From a press release:

Television personality Mike Rowe is well-known for his time on the hit show “Dirty Jobs,” but now he’s spreading smiles with a new show called “Returning the Favor” on Facebook Watch, the television network for Facebook.

Rowe’s “Returning the Favor” is meant to be a humorous, inspiring and feel-good show that features Rowe as host, traveling the country in search of people who are striving to do good things and make a difference in the world around them. He then surprises them with rewards for their kindness.

Rowe and his crew recently surprised Christopher and Amanda Baity, the founders of local veteran service organization Semper K9 Assistance Dogs. While his television crew was filming a “documentary” about Semper K9, Rowe walked in mid-filming at their home office in Woodbridge. “I instantly recognized his voice when he said ‘Hello.’ as a voice I had heard before,” said Amanda Baity, Semper K9’s Director of Operations. “Once he peeked around the entryway I didn’t know what to think other than ‘OMG Mike Rowe is here in Woodbridge…in my house!”

Little did the Baitys know, members of their volunteer team had been plotting to surprise the couple for months. “It truly was a challenge to plan something of this size without them finding out,” said Tisa Newhouse, Volunteer Coordinator and board member. “There were some close calls but the look on their faces when the big reveal day came made all the long hours of planning and chaos more than worth it.”

“This honor to be chosen by Returning the Favor is huge for Semper K9 and the veterans we serve,” said Christopher Baity, the nonprofit’s Executive Director. “This has given us a substantial advantage to where we can accelerate our programs and help more veterans faster.”

Their episode of Returning the Favor will air in Season 2 which is currently showing on Facebook Watch. To find out what the Baitys and Semper K9 were surprised with other than a visit from Rowe and being highlighted on his show, stay tuned. “We can’t wait to share with everyone!” said Baity.

To learn more about Semper K9, visit www.SemperK9.org.

Police are investigating a fatal crash on Prince William Street in Manassas. 

From a press release: 

On February 19, 2018 at approximately 8:46 p.m., officers of the Manassas City Police Department responded to the area of Prince William St and Jefferson St for a report of a single vehicle crash.

The investigation revealed a 2002 Dodge Durango was traveling on Prince William St towards Wellington Rd when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled off the right-side of the roadway and struck a fence and a tree before coming to a rest on top of vehicles parked in a nearby driveway.

The driver was transported to a local area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. The victim is identified as Isaiah Marshall WILBORN, a 30-year- old resident of Manassas. The investigation is on-going.

From the Prince William police press release:

Indecent Exposure *ARREST – On February 16, Kevin Allen RANDOLPH II was located and arrested without incident. The accused was wanted for an indecent exposure that occurred at a residence located in the 4600 block of Central Park Dr in Woodbridge on February 11.

    Arrested on February 16:

    Kevin Allen RANDOLPH II, 19, of 4409 block of Evansdale Rd in Woodbridge

Charged with 1 count of attempted burglary, 2 counts of indecent exposure, 3 count of stalking, and 1 count of destruction of property

Court Date: March 28, 2018 | Bond: Held

Indecent Exposure [Previously Released] – On February 11 at 11:58PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 4600 block of Central Park Dr in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate an indecent exposure. The victims, a 19-year-old woman and 52-year-old woman, reported to police that the accused, an acquaintance, was standing outside of their residence when he exposed himself to the victims and made an obscene gesture. When one of the victims confronted the suspect, he eventually fled the area on foot prior to officers arriving.  As officers were obtaining warrants for the accused, he returned to the residence and attempted to enter the back yard by removing a board from a fence. The accused fled the area again on foot when the victims spotted him. No other contact was made between the two parties. Further attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful. The investigation continues.

From a press release: 

Grab whatever costume floats your boat and join us for the coolest event of 2018, the Polar Plunge® Festival, Feb. 24 at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse in Dumfries! We’ll be partying with hundreds of frozen friends, all to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia.

As of today, we’re still shy of our $100,000 goal, so we need your help. Plungers can register right up until 2 pm on event day. For more details and a schedule of events, check out our event website, www.polarplunge.com/nova. Please note all event times are subject to change based on weather and water conditions.

It’s $100 to Plunge, but the top 5 teams that raise the most money by midnight before the Plunge will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win 4 free airline vouchers to anywhere in the United States. Plus, the top fundraising team will receive a 16 game ticket plan to the Potomac Nationals and a crab feast at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse. The top fundraiser also will receive a pair of tickets on JetBlue and a full season ticket package to the Potomac Nationals.

Plungers will take to the icy Potomac for the main event at 3 pm to cap off the day-long celebration, which is open to all and includes some COOL activities:

• live music by Van Galen to get you moving
• a costume contest and parade
• great food and drinks available all day at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse

The 2018 NOVA Polar Plunge® Festival is presented by the Prince William County Police Department, Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia.

