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April 25, 2018 | Serving Haymarket, Gainesville and Western Prince William County | Vol. 17, No. 17 | www.PrinceWilliamTimes.com | 50¢
Prince William lost 59 to fatal overdoses in 2017 Opioids ‘driving force’ among fatal overdoses across Virginia By Amanda Heincer Times Staff Writer
Fatal drug overdoses remained the leading cause of unnatural death in Virginia in 2017, according a Virginia Department of Health report released this week. Though 2017 numbers are not yet final, a state health department report released April 20 shows that 1,534 Virginians died of drug overdoses in 2017, up from 1,428 people in 2016.
At the time of the report, about 40 cases from 2017 remained open, awaiting additional reports to determine cause and manner of death. According to the preliminary numbers, Prince William County had 59 overdose deaths in 2017, compared to 58 in 2016. Manassas had 14 overdose deaths in 2017, up from seven in 2016; while Manassas Park had four overdose deaths in 2017, up from one in 2016. In Fauquier County, there were 13 overdose deaths in 2017, down from
25 in 2016. The Virginia Department of Health reports that fatal drug overdose has been the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia since 2015 and the leading method of accidental death since 2014. Opioids continued to represent the largest percentage of fatal overdoses in Virginia in 2017. Opioids accounted for 1,227 fatal overdoses in Virginia in 2017, up from 1,138 deaths in 2016. In Prince William County, 49
overdose deaths were attributed to opioids in both 2017, the same number reported in 2016. In Manassas, 12 overdose deaths were due to opioids in 2017, up from seven in 2016. In Manassas Park there were four opioid overdose deaths in 2017, up from one in 2016. In Fauquier County, there were 11 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2017, compared to 23 in 2016. See OPIOIDS, Page 5
Lateef wins nod For School Board Interim chair By Jill Palermo
Times Staff Writer
Winding through the creek... PHOTO BY ROGER SNYDER
An aerial shot shows the progress on a new three-quarter-mile Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Crossing, a $3.8 million walkway that will connect Rippon Landing Park and the Julie Metz Wetlands Preserve in eastern Woodbridge. The county project is expected to be completed in early 2019. INSIDE Calendar....................................ONLINE Classifieds...........................................19 Living 29.............................................10 News....................................................2
Opinion...............................................12 Obituaries.............................................6 Puzzle Page........................................17 Real Estate..........................................18 Sports.................................................15
Dr. Babur Lateef, an ophthalmologist and father of four, was appointed interim chairman of the Prince William County School Board Wednes- Dr. Babur Lateef day in a party-line vote. All four Democratically endorsed members of the school board supported Lateef, while the three Republican-backed board members cast opposing votes. Lateef, 46, was one of the first candidates to apply to take the helm of the school board in the wake of former Chairman Ryan Sawyers’ resignation March 7. The pool of applicants would eventually grow to 20 -- including former School Board Chairwoman Lucy Beauchamp and former Gainesville School Board member Don Richardson. But Lateef was long considered a leading contender among the board’s four Democrats. In a statement after the vote, Lateef called it is a “true honor to be selected” from the group of candidates. See SCHOOL BOARD, Page 5
86 WARRENTON, VA
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NEWS
Gainesville/Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | April 25, 2018
Beware of invasive beetle that kills ash trees The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle species that can kill an ash tree within several years if left untreated. The pest, originally from eastern Russia, northern China, Japan, and Korea, is devastating ash trees across Prince William County, said Valerie Huelsman, a forest health specialist with the county’s Environmental Services Mosquito and Forest Pest Management Branch. “It was first found here in 2010; and right now, it’s widespread around the county,” she said. “Basically, if you have an ash tree, you should be looking at it and deciding on a plan on how to deal with the beetle very soon.” Symptoms of trees infested by the wood-boring, green beetle include die back of the branches, peeling bark and woodpecker damage since woodpeckers feed on the beetle’s larvae. The larval stage causes the significant damage to the tree as it feeds on tissues under the bark. D-shaped holes, where adults exit the tree, also show that a tree is infested. People can choose between several methods to treat their ash trees. “They can do a tree injection treatment, basal spray, or soil drench,” Huelsman said. “There are a couple of different products available, so it’s best to talk to a certified
The emerald ash borer, which can kill an ash tree, was first discovered in Prince William County in 2010. arborist first.” To help residents the defray the cost of the treatment, the Virginia Department of Forestry has a cost-sharing program. “In counties where the presence of emerald ash borer has been confirmed, such as Prince William County, only trunk injection treatment will be cost-shared,” Huelsman said. “It will cover up to 50 percent of the treatment, if they get a certi-
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fied pesticide applicator to do it.” A list of licensed companies who are certified to apply pesticides in the state is available at http://www. vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/reports-busi-
nesses.pdf. Those interested in the cost-sharing program must apply and meet certain criteria to be approved. For more information, visit http:// www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/ publicworks/Pages/Emerald%20 Ash%20Borer.aspx. In order for the treatment to be most effective, trees need be at least 12 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground, and have 70 percent or more leaves remaining in the crown. Residents must also be willing to put in some effort to save their tree. “It has to be a tree that you’re willing to commit to continue to treat until the emerald ash borer population declines,” Huelsman said. Those who suspect that they have ash trees that are infested can call Mosquito and Forest Pest Management at 703-792-6279 for help. “We’re always glad to come out and confirm that they do have ash trees and that the emerald ash borer is present and give them advice on what their next steps can be,” Huelsman said. – Prince William County
County conducting community survey The Prince William County government is in the process of conducting the 2018 Community Survey, which will run through April 30. The survey allows the county to gain insights on how residents feel about the quality of life in the county. This information is then used by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and various county departments to better understand the viewpoints and needs of county residents. Issues & Answers, an independent global research firm, will conduct the survey under the Council of American Survey Research Organizations Code of Ethics. The firm will invite 1,600 potential participants, a statistically valid number of residents, randomly chosen from all Prince William County households.
