OCCOQUAN, Va. – Supervisor Kenny Boddye will host a town hall next week to hear from residents about a rezoning proposal that could bring 80 new townhomes to the site of the former Kids Choice Sports Center, which was destroyed by fire late last year.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 314 Mill Street in the Occoquan Historic District. Residents can RSVP online and submit questions in advance.
The developer is requesting to rezone 7.5 acres at 13000 Sport and Health Drive from suburban residential to planned mixed residential to construct homes, including eight affordable units. The plan also requests waivers to increase building height and reduce setbacks. County planning and transportation staff, along with the project applicant, will attend the meeting.
The land in question was once home to the Kids Choice Sports Center, a popular community hub for sports, swimming, and birthday parties. In December 2024, flames from a nearby house fire jumped to the sports center, destroying the 56,000-square-foot facility.
Supervisor Boddye said the rezoning request has drawn interest from those who live along and near Devil’s Reach Road, adjacent to the site. Wednesday’s meeting is designed to give neighbors a chance to speak directly with decision-makers before the proposal moves forward.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Speed cameras are here to stay outside schools and highway work zones in Prince William County.
The Board of County Supervisors voted 7–1 on June 3, 2025, to make permanent the use of automated photo-monitoring systems aimed at catching speeding drivers in high-risk areas. The decision removes a sunset clause from the 2023 pilot program and allows enforcement to continue indefinitely.
County officials say the cameras are working as intended. In monitored zones, the average speed of drivers dropped by 3 to 6 mph—a statistically significant improvement that’s helping protect children and workers on busy roads. There’s also been no increase in crashes where the cameras are in use.
Cameras Already Watching These School Zones
As of now, speed enforcement cameras are operating at the following locations:
- Battlefield High School – Route 15
- Woodbridge High School – Old Bridge Road
- Old Bridge Elementary School – Old Bridge Road
- Fitzgerald Elementary School – Benita Fitzgerald Drive
- Patriot High School – Kettle Run Road
- T. Clay Wood Elementary School – Kettle Run Road
More sites are expected to be announced in the coming months. County staff say all camera locations will be clearly marked with signage.
Here’s What to Expect if You’re Caught Speeding
Drivers going 10 mph or more over the speed limit in an active school or work zone can be fined up to $100. The violation is a civil penalty—it won’t impact your insurance or driving record unless a police officer issues a traditional ticket.
Citations are mailed to the vehicle owner. If someone else was driving, the owner can contest the citation. All images are reviewed and certified by law enforcement before a summons is issued.
Not About the Money, Officials Say
Supervisors backing the measure said the program is about saving lives, not generating revenue.
“This isn’t about the money—it’s about saving a life,” said Supervisor Victor Angry, who also pushed for higher fines. “People run through those red lights… clearly 30 seconds after they’ve turned red.”
Supervisor Kenny Boddye reminded colleagues that the program started after several fatal crashes, especially on Cardinal Drive. “Our officers can’t be everywhere at once,” he said.
Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin, who initially opposed the cameras, said public feedback changed her mind. “They’re happy we’re taking proactive steps,” she said.
Supervisor Andrea Bailey added, “This is our answer… to make sure we’re addressing what’s going on in the community.”
Supervisor Bob Weir was the only vote against the ordinance.
The system is managed by Elovate, formerly Conduent, under a county contract approved in December 2023. The company is paid for its services—not by the number of tickets issued—to avoid any incentive to over-ticket.
All data collected is strictly regulated. It can’t be used for marketing, and all photos must be deleted within 60 days unless a summons has been issued.
While only six school zones currently have cameras, the program allows for expansion. County officials say additional sites will be rolled out, with public notice, in the near future.
“This is about sending a message,” Angry said. “If you’re speeding in our school zones, there will be consequences.”
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A new stretch of sidewalk along Old Bridge Road is making it easier—and safer—for people in Lake Ridge to get around without a car.
According to a press release from Prince William County, the Department of Transportation has finished installing about 700 feet of sidewalk on the north side of Old Bridge Road, between Oakwood Drive and Forest Hill Road. The project connects neighborhoods to three local schools, a future park and trailhead, a community pool, and more.
“Step by step, sidewalk by sidewalk, we’re building a community that puts people first,” said Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye, noting that the county is working to move away from a car-dependent design.
