The Board of County Supervisors awarded a contract to Verizon to expand high-speed internet access throughout the county in an effort to reduce the percentage of county residents without it. According to a county press release, the goal is to reduce the number of residents without access to less than 1.5%.
A National Institute of Health study shows that between 2018 and 2022, 96% of Prince William County residents had high-speed access; in comparison to counties in the Northern Virginia region, Prince William ranks among Fairfax City and Fairfax County (96%), Falls Church City (97%), Loudon County (96%) and Manassas City (96%).
“This project brings us one step closer to ensuring that every county resident and business has access to high-speed internet and represents a real commitment to resolve chronic issues of technology access, a?ordability and literacy across the county,” Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson said.
The county released an interactive map to show the status of the project. There are dozens of active construction sites in Manassas, Catharpin and Haymarket, along with various sites in Triangle in the planning phase.
The Board allocated $1.35 million in funding from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funding from the federal government, which was an effort to revitalize communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project also comes out of the Department of Information Technology’s (DoIT) 2020 initiative, the Technology Inclusion Initiative, to increase access to high-speed internet to reduce threats to residents and local businesses.
Residents and businesses can submit a request form to demonstrate interest in gaining internet access through this program.
“Guests will take part in a mock trial where we take court cases from the 1800s and we give everyone different roles,” Paige Gibbons Backus, historic site manager at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre & Lucasville School, said in a press release. “They go through the court case, hear the evidence and then decide if someone is innocent or guilty and we tell them if they changed history or not.”
The jail was built in tandem with the Brentsville Courthouse in the 1820s and served as the “center of law and order” for the county until 1893, the release stated. The county seat moved to Manassas, so the jail transitioned to a women’s dorm for the teacher’s college in the defunct courthouse. It was then renovated to become a private residence then the county park authority’s jail space.
Since those days, the jail has been restored by the Office of Historic Preservation to return to its original appearance. A museum is now the main occupant of the building, detailing its own history and that of Brentsville.
Up to five people can sleep in a single, air-conditioned cell and attendees will receive a light breakfast on Sunday morning, which is included in the $120 registration fee.
Chief Edward Mills, who leads the city's fire department, gave a presentation to City Council on Monday following growing community concerns over staffing of engine 501, a 750-gallon fire engine that's been in service since May 2014.
A fire on Signal Hill Road in May around 1 p.m. left nobody injured; Mills said if the same incident happened at 1 a.m., a similar outcome may not have been possible.
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Prince William County was named one of the top digital counties in the nation by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties.
The county received third place in the annual Digital Counties Survey in the 250,000-499,999 population category. This is the fourth consecutive year the county has placed in the top 10 in this category. Prince William was beaten out by Chesterfield County, Va., in first place and Cumberland County, N.C., in second. In 2023, Prince William won first place in this category.
This survey aims to identify the best technology practices among counties across the United States, including initiatives to streamline services, data analytics and enhanced cybersecurity with emerging technology.
“Amid falling tax revenue and growing demands on its Department of Information Technology, Prince William County nevertheless expanded and improved citizen services last year while initiating major improvements to several internal processes,” the survey results state.
The county was also recognized for its work to resolve technology access issues, affordability and digital literacy through DoIT’s Technology Inclusion Initiative. DoIT has also been working to enhance communications between residents and county leadership.
” “Four consecutive years of recognition demonstrates that our unwavering commitment to technology excellence, efficiency and value has emerged as a national example of how to deliver strong value to constituents and communities,” Rob Mancini, the county’s Chief Information Officer said in the release.
Nine other Virginia counties were placed among the nation’s top innovation counties.
- Albermarle County, seventh place (Up to 150,000 category)
- Arlington County, first place (150,000-249,999 category)
- Bedford County, third place (Up to 150,000)
- County of York, second place (Up to 150,000)
- Fairfax County, second place (1 million or more category)
- Franklin County, eighth place (Up to 150,000)
- James City County, fifth place (Up to 150,000)
- Orange County, ninth place (Up to 150,000)
- Stafford County, third place (150,000-249,999)
Happy Monday, Prince William County!
