WOODBRIDGE, Va. — The Prince William County Human Rights Commission will meet on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in the James J. McCoart Building. At the meeting, the Electoral Board will present information on the 2012 Presidential Election and some new guidelines that all voting citizens need to know before Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.

The chairman of the Electoral Board, Keith Scarborough, and the board members will discuss four items – 1) are you registered to vote at your current address; 2) has your polling place been changed; 3) do you have an acceptable form of identification; and 4) do you qualify to vote absentee?

The Human Rights Commission meetings are open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend. Please come out and learn about the things you will need to do before the November election. You may contact the office if you have questions at 703-792-4680.

-Press release 

By LAURA CIRILLO

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — For the first time, regional transit agencies are partnering to bring more vanpool options to the region.

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transit Commission (PRTC), George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) are all working together to create a new vanpool service that will begin in January.

PRTC chief Alfred Harf said the three organizations have drawn inspiration from similar programs in other metro areas, while at the same time, recognizing the unique regional attributes of vanpooling.

The program envisions each vanpool owner or operator being paid $200 per month as consideration for providing statistical information from their riders. PRTC will collect the information and then submit it to the Federal Transit Administration as part of a National Transit Database.

The information will be used to determine how much federal funding the region will get to maintain and grow the vanpool program.

The $3.2 million program was approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in July, and it will fund all but $1.6 million of the total cost. The remaining $1.6 million will be supplemented through a two-and-a-half year loan from PRTC and NVTC, which will be used to fund the program through its initial phases until federal funding kicks in.

The vanpool incentive program aims to not only introduce new vanpools, but also to encourage existing vanpoolers to become program participants, said Harf. Currently, there are over 800 existing vanpools in the region, and it is estimated that half of them will opt into the new program. PRTC estimates the program will grow up to 10 percent per year.

Once the program kicks off, commuters will have the ability to sign up for vanpools online.

Like slugging, the informal carpooling system that exists almost exclusively in and Northern Virginia, vanpooling has grown in the region with little government involvement, though many area vanpoolers receive the same employer-sponsored commuter monetary benefits that other transit riders who use buses or trains.

Though both PRTC and GWRC have a long history of providing vanpool services and has helped to start-up and sustain vanpools, this new Vanpool Incentive Program marks the first time that PRTC will manage such a large effort.

In other metro areas, most vanpools are largely publicly-owned or publicly-leased vans, which vanpoolers use at below-market rates, subsidized by the public agencies that run the programs to increase vanpool usage, according to Harf.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Need a job? Come to Prince William County.

Officials in Prince William are boasting today after CNNMoney.com ranked the jurisdiction 8^th on their 2012 list of best places to find work. The county moved up the list from 13^th last year.

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LAKE RIDGE, Va. — There’s just something about the Canterbury Woods swimming pool that attracts mischief.

Parks and recreation employees erected a variable message board sign at the Lake Ridge swimming pool on Friday with the words “pool is open.” The sign was posted after the pool was closed for much of this past work week after vandals dumped bags of kitty litter and benches into the pool. it reopened late Friday afternoon.

Today, it seems the sign was hacked and the message changed to “Cowboys suck.” With football season on the doorstep, one could only assume it’s a reference to the Dallas-based football team.

We’re working to find out more about when the sign was changed, and just what it is about this particular swimming pool that attracts the mischief. The Canterbury Woods pool is one of six aquatic facilities managed by the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association.

 

UPDATE Monday, Aug. 20

Clarence E. Alston, 42, of Washington, D.C., was standing outside his car that was stopped on the right shoulder of northbound I-95 at the 162 mile marker. A northbound Hyundai Santa Fe struck Alston. The Hyundai then fled the scene. The vehicle and its driver, Carol Rood-Johnson, 19, of Woodbridge, Va., were located later Saturday morning in Prince Georges County, Md.

-Press release

UPDATE Saturday noon

Charges are filed against a 19-year-old woman from Woodbridge in the hit and run death of a driver on Interstate 95 early this morning. More from the Virginia State Police: 

ORIGINAL POST 9 a.m. 

LORTON, Va. — A pedestrian was killed this morning on Interstate 95 and police are now investigating the incident.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said a vehicle stopped on the shoulder of I-95 north just south of Lorton, and the male driver stepped outside of their vehicle was struck and killed by a passing car. That car fled the scene, and now an accident reconstruction team is on the scene.

Traffic delays are the busy highway have mounted following the incident, A five-mile back up extends from the crash scene south into Prince William County. The right lane and shoulder have been closed for the investigation, but they should be reopening soon, said Geller.s

Here’s more from a Virginia State Police press release: 

Just before midnight, a vehicle had pulled off onto the right shoulder of I-95 at the 162 mile marker in Fairfax County. The male driver was standing next the vehicle when a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV struck the man and then fled the scene at 12:02 a.m. The man died at the scene. The hit-and-run vehicle was recovered later Saturday morning in Maryland and Virginia State Police are in the process of interviewing its female driver. Charges are pending.