Construction began in fall 2024 after design work by Dewberry Engineers. M&F Concrete led the $1.6 million build, which was paid for with both federal and local funds.
The project is a broader push to improve walkability and meet the county’s Mobility Strategic Plan goals.
Prince William County police have identified Joseph Anthony Cassell, 26, as the man who died during an officer-involved shooting on April 26, 2025, inside an apartment at Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home, located at 12191 Clipper Drive. The investigation remains active and is being led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). More information will be released when available.
Here’s the full press release:
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation DECEASED IDENTIFIED – Prince William County police have identified the man who died during an officer-involved shooting that occurred inside an apartment within the Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home located at 12191 Clipper Drive in Woodbridge (22192) on April 26. The deceased was identified as Joseph Anthony CASSELL, 26. The investigation into the encounter between the officers and the deceased remains active and led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation [Previously Released] – On April 26 at 9:58AM, two Prince William County police officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting at the Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home located in the 12100 block of Clipper Drive in Woodbridge (22192).
Preliminarily, officers were called to the scene in reference to a male in crisis who was armed with a knife. Upon making contact with the male inside the residence he approached the officers with the knife.
Officers gave the man commands which he disregarded. The officers discharged their service weapons firing multiple rounds. After the initial confrontation with the officers, the man then began to attack the victim, identified as a 91-year-old woman, leading to officers discharging their weapons again. Officers provided first aid to both the male and the female. The female was flown to an area hospital for serious injuries and is expected to recover. The male died at the scene.
No officers were injured during the incident, which remained contained to the residence. During the investigation officers determined the parties involved were related.
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Two Prince William County police officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting on April 26, 2025, at 9:58 a.m. at the Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home, located in the 12100 block of Clipper Drive in Woodbridge (22192).
Officers responded to a call about a male in crisis armed with a knife. Upon making contact with the man inside the residence, he approached the officers with the weapon. After the man disregarded commands, the officers discharged their service weapons, firing multiple rounds. Following the initial confrontation, the man attacked a 91-year-old woman, leading the officers to discharge their weapons again.
Officers provided first aid to both the male and the female. The woman was flown to an area hospital with serious injuries and is expected to recover. The male died at the scene. No officers were injured, and the incident remained contained to the residence.
Investigators determined the involved parties were related. Another adult female was inside the residence at the time but was not injured. The identity of the deceased, preliminarily identified as a 26-year-old man, is pending confirmation.
At the request of Chief Peter Newsham, the Prince William County Police Department requested the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to conduct an independent investigation. The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative leave. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
Here’s the full press release:
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation – On April 26 at 9:58AM, two Prince William County police officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting at the Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home located in the 12100 block of Clipper Drive in Woodbridge (22192). Preliminarily, officers were called to the scene in reference to a male in crisis who was armed with a knife.
Upon making contact with the male inside the residence he approached the officers with the knife. Officers gave the man commands which he disregarded. The officers discharged their service weapons firing multiple rounds. After the initial confrontation with the officers, the man then began to attack the victim, identified as a 91-year-old woman, leading to officers discharging their weapons again.
Officers provided first aid to both the male and the female. The female was flown to an area hospital for serious injuries and is expected to recover. The male died at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident, which remained contained to the residence.
During the investigation officers determined the parties involved were related. There was also one additional adult female inside the residence during the incident who was not injured. The identity of the deceased, preliminarily identified as a 26-year-old man, is waiting to be confirmed.
The Prince William County Police Department, at the request of Chief Peter Newsham, has requested the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to oversee the investigation as an independent body. The involved officers will be placed on routine administrative leave. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
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The incident occurred at 11:32 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Citgo gas station at 1320 Old Bridge Road. According to Prince William County Police, a 2014 Toyota Camry exited the fuel pump area toward Gordon Boulevard when it struck a pedestrian near the fuel pump island.
Police say the pedestrian, Jeffrey Wayne Holman, 56, of Woodbridge, fell to the ground and was subsequently run over by the vehicle. Emergency crews from fire and rescue extracted Holman and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday, March 25.
The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene. No other injuries were reported. Pending the outcome of the investigation, police have not filed any charges at this time.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, March 24, another person was killed in a separate crash on Linton Hall Road near Glenkirk Road.