This event is one of four Polar Plunge® Festivals in Virginia. In addition to the Virginia Beach event, which took place Feb. 2-3 and raised nearly $1.2 million, a plunge also will take place in the New River Feb 24, and our first Solar Plunge is set for June 9 in Richmond during our largest annual competition, Summer Games.

For more information and to register online (remember, you can register in person up until 2 pm on event day), visit www.polarplunge.com/nova or call 703.359.4301. 

RICHMOND — A Senate bill extending the moratorium on permanently closing coal ash ponds appears to be the only legislation on the issue poised to move forward from this General Assembly session.

Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, introduced six pieces of legislation on coal ash, and coal ash ponds, where stored ash potentially risks contaminating groundwater.

The lone survivor is SB 807, which passed in the Senate 37-3 last week. Co-sponsored by Sen. Amanda F. Chase, R-Chesterfield, the bill would extend the moratorium on closing ponds where coal ash is stored until after the next legislative session, and would also require that Dominion Energy, the owners of the coal ash ponds, submit reports  to the General Assembly and governor on the cost of recycling the material. Coal ash is the toxic byproduct of coal-burning power plants

The bill’s next step is to go before a subcommittee of the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

Surovell said he has doubts about Dominion Energy estimates that recycling the utility’s ash would cost more than  $4 billion.

“I’m not convinced that Dominion’s numbers are accurate. I’m hopeful that with the new process we put in place, that the cost assessments for recycling will come down.” Surovell said.

According to Surovell, the Dominion utility rate cap bill has dominated the session to the point that other legislation, including his own, suffered.

The moratorium passed with support from environmental groups and Dominion Energy.

Dominion spokesman Robert Richardson said that Dominion has taken several actions to protect the environment since it was ordered in 2015 to resolve the coal ash issue.

Richardson said that Dominion plans to reduce the number of coal ash ponds at the Bremo power station in New Canton to just one within the next six months. The utility has already reduced the number of ponds at Possum Point in Dumfries from five to one. Overall, Richardson said, Dominion will have reduced the number of coal ash ponds under federal regulation from 11 to four.

Richardson also said that Dominion is currently recycling over 700,000 tons of coal ash a year, and is draining water from its Chesterfield power station ponds. He said Dominion stands by “cap in place” practices and that it has followed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.    

“What we are hoping first as far as a priority, is closing these ponds in a way that is fully protective of the environment,” Richardson said

Environmental groups have been skeptical, however, especially after Dominion was found guilty in federal court of violating the Clean Water Act for contaminating Virginia’s Elizabeth River with arsenic in 2017. The judge in the case, however, said the leak was considered small enough that it didn’t pose a threat to public health.

The Virginia branch of the Sierra Club, which filed the Elizabeth River suit, considers “cap in place” unsafe, The organization supports Surovell’s bill.

“Removing the ash or potentially recycling are the only responsible way to deal with toxic waste,” said Kate Addleson, director of the club’s Virginia chapter.  “We feel it’s important to make sure there are ways to evaluate the best way to dispose of the ash properly before moving forward.”

From a press release: 

Armed Robberies – On February 17 at 12:16AM, officers and detectives with the Robbery Unit responded to the 7-Eleven located at 14797 Darbydale Ave in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a robbery. An employee reported to police that an unknown man entered the business and approached the counter. During the encounter, the suspect displayed a handgun and took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area on foot.

A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. At 12:32AM officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 16170 Country Club Dr in Dumfries (22025) to investigate a second robbery involving the same suspect. An employee reported to police that the suspect entered the business and approached the counter displaying a handgun. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area on foot. A police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located. The investigation continues.

Suspect Description:

Unknown race male, slim build, 5’8”-6’0” tall

Last seen wearing all dark clothing and a dark green mask covering his face

Good Morning Prince William – The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry invites you to their 40 days of Giving Campaign-2018 Lenten Challenge.  Gather your friends and family to pledge either a can a day or a dollar a day to support the many families in need.  This campaign started February 14^thand goes through April 1^st– Easter Sunday.  Suggested items are all the usual’s you know!  A full list and additional info can be found on their website at: haymarketfoodpantry.org

·         Youth for Tomorrow is looking for male mentors for kids in their programs. It just takes a 2 hour per week commitment to make a huge difference in a young man’s life.  Please call Vernell at (571) 432-8312 to learn more.

·         Pattie Elementary School has just kicked off their Reading Mentor Program to give kids consistent, valuable reading time with a volunteer.  In order to establish the relationship with this child, they are asking volunteers to sign up for a specific 30 minute time slot once a week for the rest of the school year. This promises to be super fun.  You can sign up on line at: signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/2109338/false#/invitation or via email to Mr. Lucciotti at: [email protected]

·         Volunteer Prince William is pleased to present our Volunteer Management Training Program to all volunteer coordinators  This 5 week program is held every Tuesday mornings from 9am-noon beginning March 13^th at 9248 Center Street in Manassas.  It’s a great way to freshen your skills and gain new insight. This series is free but you must register in advance at: volunteerprincewilliam.org.  Please call Jan at (571) 292-5307 to learn more.

