On Thursday, Oct. 31 children and families are encouraged to dress in their spookiest costumes to enjoy free candy and fun at Potomac Mills. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the mall will offer trick-or-treating at participating retailers, marked with a pumpkin sticker in their windows. Guests will also get to snap photos with Halloween characters roaming the mall and visit the photo station in Grand Court (near TJ Maxx) for more fun photo opportunities.
Potomac River Orthodontics, just off Hoadly Road in Woodbridge, is partnering with the nonprofit Smiles Change Lives to offer affordable orthodontic care to local children.
Sentara medical, surgical, and quality team members receive the accreditation seal from SRC. [Photo: Sentara]Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center recently received accreditation from the Surgical Review Corporation as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Robotic Surgery, recognizing its adherence to established standards. The hospital utilizes the da Vinci robotic surgical system, which enhances surgical precision and enables quicker patient recovery.
Press Release:
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) recently achieved accreditation from SRC – Surgical Review Corporation – as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Robotic Surgery. This accreditation recognizes SNVMC’s commitment and high standard of delivery of quality patient care and safety.
Status as an accredited Center of Excellence means that SNVMC has met nationally and internationally recognized standards. Not all hospitals and surgeons seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous inspection process are granted accreditation.
SNVMC is the first Sentara hospital to have earned this accreditation.
“It’s important that the people in our community know of our dedication and commitment to providing the highest level of surgical services in Northern Virginia,” said SNVMC President Jeff Joyner. “Earning accreditation as a Center of Excellence by SRC is a reflection of the commitment to excellence across our hospital and the entire surgical team.”
Health care facilities and surgeons seeking an SRC accreditation undergo an extensive assessment and inspection process to ensure the applicant meets SRC’s proven standards and requirements. These requirements include surgical volumes, facility equipment, clinical pathways and standardized operating procedures, an emphasis on patient education and continuous quality assessment. Inspectors educate staff in the accredited departments on best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
“We’re proud to recognize Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center for its commitment to advancing and providing quality care for all patients,” said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. “This accreditation signals that this facility is among the best in this specialty and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible.”
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
SNVMC benefits from having the state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic surgical system in use. This is a multi-armed precision tool that is used to perform gynecological and general surgery cases The device’s precision tools and a tiny lighted high-resolution camera are inserted through inch-long incisions, which contributes to quicker recovery for patients with less post-surgical pain.
The surgeon operates the system from a console near the operating table, looking through a viewer that magnifies the surgical site to ten times what the human eye can see.
In a Sentara Health Bites informational video, “Benefits of the daVinci® Robot in Gynecologic Surgery,” gynecology surgeon Alf K. Adler explains, “The term robotic surgery is very misleading to people. It’s not the robot doing the surgery. The surgeon is in control of the system. Many of our patients are able to go back to their homes the same day.”
Dr. Adler outlines other benefits to robotic surgery:
Incisions are smaller with less scaring [sic]
Bleeding is less
Pain is significantly less
Incidence of infection and other complications are much lower
Recovery is phenomenally quicker
From minimally invasive surgical procedures to highly complex in-patient surgeries, Sentara’s board-certified surgeons provide a full range of procedures. To learn more, visit www.Sentara.com/surgery.
Detectives obtained charges on October 17, 2024, related to a sexual assault reported in 2023 involving a victim and her acquaintance. The accused is wanted for rape and abduction, and efforts to locate him have not been successful.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
Rape Investigation – On October 17, 2024, detectives obtained charges in an ongoing investigation regarding a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at a residence located in the Woodbridge (22191) area of Prince William County in 2023. The investigation revealed the adult female victim was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance, identified as the accused. While investigating the incident, detectives learned the accused had held the victim against her will in an altercation in 2022. The victim eventually reported the incidents prompting the police investigation. Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Kelvin Johnson ALVARADO-AGUILAR. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful.
Alvarado-Aguilar, K. J.
Wanted: [Photo from November 2020]
Kelvin Johnson ALVARADO-AGUILAR, 36, of the 1300 block of Ironwood St. in Woodbridge
Described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’9”, 180lbs., with black hair and brown eyes
Wanted for rape and abduction
Prince William County is poised to address the community’s mental health needs with the projected 2025 opening of its first Crisis Receiving Center (CRC), which will be located in the old Gander Mountain Store on Worth Avenue in Woodbridge.
Announced during the October 15 Board of County Supervisors meeting, the CRC will offer immediate, short-term care for individuals in mental health crises, following the Crisis Now model designed to reduce unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations and keep law enforcement focused on public safety.
