Prince William

Ballywhack Shack Café moves to new location in Occoquan

By Potomac Local News
Ballywhack Shack owner Sherry Mangus opens her relocated sandwich shop in Occoquan.

Ballywhack Shack Café marked its grand opening with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony this past Saturday, March 9. The café began on the town’s main drag, Mill Street, Ballywhack Shack, and has found its new a second home at 126 Commerce Street, neighboring the Golden Plum (previously known as Mom’s Apple Pie).

In a candid moment during the event, Sherry Mangas, owner of Ballywhack Shack, reminisced about the journey that led to this exciting milestone. Mangas shared her story, tracing back to her tenure at the Blue Arbor Café in 2007, where she discovered her passion for the culinary arts. Following the closure of Blue Arbor, fate intervened as she stumbled upon a humble shed on Mill Street, which she transformed into a thriving sandwich shop and hot dog stand.

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Denied by the Planning Commission, Parsons Business Park proposes changes for data center campus on Route 234; Decision expected Tuesday, March 19, 2024

By Potomac Local News

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will decide on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, whether or not data centers belong near Prince William Forest Park, the largest natural protected area near Washington, D.C. The server farms would be built on the east/north side of Dumfries Road (Route 234), east of its intersection with Independent Hill Drive.

The plan to build a data center campus on the property stirred interest and controversy within the community. If approved, it would be the first major data center project east of Manassas.

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Free ride over for EV drivers who charge up at county gov’t center

By Potomac Local News

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is poised to implement fees for electric vehicle (EV) charging at county-owned stations, marking the end of complimentary services for EV drivers. The proposal, set to be discussed on Tuesday, March 19, suggests a fee structure of $2 per hour for utilizing one of the five EV charging stations outside the county government center in Woodbridge.

The decision comes after five Level II Dual EV charging stations were installed in December 2021. These stations, operational since February 2022, have been available to the community at no cost. However, the planned introduction of fees reflects the need to cover operational expenses, including electricity costs and maintenance programs.

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Lawnmower sparks fire at Haymarket area home

By Potomac Local News

The Building Official declared the home unsafe to occupy displacing one adult. The Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the fire was ignited when the occupant was operating a lawn mower that caught fire igniting vegetation before spreading to the home.

The Fire Marshal’s Office recommends vegetation capable of burning be kept a minimum of 3 feet away from a structure. This includes dried leaves, tall grass, and bushes.

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Woodbridge shooter found guilty of second-degree murder

By Potomac Local News
McGriff

The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amy Ashworth, has announced the successful prosecution of Isaiah McGriff in connection with the July 2022 murder of a woman in Woodbridge. On March 12, 2024, a Prince William County jury found McGriff guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The case, Commonwealth of Virginia v. Isaiah McGriff, was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys Kathleen Bilton and Dircia Schubert.

On July 1, 2022, police responded to a shooting at 13990 Jefferson Davis Hwy (Longview 7-Eleven) in Prince William County, where they discovered the victim, Claudia Morataya, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. An investigation revealed that Isaiah McGriff, the defendant, was present outside the 7-Eleven that night, along with the victim and others, drinking and socializing before the shooting occurred. A verbal dispute ensued between the victim and the defendant, culminating in the victim throwing a beer bottle at McGriff. McGriff was heard making threatening remarks before later shooting the victim in nearby woods, a press release notes.

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Man dies after trailer rolled over him at county government center

By Potomac Local News

Authorities were alerted to an incident at the Prince William County Government Center located at 5 County Complex Court in Woodbridge on March 7, where a pedestrian was fatally injured. According to crash investigators, the victim, [Redacted at the request of the victim’s family], of Woodbridge, was involved in a collision involving a trailer in the parking lot at around 3:54 p.m.

Police said [the victim] manually moved a small trailer between vehicles when he stumbled and fell. Subsequently, the trailer continued its momentum, ultimately resting on [the victim’s] upper body and leg. Despite managing to free himself from the trailer, he suffered severe injuries in the process.

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Celebree School of Bristow to hold ribbon cutting tomorrow, Friday, March 15

By Potomac Local News

Enrollment is now open, and community members are encouraged to contact Celebree School for tours, visits, and more information. Celebree School of Bristow offers childcare programs to families in the surrounding area.

Celebree School of Bristow is owned and operated by local entrepreneur, Nasar Agha. Agha is a veteran of the franchising industry with over 20 years of experience as a franchisee. He also has worked in construction, marketing, and sales after moving from Pakistan to the U.S. in 2008.

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OmniRide proposes budget increase, puts spotlight on Prince William County funding

By Potomac Local News

OmniRide, the local bus agency serving Prince William County and jurisdictions to the south, has unveiled its proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, signaling a significant increase in operating expenses.

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Birchdale Community Center playground rededication ceremony announced

By Potomac Local News
[Photo: Prince William County Parks and Rec]

Residents are invited to attend a rededication ceremony to commemorate the enhancements made to the playground area at Birchdale Community Center. The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 2 p.m. The Birchdale Community Center, located at 14730 Birchdale Avenue in Dale City, will host the event.

Key improvements to the playground include the replacement of the old equipment with a new playground and the addition of two shelters. These upgrades aim to enhance the recreational facilities available to the community.

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