A suspect was arrested on October 15 for a strong-arm robbery that occurred on September 15 near Manassas. An additional suspect was arrested earlier, and both face charges related to the incident. In addition, on October 16, officers responded to a robbery at a Shell service station near Woodbridge, where an unknown man pushed an employee and stole money before fleeing.

Press Release from Prince William Police Department:

Strong-Arm Robbery *ARREST – On October 15, the suspect, identified as Byron Daniel PINZON, who was sought in connection to the robbery that was reported to have occurred in the 8300 block of Sudley Rd. [near] Manassas (20109) on September 15, was arrested. An additional suspect was previously arrested in September in connection to the investigation.

Arrested on September 25:
Byron Daniel PINZON, 22, of 10091 Irongate Way [near] Manassas
Charged with robbery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable

Strong-Arm Robbery *SUSPECTS IDENTIFIED | ARREST [Previously Released] – On September 25, officers concluded the investigation into the robbery that was reported to have occurred in the 8300 block of Sudley Rd. [near] Manassas (20109) on September 15. While investigating the incident, officers identified both suspects involved in the robbery and obtained arrest warrants. On September 25, officers located and arrested one of the suspects, identified as Oscar Yovani GUEVARA ARGUETA. The investigation continues as officers attempt to locate the second suspect, identified as Byron Daniel PINZON.

Strong-Arm Robbery [Previously Released] – On September 15 at 11:31AM, officers responded to the 8300 block of Sudley Rd. [near] Manassas (20109) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed the victim, a 38-year-old man, was approached by two unknown men near the dumpster area of a local business. During the encounter, one of the men grabbed the victim while the other man took the victim’s money before both suspects ran away. No injuries were reported.

Additionally, another robbery is under investigation at a Shell service station near Woodbridge:

Press Release from Prince William Police Department:

Strong-Arm Robbery – On October 16 at 8:01PM, officers responded to the Shell service station located at 14325 Gideon Dr. [near] Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed an unknown man walked behind the service counter where he pushed the employee and took an undisclosed amount of money before leaving the store. No injuries were reported. The suspect was described as a heavy-set Hispanic male.

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:

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

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

On October 17, officers responded to a crash on Mapledale Avenue in Dale City where a Nissan Versa struck a pedestrian walking her dog, resulting in the pedestrian’s death. The driver remained at the scene and was uninjured, with charges pending as the investigation continues.

Press Release from Prince William Police Department:

Fatal Crash Investigation – On October 17 at 6:37AM, officers responded to the area of Mapledale [Ave.] near Miles Ct. in [Dale City] (22193) to investigate a crash involving a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2020 Nissan Versa was traveling southbound on Mapledale [Ave.] approaching the intersection with Miles Ct. when the vehicle left the roadway and drove onto the sidewalk striking a pedestrian who was walking her dog. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the striking vehicle remained at the scene and was uninjured. The dog was later located near the pedestrian’s residence and was not injured. Investigators determined that alcohol and drugs are not factors for the driver. Charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Identified:

The deceased pedestrian was identified as Maria Isabel CARDOZO, 57, of Woodbridge

The driver of the 2020 Nissan Versa was identified as a 30-year-old man of Woodbridge

The crash comes after Cierra Faith Dickerson was sentenced to serve four years in prison in a young offender program after she struck and killed Deborah Lynn Talbot, killed on May 1, 2020, who was walking her dog on Cardinal Drive near her home in Woodbridge. Dickerson was 21 at the time of her sentencing in December 2021.

Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal incident involving a tractor trailer on Interstate 95. The driver was found dead after the vehicle overturned on the roadway.

Press Release from Virginia State Police:

Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal tractor trailer crash that occurred this morning (Oct. 17, 2024) at 4:23 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound at the 155-mile marker. Virginia State Police were initially called for a report of a pedestrian that had been stuck on the interstate. Upon arrival, troopers did locate an individual deceased in the roadway. Troopers were also alerted to a tractor trailer that had overturned a short distance away. Troopers were eventually able to identify the deceased person as the driver of the tractor trailer. The investigation shows the tractor trailer went onto the left shoulder of Interstate 95 northbound, then swerved backed onto the roadway, and the driver was thrown from the vehicle. The tractor trailer then continued northbound and struck a ditch and overturned. The identification of the driver is pending next of kin notification.

