On October 23, NOVEC employees participated in the sixth annual Day of Caring at the Willing Warriors Retreat in Haymarket, partnering with NOVEC HELPS to volunteer for landscaping, gardening, and other tasks. The event also included a $2,500 donation to the retreat, which provides a respite for wounded service members and their families.

Press Release:

On Oct. 23, NOVEC employees partnered with NOVEC Hands Engaged in Local Public Service (HELPS) for the sixth annual Day of Caring at the Willing Warriors Retreat in Haymarket. NOVEC HELPS is a NOVEC-supported, employee-run 501(c)(3).

Since its opening in 2015, the Willing Warriors Retreat at Bull Run has served as a temporary “home-away-from-home” for service members who are recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center or Fort Belvoir Hospital. The retreat provides veterans and their families with a relaxing environment where they can bond and create long-lasting memories away from the hospital environment.

During the 2024 Day of Caring, more than 30 volunteers worked in two shifts – landscaping, gardening, cleaning, and completing house projects. NOVEC HELPS also made a monetary donation of $2,500 to Willing Warriors.

“NOVEC HELPS is proud to partner with Willing Warriors again for the Day of Caring,” said NOVEC HELPS Chair and NOVEC Quality Assurance and Training Coordinator Nan Musick. “Working at the retreat is a small way of showing our appreciation to U.S. service members while honoring them and their families for the sacrifices they’ve made.”

“Having volunteers like those from NOVEC at The Warrior Retreat at Bull Run allows us to continue providing vital services to our nation’s wounded warriors and their families,” said Faith Lillemo, Willing Warriors administrator and volunteer coordinator. “Their support helps create a peaceful, welcoming environment where healing and meaningful connections can take place. Volunteer efforts like this are the lifeblood of our mission, enabling us to offer these heroes a much-needed respite and a sense of community during their stay.”

The Willing Warriors Retreat is always looking for volunteers. Visit www.willingwarriors.org for more information.

Founded in 2020, Commonwealth Aviation has merged with Aero Elite and expanded to a new office space in Manassas, becoming one of the largest flight schools in the mid-Atlantic. The new location was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on November 1, offering a professional and welcoming environment for students and pilots.

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Fire crews responded to a car fire that spread to a house and surrounding brush on Molair Road near Manassas. The fire caused extensive damage to the home, which was deemed unsafe, and the American Red Cross is assisting two occupants.

Press Release from Prince William Fire and Rescue:

House Fire

Sunday, November 10, 2024

10:18 AM

This morning units were dispatched to the 11800 blk of Molair Road ([Near] Manassas) for a caller reporting a car on fire next to a house. Crews arrived on the scene with an auto fire and a rapidly spreading fire into a single-family dwelling. The surrounding brush and other combustibles were also ignited. The location of the home required rural water supply operations, but the fire was quickly brought under control. The home sustained extensive damage and was declared unsafe to occupy by the Building Official. No injuries were reported. The American Red [Cross] is assisting 2 adult occupants who were displaced. Based on observations and witnesses, indications are the fire was ignited by the recently driven and parked vehicle igniting combustible vegetation under the vehicle.

 

 

Prince William County has completed a $30-million infrastructure project along Prince William Parkway and Discovery Boulevard, funded by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. The improvements include expanded lanes, a shared-use path, and a sidewalk, aimed at reducing congestion and supporting economic growth in the area.

Press Release:

Prince William County has successfully completed substantial improvements along 5,000 feet of Prince William Parkway and 1,500 feet along Discovery Boulevard, including enhancements at the intersection of Discovery Boulevard and Hornbaker Road.

The $30-million project, funded entirely by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, or NVTA, features a new 10-foot-wide asphalt shared-use path and a five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk. It also adds a lane in each direction on Prince William Parkway, expanding the road to three lanes in each direction within the project limits. Discovery Boulevard now includes a 2,000-foot extension as a four-lane divided roadway from its intersection with University Boulevard.

The improvements are expected to significantly reduce wait times at traffic signals along Prince William Parkway and enhance access to key county destinations, particularly in the Brentsville Magisterial District.

“This interchange is the main gateway to Innovation Park, George Mason University SciTech campus and the future Innovation district,” Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy said at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. “And these are all magnets for economic development for Prince William County. By next year, we will see a town center coming to life, and having this interchange complete before the new traffic comes ensures that we will be able to accommodate the growth that we hope to see from all these investments.”

Prince William County Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson agreed with Gordy’s comments.

“This critical project improves access to Innovation Technology Park,” Jefferson said. “This is an area of critical importance to the county, and it’ll be great to have the infrastructure in place to support future growth.”

Jefferson went on to thank the NVTA for funding the project.

“This $30 million project would not have been completed without funding from NVTA, and NVTA has been a vital partner on so many transportation projects across our county; and this is just the latest project we’ve collaborated on together,” Jefferson said.

NVTA Executive Director Monica Backmon said she remembers the groundbreaking for the project in 2018.

“It just speaks to what we do and who we are at the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority,” said Backmon. “Multi-modal is what we do… reduced congestion means improved quality of life… reducing congestion means a direct impact and a positive impact on the economy.”

Christina Winn, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, emphasized the importance of the new transportation infrastructure in supporting Prince William County’s economic development goals.

“When you look at really being able to attract jobs and improve the quality of life for employees, having an amazing transportation network is paramount,” Winn said. “This project is going to continue to move Innovation Park and Prince William County forward.”

