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Issue 77
Friday, August 6, 2021
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

One theme of the annual National Night Out is "bringing back a true sense of community." I'm not sure that has ever been felt more than it was this year. At Tuesday night's event, it was a joy to experience the level of engagement demonstrated by our community.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
Chair's Calendar
National Night Out
Chair Wheeler joined members of the community and the PWC Police Department and Sheriff's Office at all three of their motorcade routes for National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 3. She participated at Potomac Shores in the Eastern District, Westmont Estates in the Central District, and New Bristow Village in the Western District. It was a great event and wonderful to return to the traditional NNO.
COVID-19 & Vaccines
Vaccines Available
The Prince William Health District is offering COVID-19 vaccines at its Manassas and Woodbridge Clinics. Days and hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Walk-ins are welcome. If you are looking for a specific vaccine type, please call first to check on availability.
Manassas Clinic
9301 Lee Avenue
(703) 792-6300
Woodbridge Clinic
4001 Prince William Parkway, Suite 101
(703) 792-7300
PWCS Mask Announcement
This week, Superintendent of Schools Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, announced universal indoor masking will be required in all PWC Public Schools at the start of the 2021-22 school year. The mandate includes all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status with some exceptions (see the asterisks in the chart and the references beneath). The leadership team will continue monitoring the CDC and the VDH and are prepared to adjust mitigation policies in the best interest of students and families as conditions and guidance change.
* Exceptions for a person who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).
** Such as teachers working with early learners, English learners, and/or students who receive speech language services when critical to teach concepts using facial cues or phonetics).
"Our students are best served in person. We know this paves the way for the greatest outcomes for everyone and is important for students’ academic progress, social-emotional growth, and well-being. There will be a large number of students returning, and we are taking precautions to ensure every student’s safety and to minimize disruptions to learning. My commitment is to the safety of all students, teachers, employees, and families. And we are committed to limiting disruptions to student learning caused by quarantines or illnesses, as well as ensuring we have the staffing necessary to avoid shuttering classrooms or schools."
LaTanya D. McDade, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
If You Work for the Commonwealth
Governor Ralph Northam announced on Thursday, August 5, that Virginia will require its approximately 122,000 employees to show proof they are fully vaccinated or be tested for COVID-19 every week. This policy will go into effect on Wednesday, September 1The action comes as the highly transmissible Delta variant is driving up cases across the Commonwealth and around the country, primarily among unvaccinated people.
Nearly 73% of Virginia adults have had their first shot, and 54% are fully vaccinated against the virus, which is higher than most states.
Help Extended for Foreclosure Evictions
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has extended the moratorium on evictions for foreclosed borrowers and their occupants through September 30. The FHA urges those who are behind on their mortgage payments, or are having difficulty complying with the terms of their reverse mortgage or Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, to contact their mortgage servicer immediately. Borrowers can also contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or HUD Public Affairs at 202-708-0685. You can find information regarding the PWC COVID-19 Emergency Mortgage and Utility Housing Assistance Program here.
Get the Shot
  • Visit PWHD's websiteFacebook page, or Twitter account for announcements of mobile clinic locations, dates, and times.
  • Visit Vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vaccination by location.
  • Make a vaccine appointment by calling Virginia’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
  • Visit vase.vdh.virginia.gov to schedule your vaccination appointment with the Prince William Health District.
  • Text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX).
  • Veterans contact NOVA Veterans Association at 703-659-0788, or by emailing melissa@novavets.org, for free transportation to a COVID-19 vaccine location.
BOCS

The Board is on summer recess through Labor Day.

The BOCS will reconvene after the recess on
Tuesday, September 7 at
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

During the August 3 meeting, the BOCS commended Hilda Barg for her tireless years of unwavering commitment to the betterment of PWC and the lives of its residents. A native of the County, Ms. Barg represented the residents of the Woodbridge Magisterial District on the BOCS from 1987 until 2007. Since her retirement from the Board, she has served 13 years as an active member of the PWC Department of Social Services Administrative Advisory Boards and led its 2014 transition to the current PWC Social Services Advisory Board, where she has served as chair for the last seven years. She created the County’s first homeless shelter for families, now known as the Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center which opened its doors in 1990 and continues to provide services such as case management, job readiness, mental health counseling, and medical referrals to this day. You can learn more about the Prevention Center and hear from Ms. Barg in the video below.
County News
In July, the BOCS established the Route 1 Refresh Grant Program (issue 75) to help businesses mitigate the financial impacts caused by the construction activity and renaming of U.S. Route 1 to Richmond Highway. Related expenses can include replacing printed materials, signage, business cards, website updates, and marketing.
Size of Available Grants
  • Level 1: $500 grant for all eligible businesses. 
  • Level 2: Up to $4,500 additional funds as a reimbursement for all eligible businesses. 
  • Level 3: Reimbursement of up to 75% percent of the modification cost, not to exceed $30,000 to update freestanding shopping center signs that contain Jefferson Davis Highway as part of the sign face or design. 

