VFW Post 1503 in Dale City, known as the General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller Post, has been named Virginia’s National Community Service Post Award recipient for 2024–2025. This honor recognizes the post’s outstanding service to veterans and the broader community over the past year.
According to a memorandum from the VFW National Programs Office, the award is based on a post’s “total impact,” which includes volunteer hours, mileage, and financial contributions toward community service efforts. Post 1503 stood out for its extensive outreach, including school supply drives for local elementary schools, support for youth sports, and assistance to veterans filing benefit claims.
The post also hosted events such as the Department of Virginia’s 3rd Annual VFW Riders Rally and multiple VFW Day of Service projects. Notably, Post 1503 partnered with Mr. Handyman to provide home improvement services to a veteran family in need.
As part of the award, Post 1503 will receive a commemorative street sign and be featured in an upcoming issue of VFW Magazine. The post, which is the largest VFW post in the world, continues to embody the VFW’s mission of “Veterans helping veterans” through its dedicated community service.
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WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Nearly six months after the grand opening of Prince William County’s first commuter parking garage, new data shows the facility is being used far below capacity while operating costs continue to climb, renewing questions raised even before construction began.
The Neabsco-Potomac Mills Commuter Garage, a $53.5 million project located near Opitz Boulevard and Interstate 95, officially opened in November 2024. Since then, the county has spent $186,016 on operational expenses, according to recently released county records. The seven-story facility features 1,400 parking spaces, resulting in a construction cost of $38,214 per space.
Cost Breakdown
Records from Prince William County show:
- Electricity (Aug 2024 – May 2025): $21,508
- Water (Sept 2024 – May 2025): $558 (only one month of recorded usage)
- General maintenance work orders: $101,645
- Custodial services (since Dec): $20,459
- Groundskeeping and cleanup: $17,654
- Security guard services: $13,997
- Estimated snow removal: $10,000
- Porta-john rental: $195
Garage Usage Still Low
Despite being fully operational, usage of the garage remains modest.
- November 2024: 187 visits
- April 2025 (peak month): 4,902 visits
- May 2025: 4,488 visits
Assuming one visit equals one space used per day and accounting for 30 days per month, the April utilization rate is only about 11.7% (4,902 of 42,000 possible daily space uses). Average parking durations have increased over time—from 1 hour, 55 minutes in November to 5 hours, 40 minutes in May—indicating the garage is primarily used by long-term parkers such as commuters.
The third floor is the most heavily used, registering over 2,300 visits in May and average parking durations exceeding 9 hours. The usage of the ground, fourth, and fifth floors has also increased, although it is far from being complete.
OmniRide Relocates to Garage
In December 2024, one month after the garage opened, OmniRide officially relocated its eastern transfer hub to the Neabsco facility. The move included rerouting several Express, Metro Express, and Local bus routes to begin and end service at the garage. Previously, these routes served the OmniRide Transit Center at 14700 Potomac Mills Road.
This relocation was part of a significant service overhaul aimed at creating a true multimodal hub with seamless connections to the nearby I-95 Express Lanes, which now feature a dedicated ramp at Opitz Boulevard. The strategy, according to transportation planners, is designed to support long-term growth and reduce single-occupancy vehicle traffic.
Early Warnings Realized?
The data appears to validate concerns raised during the project’s approval phase.
In September 2022, when the Board of County Supervisors approved the final design, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega cast the lone dissenting vote. She pointed to a Virginia Department of Transportation study showing nearby commuter lots were only 20% full, questioning the financial wisdom of constructing a massive parking structure.
“Help me understand how this makes good fiscal sense,” Vega said during the meeting, addressing Transportation Director Rick Canizales.
At the time, officials stated that abandoning the federally funded project would result in financial penalties and the forfeiture of funding. Canizales defended the garage as a forward-looking investment, noting the county was already under contract with a construction firm and that future transit usage was expected to grow.
County Officials Offer No New Comments
Potomac Local News contacted all members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors for comment on the garage’s current usage and cost. None responded, except for Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, who replied via email with a brief “No comment.”
