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.
From Prince William County fire and rescue:
On, Friday, December 16th, at 9:20 a.m., fire and rescue units were dispatched to a structure fire in a single-family home located in the 4200 block of Misty Ridge Drive in Haymarket.
Upon arrival, fire and rescue crews observed fire in the chimney with extension to the home’s exterior. As fire and rescue units initiated extinguishment of the fire, firefighters assisted in the evacuation of a disabled resident.
No injuries reported.
Two adults were home at the time of the fire. Red Cross was on scene to assist the displaced residents and their pet cat.
According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $40,000.
The Building Official was on scene and has posted the home unsafe. Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin McGee urges residents to be vigilant when using alternative heating methods by following these simple safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and warm:
— Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
— Keep fireplaces and woodstoves clean.
— Clean annually by a certified chimney specialist.
— Keep area around fireplace and woodstove clean and free of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
— Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces.
— Keep air inlets open on woodstoves and fireplaces.
— If closed, inlets cause creosote buildup and lead to chimney fires.
— Use fire resistant materials, like walls and floors, around woodstoves.
— NEVER leave a fire unattended in a fireplace.
— Extinguish fire before leaving the house or going to bed.
— ALWAYS remove ashes in a covered metal container and store at least 10 feet away from your home and any nearby buildings.
Forest Park, Potomac high schools tapped to participate
Updated
Two centers for higher learning in our area have announced new cyber security initiatives.
Submitted by Prince William Department of Economic Development:
Two Prince William County-based Higher Education Institutes – Northern Virginia Community College and ECPI University – have announced new programs to enhance expanded learning in the field of cybersecurity.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the largest institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with two campuses located in Prince William County, received a $100,000 grant from Capital One Foundation to help develop the Cybersecurity Career Pathways Project that will inform and support middle and high school students in the Northern Virginia region who wish to explore and hopefully pursue a career in cybersecurity.
ECPI University’s Northern Virginia campus has expanded its program offerings to include a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Science in Software Development. The project aims to entice a future generation of cybersecurity workers and eventually fill a regional and national skills gap.
NOVA will be working as part of a cohort of 14 community colleges in D.C., Maryland, New York and Texas to develop some thematic areas of focus in relation to labor-market data and career pathways to create a pilot program with two Prince William County public high schools—Forest Park and Potomac—both chosen due to their high level of diversity and for the large number of students from underserved populations.
ECPI University’s decision to expand its offerings comes on the heels of Governor’s Terry McAuliffe’s recent call for a greater effort to draw more people towards careers in cyber and network security. Both professions are in great demand, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with employment of software developers projected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024 – much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for information security analysts is also on the rise. Consequently, the need for computer and information systems managers is growing as well, with employment of computer and information systems managers projected to grow 15 percent from 2014 to 2024.
