A townhouse fire on Lambsgate Lane shook the neighborhood late yesterday afternoon, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at 3:36 p.m., as units from Prince William County Fire and Rescue rushed to the scene following a distress call.
Battalion Chief Matt Smolksy reported that upon arrival, smoke was visible from the front of the structure, prompting a swift response from firefighters.
With its fusion of funk, blues, salsa, and soul, Go-Go music holds a special place in Washington, D.C., and surrounding communities. In fact, in 2020, the musical genre was designated as the D.C’s official music. Now, diners in Northern Virginia can pay homage to the Go-Go culture while enjoying burgers and milkshakes in a new restaurant that could make Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers proud.
Burgers@ Manassas held a “soft” opening on February 10 at the Manassas Mall, which offers a wide range of hamburgers, tenders and wings, beverages, and locally baked desserts. As the second “Burgers@” location in the Washington, D.C. area (the other location is in Camp Springs, Md.), the Burgers@ Manassas restaurant brings the familiar musical culture to Prince William County.
Special Olympics Virginia spokeswoman Holly Claytor shared that the event saw participation from more than 280 plungers alongside approximately 400 spectators. In total, an impressive $140,000 was raised to support the cause.
Although adverse weather conditions prevented the scheduled 5K race, attendees still enjoyed various activities and amenities. A food truck offered sustenance, while Starbucks provided complimentary hot drinks and Wawa supplied snacks. Additionally, numerous exhibitors were present, offering diverse goods and services. Attendees could also indulge in the classic treat of s’mores.
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta announced the passing of 19-year-old Occoquan resident Jason Brunsman, who lost his life in a car accident on Route 1. Brunsman, a lifelong resident of Occoquan, was involved in the accident early on the morning of February 14.
According to reports, Brunsman was driving a Ford Transit Van southbound on Route 1, nearing Giles Run Road in Lorton, when the vehicle collided with the rear end of a roll back dumpster truck that was stopped in the left lane, waiting to turn left. Brunsman sustained fatal injuries in the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the roll back dumpster truck emerged from the accident unharmed.
On February 18 at 5:40 p.m., officers responding to an unrelated call for service spotted the suspect, and apprehended him after a foot pursuit.
Police said the carjacking occourred at 5:55 p.m. February 11. Officers responded to reports of a robbery in the 14200 block of Smoketown Road in Woodbridge. According to the initial report, the victim, an 18-year-old man, had been accosted by a group of individuals, one of whom was later as the suspect.
The recognition came as a result of the Woodbridge High cross-country team’s performance, including scores and placements at state championships, victory margins, and their rankings comparison. The association particularly valued leaders who achieved significant milestones like first-time or consecutive championships, the Prince William County Public Schools division notes in a press release.
Since becoming coach in 2011, McGreal has led the team to district, regional, and state titles through her commitment and coaching methods.
Rick Canizales, the county’s Director of Transportation, outlined the scope of the improvements during a recent briefing. “We are focused on transforming Route 1 into a more efficient and safer corridor for all users, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. This includes widening portions of the road, upgrading traffic signals, and adding pedestrian crosswalks and sidewalks,” Canizales explained.
Among the notable projects is the widening of Route 1 from Featherstone Road to Mary’s Way, which has been underway for several years and aims to alleviate congestion along this busy section. New pedestrian crosswalks and upgraded traffic signals are also being introduced to enhance safety and accessibility for non-motorized road users.
The average residential property tax bill in Prince William County for FY2025 is projected to be $5,098, a $243 increase, up five percent from the previous year. The budget keeps the real estate tax rate steady at $0.966 per $100 assessed property value.
This figure represents the financial obligation of homeowners within the county, encompassing the costs associated with various county services and infrastructure projects, as outlined in the proposed budget.
Greetings, Prince William – Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas, is holding its next session of ESL from March 11 to May 22. They need volunteers age 18+ to help as Classroom Aides on Monday and/or Wednesday evenings, 7 pm-9 pm. No experience necessary, and you’ll enjoy working with students as they improve their English language skills! An orientation/training will be held on March 3 at 12:30 pm, and a light lunch will be provided. Please email [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.
–Information submitted by Volunteer Prince William
