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Issue 135
Friday, October 7, 2022
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
After quite a few days of rain in the last week, the skies finally cleared. Along with them came the distinct feeling of Fall.
Cooler temperatures invite open windows. All around us, there are pumpkins and mums. The leaves have started turning beautiful shades from brilliant scarlet to golden amber. You can enjoy warm apple cider, pumpkin donuts, or the much debated candy corn.
The extended forecast calls for blue skies, moderate temperatures, and chilly nights. It's a great time to get out and embrace all the season has to offer in Prince William County.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Monday, October 3, Chair Wheeler participated in the Gemini Way Sidewalk Project Ribbon Cutting located in the Occoquan Magisterial District. In addition to the creation of a 635 foot sidewalk on Minnieville Road, this project at the intersection of Gemini Way and Minnieville Road, improves access to the Dale City Commuter Lot. | |
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“The $1.2-million sidewalk project represents a small part of Prince William County’s $1-billion, five-year Capital Improvement Program budget, but the sidewalk project, and projects like it, serve the public every bit as much as some of the bigger county projects. We have many large, complex projects that tend to receive the most attention, but at any given time, standalone pedestrian and bicycle projects, such as the Gemini Way Sidewalk Project, account for 10% of all active projects. Sidewalks are one of the most important investments we as a community can make."
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Board of County Supervisors
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Event to Build Relationships | |
Wednesday, October 5, Chair Wheeler participated in PWC Police Department's Coffee with A Cop in Woodbridge. The national event brings police officers and the community members they serve together in a relaxed atmosphere to facilitate conversation and build relationships. | |
Coffee with A Cop was launched in Hawthorne, California in 2011 when Officers from the Hawthorne Police Department were looking for ways to interact more successfully with the citizens they served each day. Events are now held in all 50 states and is one of the most successful community oriented policing programs across the country. The program has expanded to Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Latin America. | | | |
Thursday, October 6, Chair Wheeler participated in the graduation ceremony of the PWC Department of Fire and Rescue Recruit Class 22-1, also known as the “Smoke Riders.” | |
The 22 Fire and Rescue Technicians successfully completed 32 weeks of rigorous academic and physical training at the Department’s Public Safety Training Center. The over 1,500 hours of training included 11 weeks of Emergency Medical Training, 13 weeks of Fire Training, and 8 weeks of Specialized Training. During this time they also focused on their health, nutrition, and functional fitness. | | | | |
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Tuesday, October 11
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
For Public Comment Time options visit SpeakUp! Prince William. Remote speakers must sign-up by 5:00 pm on Monday, October 10. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
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Department Hosts Open Houses | | |
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Saturday, October 15, the PWC Department of Fire and Rescue is hosting Open Houses at various stations throughout the County in celebration of Fire Prevention Week (issue 133). Families are welcome to tour the station and meet the firefighters who serve their community. A list of the stations, locations, and times can be found here. | |
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Additional Information
Station 16 in Manassas will be holding its Open House on Saturday, October 8. During their Open House, Station 14 in Woodbridge and Station 22 in Manassas will be demonstrating a vehicle extrication at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 15.
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Saturday, October 29, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, PWC, City of Manassas, and Town of Haymarket Police Departments are joining the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and community groups in a national Prescription Drug Take Back Day. | |
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To participate, simply bring your unused or expired prescription medications to the collection sites at:
To protect your privacy, use a permanent marker to blacken out your personal information on the labels, if you are unable to peel them off.
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The following will be accepted:
- Prescription and over-the-counter solid-dosage medications (i.e., tablets and capsules).
- Vape pens and e-cigarettes AFTER batteries have been removed.
The following will NOT be accepted:
- Intravenous solutions, injectables, needles, hydrogen peroxide, compressed cylinders (asthma inhalers, for example), iodine-containing medications and thermometers.
- Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine.
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Application Deadline Approaching | |
Saturday, October 15, is the deadline for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to apply to join PWC's Human Rights Commission Student Leadership Council (HRSLC). The PWC HRSLC program is a platform for high school students to develop their leadership skills, while exploring their interests and knowledge regarding human rights, civil rights, and anti-discrimination laws that effect our immediate community. During the program they will have the opportunity to engage with local human rights professionals, government officials, and community leaders. You can view the program schedule for the 2022-2023 cohort here and apply here. Hear from the 2021-2022 HRSLC cohort in the video below. | |
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In PWC:
Area transit is operating as follows:
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Virginia Railway Express will not offer service.
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OmniRide Express buses will not offer service, while all other buses will operate on regular Monday schedule.
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Metrorail will operate on Saturday holiday schedule.
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Wednesday, October 26, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the Northern Virginia Food Rescue is hosting its Hunger is Scary fund raiser at its headquarters, located at 10535 Battleview Parkway in Manassas. The evening will include a costume contest, silent auction, dancing, drinks, and appetizers. Several levels of sponsorships, as well as, general admission tickets are available. | |
Weekends in October, Historic Dumfries Virginia, Inc., a historic society, is offering two hair-raising experiences to help embrace the scary side of the season. Both events are led by the society's paranormal investigator. | |
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Return to the Shadows Ghost Tour
Through October 29
Fridays at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, and Saturdays at 7:00 pm
- Outside walking tour of the Dumfries historic area, including Dumfries Cemetery and the Weems-Botts Museum grounds.
- Hear about spooky happenings at the Weems-Botts Museum.
- A chance to investigate Merchant Park after the tour to decide whether the stories are true.
Only 15 guests per tour, tickets are $20 per person, and flashlights or cell phones with flashlights are required.
Tracking the Trickster
Through October 29
Saturdays 11:00 pm to 1:00 am
- Search for a mysterious shadow figure seen lurking behind the museum Annex called the Doppelganger.
- Help collect evidence of this curious entity. Guests will set up and monitor motion activated sensors and utilize audio recorders to capture electronic voice phenomena in locations that are off limits to regular visitors.
- View the collection of allegedly haunted artifacts up close and hear the stories associated with them.
Only 3 guests per tour, for ages 18+, tickets are $80 per person, face masks must be worn, and flashlights or cell phones with flashlights required.
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Historic Dumfries Virginia, Inc. is a non-profit membership organization that operates the Weems-Botts Museum, hosts educational programs and events, and maintains a research library, archive, and collections on Dumfries’ history. Its mission is to preserve and promote the historic heritage of the Town of Dumfries, Virginia’s oldest continuously-chartered town. | | | |
Thank You for Your Service | |
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Congratulations to K9 Murphy on his retirement following a 10 year career with the PWC Police Department. His career of loyal service to the people of PWC started with K9 school in September of 2012, which he completed in January 2013. He subsequently completed narcotics detection school in 2015.
K9 Murphy was certified through the United States Police Canine Association in patrol, tracking, and narcotics detection. He also qualified nationally in patrol as well. Throughout his career he and his partner, Master Police Officer Morris (pictured below right with K9 Murphy and Police Chief Newsham), had many criminal apprehensions through tracking and building searches. K9 Murphy plans on spending his retirement with his family at home enjoying his well-deserved rest.
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Award Winner
In 2021 PWC hosted the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 3 PD1 Trials. A total of 27 K-9 teams participated from within the region, including some teams from Illinois and the Carolinas. The K-9 Teams were tested and judged on Agility, Obedience, Combined Search, and Criminal Apprehension.
Master Police Officer Morris and K9 Murphy won 2nd place in Combined Search and 3rd place in Obedience!
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How to Get Vaccinated (including boosters):
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Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents. | | | | | |
