MANASSAS — The center of western Prince William County could soon become Downtown Manassas, as far as OmniRide is concerned.
The local bus service that recently changed its name from PRTC is eyeing more changes in the Manassas area and proposes relocating the central transfer point in the western portion of the county from Manassas Mall to the corner West Courthouse Road and Mosby Street, near the county’s courthouse.
“OmniRide selected this location because our ridership figures have shown that the area around the Prince William County Courthouse is the top area our customers are traveling to/from,” OmniRide spokeswoman Christine Rodrigo tells Potomac Local. “This seems to be a popular location because of proximity to the Courthouse itself, government service offices including the Social Security Administration, and various destinations in Old Town Manassas.”
The proposal comes as city officials over the years have worked to make Downtown Manassas a central hub of activity, welcoming new businesses, restaurants, and the Prince William County region’s first co-working space CenterFuse.
If approved by the OmniRide Board of Commissioners, the transit agency also plans to implement a new paratransit service similar to MetroAccess, in western Prince William County.
Geared to those with disabilities, vans would pick up passengers three-quarters a mile off a regular OmniRide Local bus (formerly called OmniLink), and would replace “deviations” or off-route trips OmniRide local buses have done for years.
Paratransit riders would need to have a qualifying disability, and pay $3.10 one way, twice the one-way bus fare, said Rodrigo. Riders would reach destinations faster, ride in a van with up to seven other people, and have more privacy, she adds.
The move should also improve on-time performance for OmniRide local buses.
Express service to Rosslyn/Ballston
With 200 new commuter parking spaces about to open at Interstate 66 and Route 15 in Haymarket, OmniRide is also looking at adding express service between the lot and Arlington.
That lot is slated to open in middle December, and when it does “OmniRide proposes to offer Express bus service from that location to Rosslyn/Ballston. Initially, the route would offer four trips to Rosslyn in the mornings and four return trips in the afternoons/evenings. Rosslyn/Ballston was selected as the destination because there is demand in the I-66 corridor for direct bus service to that location,” states Rodrigo.
The proposal comes as E-ZPass Express Lanes are being added to the highway between Haymarket at the Capital Beltway. During construction, OmniRide has been operating service along the highway corridor for half price, offering one-way SmarTrip fares of $3.45 to encourage more people to take transit to get to work.
“If this new bus service is approved by the PRTC Board of Commissioners, OmniRide expects that some current riders who park at either the [nearby] Cushing Road Commuter Lot or the Limestone Commuter Lot will shift to the new lot, thus freeing up some spaces at the existing lots,” adds Rodrigo.
Earlier this year, OmniRide announced it won funds for an Uber-like service that will allow riders to hail a ride from their front door to commuter lots in Haymarket and Gainesville.
Finally, the transit agency wants to hear from riders about the types of services they want to see in the county in the next 10 years.
“OmniRide’s future commuter services will largely be driven by plans related to the construction of I-66 Express Lanes and the extension of I-395 Express Lanes. As for future local services, OmniRide’s goal is to achieve a better balance between rider demand and geographic coverage. That could mean more streamlined routes with little-to-no redundancy on areas served,” states Rodrigo.
The transit agency plans a series of public hearings on these proposals:
Wednesday, October 17, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Manassas Park Community Center
99 Adams St, Manassas Park, VA 20111
All Manassas Park OmniRide Local buses will serve the Community Center between noon and 4 p.m. on October 17. This is usually an on-demand stop.
Wednesday, October 17, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Baldwin Elementary School
1978 Eagle Way, Manassas, VA 20110
Thursday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Haymarket Gainesville Community Library
14870 Lightner Rd., Haymarket, VA 20169
Wednesday, October 24, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
OmniRide Transit Center
14700 Potomac Mills Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22192
FREDERICKSBURG — Two Stafford Board of Supervisors candidates hope their experience will resonate with voters, and land them a permanent seat on board.
Interim George Washington District Supervisor Tom Coen is campaigning on his record of 20 years of public service which includes a four-year run on the Stafford County Planning Commission. At a candidates forum in Fredericksburg on Monday night, stressed his ability to be a bridge between the various supervisors.
The Republican turned independent was appointed to the Stafford Board of Supervisors in January, replacing Bob Thomas who was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates last year. Coen was asked about his party change.
“People just want to see things get done” and that “Party affiliation does not matter on the local level especially if you’re looking to help people,” said Coen.
His opponent Gordon Silver, a regional finance manager working for Cox Automotive is running as a Republican. Silver discussed getting ahead of the growth of Stafford County while maintaining its businesses, schools, and infrastructure.
Silver wants to bring his experience in finance to the table to help manage the county finances.
The Fredericksburg and Stafford chapters of the NAACP held the political forum at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s location in Downtown Fredericksburg.
