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.

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.

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.

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 1. The action comes as the highly transmissible Delta variant is driving up cases across the Commonwealth and around the country, primarily among unvaccinated people.

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.

The Board is on summer recess through Labor Day.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.