The man’s body was transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner for positive identification. (Once positive identification is made and next of kin is notified, we will release his name).

The northbound lanes of I-95 remain closed at this time, as clean up from the incident continues. I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as the NB lanes are re-opened.

 

TRIANGLE, Va. — The work to expand commuting options and add toll lanes to Interstate 95 is underway.

Trees are already falling in the Triangle area where the High Occupancy Toll lanes are being extended nine miles south from Dumfries to Va. 610 in Stafford County.

From North Stafford to Edsall Road in Alexandria, the new lanes will be a part of what will be 29 miles of the new 95 Express Lanes that will allow drivers to pay a toll to avoid traffic or continue to ride free in vehicles of three or more.

One hundred acres of trees will fall to make way for the project. Fluor-Transurban, the private operators of the lanes, said they are replacing the trees by planting 1,000 new trees in 1,000 days. The first tree was planted at a highway rest stop in Dale City after the groundbreaking of the 95 Express Lanes Project.

The express lanes are also known as High Occupancy Toll, or HOT lanes, and construction will bring some changes to drivers’ commutes. The HOV lanes north of Prince William Parkway will be completely realigned, narrowed, traffic shifted slightly to the right, and concrete barriers erected to allow crews work in the shoulder.

Older barriers that separate the HOV lanes from the travel lanes of I-95 will be replaced, new signage installed, and new drains put in during the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. during construction, according to a newsletter from Prince William Coles District Supervisor Mary Nohe.

The $1 billion project is expected to be complete in 2014 and employ 500 construction workers. The lanes will link with the 495 Express Lanes on the Capital Beltway which are slated to open later this year.

FROM POLICE REPORTS: 

Shooting Investigation – On August 10th at 5:53PM, police responded to the 16800 block of Taconic Cir in Dumfries (22026) for a shooting. The investigation revealed that the victims, a 19 year old man and a 16 year old male juvenile – both of Dumfries, had planned to meet up with a known acquaintance behind the Fortuna Center Plaza. There, the 16 year old victim got into a vehicle occupied by KELLEY and BRYANT. Once inside, KELLEY displayed a handgun and attempted to rob the victim. The 16 year old victim was able to get out of the vehicle, at which point both victims fled towards Stockbridge Dr. On Stockbridge Dr, the victims encountered a second vehicle, occupied byHALE and JACKSON, who were accomplices of KELLEY and BRYANT. During that encounter,JACKSON pointed a shotgun at the victims and fired, striking the 19 year old in the back and the 16 year old in the torso. Both victims were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Several detectives were assigned to this case and were quickly able to develop the identities of those involved. HALE and BRYANT were located leaving BRYANT’s address on Brightleaf Ct and were detained following a traffic stop. JACKSON and KELLEY were both located at their respective residences where search warrants were also executed. Following an investigation, all four suspects were arrested in regard this incident which was not random.

Arrested:

Tyliek Eric KELLEY, 19, of 12810 Island House Lp in Woodbridge

Julian Xavier BRYANT, 19, of 4931 Brightleaf Ct in Woodbridge

Quientine Kyone HALE, 20, of 5924 Talmadge Dr in Woodbridge

Taymel Jerome JACKSON, 20, of 3210 Berlin Ct #103 in Woodbridge

All were charged with 2 counts of aggravated malicious wounding, 2 counts of using a firearm in commission of a felony, 2 counts of attempted armed robbery and 2 counts of conspiracy to commit robbery

Court date for all is set for October 3, 2012, all were held WITHOUT bond

Sexual Assault – On August 13th at 5:05PM, police responded to Potomac Mills Mall located at 2700 Potomac Mills Cir in Woodbridge (22192) for an assault. The victim, a 44 year old woman of North Carolina, reported to police that while in the mall she was grabbed inappropriately by an unknown man. After being grabbed, the victim confronted the man who then fled the area on foot. No injuries were reported.

Lookout:

Black male, between 25 & 35 years of age, 5’9” / 200lbs, heavy build, bald with brown eyes

Last seen wearing glasses, a black shirt and jeans

Abduction / Domestic Assault and Battery – On August 10th at 9:24PM, police responded to the 3500 block of Melrose Ave in Triangle (22172) for a domestic. The victim, a 20 year old female of Triangle, reported that she and the accused, a known acquaintance, were involved in a verbal altercation which escalated. During the encounter the accused physically assaulted the victim multiple times. At one point, the accused also physically prevented her from leaving the residence and threatened to blow up the house. Minor injuries were reported. The accused was arrested without further incident.

Arrested:

Matthew Cheston BYRD, 22, of the 3500 block of Melrose Ave in Triangle

Charged with abduction, threats to bomb and domestic assault & battery

Court date unavailable, held WITHOUT bond

Reckless Handling of a Firearm – On August 11th at 2:51AM, police responded to the 19100 block of Perry St in Triangle (22172) for a domestic. The victim, a 44 year old man of Triangle, reported to police that he was involved in an argument with the accused, a known acquaintance. During the encounter, the accused allegedly grabbed a firearm and fired a round into the ceiling. No injuries were reported. The accused was subsequently arrested without incident.

