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Issue 103
Friday, February 11, 2022
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

Last August, in issue 80, I provided information on ways to help the Afghan refugees coming to our area. I had heard from so many of you wanting to know how you could help. This week, I attended a dinner (article below) to thank the organizations and many volunteers that provided invaluable resources to these refugees. It was a wonderful acknowledgement of the life changing efforts the volunteers in and outside our County provided them.

I am continually amazed by the volunteer community in Prince William County. I firmly believe it is one of the strongest in the nation. Never has that been more evident than in the last two years. It is one of the many, many things that make me grateful to live here and represent you.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Department Tours and Talks
Department of Transportation
Led by Director Ricardo Canizales the Department of Transportation is responsible for implementing a program that covers all modes of transportation. The Department plans and coordinates the County's transportation program with state and federal agencies, manages transportation capital improvement projects, and works with the BOCS to find effective solutions that resolve transportation issues.
Current road projects that have been approved by the BOCS are selected on a priority basis to improve road safety and to reduce traffic congestion.

County voters also approve projects as part of a road bond referendum. Voter approval allows the County to sell bonds in order to establish funding for projects. Projects are suggested by citizens, the BOCS, the Police Department, and County staff. Each project is selected based on improvements to road safety and traffic congestion issues.

Revenue sharing projects are undertaken in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation and involve various improvement projects along existing roadways including sidewalks, curbs, gutters, asphalt trails, drainage, and pave in place.
"Prince William County covers 348 square miles, so addressing its transportation needs is a large undertaking. I am continually amazed by our Department of Transportation staff and their dedication to this community"
Ann Wheeler
Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large
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Chair's Calendar
Appreciation Dinner
Thursday, February 10, Chair Wheeler attended the Muslim Association of Virginia (MAV) Afghan Refugees and Volunteer Welcome Dinner, held at Dar Alnoor Islamic Community Center in Manassas. The MAV hosted the event to thank the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Islamic Relief USA, Virginia Council of Muslim Associations along with many, many other organizations and countless volunteers who sacrifice their time and energy on a regular basis for the common goal of helping Afghan allies establish their new homes here in America.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
Friday, February 11, Chair Wheeler met with Chief Justice, the Honorable David Scott Bailey, and Clerk of Court, Ms. Monica J. Burnett, of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (JDRC) about the continuing operations and needs of the court. Part of the 31st Judicial District of Virginia, the JDRC hears all matters involving juveniles such as criminal or traffic matters and any domestic issue between related parties including domestic violence. The JDRCs are district courts, which in Virginia means they are not courts of record and there are no jury trials.
More About the JDRC

The JDRC also handles matters involving families such as custody, support, and visitation. Any family issue can be resolved through mediation. The JRDC has online information on filing for paternity and child support, child support FAQs, quick access to the most commonly used forms, and juvenile traffic case information, which includes a portal for prepaying fines for juvenile traffic cases.
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COVID-19 News
PWC Community Transmission
Community transmission and positivity rates continue to decrease, with transmission rates almost half of last week. The Prince William Health District COVID-19 Dashboard on February 7 showed 310 new cases per 100K in the last seven days and 13% positivity (the January 31 dashboard showed 600 new cases and 19.6% positivity (issue 102).
The Virginia Department of Health Level of Community Transmission graphs below provide a visual of weekly data since March 2021. The most recent spikes on both represent data posted on January 10, 2022.
Community Testing Center Closed
The Prince William Health District (PWHD) announced Thursday, February 10, was the last day of operation of the COVID-19 Community Testing Center (CTC) (issue 98) at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge. The center, one of nine opened by the Virginia Department of Health, began operations on Thursday, January 13 (issue 99). PWHD has advised a mobile testing unit will be coming to the County next week and to visit its Facebook page or Twitter feed for updates. Smaller testing sites are also being considered. Other Virginia Department of Health CTCs have also recently closed due to decreased demand.
Every residential home in the U.S. is eligible to order up to 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests (issue 100) from the Department of Health and Human Services. Orders usually ship in 7-12 days. 
Immunity After COVID-19 Infection/Vaccination
The Prince William Health District (PWHD) advised on February 4 current evidence shows people who are recently fully vaccinated and people who recently had COVID-19 are at low risk for getting sick with COVID-19 for at least 6 months. The PWHD's statement included that, right now, scientists don't know what level of antibodies protect a person from COVID-19 infection.
The PWHD further advised there is no test that can determine whether someone is fully protected. Vaccines are one form of protection, and not a cure. People with COVID-19 who have more severe symptoms and worse illness tend to produce a much higher antibody response. This is compared to people without symptoms or with mild illness.
Vaccination, Testing, and Treatment Resources
To learn where you can get vaccinated:

For information on where to get tested if you have been exposed or think you may have COVID-19, visit the PWHD COVID-19 testing webpage and the VDH COVID-19 testing webpage.

If you are at high risk of developing serious disease, you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments which can help prevent severe illness and help keep you out of the hospital. Learn more here.
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BOCS
Next Meeting
Tuesday, February 15
at 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, February 14. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
County Budget

The 7:30 pm meeting will include a presentation of the Proposed FY2023 Budget by Acting County Executive Elijah Johnson. Following the presentation, the BOCS will undertake an extensive review of the proposal and there will be public comment opportunities prior to the final budget adoption scheduled for April 26.
Save the Date
The first opportunity for public comment on the budget calendar is a virtual meeting Saturday, February 19, at 9:00 am. Details on how to participate will be shared once finalized.
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County News
Tuesday, February 22 at 12:00 pm, the PWC Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual information session on the Route 28 Bypass Project. During this “Transportation Tuesday” session the department will introduce the Design and Engineering Team and provide a project update.

