Woodbridge, Va. –– In less than 24 hours, those who live in a homeless camp along Interstate 95 in Dale City will be forced to leave.
Virginia State Police on Thursday will enter a homeless camp near the intersection of I-95 and Dale Boulevard and force many off the land who for years have lived at the overwhelmingly self-sustaining community.
That land is maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation, which asked state police for help in removing the people in the tents.
“Last week, the Virginia Department of Transportation put up no trespassing signs, and we have had state troopers going to the camps to let them know that they will need to vacate the land by March 31,” said state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.
Troopers began notifying residents of the camps March 23 that they would have to leave, said Geller.
The encampment is located near the Prince William heating and cooling shelter, next to the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission’s bus terminal on Telegraph Road.
Nearby, a planned National Museum of Americans in Wartime was approved last fall for construction behind K-Mart. Now enough money needs to be raised by the museum organization so it can be built. The wartime museum will include recreated combat landscapes and working tanks and planes.
In recent months the camp has become known as a dangerous place for some.
Last June, a man was shot in the ear at the camp. The victim suffered injuries that were not life threatening, but it prompted a police search for the shooter.
Johnny McManus in December was found guilty for assault and battery in connection with the incident and sentenced to 12 months in jail, according to court records.
We’ll have more on this story as it develops.
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Prince William County government offices and facilities will be open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Still, employees can take unscheduled leave or engage in unscheduled telework due to current weather conditions.
While the county remains open for business, residents are encouraged to check for the latest updates on facility-specific operations by visiting pwcva.gov/emergency.
Some county services may be impacted by the weather. Before visiting a county facility, call ahead or check the county’s website.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions.
Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) announced that transit service, which was suspended on Tuesday due to winter weather, is expected to resume at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8. Residents relying on public transportation are encouraged to plan accordingly and check for updates before traveling.
In addition to transit disruptions, the city’s trash collection schedule has been adjusted. Monday’s missed routes resumed today, and services will shift forward by one day for the remainder of the week. Tuesday’s trash will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday’s on Thursday, and so on.
The City of Fredericksburg’s Public Works Department continues its efforts to clear snow and ice from roadways. Primary collector roads are reported to be in good condition, but some residential and collector roads remain compacted with snow and ice. Crews are applying plowing and chemical treatments as necessary to address these areas. As temperatures drop overnight, roads may refreeze, and drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling.
The City also reminds property owners and occupants of their obligation to clear sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Snow and ice must be removed within 12 hours after snowfall ends, or by noon the following day if precipitation occurs overnight or on a Sunday. Sand or abrasives may be used if removal isn’t feasible. Residents and businesses are also responsible for clearing ADA access ramps to ensure safe pedestrian passage.
The animals below are STRAYS turned into the PWC Animal Services Center between 01/03/2025 – 01/06/2025. We post photos of stray animals brought to the Center a couple of times each week to help owners find their missing pets.
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Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
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