Selecting random participants will allow Issues & Answers to get a thorough representation of county residents’ beliefs and experiences regarding county services and an accurate picture of their needs. Those who are randomly selected will get a postcard in the mail with the directions on how to participate in the survey. The 12- to 18-minute survey, which can be done online or by phone in English, Spanish or other languages as needed, is confidential. The county has been conducting surveys since 1993 when the surveys happened annually. The surveys were switched to a biennial occurrence in 2012. For more information, visit www. pwcgov.org/survey.
Community Editor Anita Sherman, 540.351.1635 asherman@fauquier.com Staff Writers ISSN 1050-7655, USPS 188280 Amanda Heincer, 540-878-2418 Published every Wednesday by aheincer@fauquier.com Piedmont Media LLC James Ivancic, 540-878-2414 jivancic@fauquier.com How to reach us Leland Schwartz, 540-351-0488 ADDRESS: lschwartz@fauquier.com 41 Culpeper Street Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Jonathan Hunley PHONE: 540-347-4222 jhunley@fauquier.com FAX: 540-349-8676 HOURS: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. weekdays, Sports Editor 24-hour answering service Peter Brewington, 540-351-1169 pbrewington@fauquier.com Publisher Catherine M. Nelson, Sports Staff Writer 540-300-4780 Jeff Malmgren, 540-874-2250 cnelson@fauquier.com jmalmgren@fauquier.com NEWSROOM ADVERTISING Editor in Chief Ad Manager Chris Six, 540-212-6331 Kathy Mills Godfrey 540-351-1162 csix@fauquier.com kgodfrey@fauquier.com News Editor Classified Sales Consulatants Jill Palermo,540-351-0431 Jeanne Cobert, 540-878-2491 jpalermo@fauquier.com jcobert@fauquier.com Associate Editor Evelyn Cobert, 540-878-2492 John Toler, 540-351-0487 jtoler@fauquier.com ecobert@fauquier.com
Chairman Emeritus George R. Thompson To place Classified and Employment ads: Call 540-351-1664 or fax 540-349-8676, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday — Friday or email fauquierclassifieds@fauquier. com SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 540-347-4222 Help with your subscription? Call 540-878-2413 or email CirculationFT@fauquier.com Missed your paper? Call 540-347-4222, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays Subscription: $69.68 per year within the United States. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Fauquier Times, 39 Culpeper St., Warrenton, VA 20186. Periodicals postage paid at Warrenton, Va. and at additional mailing offices
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Gainesville/Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | April 25, 2018
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State police helipad dedicated to Trooper Berke Bates Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe joined a crowd of more than 200 in Chesterfield County last week to formally dedicate a helipad at Virginia State Police administrative headquarters for Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, a Nokesville native who was killed last August while monitoring the deadly white-nationalist protest in Charlottesville. Northam and McAuliffe, along with Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and members of Bates’ family, unveiled the new sign that designates the helipad in Bates’ memory on Wednesday, April 18, according to a press release issued by the state police.