Dear Readers,

We are excited to present to you the second installment of our History and Heritage Feature Series, sponsored by Sentara. This special series celebrates the rich cultural heritage and history of Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.

We will delve into the historical events, landmarks, and personal stories that have shaped our communities. From in-depth articles on significant historical milestones to spotlights on notable landmarks and engaging oral histories from long-time residents, our series aims to connect you with the past in a meaningful and enlightening way.

We are proud to partner with Sentara, a name synonymous with community involvement and support. Sentara’s sponsorship helps make this series possible, allowing us to bring these important stories to you while highlighting their commitment to preserving our local history.

Join us as we explore the places, events, and people that tell the story of our region’s past. Understanding our history is crucial to building a better future and maintaining the rich traditions that define us.

Thank you for your continued support of local journalism.

Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News

Annaburg Manor Unveils First Phase of Renovations, Opens to Public

This Saturday, the City of Manassas will celebrate the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Annaburg Manor, a historic estate built in 1892 by the Portner family. Once a nursing home and hospital, the manor was purchased by the city in 2019 with the vision of transforming it into a public park. After years of renovations, the first phase of the project is complete, opening the grounds to the public.

Mary Helen Dellinger, Curator at the Manassas Museum, spoke about the challenges the city faced while restoring the manor. “The single biggest challenge for us was that there were no architectural plans showing what the building looked like before. We don’t know what the inside of it looked like during Portner’s time; we only have pictures of the outside,” Dellinger explained. Changes made by previous owners complicated efforts to determine which parts of the house were original and which were later additions. To aid the process, the city worked with Portner’s descendants and used old photographs.

The restoration of Annaburg Manor was more of a renovation than a true historical restoration, according to Dellinger. “The home was in rough shape. There was mold, debris, and old systems that needed to be replaced,” she said. While they chose not to fully restore the home to its original 1892 condition, the team aimed to stay as faithful as possible to its historic design.

One notable feature of the renovation is the addition of a fountain to the manor’s grounds. While the original fountain was custom-cast and could not be replicated, a new fountain was installed that pays homage to the original water feature. “It’s not the exact sculpture that was there, but I think it’ll make the house look nice and is a nod to the original fountain,” Dellinger noted.

Beyond the structural renovations, the project aims to enhance the community’s green spaces. “One of the things we heard from the community was that there was nowhere in that area of town that was walkable,” Dellinger shared. Annaburg Manor is expected to provide much-needed green space where locals can relax and enjoy nature.

Looking ahead, there are plans for further development. While the public will initially only be able to tour the grounds, Dellinger hinted at future events and rental opportunities. “You’ll be able to rent the space for any kind of event,” she said, adding that the manor’s spacious porch would make it a picturesque wedding venue, with meetings and other gatherings possible inside the house.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at 9201 Maple Street, Manassas.

Journey Theater will present the World Premiere of “Voices From Vietnam,” created by Dr. Harry J. Kantrovich and Bruce H. “Doc” Norton. The play features stories and reflections from Vietnam veterans and will run on select dates in November 2024, with a special matinee for students on November 16.

Press Release:

Journey Theater is pleased to present the World Premiere of Dr. Harry J. Kantrovich’s and Bruce H. “Doc” Norton’s Voices From Vietnam, a collection of interviews, stories, letter and reflections from Vietnam Veterans; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as well as the Nurses and Women who served, POWs, MIA families, a Vietnamese refugee, an embassy statesman and college and school students. In February 2023, Harry Kantrovich, a retired Navy Master Chief met Bruce H. “Doc” Norton, a retired Marine Corps Major and Vietnam Veteran. Harry asked Doc to collaborate on a play and an accompanying book about Vietnam. Journey Theater in Warrenton, VA agreed to premiere the play and the accompanying book. Performances in 2024 will be at Journey Theater at Vint Hill, 4175 Bludau Drive, Warrenton, VA on Fridays and Saturdays, November 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 PM and Sundays, November 10, 17, 24 at 2:00 PM. There will be a Special November 16 Matinee for students, teachers and parents at a reduced price. Matinee Performances will feature post-show talkback sessions with panelists answering questions from the audience. The show is being produced by Stacie Duvall, Walter Meyer and Douglas Barylski. Order tickets today at: Journey Church, Vint Hill | Theater