The session will dive deeper into previously identified concerns regarding the project that residents have shared on the website, through email inquiries, and during previous information sessions. While there will not be a live Q&A during Tuesday's session, questions will be captured during the event that will shape future communication and engagement.
Register to attend the event the February 22 virtual information session here. To join by phone dial 301-715-8592 and, if prompted, enter Webinar ID: 917 5699 4538 and Passcode: 315447

Questions and comments can be submitted to the Route 28 Bypass Design and Engineering Team by:
  • Visiting the project website at route28bypass.com
  • Emailing [email protected]
  • Writing to the Department of Transportation at Prince William County, 5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192
  • Calling 703-792-6273
New Monthly County Show
Monday, February 14, the PWC Office of Communications within Executive Management is launching a new show, County Conversations, on PWC-TV, which is Comcast channel 23 and Verizon channel 37. It will highlight information on PWC Agencies and Departments while placing a spotlight on the important work of staff members for the County. New episodes will air monthly on PWC-TV and the County's YouTube Channel.
Participation Update
Information on how to participate in the Saturday, February 19, at 10:00 am PWC Black History Committee Black Health and Wellness event (issue 102) is now available. The live virtual event will feature a health and wellness panel featuring local professionals in mental, physical, dental, and internal health. The panel will answer questions in real-time and questions previously submitted. Submit questions you would like answered to [email protected].
How to Participate

To join on a laptop, tablet or smart phone, go here. If prompted, enter:
  • Webinar number 2311 488 0605
  • Webinar password rPR7WWHGY73 (77779944 from phones)

To join by telephone, dial 415-655-0001. If prompted, enter access code 231 148 80605.
Reminder
Friday, February 18 at 9:00 am through Sunday, March 13 at 11:59 pm 501(c)(3) faith-based and nonprofit organizations can submit proposals to the Prince William County ARPA Community Grant Program (issue 102). Learn more and register for a live informational session (Saturday, February 12, Tuesday, February 15, and Wednesday, February 16) here.
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School News
Mask Update
Wednesday, February 9, the Virginia Senate passed a bill allowing a parental opt-out from school division mask mandates. The bill includes that the parent will not be required to provide a reason and the student will not suffer any adverse consequences. The bill has moved to the Virginia House of Delegates. If it is passed there, it will go to Governor Glen Youngkin, who has issued a statement in support of the bill. The CDC continues to recommend masks in schools.
Friday, February 4, the Arlington Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction allowing individual school systems to have mask mandates. This ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by seven school Boards, including PWC's, which challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 2 issued by Governor Youngkin on January 15 (issue 101).
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County Happenings
Open House
Leadership Prince William is hosting an Alumni Reunion and Open House Thursday, February 17, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Centerfuse, 9071 Center Street in Manassas. Alumni, 2022 class members, supporters, and anyone interested in learning more about its programs is encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to [email protected]
Leadership Prince William is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) serving PWC and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Its mission is to engage and inspire individuals, organizations and alumni to enrich the community through collaborative leadership.
First Event of 2022
Saturday, February 26, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Keep Prince William Beautiful is holding its first clean up event of 2022 along Alder Lane in Manassas adjacent to Barron Park (7625 Aaron Lane). Clean-up supplies will be provided. You can register for the event here. Contact [email protected] if you would like more information.
Valentine's Day Options
If you haven't settled on Valentine's Day plans, be sure to check out Valentine's Day Events in PWC. Visit PWC has compiled lots of options and since February 14 is a Monday, why not celebrate all weekend! Whether you’re paired up, celebrating with friends, or flying solo - you're sure to find at least one or two (or more) things of interest. There's even something so our four-legged family members can celebrate.
Start Planning for Summer
If you weren't happy about Punxsutawney Phil's prediction last week, Jiffy Lube Live's 2022 concert lineup may be just the thing to help get you through those six more weeks of Winter. The 25,000-seat outdoor amphitheater in Bristow has a wide variety of music genres scheduled, so there is something for every musical taste in the family. Check back for newly added shows.
Jiffy Lube Live has 10,000 reserved seats in the covered section close to the stage and less expensive general admission lawn seats on a grassy slope that provides natural tiered seating. Guests are welcome to bring a blanket to sit on for enjoying the show. Except for one sealed water bottle per person, no outdoor food and drinks are allowed. There are plenty of food and drink options on-site to enjoy.
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County Kudos
Department Receives Top Award
PWC Department of Facilities and Fleet Management received the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association 2022 Project of the Year award for the category of Structures Less than $5 million. The award was for the Central Community Library renovation, which included the addition of Studio 8601 Makerspace (issue 90), an innovative, independent workspace that provides a variety of machines, tools and technology to explore, build, collaborate and create. Check out the ribbon-cutting video below to see a tour of the renovations.
Facilities and Fleet Management also received Honorable Mention Awards for:
  • 911 Emergency Call Center Alteration: Structures Less than $5 Million
  • Fire & Rescue Station #22: Structures $5 - $25 Million
  • Adult Detention Center Expansion Phase II: Structures $25 Million - $75 Million
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.