space, and understanding the effects of microgravity on physical phenomenon ranging from the behavior of waves in liquids to the effectiveness of inkjet printing.

A slate of nearly 500 volunteer judges, including teachers, NASA personnel, and technology subject matter experts, offered their time, passion, and expertise to review entries and select winners across a broad geographic distribution. Proposals were evaluated on criteria including the originality of their flight experiment idea, its impact on education and/or society, and the quality of the build plan.

NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, part of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, manages the challenge with support from NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. Flight Opportunities is based at Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

Walk, run, or bike to support adult literacy in our community in BEACON for Adult Literacy’s 2nd Annual Virtual Walkathon, April 10–30, 2022.

The live event will take place on April 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the St. Benedict Monastery campus, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. This year’s live event will feature family fun activities, food trucks, raffle, face painting and other family friendly activities. For more details, please visit beaconliteracy.org/walkathon.

Proceeds of the walk benefit BEACON for Adult Literacy, which provides English classes, U.S. Citizenship exam preparation, and job readiness skills training for adults in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. BEACON is celebrating 30 years of empowering adult learners in our community and has continued to provide classes and services virtually throughout the COVID-19 national emergency.

“Our students’ efforts to continue learning during these times is an example of hope, perseverance and strength,” says Theresa Brenner, BEACON board chair. “Please join me in supporting our students so they can realize their education and employment goals and make a positive contribution to our community.”

Register to walk as an individual or team, or donate to BEACON’s program, at beaconliteracy.org. For sponsorship opportunities, call Marilyn Harrington, 203-219-2779.

BEACON for Adult Literacy is the recipient of the 2021 Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Award: Arts & Education from the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, and is recognized as “one of the best” local nonprofits by the Greater Washington Catalogue for Philanthropy.

About BEACON

BEACON helps adult students in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, Virginia, learn English and build job skills so that they can take advantage of educational and employment opportunities, access vital services, and achieve the goals they set for themselves. BEACON is a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia. Learn more at beaconliteracy.or

Greetings, Prince William – Independence Empowerment Center (IEC) is still recruiting individuals to join their Board of Directors for a three-year term.  One-half of the Board must include those with disabilities.  Board members should have a sincere interest in the ability of individuals with disabilities to lead an independent lifestyle, a strong belief in the role of IEC in the community and a willingness to advocate on behalf of a specific service population.  Please call Dr. Lopez at 703.257.5400, ext. 117 for more information.

The folks at ACTS Hunger Prevention Center have an urgent need for Donation Drivers Wednesdays thru Sundays.  Drivers can use an ACTS van or their own vehicle for food pickups.  There’s a variety of places to choose from, and you’ll feel great as you deliver food which will help food insecure families in our community!  Please contact Shirley at 703.441.8606, ext. 288 or [email protected] to learn more.

You can help fight hunger!  The Community Feeding Taskforce Food Helpline urgently needs Spanish speaking volunteers who can assist with answering calls to the Helpline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Volunteers will answer calls from those in need of food, redirect callers to a food pantry closest to where they live and arrange home deliveries for shut-ins.  Training is provided; however, volunteers will work from home and must have their own computer and Internet access.  It’s a flexible schedule and call volume is low enough someone can do this while working from home.  Please visit https://bit.ly/314ZgDn for more information and click on the Respond button to sign up.

Delta Sigma Theta will be hosting a Virtual Town Hall Forum with Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham February 7 at 6:30pm via Zoom.  Members of the community will have an opportunity to hear the plans of the Chief of the Prince William County Police Department and get answers to their questions.  Please pre-register athttps://bit.ly/34vdvTp.

Due to inclement weather on January 17, the members of Delta Sigma Theta had to postpone their MLK Day of Service Project.  As soon as a new date is determined, we will share that information.  In the meantime, please keep those winter coats, blankets, sleeping bags, tarps, hats, gloves and socks on standby to donate.  Thank you!

Do you enjoy coaching kids’ sports?  General Heiser Boys & Girls Club in Dumfries needs volunteer Volleyball and Basketball Coaches age 18+ for the upcoming spring season, early March thru mid-June.  Basketball teams run Kindergarten and through high school; volleyball teams run 3rd grade through high school.  Teams meet 2 evenings a week for practices and/or games; some Saturdays may also be needed.  You’ll feel great as you coach young sports enthusiasts and help them learn about teamwork!  Please visit https://bit.ly/32Buhzo for details and click on the Respond button to sign up. Please email [email protected] to learn more.

Teens, if you need service hours, we’ve got a fun opportunity for you!  Historic Manassas, Inc. is hosting Souper Bowl 2022 on February 4, 6pm-9pm, and volunteers age 16+ are needed as Souper Bowl Attendants/Servers.  You’ll have fun ladling out soup at this popular event which attracts up to 500 attendees!  Please visit https://bit.ly/3eYrYt1 to sign up.  Questions?  Email [email protected].

Medical Reserve Corps  Support your local health department and your community during a public health emergency!  Volunteers are needed to support several missions, including public health education and outreach, disease investigation, vaccine clinics, and more!  Medical experience is not required; they have roles for everyone!  Bilingual volunteers are especially needed.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age, complete minimum training, and pass a state background check to serve.  Please fill out an application at vamrc.org.  Questions?  Please email Amy at [email protected] for more information.

Parents, are you looking for something you can do with the kids?  Prince William Public Libraries is hosting Valentines for Veterans, now through February 4!  Stop by any library to color a valentine which will be given to a veteran.  You can also print out a valentine to design and color from the library’s Facebook page (Prince William Public Libraries) or Twitter (@PrinceWmLibrary).  Please contact your local library to learn more.

