Help us get the word out that the Census has been extended to Monday, October 5. Put it on your social media and tell it to everyone you talk to (think check-out clerks and restaurant servers). More people responding means more funding for schools, emergency services, health care, roads, and more!

PWC has four sample ballots, and the one you will be given depends on where you reside. Three are based on your Congressional District for the House of Representatives. The fourth is specific to the Town of Dumfries. Below are links to the different sample ballots:

The Virginia Open Data Portal, launched in 2014 by Governor Terry McAuliffe, provides state agency data to residents, empowering them to transform it into actionable intelligence. Within the portal, users can view stories and dashboards, create visualizations, and filter data. Datasets, grouped by topic, range from Opioid Response to Environment & Natural Resources. Now the portal has a COVID-19 section (overview page) with 16 different, topic specific, datasets to explore.  

Tuesday, October 6 at 2:00 pm

The 7:30 pm meeting has been cancelled

Advance sign-up is required by

The Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment awarded Virginia a $775,000 grant to support the siting of wind energy projects across the Commonwealth. The grant will fund work by Old Dominion University to develop a statewide mapping tool for military, industry, and community stakeholders to determine where renewable energy projects are viable and identify potential impacts on military missions, training, and operations early in the planning process.

Six PWC students are National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Additionally, six former PWC students who now attend the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology qualified. Each semifinalist represents less than 1% of high school seniors in the U.S. Finalists, who will be announced in February, compete for approximately 7,600 scholarships.

PWC Schools received a Department of Defense Education Activity Military Support Grant. The grant supports the social-emotional well-being of students, as well as an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through the funding and support permitted by this grant, military-connected students were able to participate in several STEM opportunities.

The Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity represents greater PWC and is one of 750 chapters. Very active in a wide range of educational and humanitarian activities, they have recently been named Top Chapter Fundraiser by St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The chapter is part of the Third District, which represents DC and Virginia. Out of 12 Districts, it was named Top Fundraising District.

PWC has three new Eagle Scouts! After years of dedication, Ean Helmlinger, Aidan Marc Charles Kahl, and Zachary J. Malich were awarded the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only about 4% of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process.

Leadership Prince William (LPW) 2020 class has officially graduated! An independent non-profit organization, LPW founding partners included Prince William Chamber of Commerce, George Mason University, and Micron Technology. Now in its 11th year, they operate a Signature Program for adults, continuing education and networking for alumni, youth mentoring, and a Youth Leadership Prince William summer camp. Serving greater PWC, LPW's mission is to engage and inspire individuals, organizations and alumni to enrich the community through collaborative leadership. Class of 2020, best wishes on the next step in your journey.

Speaking of LPW, class of 2018 graduate and friend of The Wheeler Report Aaron Tolson, was awarded their Kathy Ellington Alumni Leadership Award for using vision, leadership, skills and talents to accomplish something notable that positively impacted greater PWC. Aaron's development of the Prince William Food Rescue (Issue 26 & Issue 8) program provides a unique way to fight hunger and food waste. It has helped feed residents affected by COVID-19, connect more residents to volunteerism, and raised awareness about food waste and insecurity.

In Issue 25 we featured PWC's Human Rights Student Leadership Council (HRSLC) and their Best Achievement Award by the Virginia Association of Counties. HRSLC is accepting applications now through October 30 for the 2020-2021 school year. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled in public, private and homeschool programs are eligible. 

In 1984, the National Crime Prevention Council designated October as Crime Prevention Month. Every year since then, government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses, and youth organizations have reached out to educate the public, showcase their accomplishments, and explore new partnerships during this special month.

PWC Police Department is offering a free virtual Personal Safety Awareness training on Wednesday, October 7 at 7:00 pm. The session will last for one hour and topics will include information on personal safety awareness, safety for joggers, automobile safety, home intruders, robbery and more.

Coinciding with Crime Prevention Month, National Night Out this year starts at 5:00 pm on Tuesday October 6. Coordinated by the Crime Prevention Unit of the Police Department in partnership with the Prince William Crime Prevention Council, it strives to create healthy neighborhoods. You can read more about NNO and its origins in Issue 22.