The Prince William County Police Department is partnering with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the United States Coast Guard over the July Fourth weekend to combat boating under the influence.
According to a press release, the county will actively participate in Operation Dry Water, a year-round campaign focused on awareness and enforcement of boating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Since the upcoming Fourth of July has a heightened public presence on the water, law enforcement agencies will prioritize educating boaters about safe practices.
Operation Dry Water has been running since 2009 and was started by the NASBLA to draw attention to the dangers of boating under the influence. In 2022, there were 636 boating fatalities, and alcohol was the leading known contributing factor in those accidents; it accounted for 16% of total fatalities, according to a U.S. Coast Guard report.
This period of heightened awareness and enforcement will take place from July 4 to July 6, 2024. During this time, boaters will see an increase in officers patrolling the water and at recreational boating checkpoints.
Hundreds of agencies across the U.S. are participating, including the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Prince William is one of the only localities in the state that is participating.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a statement on May 16 confirming that two Jordanian nationals were turned over to ICE custody. However, ICE did not respond to the request to confirm whether one or both men were on the Terrorism Watch list or address the contents of the box truck.
Captain James Covington, ICE spokesman, confirmed: “On May 3, 2024, Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested two Jordanian noncitizens for trespassing. Marine Corps Base authorities notified the ICE Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Washington, D.C., of the apprehensions. Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C.’s Criminal Apprehension Program responded and arrested both individuals without incident. Both individuals will remain in ERO custody pending removal proceedings.”Â
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
- When: 1 p.m., Sunday, May 12.
- Where: George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax).
- Commencement Speaker: JR Bontrager, director of technology at 3D Herndon.
JR Bontrager is an inspiring example of resilience and determination. At 46, he recently returned to NOVA, where he is studying engineering while also working full time as director of technology at 3D Herndon. As this year’s commencement speaker, JR is eager to share his personal journey, hoping to inspire others to take advantage of NOVA at any age or stage in their careers. Access to continuous education, he argues, is especially crucial in today’s dynamic and ever-evolving workplace.
An artist by nature, JR has a gift for designing and crafting creative solutions. At 3D Herndon, he specializes in 3D design, printing and scanning. The company is known for its innovative projects, including:
- Adaptive prosthetics for medical use.
- Renderings of ancient bones in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution.
- Other cutting-edge product designs for a range of clients.
Beyond his work, JR is an advocate for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), a cause close to his heart due to his own battle with the condition. He loves leveraging his engineering expertise and passion for technology to improve the lives of others.
NOVA’s Commencement Ceremony:
- Will be live streamed Livestream | Northern Virginia Community College (nvcc.edu).
- Will be recorded and closed-captioned for viewing purposes.
- Will be made available on the NOVA website.
For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the Spring 2024 Commencement page.
During the reception, three Stafford businesses were recognized for their exceptional contributions:
- The Innovation Award acknowledged uBreakiFix by Asurion for its forward-thinking initiatives, including a youth program focused on STEM education and repair skills, as well as a Senior Tech Troubleshooting program.
- The Donald H. Newlin Community Stewardship Award, named in honor of long-serving EDA member Donald H. Newlin, was presented to FOCUS Group Solutions for its pioneering efforts in addressing mental health needs and creating employment opportunities in the community.
- Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery was honored as Business of the Year for its outstanding growth, commitment to community welfare through charitable initiatives, and dedication to exceptional customer service.
“As Chairman of the Stafford County EDA, and business owner in Stafford, I am proud to witness the strength and resilience of our local business community. This event reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting economic growth and innovation in Stafford County,” remarked Howard Owen, EDA Chairman
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
“7News On Your Side has obtained an email revealing Prince William County Public Schools removed a speech-language pathologist from their list of evaluators because he “sides with the parents.”, reports ABC7 News.
City of Fredericksburg Office of Voter Registration & Elections: Construction work to build the new Visitor Center on the 1st floor of Executive Plaza is underway.
Early Voting starts Friday, May 3, 2024.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
 The Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board (R-Board) and Aquia Harbour Host Lions Club's Electronics Recycling Program was recognized as a silver medal winner for the 2024 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards.
The awards were announced on April 9, 2024 at the Environment Virginia Symposium held at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. The awards recognize innovative programs that are improving Virginia’s environment.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Click Here to access the calendar, and click "submit your event" at the top of the calendar to submit your event.
- You can use the drop-down menu at the top of our website to view the calendar and submit your events.
The addition of the events calendar marks a return of the popular feature to Potomac Local News. The events calendar is part of a host of new site improvements that we've made since Thanksgiving 2021.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Click Here to access the calendar, and click "submit your event" at the top of the calendar to submit your event.
- You can use the drop-down menu at the top of our website to view the calendar and submit your events.
The addition of the events calendar marks a return of the popular feature to Potomac Local News. The events calendar is part of a host of new site improvements that we've made since Thanksgiving 2021.