Police said a 2019 Toyota Highlander was traveling northbound on Linton Hall Road at 9:48 a.m. when it crossed into the southbound lanes, left the roadway, struck a guardrail, went down an embankment, became airborne, rolled over, and came to rest on its side in a field.
The driver, Marat Lise Essex, 52, of Bristow, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed either crash to contact Prince William County Police. Both investigations remain ongoing.
The panel, moderated by University of Mary Washington political science professor Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, focused on the sweeping changes being proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal initiative aiming to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending.
Federal cuts coming
Rob Hartwell, a former Capitol Hill chief of staff and now president of Hartwell Capital Consulting, warned that Prince William County’s reliance on federal jobs and contracts makes it vulnerable.
“There’s never been a complete overhaul of federal agencies in 50 years,” said Hartwell. “Now, the pendulum is swinging hard, and we’re seeing real disruption.”
According to Hartwell, Virginia is home to more than 235,000 federal employees — about 5.5% of the state’s workforce — and Prince William County alone has about 23,000, with some estimates placing that number even higher.
Public support for reform is strong, he said, citing polls showing over 60% of Americans back DOGE’s mission. But Hartwell cautioned that such popularity comes with costs. “We may lose 10% of our federal workforce here,” he said, adding that layoffs are already happening in the defense contracting industry.
Hartwell also presented examples of what he called “wasteful spending,” including $12 million for Las Vegas pickleball courts and $4.6 million for international drag shows. “It’s spending like this that makes the public fed up,” he said.
Economic outlook: gloomy
Dr. Keith Walters, director of the Stephen S. Fuller Institute at George Mason University, delivered a stark economic forecast. “I’m here to provide some doom and gloom,” Walters said, only half-joking.
Northern Virginia’s economy has underperformed the national average since 2011, Walters said, largely due to overreliance on federal procurement. He warned that layoffs in the federal and contracting sectors would likely bleed into retail, hospitality, and other industries.
Walters estimated that 1.5% of Prince William residents — those with federal jobs — could lose employment as the DOGE cuts take effect. “That’s your neighbors,” he said.
He added that the local housing crunch is compounding the region’s challenges. “There are just 552 homes for sale in Prince William County. If you’re running a business, you can’t hire people if they have nowhere to live,” Walters said.
Solutions and opportunity
Despite the dire outlook, both speakers offered solutions. Hartwell called on county leaders to diversify the economy by investing in tourism, technology, and workforce development. He also pitched ideas to revitalize Route 1 into a military technology corridor and transform Route 28 into a high-tech hub.
Meanwhile, Walters said Prince William County is doing better than some neighboring jurisdictions when it comes to housing construction. “You’re building more than most, and you’re helping the region — that’s part of why your traffic is so bad,” he said, sparking a round of chuckles.
The evening wrapped with a reminder of the stakes involved.
“We’re going to pay the price here in Prince William County,” Hartwell warned, “for the excesses of some inside the federal bureaucracy who threw our money away.”
The Prince William Committee of 100 is a non-partisan educational forum dedicated to studying essential interests, problems, and goals of the people of Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. The committee brings together diverse leaders from business, civic, and government communities to explore issues and foster common understanding. Membership is open to individuals living or working in the Prince William area engaged in civic, business, cultural, humanitarian, or similar activities.
The Committee generally offers programs on the third Thursday of every month except for June, July, August, and December. Forums typically feature panels of experts discussing current issues of importance to the community.
The Committee of 100 will continue hosting public forums on key regional issues throughout the year.
Fire and rescue units responded at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, to the 3400 block of Aviary Way, near Lake Ridge Elementary School, after a resident reported seeing smoke coming from the back of their home. When crews arrived, they found smoke and flames moving up the rear of the house and into the attic. Firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the fire.
No injuries were reported, but the home sustained moderate damage. The Building Official declared the residence unsafe for occupancy. The American Red Cross assists two adults and three children displaced by the fire.
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From Prince William Fire and Rescue:
Townhouse Fire
Friday, November 29, 2024
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A rising musician who plays for Huntley, made famous on NBC’s “The Voice” is due in a Prince William County courtroom on November 4, 2024, charged in the shooting death of his father and his dog.
