🌱 $992K Grant For County DoT + Labor Strike Shuts Down OmniRide

Good morning, Lake Ridge-Occoquan! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know today in five minutes or less, including:

• Prince William County Department of Transportation receives $992K grant
• Labor strike shuts down OmniRide service
• Local student receives prestigious neuroscience award

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Warm with clouds breaking. High: 69 Low: 47.
• Thursday: A couple of afternoon showers. High: 64 Low: 55.
• Friday: Windy; a little morning rain. High: 60 Low: 27.
• Saturday: Sunny and cooler. High: 48 Low: 33.

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Here are the top five stories in Lake Ridge-Occoquan today:

1. The Prince William County Department of Transportation will receive $992,000 to develop a comprehensive safety action plan through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. The grant program established by President Biden's infrastructure law provides $5 billion over five years to fund regional, local, and tribal initiatives to prevent fatalities and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. The Prince William County Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will build on previous planning efforts and include key stakeholders to ensure policies and strategies improve safety equitably. (Prince William County)
2. A labor strike by drivers has shut down OmniRide commuter and local bus services in Prince William County, Virginia. The strike is the result of failed contract negotiations between the drivers and their employer, First Transit, which provides transit services to the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC). The members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 are seeking better pay and benefits, as well as more time between shifts to rest and recover. No resolution to the strike has been announced as of Tuesday afternoon. (Subscription: Prince William Times)
3. Grace Burge, a Prince William County Public Schools student, has won the Neuroscience Research Prize for her project on neurodegenerative diseases. The prize was awarded by the American Academy of Neurology, in partnership with the American Brain Foundation. Burge, a sophomore at Osbourn Park High School in nearby Manassas, has been conducting research since she was in eighth grade; she plans to continue her research in the future to improve treatments for neurological diseases. (Prince William County Public Schools)
4. Down the road in Dale City, the Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center is offering a Zumba Kids program for children aged 8 to 13. The class involves breaking down the basic rhythms of Cumbia, Salsa, Reggaeton, and Merengue, and learning about the geography of where each rhythm originates. The program runs from Mar. 2 to Mar. 30, each Thursday from 4:30-5:15 p.m. Those interested in registering or learning more can do so here. (Prince William County Parks, Recreation & Tourism via Facebook)
5. The Farmers' Almanac has released its Spring 2023 forecast for Virginia, predicting near-average temperatures and above-average precipitation levels. The spring season is expected to have mostly dry conditions, with only a few scattered rain showers. The forecast suggests that temperatures are likely to fluctuate in March, with below-average temperatures expected to hit the state, followed by warmer temperatures in April and May. (Virginia Patch)

Coming up in and around Lake Ridge-Occoquan:

Wednesday, February 15

• Books On Tap At Sinistral Brewing Co., Manassas (7:00 PM)

Thursday, February 16

• YogaSix Pop-Up Classes At 12184 Chaucer Ln (12:00 PM)

Saturday, February 18

• Reading To Dogs At Lake Ridge Library (10:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• Looking to make new business connections in Prince William County? Check out these upcoming business networking events in the area, both in-person and virtual. (Prince William Living)
• If you're proud of your community and want to share your inside knowledge with others, Patch is looking for a local curator to take the helm of the Lake Ridge-Occoquan newsletter. Visit the link to apply or learn more about the role. (Lake Ridge-Occoquan Patch)
• Calling all house hunters: here are five new properties that have just hit the Lake Ridge-Occoquan real estate market. (Lake Ridge-Occoquan Patch)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.