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DALE CITY, Va. – One of the region’s most popular Independence Day traditions is back: The Dale City 4th of July Parade kicks off Thursday morning at 10 a.m. along Dale Boulevard.
The festive, family-friendly event runs eastbound from Kirkdale Road to Gemini Way, with marching bands, colorful floats, and community groups making their way down the heart of Dale City. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early and bring chairs or blankets to stake out a good viewing spot.
Road closures begin at 8:30 a.m., with police directing traffic and closing intersections across the eastbound side of Dale Boulevard. Expect delays, and consider parking at nearby lots, including Mapledale Plaza, the VDOT lots near the Boys & Girls Club and Hillendale Fire Station, or Beville Middle School.
Immediately following the parade, the fun continues with Family Fun Day near Center Plaza from 12 noon to 2 p.m. This post-parade celebration features booths hosted by local nonprofits, amateur crafters, and food and drink vendors. It’s a great way to keep the patriotic energy going and support local groups.
Safety reminders for parade-goers: Stay off the parade route, especially children who may be tempted to run for candy—participants are not allowed to throw items from floats or vehicles. Bring water, sunscreen, and wear comfortable shoes for the summer heat.
For questions or more information, organizers can be reached at [email protected].
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – A motorcyclist was killed Friday night in a collision at the intersection of Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge.
According to the Prince William County Police Department, the crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. on May 10. Investigators say the rider of a 2019 Indian FTR 1200 motorcycle was heading east on Minnieville Road when he ran a red light at Prince William Parkway. At the same time, a 2019 Kia Soul, traveling westbound, began turning left onto Prince William Parkway when the two vehicles collided.
Police say the impact threw the rider from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Kia Soul, a 61-year-old woman from Woodbridge, and her passenger were treated for minor injuries.
The motorcyclist has been identified as 28-year-old Christian Alexis Zayas of Woodbridge.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the department as the investigation continues.
DALE CITY, Va. – In honor of National Volunteer Month, Dunkin’ showed appreciation for local heroes at the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department by delivering a sweet surprise on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
From 10 to 11 a.m., firefighters at Station 13 on Hillendale Drive were treated to free coffee, donuts, and $5 Dunkin’ promo cards. The event highlighted Dunkin’s ongoing commitment to recognizing community service and supporting first responders who go above and beyond.
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Key Projects in the CIP
New School Constructions
To address overcrowding in high-growth areas, PWCS will build multiple new schools, including:
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Prince William County could soon be home to a new inline hockey rink at the Hylton Boys and Girls Club in Dale City, following an in-depth discussion by the Board of County Supervisors during their December 17, 2024, meeting. The facility results from a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club, Prince William Ice Center, the Washington Capitals, and George Mason University.
Seth Hendler-Voss, the county’s Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced the project, describing it as “an exciting partnership opportunity to bring a new recreation amenity to Prince William County.” He outlined the proposed location and the collaboration required to make the rink a reality.
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Fredericksburg Police Investigate Downtown Shooting, Identify Additional Suspect
The Fredericksburg Police Department is continuing its investigation into a shooting that took place in the early hours of December 14. Authorities have identified a new suspect, Izaiah Jabbar Daniels, 21, of Woodford. The Orange County Sheriff's Office apprehended Daniels during a vehicle stop, and he is currently being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. He faces charges of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
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Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) marked the grand opening of Prince William County’s second Red Cross Blood Donation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, December 9, 2024. The new facility, located at 4375 Dale Blvd in Dale City, Center Plaza, expands local blood and platelet donation options, previously limited to driving to Fairfax or participating in mobile drives.
This new facility joins the Manassas-area donation center, which opened in September at 10360 Portsmouth Road, in offering donors the choice of whole blood or platelet donations.
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Press Release from the Virginia Department of Transportation:
Beginning Monday, Dec. 9, weather permitting, the southbound and northbound I-95 general purpose lanes near the bridges over Neabsco Creek (approximately mile marker 155.7) will have lane closures for bridge-related geotechnical work, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
