Mason Neck State Park, located in Lorton, V.A., is closed until further notice after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.

While the employee is currently at home being quarantined, closing the park was necessary to protect the health of park visitors and employees, according to Julie Buchanan, senior public relations and marketing specialist.

This decision follows protocol from Virginia State Parks, based on guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, Buchanan states.

Park facilities will be deep cleaned and sanitized. Facilities will only reopen if the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the agency that manages the state parks, has determined the risk of community spread has been reduced, according to Buchanan.

Buchanan says decisions to close a state park are made on a case-by-case basis. Any state park closures related to the coronavirus pandemic will be listed on DCR’s website at dcr.virginia.gov.

Dynamic speed signs have been set up on the E-ZPass Express Lanes on Interstates 95 and 495.

Transurban, the Australian-based transportation company that operates the express lanes, installed the new speed signs for a trial run. Much like traffic radar signs that drivers see along the roadside in neighborhoods, dynamic signs will show how fast a vehicle is going within the express lane.

The posted speed limit will be shown next to the dynamic sign to encourage customers to adjust to that recommended speed in order to ensure their safety.

The trailers that hold the dynamic signs will be placed on the shoulders of the express lanes, also similar in practice to the traffic radar signs.

“As drivers approach the sign, it will display their current speed. The signs aim to give speeding drivers a reminder and encourage them to slow down for the safety of themselves and others on the road. Speeding increases the risk of a crash and crash severity should one occur,” stated Transurban manager Mike McGurk in a press release.

One justification made for this action is due to the coronavirus pandemic. With fewer vehicles on the road due to stay at home orders, some drivers have been speeding up more than they should, Transurban says.

According to data from the Virginia State Police, troopers assigned to the express lanes wrote 1,079 speeding summonses and 994 reckless driving summonses between April 2019 and April 2020.

In April 2019, VSP charged 71 express lanes drivers with reckless driving and 73 for speeding compared to 44 for reckless driving and four for speeding in April 2020.

“Governor Northam’s COVID-19 safety restrictions definitely impacted Virginia’s highways statewide during the month of April, as state police saw significant decreases in traffic volume,” stated VSP’s Public Relations Director Corinne Geller.

The decision for this trial run was ultimately inspired by data that was compiled in a report for the Governor’s Highway Safety Association which found excessive speeding to be a trend that was forming across the U.S.

For example, New York has issued 24,765 speeding tickets which was double the amount issued only a month earlier in spite of the fact that there are fewer vehicles on their roads. In Los Angeles, speeds are up on some roads by 30% which has prompted changes to street and pedestrian lights.

The report also lists instances in states such as Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, and Utah of police clocking drivers highway speeds at over 100 mph. In states like Florida and Iowa, Highway police have reported drivers going between 20 and 40 miles over the posted speed limits.

While the amount of car crashes has gone down the crashes themselves have become more fatal. In states like Minnesota and Massachusetts, the crash rate is rising and in some cases doubling from the same time last year. Even pedestrian fatalities have been rising in states like Nevada and Rhode Island.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management, and promote best practices.

Its members are appointed by their governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans.

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton is offering a way to bring entertainment to its community with a drive-in movie theater. 

The center will open a drive-in movie theater on its 55-acre campus on June 12, with movies showing on Friday and Saturday evenings. A 40-foot screen will be set up to display the films. 

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OCCOQUAN – (Press Release) The Occoquan River Communities Alliance (ORCA) is proud to present WinterFest for the 4^th consecutive year, bringing areas in Lorton, Occoquan and Lake Ridge together for a full-day celebration of the season. This year’s regional event will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at various locations.

WinterFest will feature Santa's Lake Ridge Parade celebrating this year’s theme, “Christmas Around the World.” Following the parade, which starts at 11 a.m., spectators and participants are encouraged to stay for the trophy ceremony, free hot chocolate, pictures with Santa inside Clearbrook Center of the Arts and other fun children’s activities.

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY -- Glendel “Glen” Hill is seeking a fifth term as Prince William County Sheriff.

Hill announced his re-election bid this week, noting he wants to continue “to build upon the accomplishments his office has achieved over the last 15 years.”

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Driving along Route 1, you may notice a new sign on your commute. It’s a topic not many women want to talk about.

Susan Bahorich, Communications Advisor for Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, talked to Dr. Allyse Weltman of About Women OB-GYN to learn more.

What is your name and official title? Allyse Weltman, MD, MA

When someone hears the term “Uro/Gyn,” what exactly does that mean? It usually means a problem involving the pelvic floor, which would include the uterus and bladder. 

How big of an issue is this? It can be a huge issue for many women, many of whom their lives are compromised because of it. 

What are some symptoms of these problems? The symptoms can include pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, urinary leakage, overactive bladder.

Are these problems just for women 55 years or older? These problems can affect women of any age, especially after having children; but many women who are menopausal experience worsening of symptoms. 