With these upgrades, Prince William County residents and visitors will benefit from improved mobility, reduced congestion and increased economic opportunities.

Watch the Buzz video from the event.

On November 7, officers responded to a crisis situation at an apartment complex near Woodbridge, where an intoxicated woman, attempting self-harm, kicked and struck an officer during the intervention. The woman was arrested and charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and obstruction of justice, with a court date pending.

Press Release from Prince William Police:

Assault & Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] – On November 7 at 4:47PM, officers responded to the Potomac Ridge Apartments located in the 2800 block of Woodmark Dr. [near] Woodbridge (22191) to assist a person in crisis. When officers entered the apartment they observed a woman, later identified as the accused, who was intoxicated and attempting to harm herself. When officers attempted to intervene, the accused kicked and struck an officer before being detained without further incident. No injuries were reported. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Desiree Debora MAHMOUD, was arrested.

Arrested on November 7:
Desiree Debora MAHMOUD, 22, of 2813 Woodmark Dr. [near] Woodbridge
Charged with assault & battery on LEO and obstruction of justice
Court Date: Pending | Bond: $2,500 Unsecured

On October 22, a 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with brandishing a firearm in connection to a road rage incident on April 26 in Dumfries. The investigation revealed that during a verbal altercation at an intersection, the suspect brandished a firearm at another driver, but no shots were fired and no injuries occurred.

Press Release from Prince William Police:

Brandishing of a Firearm | Road Rage Related *SUSPECT IDENTIFIED | ARREST – On October 22, officers concluded the investigation into the brandishing that was reported to have occurred at the intersection of Richmond Hwy and Dumfries Rd. in Dumfries (22192) on April 26. While investigating the incident, officers identified the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant. On October 22, the suspect, identified as Alex COLEMAN, was located and arrested by Arlington County police.

Arrested on October 22: [No Photo Available]
Alex COLEMAN, 28, of 17247 Nugget Ln. in Dumfries
Charged with brandishing of a firearm
Court Date: November 8, 2024 | Bond: Unavailable

Brandishing of a Firearm | Road Rage Related [Previously Released] – On April 26 at 4:54PM, officers responded to the intersection of Richmond Hwy and Dumfries Rd. in Dumfries (22192) to investigate a brandishing. The investigation revealed the victim, a 34-year-old man, was driving on Dumfries Rd. when he was involved in a road rage incident with the driver of another vehicle. While both vehicles were stopped at the above intersection and the driver’s continued the verbal altercation, the driver of the other vehicle got out of their vehicle and brandished a firearm. The victim remained in his vehicle during the encounter. Eventually, the parties separated without further incident. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male approximately 25 years old driving a white BMW.

On November 6, the driver of a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van was charged with careless driving following a fatal crash on November 4 near Manassas, which killed a 90-year-old pedestrian. The investigation determined that distracted driving contributed to the collision, and the driver was issued a court summons for the traffic violation.

Press Release from Prince William Police:

Fatal Crash Investigation *DRIVER CHARGED – On November 6, crash investigators obtained a court summons for a traffic violation citing the driver of the 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van in the fatal collision that occurred in the 10100 block of Lake Jackson Dr. [near] Manassas (20111) on November 4. The investigation revealed the driver of the van, identified as the accused, was distracted which contributed to the collision that killed a 90-year-old man who was walking on the shoulder of the roadway. Following the investigation, investigators obtained a summons for the accused, identified as Russell Anthony CAROLLA, who was served on November 6.

Charged on November 6: [No Photo Available]
Russell Anthony CAROLLA, 68, of 10614 Lake Jackson Dr. [near] Manassas
Charged with careless driving
Court Date: November 21, 2024 | Status: Released on a Court Summons

Identified:
The deceased pedestrian was identified as Gary Paul WILSON, 90, of Manassas

Fatal Crash Investigation [Previously Released] – On November 4 at 4:18PM, officers responded to the 10100 block of Lake Jackson Dr. [near] Manassas (20111) to investigate a crash involving a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van was traveling eastbound on Lake Jackson Dr. when the vehicle struck a pedestrian who was walking on the shoulder portion of the roadway. At the location of the crash, no sidewalk is present. The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital where he died later that evening from injuries sustained during the crash. The driver of the striking vehicle remained at the scene and was not injured. Investigators determined that speed was not a factor in the crash. Crash investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. Charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Fredericksburg is introducing school zone speed enforcement cameras in two school zones in late 2024 to improve road safety for students. Before citations are issued, a 30-day warning period will begin, and additional details are available on the city's website.

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On November 4, a pedestrian was struck by a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van while walking on the shoulder of Lake Jackson Dr. near Manassas and later died from his injuries. The driver, a 68-year-old man, remained at the scene, and investigators are seeking witnesses as the investigation continues, with charges pending.

Press Release from Prince William Police:

Fatal Crash Investigation – On November 4 at 4:18PM, officers responded to the 10100 block of Lake Jackson Dr. [near] Manassas (20111) to investigate a crash involving a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van was traveling eastbound on Lake Jackson Dr. when the vehicle struck a pedestrian who was walking on the shoulder portion of the roadway. At the location of the crash, no sidewalk is present. The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital where he died later that evening from injuries sustained during the crash. The driver of the striking vehicle remained at the scene and was not injured. Investigators determined that speed was not a factor in the crash. Crash investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. Charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Identified:

The deceased pedestrian was identified as Gary Paul WILSON, 90, of Manassas

The driver of the 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van was identified as a 68-year-old man of Manassas