The plan is to have the facility staffed 24/7 by mental health professionals; the CRC will provide urgent care, 23-hour observation beds, and crisis stabilization services for adults and youth. The center is expected to serve as a central hub for addressing mental health emergencies. It will ensure that individuals are connected to ongoing community support services after resolving their immediate crisis.
Georgia Bachmann, Acting Executive Director of Prince William Community Services Board, highlighted the center’s broader impact, stating, “The CRC will help keep more police officers on the streets by diverting mental health cases away from law enforcement. It will also provide a continuum of care for those in need, supporting recovery and stabilization.”
Slated to be the first of its kind in Virginia, the CRC represents a major investment in the region’s mental health infrastructure. It hopes to provide relief to individuals and families struggling with mental health crises. Once operational, the center will alleviate the pressure on hospital emergency departments, which are often not equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies, by offering specialized care in a compassionate environment.
However, the road to the center’s 2025 opening has not been without challenges. Potomac Local News reported in September 2024 that the county is grappling with operational funding hurdles due to Medicaid restrictions. The 79,000-square-foot facility will feature 32 beds—16 for adults and 16 for children—dedicated to urgent mental health care.
The longstanding federal classification of facilities with more than 16 beds that treat mental health or substance abuse patients as Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) complicates the CRC’s ability to receive Medicaid reimbursement, a critical source of funding. This IMD exclusion, part of a policy dating back to 1965, has created an estimated $8 million funding shortfall.
In response, county officials are working closely with state lawmakers and the congressional delegation to seek a waiver from the federal government that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the CRC. While the waiver process could take six months or more, the county is exploring interim funding options to ensure the center remains on track for its 2025 opening.
Fatal Crash Investigation – On October 8 at 7:58AM, crash investigators responded to the area of the Prince William Pkwy and Clover Hill Rd [near] Manassas (20110) to investigate a single vehicle crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a 1999 Ford Mustang was traveling westbound on the Prince William Pkwy when the vehicle left the roadway and proceeded up an embankment before coming to rest on top of a guardrail. The driver is believed to have suffered a medical emergency and was transported to an area hospital where he later died on October 16. No other occupants were in the vehicle.
Identified:
The driver of the 1999 Ford Mustang was identified as Christopher Cary SOTO, 72, of Woodbridge
As the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) heads into 2025, its proposed budget reflects its challenges and opportunities in a post-COVID world. The budget discussed at the October 18, 2024, Operations Board meeting outlines plans to support ridership recovery, maintain reliable service, and position VRE for future growth as a regional rail provider.
VRE, like many public transit systems, saw a significant decline in ridership during the pandemic. However, the 2025 budget aims to address passengers’ slow but steady recovery by investing in enhanced service offerings and critical infrastructure projects. These efforts are intended to transform VRE from a commuter-focused system to a broader regional transportation network.
Ridership Recovery Post-COVID
Ridership recovery has been gradual, with VRE reporting an 8% year-over-year passenger increase as of October 2024. The Fredericksburg and Manassas lines have both seen this growth, though levels remain below pre-pandemic numbers. The shift in work patterns, with many commuters embracing hybrid or remote work models, has altered the demand for peak-hour train services.
In September 2024, the VRE saw an average daily ridership of 6,662 passengers, increasing from 6,031 in August 2024 to 6,316 in September 2023. This reflects a positive trend in ridership recovery post-COVID, with the total monthly ridership for September 2024 reaching 133,247 passengers, up from 126,328 during the previous month.
The system saw 20,000 riders per day before COVID-19.
“We’re seeing some recovery in ridership, but not the big step increases we had hoped for,” said Rich Dalton, VRE’s CEO, during the meeting. “Instead, it’s been a gradual climb, and we need to adapt to this new normal.”
In response, VRE’s 2025 budget will focus on maintaining existing services while expanding into new markets, including off-peak and reverse-commute services. This move is part of VRE’s long-term strategy to attract new riders beyond traditional commuters, particularly those traveling for leisure or reverse commutes into Northern Virginia.
Expanding Service, Supporting Infrastructure
A key component of VRE’s strategy for ridership recovery and growth is service expansion. The 2025 budget proposes investments in improving infrastructure to support these new service offerings. Projects such as the Long Bridge expansion, the addition of a fourth track at key locations, and upgrades at several stations, including Quantico, are designed to increase capacity and improve service reliability.
“We’re not just looking to return to pre-COVID ridership levels,” Dalton explained. “We’re looking to expand and serve new communities, ensuring VRE becomes a key part of the regional transportation network.”
