Prince William County Police Officer Latrell Guy, who was a member of the 50th class, said he now better appreciates the hardships people face in dealing with mental illness.
“I just have a better understanding of what the person themselves might be going through and get them the help they need rather than go to a more restrictive route,” Guy said. “We need to understand what they have to live with and how we can help them get through their day. It’s something everyone should take in general to be more knowledgeable about these situations.”
According to a Dec. 31, 2024, press release from the county, the program, which was created in 2012, trains officers and community partners on how to help those experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The training also provides information on resources throughout the community.
“We want to get better trained in de-escalation techniques, at being able to recognize signs of mental illness and becoming familiar with and providing information about the resources available. We want to put that all into one package,” Prince William County Police Sgt. Eric Beard, the CIT assistant program coordinator, said.
Since the start of the program more than 10 years ago, more than 1,000 people from the various agencies have successfully finished the 40-hour training. In the county’s police department, nearly 500 officers have graduated. The program initially held two to three sessions per year, but now is able to hold closer to six or seven each year.
“[The program] has led us to … other collaborations – the Marcus Alert initiative, co-responders, our entire response system in Prince William – has been because of relationships we’ve built through starting this program,” Heather Baxter, behavioral health program manager with the county’s Community Services department, said. “I think this sets Prince William County apart from the rest of the state. Our relationships and the way we work together between mental health and the police departments has just made for an open relationship that has led to so many opportunities for us.”
Jan. 6 (Monday)
- Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 8
Jan. 11
- Prince William 4-H Cloverbud Club, 10:30 a.m. to noon (Dale City)
- Sprouts and Microgreens Class, 2 to 3:30 p.m. (Manassas)
Jan. 12
- Hiking Under the Moonlit Sky, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Nokesville)
Jan. 14
- Board of County Supervisors Organizational Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
- Manassas City Public School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
Jan. 17
- Kid’s Night Out, 6 to 9 p.m. (Woodbridge)
Jan. 18
- Winter Market 2025, 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through March 22 (Manassas City)
- Metabolic Makeover through Nutrtition, 1 to 2:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
Jan. 21
- Cyberteck Academy: Minecraft Modding, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Manassas)
- Getting Squirrely, 10 to 11 a.m. (Manassas)
- Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
Jan. 23
- Children Fun Days: National Measure Your Foot Day, 9:30 to 11 a.m. (Manassas)
Jan. 27
- Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
- State of The County Community Event, 6:30 to 9 p.m. (Manassas)
Jan. 31
- Paint and Hot Chocolate Sip, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Manassas)
- Manassas City School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
Starting Jan. 1 through Jan. 17, Prince William County residents can leave their greenery out on the curb. There are also three sites around the county that are accepting trees and additional greenery during this period:
- The Prince William County Landfill, 14811 Dumfries Road in Manassas. Hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facility is closed on Sundays.
- The Prince William County Compost Facility, 13000 Hansen Farm Road in Manassas. Hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facility is closed on Sundays.
- Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC), located at 5399 Wellington Branch Road in Gainesville, is accepting trees until Jan. 12. The drop-off area is in the front parking lot, outlined with orange safety cones. For more information, contact NOVEC’s vegetation management department at [email protected].
If you choose to recycle, be sure to remove all organments, decorations, tinsel, nails and tree stand before leaving it at the curb or dropping it off.
Here are the top 10 in each of the categories the library released:
Top 10 Adult Fiction
- “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
- “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros
- “The Teacher” by Freida McFadden
- “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah
- “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge
- “None of This is True” by Lisa Jewell
- “The Housemaid is Watching” by Freida McFadden
- “Just for the Summer” by Abby Jimenez
- “Resurrection Walk” by Michael Connelly
- “The Exchange: After The Firm” by John Grisham
Top 10 E-books
- “The Women” by Kristin Hannah
- “None of This Is True” by Lisa Jewell
- “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
- “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros
- “The Exchange” by John Grisham
- “Funny Story” by Emily Henry
- “The Five-Star Weekend” by Elin Hilderbrand
- “It Starts With Us” by Colleen Hoover
- “Happy Place” by Emily Henry
- “Don’t Believe It” by Charlie Donlea
Top 10 Easy and Board Books
- “The Pigeon Has to Go to School!” by Mo Willems
- “The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!” by Mo Willems
- “Fifteen Animals!” by Sandra Boynton
- “The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?” by Mo Willems
- “The Sour Grape” by Jory John
- “The Bad Seed” by Jory John
- “Creepy Carrots!” by Aaron Reynolds
- “Pete the Cat’s Groovy Imagination” by Kim Dean
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
- “Creepy Pair of Underwear!” by Aaron Reynolds
Top 10 Juvenile Fiction
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer” by Jeff Kinney
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Ă–verlöde” by Jeff Kinney
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball” by Jeff Kinney
- “Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure” by Rachel RenĂ©e Russell
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End” by Jeff Kinney
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” by Jeff Kinney
- “Dinosaurs Before Dark” by Mary Pope Osborne
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal” by Jeff Kinney
- “Dragonslayer” by Tui Sutherland
Top 10 DVDs
- “Oppenheimer”
- “Barbie”
- “Aladdin”
- “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”
- “The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”
- “Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One”
- “Wonka”
- “Encanto”
- “Sing 2”
- “The Holdovers”
Top 10 Adult Biography
- “The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears
- “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover
- “Spare” by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
- “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times” by Michelle Obama
- “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson
- “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” by Trevor Noah
- “Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning” by Liz Cheney
- “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir” by Matthew Perry
- “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” by Kai Bird
- “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy
The Prince William County Police officers completed a 24-week course of training in several aspects of police work, including firearms, use-of-force decision-making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques and investigations.
