From Mayor Earnie Porta:
Some of you may have noticed new 20 mph signs on a small stretch of Washington Street in Occoquan. Effective this past July 1, the Commonwealth of Virginia authorized localities to reduce the speed limit to no lower than 15 mph on state roads within a locality’s boundaries.
On October 24, a man was charged in connection to a domestic dispute at the Stone Pointe Apartments that occurred on October 23, where the individual allegedly strangled and struck a 23-year-old woman. The suspect faces charges of strangulation and domestic assault, with a court date pending.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
Press Release from Prince William County Public Schools:
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recognized 13 Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) as 2024 Virginia Purple Star schools, including eight first-time designees and five renewals. Schools earning this distinction must apply to renew their status every three years. These newly designated schools join 39 existing PWCS Purple Star schools, bringing the total to 47. This impressive achievement means that nearly half (49%) of all PWCS schools now hold the Purple Star Designation. The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display onsite.
A sign for Republican Senate Candidate Hung Cao and Republican Derrick Anderson, running to replace the outgoing Abigail Spanberger in Congress, was spotted defaced today at Prince William Parkway and Ridgefield Road in Woodbridge.
On October 27, police were called to a robbery on Prince William Parkway involving three men who multiple men robbed at gunpoint, police said. The day before, another robbery occurred in Woodbridge where a man with a rifle demanded property from two people sitting inside their car, police said. The two robberies appear to be unrelated.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
The Prince William District of National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) hosted a successful 2024 John D. Jenkins Good Scout Award Dinner on October 17, 2024, at Old Hickory Golf Course in Woodbridge, VA. The event honored outstanding individuals who exemplify the ideals of Scouting and attracted community leaders, elected officials, business owners, Scout volunteers, and friends, creating a memorable evening of inspiration and recognition while raising $40,000 for Scouting programs.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from Host Committee Co-Chair Marty Nohe, followed by an invocation led by Pastor Stephen Bohannon of St. Matthews Lutheran Church. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner while connecting with fellow attendees and reflecting on the importance of community service.
Please be advised the 95/395 Express Lanes will begin overnight reversal the night of October 30 / the morning of October 31, 2024, an hour early at 12 midnight instead of 1 a.m.
The change enables work on the Opitz Boulevard Project.
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.
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation has awarded Woodbridge’s Freedom High School $25,000 to build a dedicated outdoor learning space, which is expected to open in the spring.
As the home for the Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS) program, Freedom High School will now be able to provide students in this program with a necessary outdoor learning space, a press release stated. CENS allows students to engage in lab and field science, interactive research and hands-on projects.
Prince William County Parks and Recreation partnered with Amazon Web Services InCommunites, a sector of the cloud-based service that helps local communities, and KABOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity, to make the new Fairmont Park playground possible.
The playground was designed by 30 children from Prince William County who shared drawings of their dream space. Demolition on the existing playground started in early October, and the playground was just recently completed following a week-long effort by volunteers to construct the new space.
