The National Museum of the Marine Corps won the Ordinary Awards Attraction of the Year for its contributions to the Virginia tourism industry.

This award was presented by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association and celebrates those in the hospitality and travel industry that are extraordinary.

The Attraction of the Year award recognizes the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ implementation of innovative ideas and demonstration of passion for enhancing travel to its community.

The museum was specifically recognized for its ongoing contributions to the community at large, and its response to changes imposed by the coronavirus.

During the pandemic, the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ staff developed programs as part of the “new normal.” This included live video tours highlighting different galleries and allowing viewers the opportunity to ask questions in real-time, keeping visitors engaged while the museum was closed.

Museum education staff developed and presented the virtual Judge Advocate General homeschool program.

For three weeks, students studied a crime scene, gathered physical and testimonial evidence, and put their arguments together for court. The final episode was a live interactive trial. The program attracted more than 150 participants.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps facilitates learning all over the world through its online distance learning programs to engage audiences with the incredible history of the United States Marine Corps.

Classes include a variety of virtual learning experiences and subject matter for students, educators, and lifelong learners on important topics related to the Marine Corps.

The museum reopened to the public on September 8, and continues to support the community while also maintaining strict safety measures, allowing visitors to safely experience the its passion for telling the Corps’ story.

For additional information about the reopening protocols, frequently asked questions and more, visit the museum’s website.

In order to maintain social distancing, Prince William County will be celebrating national Walk to School Day differently this year.

While the Walk to School Day was observed on  Wednesday, October 7, with the majority of students learning virtually from home, Prince William County Schools will be celebrating during the full month of October.

Each school that chooses to participate will select their own day to celebrate within October.

As in the past, parents, and students, will walk to their local elementary schools; firefighters and teachers will greet the walkers and provide handouts for kids to enjoy while learning about fire safety and prevention topics.

For a list of Prince William County schools participating in this year’s Walk to School event, visit the event’s official website.

Walk to School Day raises awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment.

Fire and Rescue Chief Tim Keen from Prince William County Fire & Rescue System states, “We thank our partner, Prince William County Public Schools for the support and commitment to the safety and health of our students in Prince William County. To continue that commitment, while maintaining the connections we’ve built with families, schools and the broader community, the fire and rescue system realizes the importance of highlighting safe routes to and from school throughout the year. During COVID-19, be reassured that fire and rescue members will take every precaution in keeping the community safe as we celebrate Walk to School Day activities.”

More About Walk to School Day

• Walk to School Day was established in the United States in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America. Canada and Great Britain already had walk to school programs in place. In 2000, these three countries joined together to create International Walk to School Day.
• In May 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School was established to assist communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bike to school.
• The National Center for Safe Routes to School serves as the national coordinating agency for Walk to School activities in the United States.
• Walk to School Day began as a simple idea – children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. Schools focus on health, safety, physical activity, and concern for the environment.
• Organizations supporting International Walk to School Day, in the United States, include America Walks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Thursday will be sunny with a light wind.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

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Wednesday brings a high of 81, but a strong breeze may bring relief from the heat.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

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Tuesday will be sunny and warm, with a light breeze.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.

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Saturday will be nice, with sunny skies and a light breeze.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

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Friday will be cool with a light wind and slowly clearing skies.

Friday
Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

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The Prince William County Service Authority’s wastewater treatment plant was recognized again for having a perfect compliance record with its state regulatory agency.

Located in Woodbridge, the H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility earned a Platinum11 Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

This plant is one of only five member facilities to be 100 percent compliant with its state regulations for 11 years in a row.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regulatory requirements include removing excess nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater treated at the plant.

A large quantity of these nutrients can fuel algae growth, which can lead to low-oxygen “dead zones” in bodies of water.

The wastewater treatment process at the Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility significantly reduces the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus released into Neabsco Creek, which is a tributary of the Potomac River and part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

“We are extremely honored to be recognized by NACWA again,” said Process Engineer Maureen O’Shaughnessy. “Winning this prestigious award is a byproduct of all the hard work that our plant employees put in every day to protect the environment.”

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies will present the Platinum Peak Performance Awards to this year’s winners during a virtual awards ceremony on October 28.

Central Rappahannock Regional Library will reopen branches to the public soon, starting with computer access and printing in the next few weeks.

Customers will soon be able to enter the buildings to browse the collection and check out materials.

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