WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Police have charged a Woodbridge man with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving after a crash earlier this month that killed a 32-year-old woman.

According to a press release from the Prince William County Police Department, the crash happened on May 1 at the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Barksdale Street in Woodbridge. Investigators say the driver of a 2020 Honda Civic, identified as 23-year-old Luis Alejandro Anariba, was speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the posted 45 mph speed limit when the collision occurred.

Police said the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic was making a left turn toward Barksdale Street when the two vehicles collided. A passenger in the 2008 Honda, identified as Evangelina Castro, 32, of Woodbridge, had to be extricated from the vehicle. She later died at the hospital. The driver of that car, a 34-year-old man from Woodbridge, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Anariba, who remained at the scene and was not injured, was arrested on May 8. He is being held without bond, and a court date is pending.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them.

STAFFORD, Va. – A vehicle crash involving hazardous materials shut down a section of Town and Country Drive on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency emergency response.

According to Stafford County Fire and Rescue, crews were called just before 1:30 p.m. to the 100 block of Town and Country Drive, near Ferry Road, for a reported traffic accident. On arrival, responders discovered that the vehicle involved was transporting a large container of herbicide, which was actively leaking at the scene.

Emergency medical personnel treated the driver, who was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Additional fire and hazmat units were brought in to contain the chemical leak, including support from the Regional Hazardous Materials Team based in Prince William County.

Officials said immediate neighbors were notified, but no evacuations were necessary. The roadway remains closed as crews continue to work on containment and cleanup. There is no ongoing threat to the public, authorities confirmed.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes while the incident is being managed.

STAFFORD, Va. – Severe thunderstorms that swept through Stafford County on Monday, May 5, have left thousands without electricity, with the hardest-hit areas now including Austin Ridge and Aquia Harbour.

Dominion Energy reports more than 5,200 customers without power in affected neighborhoods. Specific outage counts include 85 customers in Leeland, 67 in Crows Nest, 442 near Stafford Regional Airport, and the largest outage in the area encompassing Austin Ridge and Aquia Harbour.

The National Weather Service says the storms were part of a larger system driven by a cold front moving through the Mid-Atlantic. The most intense period of storm activity was expected between 5 and 10 p.m. Monday, with risks including high winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes. Radar scans Monday evening showed rotating storm cells and strong shear conditions.

Scattered showers may persist into Tuesday, but the threat of severe weather is expected to taper off as the system moves north. Forecasters say clearer skies are likely by Wednesday, with another front expected later in the week.

MANASSAS, Va. – Farm Brew LIVE, one of the region’s top spots for beer, food, and live music, has a new name and an expanded vision. Villagio Hospitality Group announced that the 10-acre entertainment campus in Manassas is now officially NOVA LIVE.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – A young man is dead and two juveniles are involved following a shooting during an early morning break-in just two miles from Shannon Airport.

According to a press release from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to McKenzie Lane around 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, for a reported burglary in progress. A resident at the home told dispatchers they had fired shots.

When deputies arrived, they found three individuals—two of whom had gunshot wounds. Michael Bosworth, Jr., 18, was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. One of the juveniles was treated for minor injuries and released, while the other was unharmed. Their names are being withheld due to their age.

The sheriff’s office says no charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation into what happened is still ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Crime Solvers tip line at 1-800-928-5822 or submit a tip online at p3tips.com or spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org.

DUMFRIES, Va. – A two-year-old girl was found dead at the Red Roof Inn in Dumfries earlier this month, prompting a homicide investigation that led to the arrest of both of her parents on multiple felony charges, including murder and child neglect.

According to Prince William County Police, officers were called to the hotel at 17113 Dumfries Road on April 16 at 4:29 p.m. after fire and rescue crews reported the child was deceased. Preliminary findings showed no visible signs of trauma or immediate medical issues. A second child, under the age of six, was also in the room and was unharmed. That child has since been placed in the care of trusted parties.

Police found an unsecured firearm inside the hotel room. An autopsy later revealed the toddler had fentanyl in her heart blood, according to toxicology results received on April 29.

The investigation found that while the child’s mother contacted emergency services, the father allegedly removed items from the room before first responders arrived. Authorities worked in coordination with Child Protective Services and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office before issuing arrest warrants.

On May 1, police arrested William Nathaniel Fuller, 28, and Markita Ayanna Williams, 25, both of no fixed address. They were taken into custody in the Dumfries area without incident by detectives and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Fuller is charged with felony murder, felony child neglect, possession of schedule I/II drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs. Williams faces charges of felony murder, felony child neglect, and possession of schedule I/II drugs. Both are being held without bond, and court dates are pending.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Prince William County Police at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip at pwcva.gov/policetip.

MANASSAS, Va. – About 270 homes in Manassas are without electricity as city crews work to fix a faulty underground electric cable.

