🌱 Verbal Altercation Leads To Shooting + Occoquan Streetlight Pilot

Hello, friends! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Lake Ridge-Occoquan Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and windy. High: 52 Low: 31.
• Thursday: Partly sunny. High: 53 Low: 32.
• Friday: Sun followed by clouds. High: 47 Low: 36.
• Saturday: Windy with a few showers. High: 47 Low: 31.

Business owners and marketers in Lake Ridge-Occoquan: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. A man has died in Woodbridge after a verbal altercation between two family members resulted in a shooting. According to police, an argument between 60-year-old Frank Adolf Mateo and an 80-year-old relative had escalated, resulting in Mateo being shot in the upper body; he was taken to an area hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact authorities at 703-792-7000 or submit a tip online. (DC News Now)
2. The Town of Occoquan is still accepting feedback on its solar streetlight pilot program. Two solar-powered streetlight models are currently installed on the 400 block of Mill Street. Pilot results will help inform whether the town decides to convert its current gas-powered streetlights to solar-powered lights, which are estimated to reduce maintenance costs by $15,000 while also reducing Occoquan's carbon footprint. Those who wish to take the survey can do so at the link. (Occoquan, VA)
3. Last Tuesday, Feb. 28, Prince William County Executive Christopher Shorter presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to the Board of County Supervisors. Budget priorities include maintaining the revenue-sharing agreement with Prince William County Public Schools, mitigating the impact of rising real estate assessments, ensuring competitive employee compensation, and maintaining county services. The proposed budget includes a reduced real estate tax rate of $0.977 per $100 of assessed value and an unchanged fire levy rate, with the average residential real estate tax bill increase being $72. Residents will have several opportunities to engage in the budgeting process; a full list of available sessions and hearings can be found at the link. (Prince William County, VA)

Coming up in Lake Ridge-Occoquan:

Wednesday, March 8

• Reading To Dogs At Chinn Park Library (4:00 PM)

Thursday, March 9

• Teen Trivia: Nintendo At Chinn Park Library (3:30 PM)

Friday, March 10

• Perishable Food Drive At All Saints' Church (4:30 PM)

Saturday, March 11

• Coding Lab For Kids: Code Your First App At Apple Potomac Town Center (5:30 PM)

Sunday, March 12

• Love Your Dog Park Day Of Service At K9 Gunner Memorial Dog Park (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up, house hunters — here are the latest homes to hit the Lake Ridge-Occoquan market. (Lake Ridge-Occoquan Patch)
• Looking for a new career opportunity near home? Several employers in the Lake Ridge-Occoquan area are looking to hire, with full-time, part-time, and remote positions available. (Lake Ridge-Occoquan Patch)
• From learning to cook a traditional St. Patrick's Day Meal to exploring the beauty of Lake Ridge Park, there's plenty to do in Prince William County this March. (Prince William County)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Christianity Explored (March 8)
• Manassas St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 11)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all soon for your next 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.