From Prince Wiliam police:
Sexual Assault Investigation – On November 9, detectives from the Special Victims Unit responded to investigate a sexual assault which allegedly occurred between 2006 and 2007 at a residence located in Manassas (20109). The investigation revealed that the victim, now a 24-year-old woman, was sexually assaulted on more than one occasion when she was 14-years-old by the accused, identified as a family member. The victim only recently disclosed the incident to a friend and contacted police. Following the investigation, the accused was arrested without incident in Reston on December 19.
Arrested on December 19:
Blas Alberto CASTRO, 46, of 8613 Weems Rd in Manassas
Charged with 1 count of rape, 2 counts of aggravated sexual battery and 1 count of indecent liberties
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Sexual Assault Investigation- On October 19, detectives from the Special Victims Bureau responded to investigate a sexual assault which allegedly occurred sometime between 2008 and 2011 at an apartment located in Manassas (20109). The investigation revealed that the victim, now a 15-year-old juvenile female, was sexually assaulted by the accused, an acquaintance. The victim recently disclosed the incident to a family member who contacted police. Following the investigation, the accused was arrested without incident on December 15.
Arrested on December 15:
Joel OTERO ORDONEZ, 46, of 8170 Peakwood Ct, Apt 12, in Manassas
Charged with aggravated sexual battery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
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MANASSAS, Va. — The new Baldwin Elementary and Intermediate schools were opened on Tuesday.
The three-floor, 140,000 square foot school building will hold 700 elementary school students in kindergarten through fourth grades. It will replace the existing Baldwin Elementary School built in 1961 by Prince William County before Manassas City formed and took control of its own schools.
The intermediate school will house 300 students. Fifth-grade students will attend the intermediate school beginning Fall 2017, and then sixth-grade students will come a year later.
Today marks the final day of classes before the Christmas and New Year’s break. Baldwin students will return to classes in “new” Baldwin on Jan. 3.
“We’re here!,” Baldwin Elementary School Principal Laura Goldzung said to hundreds of children, teachers, and elected officials assembled in the school’s gym to celebrate the school’s opening. “We made it together.”
Goldzung took a photo of the children all sitting in rows on the gym floor wearing matching yellow shirts. Teachers donned blue jackets, and black and red backpacks all with the Baldwin logo on them donated by U.S. Logoworks.
The school took 18 months to build. It sits in front of Osbourn High School, on the school’s old baseball fields. When old Baldwin is torn down, the school division will replace the fields with a new baseball facility that is “comparable in size” to the old fields.
Goldzung said weekly Friday tours of the new school building will be offered to the public, starting at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 13. School officials welcomed 400 parents and students who came to tour the new school the night before the ribbon cutting.
“Does that not show you community support,” asked Manassas Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Catherine Magouyrk. “On a cold night, in the middle of the holidays, and they stopped everything to be here with us at Baldwin.”
When speeches concluded, officials grabbed an oversized pair of scissors to slice through a red ribbon.
“Cut it! Cut it! Cut it!” the children shouted.
The $37.8 million school is about half the size of its neighbor Osbourn High School. The building is smaller than nearby Mayfield Intermediate and is larger than Dean Elementary, the city’s largest elementary school.
Elementary and intermediate students at Baldwin will share some spaces, including the gym and media center. Each school will have its respective dining spaces served by one cafeteria.
Demolition on the old Baldwin Elementary School is expected to begin Feb. 15. The process will take about a month, to include asbestos abatement.
Submitted by Prince Willaim Conservation Alliance:
On December 7, the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board unanimously approved all Prince William roads proposed for Virginia Scenic Byway status, a first for our county.
These new Scenic Byways boast 11 nationally recognized historic sites, two state listed historic sites, mountain vistas, and minimally visible development.
Two of the roads, John Marshall Highway and Waterfall Road, connect to existing Virginia Byways in Fauquier County. All provide an attractive driving experience and showcase the beauty of Prince William’s Rural Crescent.
* Waterfall Road from the Fauquier County line east to the intersection of Antioch Rd.
* Antioch Road from the Route 601 intersection south to Route 55
* John Marshall Highway from Route 681 to the Fauquier County line
* Aden Road between Route 619 and Route 28
* Bristow Road between Joplin Road (Route 619) and Route 28
* Joplin Road – between Bristow Road and 1-95Virginia Scenic Byways are a part of the state’s tourism promotional strategy to stimulate local economies and included in Virginia’s Map of Scenic Roads, the Virginia Outdoors Plan and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Scenic Byways website.
MANASSAS, Va. — The Manassas Economic Development Authority recovered half of a $10,000 grant to a now defunct after-school program.
City EDA Chairman Holmes Smith said Alice Megler, CEO of the NEW School which opened on Liberia Avenue this past spring and closed by fall, came to his house on December 13 and gave him a $5,000 check.
“This was the first payment in paying her debt back,” Smith said. “She said that is her intent to pay the whole debt back. But she said the NEW School wasn’t dead. She said they’re working on trying to get another site, and I turned that check over to our director, so that’s good news.”
“When are we getting the rest,” asked EDA member John Intihar.
“Well, I don’t know, she didn’t say,” replied Smith.
A stipulation in the grant requires the money be paid back to the city if the business fails within the first five years of operation.
Smith and Manassas Economic Development Director Patrick Small said they have no phone number for Mergler. Small said Mergler signed for two certified letters sent to her address notifying her of the business’ obligation to pay back the grant.