This is the most recent class of the county’s police academy, which started their training in July. The county hosts a new academy session in March, July and November of each year.
Congratulations to the following graduates!
Andrew C. Bischoff is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College in Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer Bischoff is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Jake A. Buck is a graduate of Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, N.H. He served in the U.S. Army (military police), attaining the rank of corporal prior to joining the Police Department. Officer Buck is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Nicholas F. Brooks is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Officer Brooks is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Parker D. Hoover is a graduate of the Aaron Academy in Gallatin, Texas. Officer Hoover is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Gavin D. Huttner is a graduate of Kettle Run High School in Nokesville and is pursuing courses at Laurel Ridge Community College in Fauquier County. Officer Huttner is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Jason T. Jones is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. He has family in law enforcement. Officer Jones is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Israel N. Lockhart is a graduate of Longwood University in Farmville, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice. He serves in the U.S. Army Reserve at the rank of private. Officer Lockhart is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Jessica L. Lucas attends Northern Virginia Community College in Fairfax and is pursuing an associate degree in criminology. She served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of staff sergeant prior to joining the Police Department. She has family in law enforcement. Additionally, she was the Class President of the 59th Session. Officer Lucas is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Jose A. Luyando Ortiz is a graduate of Mount Morris Central School in New York. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of sergeant prior to joining the Police Department. He speaks Spanish. Officer Luyando Ortiz is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Tayvon M. McGraw is a graduate of New England College in Henniker, N.H., with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer McGraw is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Ryan E. Pajuelo is a graduate of Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He was a Police Cadet prior to attending Basic Recruit School. Officer Pajuelo is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Gracie A. Presley is a graduate of Warren County High School in Front Royal. She was a Police Cadet prior to attending Basic Recruit School. Additionally, she was the Class Guide of the 59th Session. Officer Presley is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
LaKeysha L. Saldaña Ovando is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico at Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in law and society. She has family in law enforcement, and she speaks Spanish. Officer Saldaña Ovando is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
Cole F. Sheehan is a graduate of Warren County High School in Front Royal and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal psychology at Louisiana State University of Alexandria. He has family in law enforcement. Additionally, he was the Class Vice President of the 59th Session. Officer Sheehan is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Ethan J. Sibley is a homeschooled graduate. He has family in law enforcement. Officer E. Sibley is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
Muhammad A. Tariq is a graduate of the Punjab Group of Colleges in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and is pursuing an associate degree in criminology and criminal justice from Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge. He speaks both Urdu and Punjabi. Officer Tariq is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
Greetings, Prince William: Although we’re in the holiday season, Martin Luther King Day isn’t too far off, and the MLK Youth Community Choir is seeking students in grades K-12 to join the choir and make a joyful noise! Participants will rehearse for a pre-event concert at Chinn Park Regional Library on Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room followed by a special performance at the Prince William Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta (PWCAC- DST) 40th Annual Dr. King Youth Oratorical Competition and Program being held Jan. 18. Rehearsals have begun, but more participants are welcome – no tryout is needed!
- If you love helping others learn, we have a wonderful opportunity for you!  The winter semester for BEACON for English Language and Literacy is currently underway! They’re still urgently recruiting for a few in-person and online evening volunteer teachers for this semester. One-day-a-week and two-day-a-week evening options are available at various class levels. Evening classes meet from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Manassas, Manassas Park or on Zoom. No teaching or foreign language experience is required and training is provided. To learn more, please sign up for a virtual information session or contact Seth Mazzaro at 571-428-2524.
- The “Power of A Knock” can help a homebound senior get nutritious meals!  Meals on Wheels urgently needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound senior citizens on weekday mornings. Volunteers must pass a criminal and driving record background check. Routes take about 1.5 hours to complete, training is provided. You’ll feel great when you find out how inspiring it is to serve this vulnerable population and make their day!