In addition to the local Stafford Board of Supervisors candidates, there also those running for federal office to Democrat Vangie Williams, a strategic planner running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia’s 1st Congressional district, which runs from Prince William County southeast to Virginia’s Tidewater Region. Williams’ opponent, the incumbent Republican Rob Wittman was not in attendance but did have representation from his campaign.
Williams is running with the slogan “We Deserve Better.” She expressed her platform to improve health care, education, and treatment of veterans. Williams said she refuses to accept corporate PAC money and to rely solely on donations for her constituents. Williams proposed creating a federal tax exemption for the first $50,000 of earned wages.
Also in attendance was Libertarian candidate Joe Walton who is running for a seat in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District which includes a portion of Spotsylvania County. Walton’s opponents, incumbent Dave Brat and Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger were not in attendance.
Matt Waters, the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate was also in attendance. His opponents, the incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Corey Stewart were did not attend.
Waters said he supports tax cuts for everyone, and also focused on Criminal Justice reform and the negative effects of the drug war. Waters also discussed wanting to end mandatory minimum sentencing which penalizes offenders with sentences many have called excessive.
The event was hosted by Joshua Cole who had run for the Virginia House of Delegates 28th district seat in 2017 as a Democrat and lost to the Republican candidate Robert Thomas Jr. It should be noted that the results of the race are being upheld due to a legal challenge. Mr. Cole plans to run again in 2019 for the same seat.
Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 6.
WASHINGTON — (Press Release) Today, Rep. Elijah. E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, requested that the Department of Commerce Inspector General Peg Gustafson investigate the Department’s decision to add a question regarding citizenship status to the upcoming 2020 Census.
“Since Secretary Ross’ decision to add the citizenship question to the 2020 Census, Democrats on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee have sought documents from the Departments of Commerce and Justice, as well as the Census Bureau, in order to conduct oversight on the matter,” the Members wrote. “Unfortunately, our efforts have been frustrated by Secretary Ross’ refusal to comply with our oversight requests, the Department of Commerce’s failure to provide documentation due to ‘ongoing litigation,’ and the failure of Republican Committee Members to join our requests to obtain information, documents, or testimony.”
Cummings and Connolly explained in today’s request that Secretary Ross and other Department officials have repeatedly claimed that they decided to add the citizenship question “solely” in response to a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on December 12, 2017. However, documents made public as part of ongoing litigation in New York v. United States Commerce Department demonstrate that the request, in fact, was initiated by the Commerce Department and coordinated with then-White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon long before the December 2017 request from DOJ.
“Congress and Inspectors General have an obligation to conduct independent oversight of Executive Branch agencies,” the Members wrote. “Therefore, we request that your office investigate the Department of Commerce’s process in adding the citizenship question to the 2020 Census, whether Secretary Ross and the Department of Commerce meaningfully considered concerns expressed by experts at the Census Bureau, and the extent to which Secretary Ross and other Commerce officials were involved in this decision.”
The full letter follows and is available here.
WOODBRIDGE – (Press Release) On July 7 at 10:59PM, officers responded to the area of Old Bridge Rd and Rolling Brook Dr in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a crash. The investigation revealed that a driver of a 1993 Toyota Standard was traveling westbound on Old Bridge Rd and attempted to make a left turn onto Rolling Brook Dr. The vehicle crossed in front of a 2016 Hyundai Elantra that was traveling eastbound on Old Bridge Rd. The driver of the Toyota is believed to have failed to yield the right-of-way to through traffic causing the collision. The driver of the Hyundai was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently arrested at the time of the crash. The driver of the Toyota was initially transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. On September 15, the driver died as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash. Prior to his death, the driver was transported out of state to another hospital facility. The Prince William County Police Department was recently notified of the death. The Crash Investigation Unit has reopened the investigation. The driver of the Hyundai reported minor injuries. The investigation continues.
Identified:
The driver of the 1993 Toyota Standard was identified as James Ivy TURNER, 68, of Woodbridge
Arrested on July 7:
Juan Corderio CARTER, 30, of 4516 Kenwood Dr in Woodbridge [Driver of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra]
Charged with driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated
Court Date: November 29, 2018 | Bond: Unavailable
Update
(Press Release) — During the extensive investigation, detectives from the Special Victims Bureau and Violent Crimes Bureau were able to identify the suspect involved in the abduction that occurred in the 14200 block of Essex Dr in Woodbridge in the morning hours of October 9.
Members of the Department’s Forensics Services Section were able to link the accused, identified as Adam-Seth WALTER, to the incident from evidence recovered from the scene. Members of the Street Crimes Unit apprehended the accused without incident in the area while on an unrelated investigation.