Many women may be dealing with these issues and feel embarrassed. What would you say to those women? There is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is very common and there are many treatment options, so there is no reason they need to suffer.

What treatment is available for these issues? Treatments range from pelvic floor physical therapy, medication options, and a range of surgical options. 

If someone is dealing with these issues, what advice would you give? That there are many options depending on the issue they are having and if their symptoms are interfering with the quality of their lives, it is worth addressing.  

How should someone go about learning what treatment is right for them? Women can give our practice, About Women OB-GYN a call at 703-878-0740, or visit Sentara.com to learn more about pelvic floor disorders.

• The Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift Program is in full swing and needs your help to provide toys and warm clothes to over 5,000 needy kids in our community. It’s simple and fun to share the joy by buying 2 gifts for each child from their wish list. Please visit http://www.volunteerprincewilliam.org  to learn more.
• Friends of SERVE are collecting turkeys on Wednesday November 14th, 4:30-7:30pm at the VA Gateway Promenade Fountain. Look for the waving turkey! Come help with their ambitious goal of 700 turkeys. If you can’t make it that day your donation is always welcome at the SERVE food pantry in Manassas
• The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteer’s age 55+ to deliver noon meals through the Meals on Wheels Program. Shifts are just 2-3 hours and available in throughout the greater area. RSVP members receive a mileage reimbursement and additional insurance coverage at no cost to the volunteer. Please call Jan at (571) 292-5307 to learn more.
• The Trillium Center is hosting their Annual Christmas Party at the Drop-In Center and is looking for gifts such as gift cards, hats, gloves, pet supplies, book bags or anything else fun you can think of to share. The Center provides stress-free, stigma-free atmosphere for people 18 and over who are mental health consumers. Please call Cynthia at (703) 763-3865 to learn more.
• Home Life VA is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless in the Manassas area on Sunday November 18th. Donations of food or prepared dishes are needed for this event. Please email Jamary at: [email protected] for all the latest news on this splendid event.
• Leesylvania State Park needs volunteers for their monthly shoreline cleanups to pick up trash and drift wood. The work days are December 1st, January 19th, February 16th, March 23rd, April 13th and May 18th. Please register by calling the visitor center at (703) 583-6904 so they have your name to waive the entry fee of the park.
• The Woodbridge District invites you to their Big Cleanup & Education on Plastic Pollution event on Saturday November 17th 9am-12pm at Veterans Memorial Park. Please register on line at http://www.pwtsc.org.
• Saved Hands Foundation is having a free resume writing workshop from 10am-12:30pm on November 16th at the Virginia Workforce center on Minnieville Road, Woodbridge.
• The Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps needs both 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 activities. They offer tons of training topics to build your skillset. Please call Amy at (703) 792-7341 to learn more.
• Youth for Tomorrow needs volunteer mentors to spend a couple of hours a week with young person. We’ve all had good people support us along the way- here’s your chance to do the same. You can apply online at: http://www.youthfortomorrow.org  or by calling Vernell at (703) 396-7203 to learn more.
• Virginia Cooperative Extension is having a First Time Buyers Seminar on Saturday November 17th in Manassas given in Spanish and in Woodbridge given in English. Please call Joanne at (703) 792-5891 to register.
• Wreaths Across America invite you and your family to the Annual Wreath Laying event on Saturday December 15th at both Arlington National Cemetery and our own Quantico National Cemetery. You can register to volunteer on their website http://wreathsacrossamerica.org . Come Remember, Honor and Teach our youngsters these values.
• The Center for the Arts needs volunteer docents Monday – Friday during the day. This volunteer opportunity includes greeting visitors and sharing the Center’s history and programs. Please call Jordan at (703) 330-2787 to learn more.
• House of Mercy also needs lots of help and food donations year-round to feed over 400 families a month. Hold a food drive, share this on all your outlets and give them a call at: (703) 659-1636 to learn more.
• Court Appointed Special Advocates- CASA needs volunteers to advocate for a child who has been abused or neglected. Come join one of their information sessions to learn more about this outstanding program. You’ll receive extensive training to match your special heart for a child. Sessions will be held on Wednesday 11/14 at the CASA office in Manassas and at the Mason Enterprise Center on December 12th please email Suzanne at [email protected] for more info.
• Keep Prince William Beautiful has lots of fun clean-up events this fall. Come get your hands dirty and have fun. November 17th they are at Veterans Park and lastly, December 5th is the quarterly litter survey. Please call Nicole at (571) 285-3772 to join in where you can.
• Catholic Charities Hogar Center is looking volunteers to assist students with job applications, resumes, and mock interviews to prepare them for the workforce. Please email Arielle at [email protected] to learn more.
• Virginia Service invites you to nominate your favorite volunteer for the 2019 Governor’s Award inVolunteering Excellence. The categories include Adult, youth, senior, family, faith-based organization, educational institution, community organization, small business and corporation. Nominations are due by December 15th. Please visit http://www.virginiaservice.virginia.gov  for all the specifics.