Arrested:

Caimen Ray Nelson FANCHER, 18, of 19114 Perry St in Triangle

Charged with reckless handling of a firearm

Court date unavailable, held on a $2,000 secured bond

Home Invasion / Armed Robbery – On August 11th at 3:54PM, police responded to the 3600 block of Wharf Ln in Dumfries (22026) for a home invasion. The homeowner and several other occupants present at the time, reported to police that 3 unknown men, one armed with a handgun and another armed with a shotgun, had entered the residence through an unlocked door. Once inside, the men took an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency from several occupants before fleeing on foot. No injuries were reported. This incident does not appear to be random.

Lookout:

3 black males, unknown ages, thin build

All were last seen wearing white shirts, dark pants and masks

Peeping / Suspicious Person – On August 10th at 6:06AM, police responded to the 14200 block of Mount Pleasant Dr in Woodbridge (22191) for a suspicious person. The homeowner reported to police that she was in her kitchen when she observed an unknown man looking in at her through a rear door. Upon being noticed by the homeowner, the man fled the area. No entry was made into the residence.

Lookout:

Hispanic male, between 40 & 45 years of age, 5’7” / 140lbs, medium build with thick black hair and a mustache

Last seen wearing a white shirt sleeve shirt – no further description

Commercial Burglary – On August 11th at 1:32AM, police responded to the Dollar 99 Dry Cleaning located at 13342 Minnieville Rd in Woodbridge (22193) for a burglary. Employees reported to police that the burglary occurred at 11:41PM on August 10th. There were no signs of forced entry into the business. Entry appears to have been made through the rear door. No items were reported missing.

Residential Burglary – On August 10th at 7:34PM, police responded to the 4100 block of Granby Rd in Woodbridge (22193) for a burglary. Homeowner reported to police that the burglary occurred between 8:15AM and 7:15PM. There were no signs of forced entry into the business. Entry appears to have been made through an unsecured side door. No items were reported missing.

Attempted Residential Burglary – On August 12th at 1:44AM, police responded to the 15200 block of Lakewood Dr in Woodbridge (22192) for an attempted burglary. Homeowner reported to police that between 7:00PM on July 26th and 6:00PM on August 7th, an unknown person(s) attempted to pry open 2 side doors. No entry is believed to have been made and no items were reported missing.

DALE CITY, Va. — Prince William County Parks & Recreation announced the annual maintenance schedules for Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center and Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center.

Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, located at 14300 Minnieville Road, Dale City, will close from August 20th to August 24th. Passholders will be welcome to use the facilities at Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center, located at 13025 Chinn Park Drive, Prince William, or Freedom Aquatics & Fitness Center, located at 9100 Freedom Center Blvd, Manassas.

Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center will close the pool only, from August 27th through September 7th, for cleaning and maintenance on the pool pump room. The fitness center will remain open, with regular hours, for public use. Passholders are welcome to use the pools at Sharron Baucom Dale City Rec Center during this period. The Freedom Center pools will be available to passholders until September 3rd.

For more information please call 703-792-7060, or visit the website at www.pwcparks.org

-Press release

UPDATE

The Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association has offered a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the incident Sunday night that saw several bags of kitty litter dumped into the Canterbury Woods Swimming Pool on Chaucer Lane in Lake Ridge.

The pool is closed for cleaning and is expected to reopen Thursday. This is the second time in as many years the pool has been closed due to vandals.

ORIGINAL POST 12:30 p.m. Monday 

LAKE RIDGE, Va. — A stinky situation led to the closure of the Canterbury Woods Pool in Lake Ridge on Monday.

Someone threw several bags of kitty litter and a park bench into the private community pool at the intersection of Springwoods Drive and Chaucer Lane.

That prompted the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association to close and drain all of the water from the pool.

After it’s drained, the pool will be closed for four days while it’s scrubbed and decontaminated.

“It costs about $1,600 to drain, clean, and refill the pool. The most expensive part is refilling the water,” said LRPRA Assistant Recreation Director Victoria Blevins.

The pool is slated to reopen Thursday.

Last year, someone threw glass bottles onto the pool deck. After that incident, the pool was also drained, scrubbed, and refilled.

The pool closes for the season Sept. 3.

 

The Virginia Department of Transportation will close the I-95/395 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes from Dumfries Road, Exit 152 to Duke Street, Exit 3, Monday-Thursday nights, August 13-16, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Friday morning and again on Friday night, August 17, 11 p.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday morning, August 18 for paving, lane markings, barrier placement, and other related construction work on the new 95 Express Lanes project.

During night work hours, motorists will be able to access the I-395 HOV lanes north to Washington, D.C. at Seminary Road and Shirlington.

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