🌱 Black History Committee Celebrates + New SWVA-HEALS Program

Hey, everybody. It's Tuesday in Dale City and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally. Because community news matters! In today's issue, we have these stories and more:

• 2023 Black History Month celebration
• Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Laboratory School program receives $200,000 state grant
• Project will improve safety and extend lifespan of I-95

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 64 Low: 35.
• Wednesday: Cooler with a little rain. High: 49 Low: 45.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 80 Low: 46.
• Friday: Winds subsiding and cooler. High: 52 Low: 28.

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Dale City, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Dale City Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Dale City today:

1. The Prince William Black History Committee celebrated the 2023 Black History Month with county employees and community members, highlighting the theme of "Black Resistance" through music, stories, poetry, and songs. The celebration explored the history of African Americans' struggle for rights and equality in the United States, fought through different forms such as the courts of public opinion, courts of law, and the battlefield. The audience was encouraged to enhance the understanding and cooperation of different cultures in the community through education and interaction by the Vice Chair of the Prince William Black History Committee. (Press Release Desk)
2. The Virginia Department of Transportation is working on a project to improve the safety and extend the lifespan of the northbound and southbound I-95 general-purpose lane bridges over Powells Creek. The bridges were built in 1963 and have undergone various repairs and widening. The $8.5 million project includes repairing steel beams and concrete abutments, resurfacing the northbound bridge's deck, and other tasks, and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2024. (PotomacLocal.com)
3. Prince William County Fire and Rescue responded to a fire at a Dale City apartment caused by an unattended candle. The blaze injured two adults, who were taken to a medical center for treatment, although their injuries were not life-threatening. The apartment suffered moderate damage and was declared unsafe for occupancy, leaving the two residents displaced. (Patch)
4. Five new homes have been listed for sale in the Dale City area. Available properties range from a 1,644-square-foot, three-bed, four-bath home for $399,000 to a $734,999 home with five beds, four baths, and 4,104 square feet. Get all the property details at the link. (Dale City Patch)
5. Emory & Henry College, Smyth, Wythe, Washington counties, and the City of Bristol have announced the creation of the Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Laboratory School (SWVA-HEALS) program, which has been awarded a $200,000 planning grant from the state. The proposed lab school will serve 10th- to 12th-grade students along the Interstate 81 corridor from Wythe County to Bristol. It will aim to prepare future healthcare professionals to meet the workforce shortages in Southwest Virginia while helping them continue to live in the region. The first year of the SWVA-HEALS program will focus on career exploration across healthcare professions, including nursing and mental health. It will include active engagement through early career forums and shadowing opportunities. (Southwest Virginia Today)

Coming up in and around Dale City:

Tuesday, February 21

• Open Mic Comedy At The Electric Palm Restaurant in Woodbridge (7:30 PM)

Wednesday, February 22

• Baby Story Time At Dale City Neighborhood Library (10:30 AM)

Thursday, February 23

• Fill The Cruiser At Central District Police Station in Woodbridge (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Full- and part-time job opportunities are available in the Dale City area. Available positions include promotional sales assistant, operations specialist, administrative assistant, account executive, and more. More details about companies hiring in the area are available at the link. (Dale City Patch)
• Congratulations to the Osbourn Park High School Chamber Orchestra for performing for the U.S. Department of Education officials and staff! (Prince William County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Do you know who these animals belong to? The Prince William County Animal Shelter posts photos of strays in the shelter, hoping their owners find their missing pets. (Prince William County Animal Shelter via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.