Business Eligibility
  • Have a U.S. Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) business address
  • Be physically located in PWC
  • Have, or have applied for, a County business license
  • Be current on business taxes (if applicable)
To discuss how the Route 1 Refresh Grant program can help your business, schedule a free consultation with a representative from the PWC Department of Economic Development by calling 703-792-5500, emailing econdev@pwcgov.org, or submitting a request here.
Respondents Prefer Metrorail
On Tuesday, July 27, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation shared its initial study results for transit options between Franconia-Springfield Metro station and Quantico Marine Base (issue 75). The majority of the over 1,300 people completing the survey responded that, when balancing trade-offs in funding, extending the Metrorail system was preferred. After additional analysis, final public meetings will be held in September and the final report completed in December. For more detailed information, view the meeting presentation and dedicated website.
See One of Natures Amazing Worlds
Saturday, August 7, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm get a front seat view into one of nature's amazing worlds at the Bee Encounter at Rippon Lodge. You will have the chance to learn about the history of beekeeping, see bees at work in the observation container making honey and feeding the queen, talk to experts, try on beekeeping outfits, and participate in bee-related crafts and activities. Little pots with seeds will be available to take home and start your own bee-friendly garden. Rippon Lodge is located at 15520 Blackburn Road in Woodbridge. Tickets are $10 per person for 15 and older.
Beekeeping at Rippon Lodge began in 2015 thanks to Senior Girl Scout Taylor Guilford. Sixteen at the time, she established the hive as part of her Gold Award project. The distinguished Gold Award is the highest achievement a girl scout can earn. Its many requirements include making a lasting difference and sustainability.
Don't Forget
Virginia's 3-day sales tax holiday is Friday, August 6, through Sunday, August 8. During the sales tax holiday, you can buy qualifying products without paying any Virginia sales tax. Purchases can be in-store or online. Below is an overview of eligible items. Click the heading of each section below and watch the video for more detailed information.
What items are eligible?
  • Qualified school supplies - $20 or less per item
  • Qualified clothing and footwear - $100 or less per item
  • Portable generators - $1,000 or less per item
  • Gas-powered chainsaws - $350 or less per item
  • Chainsaw accessories - $60 or less per item
  • Other specified hurricane preparedness items - $60 or less per item 
  • Qualifying Energy Star™ or WaterSense™ products purchased for noncommercial home or personal use - $2,500 or less per item
Hot Off the Presses
If you are someone who loves all things pumpkin spice, or is an advance planner, PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism newly released Fall 2021 Leisure Magazine is a must read. It includes information on recreation programs including Swim Lessons, Survival Club, Nature Photography, Dance Academy, Adapted Recreation Programs, Fitness on the Boardwalk, a Bluegrass Concert Series, Sports, Children's Programs, Holiday Happenings and lots more!
County Kudos
Making an Impact - Once Again
For the third consecutive year, the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity has been named worldwide Top Fundraiser Chapter in St. Jude & Omega - The Power of Giving 2021. One of 750 chapters, Pi Lambda Lambda was chartered in 2004 to serve PWC and are very active in a wide range of educational and humanitarian pursuits. The chapter is part of the Third District, which represents DC and Virginia, and was named Top Fundraising District for the third year. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’s name will go on a wall at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because of the fraternity’s $157,123 donations this year and from donations in the past.
Competing at Regional Championship
Seven PWC resident members of the Virginia Cooperative Extensions 4-H recently traveled to Perry, Georgia to compete in the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championship. Learn more about them (and 4-H) below.
About 4-H
Over 100 years old, today 4‑H is in rural, urban, and suburban communities in every state. Participants learn to complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement. The program is delivered by Cooperative Extension, a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences of learning by doing. With a direct connection to research at Virginia's land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, 4-H is the first experience many young Virginians have with higher education. Check out the 2018 video below to see some of the exciting things happening in the 4-H program.
The iconic 4-H clover stands for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

The 4-H Club pledge
"I Pledge: 
My Head to clearer thinking, 
My Heart to greater loyalty, 
My Hands to larger service and 
My Health to better living, 
For my club, my community, my 
country and my world."
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 470,000 residents.