These infrastructure improvements, including track upgrades and station enhancements, will be critical in supporting VRE’s push to offer more flexible services. For example, the Quantico station upgrades, set to be completed in November 2024, are part of a broader effort to modernize key stations and improve passenger experience.
Budgeting for Growth
To fund these initiatives, VRE is using a mix of federal pandemic relief funds and local contributions. However, these funds are set to run out by fiscal year 2028, adding pressure on VRE to secure new funding sources. The proposed budget includes approximately $30 to $40 million in pandemic relief funds for the next few years. Still, as these resources are exhausted, VRE will need additional support from state and local jurisdictions.
The Operations Board discussed the need to continue advocating for state and federal funding through programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and finding creative solutions to meet future funding needs. VRE is also participating in discussions as part of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s ongoing study (SJ 28) to explore sustainable funding solutions for the state’s transit systems.
“We can’t rely on local jurisdictions alone to cover the gap once the relief funds run out,” said Mark Schofield, VRE’s Chief Financial Officer. “We’re actively engaging in conversations at the state level to ensure that transit funding solutions are identified and implemented in time to avoid service cuts.”
Looking Forward
As VRE continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the 2025 budget reflects the system’s dual priorities: stabilizing operations and preparing for future growth. While ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels, VRE’s focus on expanding services, improving infrastructure, and securing long-term funding will be critical to ensuring its success in the years to come.
The 2025 budget proposal will be refined in the coming months before final approval by the Operations Board, with ongoing adjustments made to address both ridership trends and funding opportunities. As Northern Virginia continues to grow, VRE is positioning itself as an essential part of the region’s future transportation landscape, ready to adapt to changing demands and serve a broader range of passengers.
VRE provides commuter rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City and downtown Washington, D.C., along the Interstate 66 and I-95 corridors.
On October 16, officers found two adults and two girls in a vehicle in Woodbridge, where suspected illegal drugs were accessible to the children. The adults were arrested and charged with child neglect and drug possession, while the children were treated at a hospital but were not injured.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
Felony Child Neglect – On October 16 at 7:21PM, officers were in the 14300 block of Jeffries Rd. in Woodbridge (22191) when an occupied vehicle was located in the parking lot. Officers found the two accused and two girls, ages 7 and 9, in the vehicle with suspected illegal drugs within reach of the children. The children were treated at an area hospital for possible exposure to the drugs. The children were not injured. Following the investigation, the two accused, identified as Andrea Louise DELANEY and Joshua Alexander SCHULDT, were arrested.
Arrested on October 16:
Delaney, A. L.
Andrea Louise DELANEY, 29, of no fixed address
Charged with 2 counts of felony child neglect and 1 count of possession of schedule I/II drugs
Court Date: Pending | Bond: $4,000 Secured
Schuldt, J. A.
Joshua Alexander SCHULDT, 25, of 6920 Harrison Rd. in Fredericksburg
Charged with 2 counts of felony child neglect and 1 count of possession of schedule I/II drugs
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
A suspect was charged for a stabbing incident that occurred on September 9 in Woodbridge. The suspect faces charges of aggravated malicious wounding after a physical altercation with a man.
Press Release from Prince William Police Department:
Aggravated Malicious Wounding *ARREST – On October 15, the suspect, identified as Makahyla Lynn MUTZ, who was sought in connection to the stabbing that was reported to have occurred in 14500 block of Richmond Hwy. in Woodbridge (22191) on September 9, was arrested.
Mutz, M. L.
Arrested on October 15:
Makahyla Lynn MUTZ, 25, of no fixed address
Charged with aggravated malicious wounding
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Aggravated Malicious Wounding *SUSPECT IDENTIFIED [Previously Released] – On September 10, detectives identified the suspect believed to be involved in the stabbing that was reported to have occurred in the 14500 block of Richmond Hwy. in Woodbridge (22191) on September 9. Further investigation revealed the victim and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated when the accused struck, kicked, and then stabbed the victim before the parties separated. Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Makahyla Lynn MUTZ. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful.
Stabbing Investigation [Previously Released] – On September 9 at 5:05AM, officers responded to the 14500 block of Richmond Hwy. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a stabbing. The investigation revealed the victim, a 34-year-old man, was involved in an altercation during which he was stabbed and struck. The victim was located by an employee of nearby business who contacted the police. The victim was treated at an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Officers and a police K-9 searched the area for the suspect(s) who were not located. No additional injuries were reported.