Welcome to my series of Board of County Supervisors previews, where I preview each Prince William County Board of Supervisors meeting so you know what’s going on, what to listen for, and how to talk about it later.
This is the last meeting of the summer before the Board goes on recess for the summer. The next meeting will be Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.
Sign up for our FREE news email and never hesitate to email me at [email protected] with comments, questions and/or news tips.
Important links
Key agenda items
Public safety funds for the Solheim Cup
The 19th Solheim Cup, a women’s professional golf team competition that’s expected to bring in $60 million for the region, will be held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville in September, and staff is recommending the Board appropriate $2 million for public safety operations during the tournament.
Staff estimated $2 million of safety support costs across the police and Fire & Rescue departments, Public Safety Communications and the Office of Emergency Management for personnel, equipment and contracted services, in the case of OEM.
$5 million was appropriated earlier this year by the Virginia General Assembly in the state budget to sponsor the event.
“The Virginia Tourism Authority shall use these funds to 1) promote Prince William County and other Virginia Tourism assets during this event and 2) provide grants to Prince William County to address public safety and transportation services required for the domestic and international travelers attending the event,” meeting document states.
Prince William County, if the Board approves, will submit a grant application to the Tourism Authority for $2 million from the $5 million already appropriated. But, the county needs to appropriate and budget $2 million upfront and recoup the money afterward if the application is approved.
Van Buren Road North/Route 234/Cardinal Drive project
Staff is recommending the Board approve the location of the Van Buren Road North extension between Route 234 and Cardinal Drive, which will bring a four-lane divided road with a shared-use path, sidewalk and bridge over Powell’s Creek.
Detention center public lobby renovations
The Adult Detention Center in Manassas — which also serves Prince William County and Manassas Park — is seeking $1.75 million to renovate the public access lobby in its 2000s-era building.
The Central Building Phase I lobby became fully operational in late 2008 and, according to county documents, needs improvements to “enhance overall security measures for the facility, allow for improved security screenings and streamline operational requirements for reception and exit processes.”
This lobby is the only public access point and manages all visitors to the jail, including but not limited to family, friends, attorneys, volunteers, vendor contractors and staff. Inmates who are being released also exit through this lobby.
“The agency must make access available to the public 24/7 for magisterial services performed in the lower level of the building. Therefore, entries and exits must be managed around the clock,” county documents state.
Lobby renovations were initially slated to be part of the 2021 expansion project, but were cut due to funding constraints.
New businesses slated for the county
Several businesses are requesting special use permits across the county. Here are some of the highlights:
- Tommy’s Car Wash (Minnieville Shopping Center, Woodbridge)
- Gas station with 20 pumps (6371 John James Way, Haymarket)
- Wendy’s (6366 John James Way, Haymarket)
- Braemar Flagship Car Wash (9420 Linton Hall Road, Bristow)
- A “financial institution” with a drive-through (14890 Heathcote Blvd., Haymarket)
- Vehicle service facility (14890 Heathcote Blvd., Haymarket)
- Self-service car wash with vacuums (14890 Heathcote Blvd., Haymarket)
- Mystikos Armament (9356 Boley Place, Nokesville)
- Popeye’s (9885 Liberia Ave., Manassas)
- Starbucks (17050 Richmond Highway, Dumfries)
- Cozy Nest Family Child Childcare (16052 Barn Swallow Place, Woodbridge)
Adia Lynn Shanahan, 22, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer on July 13.
Prince William County Police encountered Shanahan when they were in the 7300 block of Sudley Road. Shanahan was reported to be in possession of illegal narcotics and was intoxicated.
More from Prince William Police:
Assault & Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] – On July 13 at 8:10 p.m., officers were in the 7300 block of Sudley Rd. in Manassas (20109) when they encountered a woman, later identified as the accused. During their contact, officers found the accused in possession of suspected illegal narcotics. When officers attempted to detain the accused, she actively resisted and kicked an officer before being detained. The accused was also determined to be intoxicated. Minor injuries were reported by an officer. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Adia Lynn SHANAHAN, was arrested.