Day care worker charged with sexual assault An assistant teacher at a Bristow child care center was arrested on sexual assault charges after, police said, he touched several 5-year-olds inappropriately. Detectives from the Prince William County Police Department’s Special Victims Bureau and the Department of Social Services began an investigation March 27 into an alleged sexual assault involving an assistant teacher at Minnieland Academy, 10368 Bristow Center Drive in Bristow, Prince William police spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Perok said in a news release. The investigation found that the assistant teacher, identified as Taylor Keith Boykin, “inappropriately touched” a 5-year-old girl at the child care center on March 26. The girl told a parent about the incident and the parent then notified the center, Perok said. The parent also reported the incident to Child Protective Services and a joint investigation with the police department and department of social services was launched, the news release said. In the investigation, police identified three more victims, all 5 years old, Perok said in the news release. All of the victims were sexually assaulted by the suspect sometime since March 2017, the police news release said. Boykin, 27, of Aqua View Court in Nokesville, was arrested April 20 and charged with four counts of aggravated sexual battery, four counts of object sexual penetration and four counts of indecent liberties by a custodian.
Police look for man who bit, assaulted Manassas lingerie shop worker Prince William County police are searching for a man who allegedly bit and sexually assaulted a female employee at a Manassas lingerie boutique last week. According to police, the man entered the Le Tache Couple’s Boutique, 10346 Portsmouth Road in the Manassas area, at about 8:45 p.m. on Monday, April 16. He approached a female employee who was standing behind a counter. During the encounter, the man went behind the counter and bit the employee. When the victim pushed
“The Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates Helipad will serve as a lasting tribute to Berke’s incredible spirit and legacy as a public-safety professional, aviator, father, son, brother, and friend,” Col. Gary T. Settle, VSP superintendent said in the press release. “…We hope this Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates simple, but meaningful, tribute brings added and lasting comfort to his family, friends, and colleagues.” Bates, 40, and the State Police Aviation Unit Commander, Lt. H. Jay Cullen III, became the de-
the suspect out from behind the counter, he began pacing around her then inappropriately touched her, according to a police department press release. At some point, the man forced his way back behind the counter and attempted to lift up the victim’s skirt, the police report said. The man eventually left the business when the victim contacted police. Officers searched the area for the suspect who was not located. No injuries were reported. The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a “heavy build,” weighing an estimated 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black and gray sweatshirt with a hoodie, light gray shorts, and black and white shoes. Anyone with information is urged to call police at 703-792-6500.
Police: Car stolen while owner changed baby’s diaper in the backseat A Woodbridge woman was arrested April 14 after she allegedly tried to steal another woman’s car as the victim changed her 3-month-old baby’s diaper in the backseat. The victim, a 38-year-old woman, told police she was busy changing her infant’s diaper in the back seat of the car, which was parked on the 3300 block of Dry Power Circle, when an unknown woman got into the driver’s seat and drove away, according to Prince William County police. The woman drove a short distance while the baby was still in the vehicle, but the victim managed to grab the baby from the vehicle and scream for help, a police press release said. The accused eventually got out of the vehicle when confronted by a citizen who intervened. The accused attempted to get into another vehicle in the area before eventually fleeing the area on foot. When officers arrived, they identified the accused after finding her purse in the vehicle, the press release said. Officers responded to the woman’s residence a short time later and detained her without incident. Following the investigation, Kamyrn Ellyce Simpson, 29, of 3385 Dry Powder Circle, was arrested on Saturday, April 14, and charged with abduction, grand larceny and conspiracy, the press release said.
partment’s 64th and 65th Virginia State Police lineof-duty deaths when their helicopter crashed Aug. 12, 2017, in Albemarle County. The department dedicated its Chesterfield Aviation Base and Headquarters in Cullen’s memory in February. Bates was born in Manassas and graduated from Brentsville District Senior High School in Nokesville in 1994. He served as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol from 1998 until he joined the Virginia State Police in 2004. The National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the fatal helicopter crash remains ongoing at this time, the press release said.
Townhouse fire displaces Woodbridge family Two adults and two children were displaced by a townhouse fire in Woodbridge Sunday night, fire and rescue officials said. Firefighters responded to a fire on the 1800 block of Beegee Court just after 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue and Occoquan-Woodbridge Lorton Volunteer Fire Department officials said in news releases. When firefighters responded, heavy fire was showing from the back of the townhouse, extending inside the house, fire officials said. Crews extinguished the flames outside the home and worked to prevent the fire from spreading. The fire was under control within 50 minutes, fire officials said. The fire damaged the siding of
both neighboring houses but did not spread further, the news release said. Two adults and two children and a dog were displaced by the fire. The family was alerted to the fire by the dog, the news release said. There were no injuries. The fire marshal’s office determined the fire was accidental, according to the news release. Crews from OWL VFD, Dale City Volunteer Fire Department, Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue and Fairfax County responded to the fire.