The investigation into the abduction revealed the victim, an 11-year-old girl, was walking to school when she observed the accused coming towards her. The accused grabbed the victim and implied he had a weapon.
At the same time, a witness, identified as a 34-year-old woman, was in front of her residence and observed the victim with the accused. During the encounter, the accused repeatedly struck the witness causing significant injuries before forcing her and the juvenile victim into the residence.
Another occupant of the house heard the accused in the home and attempted to intervene. The accused then fled the residence with the juvenile victim. When the accused left the residence, the witness immediately called police to report the incident.
The accused took the victim to an address on Cumberland Dr where he sexually assaulted her. After the encounter, the accused released the victim and fled on foot. Responding officers learned of the juvenile victim from the witness and began checking the area.
The juvenile victim approached an officer stationed in the area a short time later. The juvenile victim and witness were transported to an area hospital for treatment while detectives and forensic investigators continued the investigation. The accused has been charged with multiple felonies in connection to this investigation and remains incarcerated.
Arrested on October 9:
Adam-Seth WALTER, 26, of no fixed address
Charged with [in connection to the juvenile victim] 1 count of abduction with intent to defile, 1 count of rape, 2 counts sodomy, 1 count of aggravated sexual battery, and 1 count of indecent liberties
Charged with [in connection to the adult witness/victim] 1 count of abduction, 1 count of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, 1 count of robbery, 1 count of burglary with intent to commit larceny, 1 count of malicious wounding, and 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Original post 10:25 a.m. Tuesday
WOODBRIDGE — (Press Release) At 8:14 a.m., Prince William police officers responded to the 14200 block of Essex Dr in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate an abduction.
The investigation revealed that the victim, a juvenile girl, was reportedly walking to school along Essex Drive near Radford Drive when an unknown man approached and grabbed her. During the encounter, the suspect forced his way into a nearby home where he assaulted one of the residents, identified as an adult female, before fleeing the area on foot with the juvenile victim.
It’s unclear if the suspect brought the juvenile into the home. The juvenile did not live at the home.
The suspect then took the juvenile victim to an unknown location on Cumberland Drive where he sexually assaulted her. The suspect then released the juvenile victim and fled on foot. The juvenile victim was located by responding officers a short time later.
A police K-9 and officers are currently in the area searching for the suspect who has not been located. Please avoid the area and follow police direction. Area schools have been notified as a precaution. The investigation continues.
LAKE RIDGE — (Press Release) On October 5 at 6:30 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 13304 Occoquan Rd in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a road rage incident.
The victim, a 27-year-old man, reported to police that he, and two other adult male passengers, were driving on the Prince William Pkwy in the area of Summerland Dr when the driver of a red minivan, later identified as the accused, began driving aggressively.
The victim and the other men stopped at the above 7-Eleven and entered the business. Upon exiting, the men were confronted by the accused who began yelling at them. During the encounter, the victim told the accused he was going to contact police. At that point, accused brandished a handgun and pointed it towards the men.
The accused eventually got back into his vehicle and drove in front of the victim’s vehicle while continuing to point the weapon towards them. The accused eventually left the area. The victim provided officers with a license plate of the vehicle the accused was driving.
The accused was located at his home in Woodbridge where he was detained without further incident. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Hassan Mihalov DELGADO, was arrested.
Arrested on October 5:
Hassan Mihalov DELGADO, 32, of 1930 Stevens Rd, #1710, in Woodbridge
Charged with 3 counts of abduction, 3 counts of brandishing, and 3 counts of using a firearm in commission of a felony
Court Date: Unavailable | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (Press Release) U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court:
“I am deeply disappointed that the Senate has rushed to confirm Judge Kavanaugh without a complete investigation into the serious allegations against him. A five-day investigation that featured interviews with a handful of people, while ignoring dozens of witnesses who were willing to cooperate and a secret report whose contents could not even be discussed with the public convinces many that the entire goal was to ignore the serious charges.
“Over 150 sexual assault survivors have reached out to me to say they are dismayed by the Senate’s actions, they struggle to see empathy in the eyes of their leaders, and they now fear no one would take them seriously if they came forward with their own stories. I want them and all survivors to know this: You don’t need to suffer in silence. You deserve to be taken seriously. You deserve to be listened to.”
Kavanaugh previously served as a U.S. Circuit Court judge until his appointment to the Supreme Court on Saturday.
Bertha Lee Jones, age 82, passed away on October 9, 2018. She was a resident of Dale City, Virginia; and, owner/operator of Bertha’s Beauty and Barber Salon. She served as a foster mother, raising over twenty-five children. Bertha also instructed students in cosmetology to earn their license. She was a member of the Woodbridge Elks and Moose Lodge and the Liberty Riders Motorcycle Club