Press Release:

The City of Fredericksburg is excited to announce the opening of its new Visitor Center, which is moving from 706 Caroline Street to the first floor of the Executive Plaza at 601 Caroline Street. The new location is significantly larger, more modern and more ADA accessible – concluding a 5-year initiative to provide visitors with an accessible space designed to show off the best of Fredericksburg while attracting a larger share of Virginia’s growing tourism spending. The Visitor Center is anticipated to open on Friday, November 1 with a formal ribbon cutting planned for January 2025.

The Center is already receiving accolades. “I was delighted to get a behind-the-scenes tour of Fredericksburg’s new Visitor Center. It will most assuredly be a top-tier facility! The City of Fredericksburg is to be commended for their continued, and committed, efforts to lead in this important segment of Virginia’s growing economy,” stated Rita McClenny, Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO.

In 2023, the Commonwealth of Virginia welcomed 111.7 million visitors who spent a record $33.3 billion! Tourism continues to be an important revenue source for the City, and City Council continues to prioritize tourism enhancements to remain competitive in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Last year the City of Fredericksburg welcomed $151 million in tourism expenditures locally – an historic number (surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 numbers for the first time).

The idea for the new Visitor Center was born out of the 2016 public forum on regional tourism and the 2017 Tourism Advisory Council recommendations, which raised the question as to whether the City is dedicating appropriate resources to its tourism operation. In 2019 the City contracted the national consulting firm DMOproz to advise on the efficacy of current programs and ways to enhance its tourism efforts. Their report, Tourism 2020: Findings and Recommendations for the City of Fredericksburg, was unanimously adopted by City Council in February 2020 and included a recommendation to relocate the Visitor Center. Following those recommendations, City staff held a series of meetings with members of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and City Council about the possibility of the EDA buying the building at 706 Caroline Street. Both bodies approved this in August 2022, which led to a short-term lease back at the site as well as forward progress on a new Visitor Center inside the Executive Plaza building. The EDA bought the property in December 2022 for $1.26 million.

The City then hired Frazier and Associates from Staunton, Virginia to begin the visioning process. 40 stakeholder representatives from multiple key constituents informed the preliminary design. An online survey was provided for the general public to participate, 283 responses were received. Enteros Design was then hired, via a competitive process, to provide the architectural plans for the new Visitor Center. By December 2023 City Council was ready to approve two important pieces to advance the new Visitor Center project at Executive Plaza. City Council both appropriated the funds for the project and awarded the construction contract to the low bidder, Paddox LLC. A companion project was also developed for a new office space for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism on the third floor of the Executive Plaza.

Construction on the third floor Economic Development & Tourism (ED&T) offices started in early 2024, and construction started on the first floor Visitor Center a few months later. On May 22, 2024, ED&T moved to the third-floor of 601 Caroline Street, a space that is far more modern and professional, and allows business prospects, and staff, to have easy elevator ADA access to their offices.

On May 31, 2024, the EDA sold the property at 706 Caroline Street to Jarrell Properties for $1.337 million, putting the property back on the tax rolls and creating the possibility for significant new tax revenue (coupled with the City no longer bearing the expense of maintaining the property). As part of the sale, the City received an easement on the rear of the parking lot that ensures continued safe access to the courthouse and the rear of two additional properties along Caroline Street.