Wreaths Across America needs volunteers to help “retire” wreaths at Quantico National Cemetery on January 29 beginning at 10am.  Signup is required, please visit https://bit.ly/WreathRemovalQuantico to register for this family-friendly event.  Please email [email protected] for more information.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292.  You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org.  Thanks so much for all you do in our community.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 24, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will adjust daily opening hours to noon at its 395 stores.

Increasing numbers of ABC’s retail employees continue to be affected by COVID-19 making staffing in stores difficult. This change in hours will enable Virginia ABC’s limited workforce to better serve its customers. Store closing times will remain the same.

“Like other retailers affected by pandemic-related staffing shortages, we are modifying our store hours to reduce the need to close stores because of employee quarantines,” said CEO Travis Hill. “Opening at noon meets the needs of the majority of our customers, most of whom prefer to shop in the afternoon.”

Virginia ABC continues to follow safety measures recommended for retailers by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All ABC stores are equipped with Plexiglas shields at registers and undergo daily cleaning and sanitizing with particular attention to the most frequented areas. All store employees are required to wear face masks. For everyone’s health and safety, customers are encouraged to also wear face masks when shopping in an ABC store.

As an alternative to in-store shopping, customers can place orders online at www.abc.virginia.gov for curbside pickup or home delivery in nearly all areas of the commonwealth.

ABC continues to monitor information coming from the CDC, VDH and the governor’s office regarding COVID-19. Future decisions related to ABC store operations will be made with guidance from these official sources and implemented on a case-by-case basis.

Merritt Properties announced today that the company has completed the first of two Class A light industrial buildings at Merritt Business Park at Quantico Corporate Center, with 46,995 square feet pre-leased to local tech company Hayats Pro and government contractor UVision USA Corporation. The park is the commercial developer’s first project in Stafford County. Once fully developed, the park will include two buildings totaling 171,000 square feet of single-story, 18-foot clear space.

With an extensive fiber-optic network, HUBZone designation and adjacency to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Merritt Business Park is expected to cater to a diverse industry base, including government contractors, distribution centers, manufacturing and service providers. The park also offers I-95 visibility at exit 148, with easy access to the interstate and Jefferson Davis Highway.

According to Merritt’s Scott Longendyke, who is spearheading the leasing efforts, “When designing these buildings, Merritt was committed to creating high-quality, flexible spaces that would meet the needs of smaller single-bay users, as well as larger warehouse and distribution requirements. We’re thrilled to be able to support the growth of the local business community.”

Hayats Pro signed on as the project’s first tenant, relocating the company’s headquarters from Stafford to 21,690 square feet at Merritt Business Park. The company is a leading multi-brand technology solutions provider to business, government, education and healthcare organizations. With plans to expand product offerings and grow their employee base, Hayat’s new headquarters will include the company’s corporate offices as well as their distribution warehouse. The company intends to add tech, warehouse and distribution positions as part of its move to the new facility.

“Hayats Pro is excited to announce our transition to a new office and warehouse space built by Merritt,” stated Co-Founder Rolly Hayat. “As we continue to grow, this facility will allow us to scale our business to better serve both our clients and rapidly growing team.”

Defense contractor UVision USA Corporation will occupy an additional 25,305 square feet of the building. The Israel-based company designs and manufactures smart defense equipment systems that use the integration of advanced airborne guidance and sophisticated navigation algorithms. The Quantico location will house the company’s production facility for drones and the HERO series of systems for the U.S. government.

“We reviewed numerous facilities and locations around the Commonwealth and found this Merritt property completely meets our expectations regarding the size, growth potential, and location. We are happy to be part of the Merritt family,” says Jim Truxel CEO of UVision USA.

Merritt Business Park is located within Quantico Corporate Center (QCC), the region’s premier Class A business park. The campus is home to leading defense and technology companies, the US government and top academic programs offering both undergraduate and graduate-level degrees.

Merritt’s second project in Stafford County, Merritt at Austin Ridge, is currently in development and will offer five light industrial buildings totaling 393,075.

“With our second building just weeks from completion and Merritt at Austin Ridge on the horizon, we are looking forward to continuing to develop in Stafford County,” said Longendyke. “The area has so much to offer in terms of access, infrastructure, workforce development and a business-friendly climate. It’s a strong foundation on which to build successful companies.”

Merritt Construction Services, the construction division of Merritt Companies, is managing the site development, shell construction and interior buildouts.

The Stafford County School Board unanimously elected its new chair and vice-chair during the January 11, 2022 annual organizational school board meeting. The 2022 school board chair is Ms. Patricia Healy and Ms. Susan Randall will serve in the vice-chair position.

Ms. Healy has served as the Rock Hill Representative on the school board for 22 years. She is presently on the board’s Governance and Joint Schools Working Committees and serves as liaison to the Stafford Education Foundation and the Board of Supervisors’ Legislative Committee.

“I am honored to serve as the chair of the school board. With the continued support of our community and the addition of our three new board members we will seamlessly carry on the board’s unwavering commitment to Stafford County Public Schools’ vision of preparing students for success in further education, work, and citizenship,” said Healy.

The 2022 Stafford County School Board representatives are as follows:

Dr. Sarah Chase – Falmouth District
Ms. Alyssa Halstead – Hartwood District
Ms. Patricia Healy – Rock Hill District
Ms. Maya Guy – Aquia District
Ms. Susan Randall – George Washington District
Dr. Elizabeth Warner – Griffis-Widewater District
Ms. Maureen Siegmund – Garrisonville District

The Stafford County School Board welcomes comments from parents, students, and residents, believing that strong community engagement is an important component of a successful school system. The community is encouraged to provide comments during regular school board meetings. School board meetings are held in the school board chambers, located at 31 Stafford Avenue in Stafford, VA.

For more information about the school board and its members, please visit the Stafford County School Board website. For more information on Stafford County Public Schools visit www.staffordschools.net.