The start of the construction for the H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility-Wide Improvements Project, known as the Mooney Design-Build Project, signals a significant milestone for the Prince William County Service Authority.
With an investment nearing $200 million, this multi-year initiative is poised to revolutionize the plant’s wastewater treatment processes, paving the way for enhanced operational resiliency.
Shooting on Same Street Where Woman Was Killed Last Week
Officers responded to a shooting incident on February 7 at 3:25 PM at Benita Fitzgerald Dr. and Brickwood Dr. in Woodbridge. They found a 17-year-old male juvenile with a gunshot wound inside a residence. The juvenile was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation revealed the juvenile was walking in the area when multiple shots were fired, striking him. A four-door vehicle was seen fleeing the scene. No additional injuries or property damage were reported. The incident occurred on the same street where a North Carolina woman was shot and killed by a stray bullet on Feb. 2, 2024.
Featherstone shopping center redevelopment
Joe Jacobs, Vice President at Elm Street Communities, will take the floor to present plans for partially redeveloping the Featherstone shopping center. The ambitious project includes adding a new coffee shop, housing units, and revitalizing part of the vacant commercial space adjacent to Gabe’s clothing store.
Police have apprehended the suspect wanted in connection to the murder of 51-year-old Patricia Kathlean Belgin. The arrest of Karen Nicole Pollard , 37, of no fixed address, was carried out in Prince George’s County, Md., following an incident involving Virginia State Police.
The Prince William County Police Department received notification of Pollard’s arrest on January 23, 2024. The suspect is accused of being involved in an altercation with the victim on December 28, 2023, in the 1200 block of Easy Street in Woodbridge. During this incident, Belgin suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was pronounced dead on the scene, Prince Willian police said.
Volunteer firefighters and EMS responders reported 46,246.98 operational hours volunteered, while administrative volunteers had 6,900 hours.
“The commitment of both our operational and administration members at OWL VFD is truly remarkable,” said President Wayne Haight of OWL VFD. “Our volunteers are fully trained and certified, capable of handling various emergencies, and our administration members work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our operational efforts. Together, they embody the spirit of service that defines our organization.”
The incident involved a lamp that ignited in a bedroom. Upon arrival, crews efficiently managed the situation, successfully extinguishing the fire. Fortunately, the occupants had self-evacuated, and there were no reported injuries.
In response to the recent surge in crime rates in Prince William County, Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin is set to host a Zoom town hall meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. The town hall aims to address community concerns and provide insights into the county’s current public safety situation.
The decision to hold this annual town hall comes on the heels of a shooting in Woodbridge, resulting in the first homicide victim in Prince William County for the year 2024. A woman lost her life after being shot and taken to a local hospital.
On January 13, 2024, El Salvador’s vice president, Dr. Félix Ulloa, Jr., visited Woodbridge, one of his stops on his U.S. tour.
Since beginning his term in June of 2019, Ulloa has helped promote peace within Salvadoran communities in favor of seeking reverse migration of people back to his country.
Prince William police reported the following incidents:
Indecent Exposure – January 16, 9:11 AM
On January 16, at 9:11 a.m. officers responded to the area of Potomac Mills Road near Opitz Blvd. in Woodbridge to investigate an indecent exposure incident. Two female victims, aged 29 and 37, reported that an unknown man, identified as Rodney Kayne BYRNE, exposed himself and made inappropriate gestures. The women promptly contacted the police, leading to the detention of the accused without incident. Following the investigation, Rodney Kayne BYRNE, 33, of no fixed address, was charged with indecent exposure. His court date is pending, and he has been released on a court summons.
