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Winners Church is partnering with Sentara to host the annual Community Health Fair on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 17877 Old Triangle Road in Dumfries. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with various health services and screenings available to the community.

A significant feature of this year’s fair is the presence of Sentara’s Mobile Mammography Unit, offering 3D breast cancer screenings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The screenings are aimed at the African diaspora, African American community, and those who may face financial barriers to accessing this service. The event will also focus on raising awareness about breast cancer and other prevalent health issues.

In addition to the mammography services, attendees can access blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and cholesterol testing. Local health organizations and clinics will provide information on mental health resources, nutrition, and fitness. The fair aims to offer comprehensive health services and education to the local community.

Heather S. Byrne, a Breast Cancer Patient Navigator at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker. She will address breast cancer awareness and the importance of regular screenings.

Winners Church tracks participation rates and follows up with attendees to assess the event’s impact on community health outcomes. Last year, the event led to an increase in early detection of health issues and a rise in health awareness. This year, the goal is to increase participation by 20% and extend outreach to underserved populations.

Winners Church located in Dumfries was founded December 12, 2010, under the pastoral guidance and leadership of the senior Pastor Henry Godwin. Then, it was known as the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners House, VA.

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[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]
Updated 10:50 a.m. Thursday, August 8 — From Prince William police:

Death Investigation – On August 7 at 9:56PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 1900 block of Fort Monroe Cr in Dumfries (22026) to investigate a death. When officers arrived at the home, two individuals, a 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, were located inside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds. Both parties were known to one another and pronounced dead on scene. At this time, the incident appears isolated to the residence and there is no active threat to the community. The identities of the deceased will be released pending next-of-kin notification. More information will be released when available. Anyone who may have information that can aid in the investigation is asked to contact the police. The investigation continues.

Original post 11:58 p.m. — A shooting occurred in the 1900 block of Fort Monroe Court in Dumfries, resulting in the deaths of two people in Williamstown. Police were called to the scene at 9:56 p.m. Upon arrival, authorities pronounced the victims dead.

Initial reports indicate the incident involved a man and a woman. Police have confirmed there is no threat to the public. Area residents should expect a continued police presence while the investigation is ongoing.

We’ll update this story as soon as we have new information.

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The Van Buren Road project in Prince William County has received approval from the Board of Supervisors. The project will build a four-lane road with a sidewalk on one side and a pedestrian path on the other, connecting Dumfries Road to Cardinal Drive, aiming to address traffic congestion and improve mobility in the area.

Mary Ankers of the Prince William County Public Works office presented the project, stating, "It will provide some congestion relief, enhanced mobility, include pedestrian facilities, and improve safety."

The project has spent $1.3 million on environmental documentation and will move forward with $8 million allocated for design funding. Ankers noted, "We do not have money for right-of-way, utilities, or construction at this time. We really don't have a good schedule set for this."

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Concertgoers dancing near the stage [Photo: Uriah Kiser]
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Dumfries hosted the first of its free summer concerts at Garrison Park, behind the town hall, at 17749 Main Street.

The event featuring the Faycez-U-Know Band played from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees are brought lawn chairs to enjoy the live music, family activities, and food trucks.

Additional concerts are planned for August 10 and August 24. Admission is free.

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The Potomac Shores Trails Committee invites the public to participate in the Historic Dumfries Trail Walk on Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This free event will take place along the scenic paths of Heritage Ridge Trail, located at the intersection of Potomac River Blvd and Belle Isle Drive in Dumfries, VA.

Participants will have the opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of local history, guided by experts from the Historic Dumfries organization. The walk will highlight significant events from the area’s past, including insights into the pre-colonial period, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War.

The event is designed to be educational and engaging, allowing attendees of all ages to gain a deeper understanding of the historical importance of the Dumfries area while enjoying the natural beauty of the Potomac Shores trails.

Attendees are asked to gather at the Heritage Ridge trailhead on Potomac River Blvd by 9 a.m. on the day of the event. This unique historical outing promises to be an enlightening experience for history buffs and nature lovers alike.

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Dumfries is Virginia’s oldest continually chartered town.

The Dumfries Town Council seeks to amend the town’s charter, which dates back to 1749, making Dumfries the oldest continuously chartered town in Virginia. The proposed changes were discussed during the council’s July 3 meeting.

