Odds are you've driven past Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on Route 29 in Gainesville. Maybe you even cast more than a passing glance and know she has been sitting damaged and abandoned for years. If you know more, it could well be due to the efforts of state Delegate Danica Roem,13 District.

Mount Pleasant Baptist, a historic church with a predominately Black congregation, was founded in 1877. A pillar in the community, it was set on fire by an arsonist in August 2012. The inside of the church was destroyed and all of its contents (bibles, hymnals, choir robes, etc.) were ruined. For almost 8 years it has been waiting for help.

On June 2, Delegate Roem dusted off an almost forgotten GoFundMe account for its restoration and asked the community for help. And help came. In a little over 24 hours, $20,000 had been raised. A true champion, Delegate Roem has continued to keep Mount Pleasant in the spotlight. Around late August they met their $104,000 Phase I goal and very recently passed the halfway mark toward their $200,000 Phase II goal.

The journey ahead for Mount Pleasant is a long one. The seven phases of restoration are expected to cost just over $1 million. It's going to take considerable continued efforts and time to restore her to her old glory. Until then, the next time you drive by, take a moment to see the progress and more importantly, witness the power of community.

Chair Wheeler is joining Woodbridge District Supervisor Franklin in a virtual town hall discussion on Monday, September 28. The event starts at 7:00 pm and will focus on 2020 achievements as well as looking to the future.

At the BOCS meeting on September 22, the county's COVID-19 response updates were provided, to include:

The Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (Issue 21) launched in June with federal CARES Act funding, has been expanded. Landlords can now apply to receive financial assistance for current and past-due rental payments dating back to April 1, 2020, on behalf of their tenants who qualify for the program. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a one-time payment with the opportunity for renewal.

The county has accepted $1 million from the Virginia Department of Health in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) allocated from the Virginia Department of Health under the federal CARES, Act. The money will cover costs associated with COVID-19 expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and Dec. 30, 2020 to include staffing, testing supplies and managing laboratory capacity for free COVID-19 testing sites operated by the county.

Rebuild Va, the $70 million grant program for small businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19, is expanding its eligibility criteria. Businesses that received funding from the federal CARES Act and supply chain partners of businesses whose normal operations were impacted by the pandemic are now also eligible to receive grants of up to $10,000. Please help get the word out to small businesses.

PWC and the City of Manassas are partnering with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), Virginia Career Works, and the SkillSource Group to help community members affected by COVID-19 get back to work. Through $1.5 million in CARES Act funding from PWC and $400,000 from the City of Manassas, the ELEVATE program provides free resources for those displaced workers and supports businesses in upskilling their workforce. Additionally, the job portal enables businesses to find the talent they need.

The BOCS recently accepted a $351,909 grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to fully fund aid for mentally ill female inmates in the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center (ADC). The ADC launched its Mental Health Pilot Program in 2016. Available to female inmates with mental illness, the program reduces recidivism by providing counseling, re-entry services, and case management. On average, 80 percent of the jail's female population are eligible.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is thrilled to announce the opening of their new outdoor performance space, Hylton on the Hill. Located on a natural rise just behind the theater, the venue allows audience members to maintain proper physically distance. Performances start October 4. Prior to arrival, all visitors must complete the Mason COVID Health✓™.

The County's AAA rating (Issue 16) received earlier this year, has been reaffirmed as 'stable' by all three credit rating agencies; Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. Maintaining this highest credit rating available is a reflection of our adherence to Principles of Sound Financial Management, as well as actions taken in response to the unexpected financial challenges of 2020.

Parents and high school seniors, mark your calendar to attend one of the upcoming Paying for College Workshops offered by The College Place-VA. You will hear about the important areas of focus in preparing to pay for a college education. The virtual workshops start at 6:00 pm and are offered October 1, 6 and 8.

Like almost every institution, Virginia's public colleges and universities are being financially impacted by the pandemic. With interest rates at historic lows, Governor Ralph Northam has announced a plan to refinance existing bonds used for capital improvement projects. The plan will save Virginia’s public colleges and universities more than $300 million over the next two years.

Tuesday, September 29, three PWC Fire And Rescue members will be setting out on an accomplishment of a lifetime. This is when Technician II Carolyn “Keri” Ackerman, Lieutenant Pecola “Coco” Francois, and recently retired Battalion Chief Tracey LaBass, are scheduled to begin their journey up to “The Roof of Africa,” Mt. Kilimanjaro. They are expected to reach the summit at sunrise, on Sunday, October 4th. 

The mountain is very demanding, requiring 16-18 hours/per day of walking on uneven ground (equivalent to 38,680 steps or 2,578 flights of stairs). Altitude is a major factor, making it hard to breathe because the amount of oxygen is low. The Wheeler Report wishes them success and the safest of journeys. You can follow their expedition on the Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

Formed millions of years ago from the fallout of a volcanic eruption, Mt. Kili as it is called, is the highest single free-standing mountain in the world and one of the Seven Summits. The highest peaks of each of the seven continents, the Summits, ranging in accordance to their elevation from the highest to the lowest peak, are: Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (Argentina), Denali aka Mt. McKinley (Alaska), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Russia), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), and Carstensz Pyramid/Puncak Jaya (Indonesia).