“Do you think you can have a further conversation with her?” EDA member Mark Olsen asked Smith.
Smith directed Small to send a new letter to Mergler thanking her for her payment. Small suggested asking for a promissory note “to give this body some comfort that [the money] is coming.”
Also in grant news, the EDA voted to fund a $25,000 matching grant to KO Distilling. Earlier this year, the state announced the distillery would receive a $25,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund.
The $50,000 total will allow the business to hire new workers, and use Virginia-grown corn, wheat, and rye in its products.
The EDA also approved new bylaws on that state the body will hold regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month beginning in January. Before the vote, the EDA did not hold regularly scheduled meetings.
From Prince William fire and rescue:
On Saturday, December 17th at 1:51 p.m., fire and rescue crews were dispatched to a structure fire in a single family home located in the 9900 block of Linton Hall Road in Bristow.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed fire showing from an attached garage that had extended into the home. Fire and rescue units began suppression and extinguished the fire.
Two adults and three children, displaced by the fire, were home at the time of the fire.
Red Cross was available on scene and assisted the displaced residents.
According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $150,000.
A Building Official has posted the home unsafe.
The fire started on the front of the home near a trash can; the cause is undetermined.
From Prince William fire and rescue:
On Saturday, December 17th at 12:46 a.m., fire and rescue crews were dispatched to a structure fire in a single family home located in the 17000 block of Duck Lane in Haymarket.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed fire showing from a first floor window. As they made entry, firefighters quickly extinguished the fire.
No injuries reported.
According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $600.00.
The fire originated from a pellet stove exhaust that ignited combustible material on the home’s exterior causing a brush fire that extended into the home.
From Prince William fire and rescue:
On Sunday, December 18th at 4:00 a.m., fire and rescue crews were dispatched to a structure fire in a single family home located in the 15100 block of Calexico Lane in [Dale City].
Upon arrival, firefighters observed fire showing from the front of the home. Fire and rescue units began suppression and extinguished the fire.
Two of four occupants and their pets were home at the time of the fire. The occupants’ pets, 3 cats, have not been located.
Red Cross was on scene to assist four adults displaced by the fire.
According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $100,000.
A Building Official has posted the home unsafe.
The fire originated on the outside of the home from a warming lamp in a pet house and has been determined as accidental.
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From Prince William fire and rescue:
On Saturday, December 17 th at 3:53 a.m., fire and rescue crews were dispatched to a three-story townhouse fire located in the 17400 block of Cosgrove Way in Woodbridge. Upon arrival, firefighters observed fire on the rear of a mid-row townhome that had extended to two additional townhomes. Fire and rescue units began occupant searches while initiating suppression and extinguishment of the fire. All occupants had safely evacuated due to
All occupants had safely evacuated due to sounding of the smoke alarms allowing them additional time to escape. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries.
Red Cross provided assistance to 10 adults displaced by the fire. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $400,000; a total loss. A Building Official has posted the homes unsafe.
Fire and rescue units began occupant searches while initiating suppression and extinguishment of the fire. All occupants had safely evacuated due to sounding of the smoke alarms allowing them additional time to escape. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries. Red Cross provided assistance to 10 adults displaced by the fire. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $400,000; a total loss. A Building Official has posted the homes unsafe.
Two firefighters sustained minor injuries. Red Cross provided assistance to 10 adults displaced by the fire. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $400,000; a total loss. A Building Official has posted the homes unsafe.
Submitted by Jacqueline Palmer, a neighbor who contacted Potomac Local about the fire incident:
The Barber Family at 17413 Cosgrove Way near Dumfries lost everything in an electrical fire.
All made it out alive and unharmed but they did lose their family cat. The ages of the residents ranged from early 20s up to 81 years old and the home is considered to be a total loss.
The occupants of this Dumfries’ home lived there for over six years and brought so much life to the neighborhood with friendly smiles, warm greetings and festive holiday décor.
The fire department didn’t leave the site until after 8 a.m.
The youngest man in the household is home from college, for the holidays, and will return to school with nothing as of right now. The Red Cross has provided hotel accommodations for the family for one week but after this Saturday, Christmas Eve, they are on their own. The family did not have insurance so they will have to piece their lives back together on their own and by the grace of others’ donations.
The Red Cross has provided hotel accommodations for the family for one week but after this Saturday, Christmas Eve, they are on their own.
The first thing the family needs is a place to stay following this Saturday.
A GoFundMe page is up and running to collect donations for the Barber Family.
Update
David Chesler, a disaster program manager at the Red Cross of the National Capital Region, said his organization provided financial assistance to 10 victims affected by the fire. Those funds could be used for expenditures to include food, clothing, or temporary lodging.
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From Prince William fire and rescue:
On Sunday, December 18 th at 5:21 a.m., fire and rescue crews were dispatched to a structure fire in a two-story single family home located in the 3900 block of Findley Road in [Dale City].Upon arrival, firefighters observed a fully involved structure and immediately requested a second alarm while verifying all occupants were safely out of the home. Fire and rescue units began defensive operations and extinguished the fire.No injuries reported.Two adults, home at the time of the fire, detected a burning smell and immediately evacuated the home prior to the smoke alarms sounding. Red Cross was on scene to assist the displaced family. One pet, a dog, perished in the fire and a cat is missing.According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $350,000, a total loss.A Building Inspector has posted the home unsafe.The origin and cause are currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office.