According to a town spokeswoman, the amendments, which must be approved by the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, are primarily administrative and aimed at promoting greater clarity concerning the existing text. One substantive proposal would empower the Mayor to declare a local emergency if neither the director of emergency management nor the town council is available.

The council’s agenda packet for the July 2 meeting did not include supporting documentation to provide residents with more information about the proposed changes.

The proposed charter amendments came after recent criticism of Mayor Derrick Wood. Last month, a fallen tree onto a power line trapped residents of the Prince William Estates neighborhood for 14 hours. During this time, Wood visited the neighborhood before attending a gala at the White House.

“The Town Council, as part of its unwavering commitment to a well-managed government, has pledged to make periodic reviews of the Town’s Charter and ordinances,” the town spokeswoman said. “This ensures that these sources accurately reflect the powers given to the Town by the state and remain transparent and effective for Town residents. This is the Council’s first review of the Town Charter to further its strategic plan goals and provide a clear direction for the changes.”

The town’s state representatives, State Senator Jeremy McPike and Delegate Candi Mundon King were informed of the council’s intent to propose amendments during a legislative meeting on July 9. Each representative may sponsor duplicate bills in their respective legislative bodies.

Vice Mayor Nickerson commented on the proposed changes during the town council meeting, stating that the council had worked on them during a working session and continued to do so towards the end of the meeting. She emphasized the importance of the changes in reflecting the community’s needs and values.

The proposed changes also include:

  • The Town Clerk will be supervised by the Town Manager while assisting the council with administrative tasks.
  • A civil penalty of up to $5,000 for civil or criminal misdemeanors will be enforceable.

Nickerson raised the issue of recourse if a council member fails to attend meetings but continues to collect their stipend, which the Town Attorney suggested should be addressed in the Code of Conflict rather than the charter.

Sarah Romero contributed to this report.

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Photo by Sorin Sîrbu on Unsplash

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously approved a Special Use Permit for a new Starbucks near Dumfries.

The coffee shop will replace an old Ruby Tuesday restaurant. The permit allows a drive-through facility in connection with a by-right restaurant and associated sign modifications in the B-1 General Business zoning district. The project was praised for being a veteran-owned business.

The site is located at 17050 Richmond Highway, about 150 feet south of the intersection of Richmond Highway and Pine Bluff Road. It is designated MU-4, a Mixed-Use Community in the Comprehensive Plan, and is within the Southbridge Activity Center Special Planning Area. The site is zoned B-1, General Business, Highway Corridor Overlay, Agritourism, and Arts Overlay District.

The Prince William County Planning Commission recommended approval of the project on May 8, 2024. County staff also recommended approval.

Potomac Distirct Supervisor Bailey expressed strong support for the project. “Madam Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this item’s behalf, as it will be one of the largest veteran-owned Starbucks in the mid-Atlantic. So I’m very proud to say that,” said Bailey.

Brentsivlle Supervisor Tom Gordy also voiced support, appreciating the applicant’s commitment to the veteran community. “I just wanted to thank the applicant for their support for our Marines and our veterans. This is going to be a veterans-focused store, and I just wanted to offer my appreciation for making that commitment and extending that appreciation to our vast 40,000-strong veteran community in Prince William County, as well as the thousands of Marines that are stationed at Quantico,” said Gordy.

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At 2:25 a.m. today, Monday, July 8, 2024, emergency units were dispatched to the 17600 block of Washington Street in Dumfries after a call reported a fire at a mobile home. Upon arrival, crews found fire emerging from the rear deck area of the home.

An adult and two children had to escape the fire through a window before the units arrived. The fire was extinguished quickly. The adult was transported to a nearby medical facility with a non-life-threatening injury.

The home sustained significant damage and was declared unsafe to occupy by the Town of Dumfries Building Official. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents, which include one adult and two children.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

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Dumfries will host a fireworks show tomorrow, Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Town of Dumfries Independence Day Fireworks Show

The Town of Dumfries is excited to announce its annual Independence Day fireworks show, which will take place on Saturday, July 6th from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Garrison Park, located at 17749 Main Street. This year’s celebration promises to be a memorable evening for families and friends to gather and celebrate our nation’s independence.

The event will feature a dazzling fireworks display that will light up the sky, providing a breathtaking experience for all attendees. In addition to the fireworks, a variety of food trucks will be on-site offering delicious food and refreshments to enhance the celebration.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, July 6, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Garrison Park, 17749 Main Street, Dumfries, VA
Highlights: Fireworks Show, Food Trucks

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