Occoquan approved its Fiscal Year 2021 budget, but, according to Mayor Earnie Porta, the budget is almost certain to change as the fiscal year progresses.
“At this time there is nothing in particular that I would highlight. We adopted a budget recognizing that in all likelihood it would need to be amended during the year as conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic develop,” Porta said.
Occoquan is using some of the $94,000 that it received in federal CARES Act funding to provide grants to small businesses in need of immediate financial assistance.
These microgrants may be used for employee salaries and benefits, and other capital and operating expenses directly related to the immediate impacts of the coronavirus.
Dynamic speed signs have been set up on the E-ZPass Express Lanes on Interstates 95 and 495.
Transurban, the Australian-based transportation company that operates the express lanes, installed the new speed signs for a trial run. Much like traffic radar signs that drivers see along the roadside in neighborhoods, dynamic signs will show how fast a vehicle is going within the express lane.
Transportation officials in Prince William are looking at altering and adding new service to some of the county’s busiest local bus routes.
At its public meeting on Thursday, July 9, OmniRide will ask PRTC commissioners for permission to study, and to take public comments on a plan to increase the number of local bus routes it has in the Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, and Dumfries areas from four to seven. The transit agency, which already services the Route 1, Dale Boulevard, and Old Bridge Road corridors with regular local bus service, seeks to add more bus stops in more places.
OmniRide has resumed operations of all routes and has increased service levels on OmniRide Express buses which began in mid-June.
Weekday Express service to destinations in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. are running on a Friday schedule, which is one step down from full-service. The increase in service levels was based on the improving COVID-19 conditions, and the Governor’s order to begin reopening the state.
Boater Alex Pirowski won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event by bringing a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 17 pounds 3 ounces. The event was held at the Potomac River on June 28.
As a reward for his victory, Pirowski earned $5,337. In addition, he also earned the $658 Boater Big Bass award with his biggest fish, a 6 pound 4 ouncer.
Beginning July 1, 2020, Virginia House Bill 1250, commonly known as the Community Policing Act, will become law. It requires local law enforcement agencies to collect and report certain data pertaining to drivers to the Virginia State Police during a motor vehicle (traffic) stop.
In Prince William County, some of this data was previously collected on stops that resulted in an arrest or the issuance of a Virginia Uniformed Summons (VUS).
Occoquan has made some changes to its 2020 events calendar in order to keep visitors and residents safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here is the revised calendar as of now:
A group of Occoquan residents have been painting rocks and hiding them around the town for people to find, bringing some color to the town and its people.
People who find these rocks have been taking photos with them and then hiding them again for others to find.
