Prince William - Page 131 of 1265

Nonfatal Opioid-Related Overdoses Have More Than Doubled in Region Since 2017

Published August 16, 2024 at 8:30AM

The Prince William Health District (PWHD) has shared the results of a 10-month community-based needs assessment aimed at evaluating factors contributing to opioid-use disorder (OUD) in the Greater Prince William region. Conducted as part of the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Community Engagement grant, the assessment provides critical insights into the opioid crisis and offers recommendations for targeted interventions.

The assessment, conducted from September 2023 to June 2024, engaged various community members, including the Latino community, adolescents, individuals currently using drugs, and those in recovery. The assessment identified significant service gaps through interviews and listening sessions and highlighted the need for cross-system collaboration to address the crisis.

Suspect Named in Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old Woman near Manassas

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 15, 2024 at 3:27PM

Prince William County

German Joseth Torres Lizama was identified as a suspect in connection to the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old woman in the area of Pineview Road and Cregger Lane on July 18. Following the investigation, it is believed that the suspect and woman knew one another and planned to meet at the location. Attempts to locate Torres Lizama have been unsuccessful, and Prince William County Police encourage anyone with information to contact the department.

With Election Day Looming, Vindman Rallies Supporters at Invitation-Only Event in Dumfries

By Alan Gloss

Published August 15, 2024 at 11:24AM | Updated August 15, 2024 at 1:31PM

Vindman [Photo: Alan Gloss]

Vindman sought to energize his base and draw a contrast with his Republican opponent, Derek Anderson, in the closely watched race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, which includes Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Woodbridge. With only 84 days until Election Day, Vindman emphasized the stakes of the upcoming election, framing it as a critical moment for the nation and the community.

In his speech, the retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel invoked his personal story as an immigrant who arrived in the U.S. with his family, possessing little more than the hope of achieving the American dream. “The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher,” Vindman said, underscoring his belief that the very essence of that dream is on the line. He criticized the rhetoric coming from the Republican Party, likening it to what one might hear in authoritarian regimes such as North Korea, Iran, or Russia. Vindman argued that such narratives undermine the fundamental values that make the United States great.

23 Small Businesses Approved to Open in June

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 14, 2024 at 1:00PM

According to a small business report from Prince William County’s Department of Development Services, 23 small businesses were approved to “open for business” in the county in June.

This brings the year total to 200 small businesses being welcomed into the county, and county leaders credited the Small Business Project Management Program (SBPM) as a helping hand in acquiring more businesses in the county.

Dumfries Vice Mayor Pushes for Small Business Growth Amid Gaming Resort Development

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 14, 2024 at 12:00PM | Updated November 9, 2024 at 3:35PM

Workout Anytime is a new gym to open in the Triangle Shopping Center in Dumfries.

Dumfries Vice Mayor Monae Nickerson is leading a renewed effort to attract more small businesses to the town as it prepares for the opening of The Rose, a 300-room gaming resort and hotel set to become the largest gaming destination in Northern Virginia. Town leaders are focused on creating a diverse mix of retail and service businesses to complement the expected influx of visitors with the resort’s opening.

Nickerson outlined the town’s strategy, which includes a year-long contract extension with Retail Strategies, a firm hired to identify and attract potential businesses to Dumfries. “We are hopeful that the Rose will serve as a beacon, an anchor, that will attract more businesses to Dumfries as a destination,” Nickerson said. The Rose, which will offer video slot machines but not table games, is expected to draw visitors from across the region.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Earns Top National Honor for Nursing Care

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 14, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 10:28AM

Photo: SNVMC staff celebrate the announcement of Magnet recognition.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has earned its first-ever Magnet with Distinction recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence, as of August 12, 2024. This prestigious designation places SNVMC among a select group of hospitals worldwide, celebrating their superior quality in nursing care and commitment to patient excellence.

Press release:

Winners Church and Sentara to Host Annual Community Health Fair in Dumfries

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2024 at 3:45PM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 10:28AM

Winners Church is partnering with Sentara to host the annual Community Health Fair on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 17877 Old Triangle Road in Dumfries. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with various health services and screenings available to the community.

A significant feature of this year’s fair is the presence of Sentara’s Mobile Mammography Unit, offering 3D breast cancer screenings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The screenings are aimed at the African diaspora, African American community, and those who may face financial barriers to accessing this service. The event will also focus on raising awareness about breast cancer and other prevalent health issues.

Illegal Dumping of Hazardous Drums in Nokesville

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2024 at 11:43AM

The Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating two incidents of illegally dumping 55-gallon drums containing waste on Reid Lane in Nokesville, posing significant environmental risks.

The Hazardous Materials Team secured the site, and the removal of the drums is being handled by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Local Students Represent NOVEC at National Co-Op Tour

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 13, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:45PM

Angela Goh, Vaibhav Dwaraka and Barbee Doerfler visited the U.S. Capitol while representing NOVEC at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Tour. [Courtesy of NOVEC]

Maddie Barbee Doerfler and Angela Goh from Battlefield High School in Prince William County — along with Vaibhav Dwaraka from Fairfax County — joined 2,000 other high school students, chaperones and staff delegates from 44 states in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour. The informational summit discussed electric cooperatives and took representatives on visits to historical sites and meetings with lawmakers.

Doerfler, Goh and Dwaraka were able to speak with Sen. Mark Warner while visiting the Capitol Building. Doerfler said she enjoyed speaking with the digital director of U.S. Rep. Gerald Connelly (VA-11) about issues she cared about.

Fire and Rescue Crews Respond to Incident at Mountcastle-Turch Funeral Home

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 12, 2024 at 10:44AM

On Monday, August 12, 2024, fire and rescue crews from Prince William and Fairfax counties were dispatched to Mountcastle-Turch Funeral Home in Woodbridge’s 13400 block of Woodbridge Street. The call was received at 10:23 a.m. after reports of extra smoke coming from the funeral home’s chimney and garage.

Upon arrival, crews investigated the source of the smoke and found a malfunctioning crematorium. Initial information from the scene indicated that a body was being cremated at the facility. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.