·         Brain Injury Services has two volunteer needs to give their clients special activities.  One client needs a male volunteer to accompany him to swim laps at Cub Run Rec Center 2 times a month on Mondays or Thursdays late morning or early evenings. The other client needs a male volunteer to help him go through his baseball collection.  This client lives in Herndon.  Please call Michelle at (703) 451-8881 ext. 232 to learn more.

·         The Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps needs medical and non-medical volunteers to join their ranks.  These volunteers are trained to respond to public health emergencies as well as day to day health department activities.  The offer tons of training topics to build your skillset.  Please call Isabella at (703) 792-7341 to learn more.

·         The Lutheran Church of the Covenantin Dale City wants to pack 30,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger on March 10^th.  Super fun, family friendly event to help those less fortunate.  You can choose either morning or afternoon shift.  Please visit: www.whatsupwoodbridge.com for the link to register. They also need donations to buy the meal components.  Please call Patti at (703) 200-3077 to learn more.

·         CASA Children’s Intervention Servicesis looking for volunteer advocates to represent a child suffering from abuse or neglect right here in our community. This is a very special volunteer job! Come to their next volunteer information session on Wednesday February 28^th from 6-7pm at the offices of Imagine in Old Town Manassas- 9415 West Street to learn about this job and the extensive training afforded to you.  Please call Suzanne at (703) 330-8145 or via email:[email protected]to learn more.

·         Serve our Willing Warriors is having their next volunteer orientation on February 28^th 6-7pm. come learn about all the wonderful opportunities and tour the retreat at 16013 Waterfall Road Haymarket.  Please email them at: [email protected] if you can attend.

·         Project Mend-A-House is now registering participants for their Live Well Workshops. This chronic disease self-management program meets at the Manassas Senior Center on Thursday mornings. They are also gearing up for their next volunteer training series for Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management program.  Training begins March 7^th from 9am-4pm as well as mandatory attendance on March 9, 14 and 16^th.   Please call Martha at (571) 264-8559 to learn more.

·         The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program is in urgent need of volunteers age 55+ to teach 4^th grade children the life skills to keep them safe alone and safe at home.  Volunteers must be available during school hours.  This fun curriculum is very interactive and of course the kids are very fun.  Training is provided; please call Jan to learn more at (571) 292-5307 to be part of the RSVP team. 

·         Occoquan Watershed Clean-up is hosted by Rebekah a 13 yr. old Girl Scout on March 10^th 10am-12;30 at Lake Ridge Park.  Come support her litter prevention project!  Please email Rebekah to volunteer or for more info at: [email protected]

·         The ARC Greater Prince Williaminvites you and your family to their 5K Run/Walk/Roll on Saturday April 28^th, 8am at Potomac Nationals Stadium. $25 for the first 100 participants, $30 early-bird registration before April 1^st and then $40 regular price.  Please visit arcgpw.orgfor more info and to register today!

·         Mark your calendars for April 18^th atChick-Fil-A in Lake Ridge to find more volunteer opportunities from area agencies.  The event is 9am-10:30am.  Bring your friends for free coffee.

·         The Bull Run Rotary Club invites you to their annual Manassas Runway 10K, 5Kor 1 mile run on the Manassas Airport Runway on Sunday April 29^th at 8am. Please register online at: bishopseventregistrations.com

Call to Action is a column written by Volunteer Prince William Director Mary Foley.

https://potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/MCPD-Fugitive-of-the-Week-02.16.18.pdf

CENTERFUSE, the unique, shared coworking space located in the heart of Historic Downtown Manassas at Center and Main Streets, has announced the first sessions in its Launch-A-Business (LAB) education and incubator seminar series for emerging small businesses. The LAB Program – a core tenet of CENTERFUSE’s business plan to empower entrepreneurs and startup small business ventures, will begin sessions on April 18, with two-hour seminars every other weekend for 8 weeks.

The first in an on-going series of LAB seminar sessions – will teach participating new business owners practical knowledge, best practice insights, and legal and logistical fundamentals for launching and operating a startup company.

Seminar topics will include subjects like funding and venture capital generation, human resources and financial management, tax and bookkeeping best practices, business plan preparation, marketing and pitching a new business to prospective customers and investors. Separate Special Topic Presentations on alternate days from the formal LAB sessions will also be available. The cost for participating in the eight core LAB Program sessions is $200 per person (which is tax-deductible as a new business startup expense).

“The CENTERFUSE LAB Program will give emerging new businesses a leg up as they enter the local and regional marketplace” said Debbie Haight, Executive Director of Historic Manassas, Inc., which is the Program Director of the conjoined effort.”

The LAB Program is open to any startup businesses, whether or not they are cowork spaceholders at CENTERFUSE. Registration is open now.

Interested entrepreneurs can learn more by phoning 844-324-WORK (9675).