According to a message from the City of Manassas, the outage is affecting customers in the Stonewall, Piney Point, Willow Glen, Laurelwood, Landgreen, Liberia, Whispering Pine, Willowbrook, Silver Maple, and Firethorn neighborhoods.?

Crews are currently replacing the damaged cable, and power is expected to be restored within two hours. “We appreciate your patience,” the city shared in its update.?

This marks the third power outage in the city this week. On Tuesday, a bird caused a power outage at UVA Prince William Medical Center, damaging a transformer and leading to a brief loss of electricity in one of the hospital’s buildings.

Manassas has been grappling with a series of power disruptions over the past year. In 2023, the city experienced a 20% increase in outages compared to the previous year, with the Battery Heights substation identified as a frequent source of trouble.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Community College System has appointed Dr. Van Wilson as the interim president of Germanna Community College, effective July 1, 2025. He most recently served as interim president of Brightpoint Community College in Chester, formerly John Tyler Community College.

Dr. Wilson will succeed Dr. Janet Gullickson, who announced her retirement last year and is stepping down after eight years as Germanna’s president.

Here’s the full press release:

Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), announced today that he has appointed Dr. Van Wilson, Ed.D., as the Interim President of Germanna Community College (GCC) effective July 1, 2025.

“Dr. Wilson’s proven leadership abilities and his unwavering commitment to student success make him uniquely qualified for this important role,” said Doré. “I have complete confidence that under his direction, Germanna Community College and its community of stakeholders will continue to thrive.”

Wilson has 40 years of experience in higher education, including nine years with the VCCS, most recently as Interim President of Brightpoint Community College. He previously served as associate vice chancellor for Student Experience and Strategic Initiatives. Prior to joining Virginia’s Community Colleges in 2013, Wilson served as associate vice president of Student Learning and Success for the North Carolina Community College System, a position he held for five years.

Dr. Wilson holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Appalachian State University, a master’s in public affairs from Western Carolina University, and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Western Carolina University.

Known as an innovator, bridge-builder, and ardent proponent of student support services, Wilson said he is both humbled by and excited about the opportunity to serve Germanna and its community. “From day one, all of my work has been focused on the academic success of students, helping them navigate the postsecondary education space,” he said. “I’m looking forward to leveraging my experience to help the college and its community prepare for its next president.”

Wilson, who retired from the VCCS in 2023, will take the reins of leadership from Dr. Janet Gullickson, the current president of Germanna, who announced last year that she would be retiring in July after eight years as the college’s chief executive.

The search for a permanent president of Germanna Community College will begin soon. It is a lengthy process and will be conducted similar to previous presidential searches at other colleges within the system. This national search will involve input from the local college board, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders, which will help to identify and prioritize the qualifications needed for the next president.

About Germanna Community College
Established in 1970 as part of the Virginia Community College System, we are a comprehensive community college providing quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities for the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford and for online learners everywhere.

Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust.
https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription

U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly announced he will retire at the end of his current term in Congress. Connolly, who has represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District since 2009, shared the news in a letter to supporters. He cited a recent cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatments, stating the cancer had returned despite initial progress.

Connolly served Prince William County residents until 2022, when redistricting left the 11th District comprising only Fairfax County. He also announced he will step down as Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. Connolly emphasized his pride in his more than 30 years of public service and thanked his family, staff, and constituents.

His term ends in 2026.

Here’s the full press release:

Dear Friends,

I want to begin by thanking you for your good wishes and compassion as I continue to tackle my diagnosis. Your outpouring of love and support has given me strength in my fights – both against cancer and in our collective defense of democracy.

When I announced my diagnosis six months ago, I promised transparency. After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace.

The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress. I will be stepping back as Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee soon. With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years. My loving family and staff sustain me. My extended family – you all have been a joy to serve.

Your friend and public servant,

Gerry Connolly

Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust.
https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/

Stafford County Fire and Rescue units responded to a structure fire at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in the 00 block of Churchill Lane in the western part of the county. Crews arrived about eight minutes later to find heavy fire coming from the front and roof of a two-story, single-family residence. The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes. The sole occupant evacuated safely and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One firefighter was evaluated for a minor medical emergency. The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Here’s the full press release:

Overnight Fire Damages Stafford Home
Stafford, VA—At approximately 11:40 P.M. on Sunday, April 27th, Stafford County Fire and Rescue units (SCFR) responded for a structure fire in the 00 block of Churchill Lane in the western part of the county. First arriving units marked on scene approximately 8 minutes later and reported heavy fire coming from the front and roof of a large, two-story, single-family residence. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire, despite structural instability, and brought the structure fire under control in approximately 40 minutes.
The single occupant of the residence was able to evacuate prior to the arrival of units and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One firefighter was evaluated for a minor medical emergency.
The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust.
https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/