- The holidays may be here, but hunger never takes a holiday! The SERVE campus of Northern Virginia Family Service has an ongoing need for Food Recovery Driver volunteers age 21+ to make routine pick-ups to rescue food from grocery stores and restaurants to help food insecure families. Shifts are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon; their greatest need is for Monday drivers. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one shift per week for at least six months or longer. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and should be prepared to lift up to 50 lbs. Ride-along training with experienced volunteers or staff and vehicle provided. Just one day a week can make a life-long impact on a family in need!
- The hard-working staff at Northern Virginia Food Rescue is looking for volunteers who are available to be On-Call to help with offloading large truckloads of food deliveries when they arrive at their warehouse located at 10535 Battleview Parkway, Manassas 20109. This role is vital in ensuring that they can quickly rescue and distribute food to families in need. Volunteers would be on call from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with varying delivery times. Communication is done via text message when a delivery is on the way and help is needed. Volunteers should be prepared to lift heavy items. A brief mandatory training will be held for those volunteers selected for this position. You’ll feel great knowing you’re doing your part to help food-insecure families in our local community! Please text 571-370-3073 to let them know you’re interested.
- Your office, group or club can provide the comfort of a hot meal during the winter months!  Streetlight Community Outreach Ministries’ hypothermia shelter located at 14716 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge has an ongoing need for groups to prepare and drop off meals for 30 adult residents through March 30, 2025. Meals are needed each night and should be prepared off-site and dropped off at the shelter between 6:30 and 7 p.m. There are many openings in January, and you’ll feel great providing a hot, nourishing meal for the homeless to enjoy!
According to a press release, NOVEC will be accepting both trees and greens without any decorations, ornaments, hooks, wires or light strings starting the day after Christmas. Drop-off will be available at its Gainesville Technical Center at 5399 Wellington Branch Road.
“Recycling holiday greens is just another way we help area residents and the environment,” Rick Carpenter, NOVEC Vegetation Management manager, said.
Vegetation Management will use the trees and greens to make mulch, which will reduce holiday landfill waste. According to an Environmental Protection Agency study, commercial waste increases by approximately 25% during the holiday season in comparison to the rest of the year. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, this may result in about 1 million extra tons of waste each week.
Drop-offs don’t have to take place during business hours. Greens can be dropped off in the parking lot demarcated with orange safety cones. For more information, contact the Vegetation Management department at 703-335-0500, ext. 1600, or [email protected].
The first of the properties was the Ned Distiller House at 16210 Lee Highway and the adjoining Ashe Property at 16206 Lee Highway. These properties span approximately one acre. According to county documents, the Board originally wanted to purchase Ned Distiller's house, but staff recommended the county also purchase the adjoining property due to its size.
Both properties contain structures from the early 1800s. The Ned Distiller House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Historic Landmark Registry; it was built and owned by a freed slave, which is one of the earliest examples of a free African American owning property in the Commonwealth.
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Stephanie Soliven, Ed.D., associate superintendent for teaching and learning at PWCS, said in the Dec. 4 School Board meeting that it'll be a helpful tool for students and parents alike.
"Through our approaches at making more tools available for students, further connection with parents and continuing the professional learning journey of our teachers and our staff, we are targeting every available option to support our student learning needs," she said. Soliven said students can also take additional courses through Varsity Tutors, either to advance in a subject or to discover new courses that may not be offered in PWCS. "You may have that fifth grader that is super excited about advanced math in sixth grade, but a little nervous about some of the skills and content — but they know they want to be on that advanced trajectory — they can do some additional coursework," she said. "[There's] a huge range of really cool high interest classes. I think this is so important because it fills some of that need at home for some of our students that maybe are missing out on some key skills, want to do some additional enrichment opportunities and can't do it in the school day." Soliven also emphasized that this service pairs students with human tutors. Students will be able to log into the platform, discuss the problem and then get paired with a person who can help them tackle it. "The live tutor is sharing a whiteboard with the student and literally mapping out the questions and the problems with them. It is not [artificial intelligence]," she said. "It is a human being on the other end guiding the students through the steps." Varsity Tutors also offers on-demand essay review, live group classes, self-study, college and career readiness and celebrity-led classes. PWCS School Board At-Large Chair Dr. Babur Lateef echoed the positives about the new service. "I can be a personal advocate on the fact that Varsity Tutors does a terrific job," Lateef said during the meeting on Dec. 4. "My kids have used them for many years. They are incredible and really work well." MCPS School Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg said she's excited for Varsity Tutors to make an impact in the district. "We are excited to partner with Varsity Tutors. This opportunity enables us to provide extra services for students so they can reach higher academic goals," Seaberg said in an email.