Arrested on July 13:Â
Adia Lynn SHANAHAN, 22, of no fixed address
Charged with assault & battery on LEO, possession of a schedule I/II drug, and intoxicated in public
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Adam Bradley Holbrook, 44, turned himself in to Prince William County Police after an arrest warrant was obtained following a domestic dispute on July 14.
Officers responded to a residence in the 9100 block of Wyche Knoll Lane in Manassas at 3:33 a.m. on July 14 to investigate a verbal domestic dispute.
More from Prince William Police:
Strangulation (Domestic Related) – On July 14 at 3:33 a.m., officers responded to a residence located in the 9100 block of Wyche Knoll Lane in Manassas (20110) to investigate a domestic dispute. The investigation revealed the victim, a 41-year-old woman, and an acquaintance, identified as the accused,
were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused grabbed the victim’s neck. The parties eventually separated, and the accused left the residence prior to police arriving at the home. Minor injuries were reported. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Adam Bradley HOLBROOK, who turned himself in to the police later that morning.
Arrested on July 14:
Adam Bradley HOLBROOK, 44, of the 9100 block of Wyche Knoll Ln. in Manassas
Charged with strangulation
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Jonathan Matthew Campbell, 37, was arrested and charged on June 22 by Prince William County Police following an investigation into sexual assaults reported to have occurred between February 2015 and February 2016.
In the daily incident report released by Prince William County, the investigation reported the accuser, who was under 13 years old at the time of the offenses, was sexually assaulted more than once by Campbell, who she knew. The investigation revealed two other girls under 13 were sexually assaulted between January 2018 and April 2019.
More from Prince William Police:
On June 22, detectives concluded an investigation into sexual assaults that were
reported to have occurred at a residence in the Manassas (20111) area of Prince William County between February 2015 and February 2016. The investigation revealed the victim, who was under the age of 13 at the time of the offenses, was sexually assaulted on more than one occasion by the accused, who was known to the victim. While investigating the incident, detectives determined that the accused sexually assaulted two other known girls who were also under the age of 13 between January 2018 and April 2019. Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Jonathan Matthew
CAMPBELL, who was taken into custody in Manassas City on June 22.Jonathan Matthew CAMPBELL, 37, of no fixed address
Charged with 1 count of rape, 4 counts of aggravated sexual battery, and 1 count of indecent
liberties
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the July 15 work session. Missed the July 8 meeting? Here’s my preview of the important issues, and one of the decisions that will be sure to impact you.
This week’s meeting will be held at the Public Safety Facility at 9608 Grant Ave. in the second-floor policy room at 5:30 p.m.
Sign up for our FREE news email and never hesitate to email me at [email protected] with comments, questions and/or news tips.
Important links
Key agenda items
Capital project updates on transportation
Matt Arcieri, an assistant city manager and director of Planning & Community Development, will be presenting a capital improvement program update on the various ongoing and scheduled transportation projects in Manassas.
Arcieri is expected to discuss the Grant Avenue, Sudley Road third lane, Sudley/Centerville roundabout, Mathis Avenue and Liberia Avenue projects. These projects are all in various stages of the construction process: some are currently under construction, while others are still in the design process, but are close to completion.
There will also be bike and pedestrian project updates, which are all in various stages of the process. Imminent projects are the Wellington Road shared-use path gap, a sidewalk along Dumfries Road and a sidewalk on Longstreet Drive.
Fire & Rescue department update
Fire & Rescue Chief Edward Mills will be giving a presentation on staffing the Engine 501 — a 750-gallon fire engine that’s been in service since May 2014.
According to the presentation to be given at the meeting, the engine went unstaffed nearly 60% of the time in June 2023. The engine has been better staffed since reaching its unstaffed peak last June, but inched back up to nearly 30% in April 2024.
The presentation stated Engine 501 goes unstaffed when no one from the Manassas Volunteer Fire Department is working and no one from the city’s Fire & Rescue staff is available for overtime.
“The issue has been continuous for quite some time. It has always been, and will always be, best practice to take the safety of our citizens very seriously. We are at a point where we cannot continue down the same path; we need to look at [the] best options,” the presentation said.