The Visitor Center will close its location at 706 Caroline Street on October 23. A satellite Visitor Center will be located inside the downtown Courtyard Marriott from October 24 – October 31, until the new location opens its doors on Friday, November 1. The new location will feature expanded displays with greater information about our tourism partners, such as Fredericksburg Nationals, National Park Service, University of Mary Washington, Heritage Museums sites, arts, food scene, lodging and entertainment venues. A larger exhibit room is more accessible for group tours. There is abundant parking right next door in the public parking garage. And the train station is in sight of the Visitor Center, just one block away. Visitors from all over will feel more welcomed!

We look forward to sharing more about this new Visitor Center space very soon. Follow along with us on FXBG.com and on social media @VisitFXBG.

 

Stafford County will establish the Rockhill Fire and Rescue Station along Mountain View Road near Willowmere Park, consolidating Fire Station 8 and the Rock Hill Volunteer Rescue Squad. The project, costing nearly $17 million, will include a three-bay facility designed for both career and volunteer personnel. Construction is set to begin in spring 2025.

Press Release:

A sign will soon mark the future site of Stafford County’s newest fire and rescue station. Future Station 8, the Rockhill Fire and Rescue Station, will be located along Mountain View Road, near Willowmere Park. This new facility will unite current Fire Station 8 resources and the Rock Hill Volunteer Rescue Squad, under one roof.

The location was strategically chosen for its central position within the Rock Hill District, improving response times across the area. Both Fire Station 8 and Rescue Station 8 are currently located near the edge of the district, bordering Marine Corps Base Quantico. The new, more central location of the station will allow more effective access to the station’s response area. The construction project is currently in the design phase, with plans for a groundbreaking in the spring of 2025. Access to the station will be via Mountain View Road.

This nearly $17 million project, including land acquisition and construction costs, represents a major investment by the County in public safety. The 17,000-square-foot, three-bay facility will serve both career and volunteer personnel. The bays will be bidirectional, or drive thru bays, allowing for efficient responses to emergencies.

Additionally, the Rockhill Fire and Rescue Station will be Stafford County’s first LEED-certified government building. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is the most widely recognized standard for green buildings, promoting energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings.

*”Rock Hill” concerning the electoral district is two words. “Rockhill” is one word in relation to the fire station.

Mary Washington Hospital has successfully treated its first patient using the Impella RP Flex, a heart pump that temporarily supports patients in cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure. This technology allows blood to be drawn from the heart and propelled forward, facilitating recovery or further treatment options.

Press Release:

Mary Washington Hospital interventional cardiologists have successfully treated their first patient using the Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist, one of the world’s smallest heart pumps. This groundbreaking technology provides temporary right heart mechanical circulatory support, offering more comprehensive and advanced care options to patients in the Fredericksburg region suffering from cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure.

The Impella RP Flex allows blood to be directly drawn out of the heart’s pumping chambers and propelled forward, giving the heart a chance to rest and bridging the patient to recovery or more definitive therapies. This latest iteration of the Impella RP heart pump received PMA from the U.S. FDA in October 2022 as a safe and effective treatment for cardiogenic shock caused by acute right heart failure. The Impella RP Flex is implanted percutaneously through multiple venous sites and features dual-sensor technology designed to optimize patient management.”Mary Washington Hospital’s cardiac care team continues to expand and evolve to meet the needs of our community’s cardiovascular patients,” said Dr. Ashok Prasad, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist at Mary Washington Cardiology in affiliation with Oracle Heart & Vascular. “Our health system’s ongoing investment in innovative tools and treatments like the Impella RP Flex allows us to provide the highest quality care close to home.”

Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is at the forefront of advanced technologies for heart and vascular care, offering state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic tools and innovative treatments. The healthcare system provides a range of minimally invasive cardiac procedures and is committed to delivering top-tier, comprehensive care for individuals facing heart issues. MWHC’s team of highly skilled specialists collaboratively determine the most effective treatment options for each patient. In addition to exceptional medical care, MWHC prioritizes patient education, empowering individuals with vital knowledge on heart disease management and prevention. For more information, please visit heart.mwhc.com.