Originals Daily News Email

A Prince William County resident, Bethany Selvage, has her car back nearly two months after an unlicensed tow operator stole it, according to police. On January 2, 2025, Manassas City Police located Selvage’s 2018 Nissan Sentra.

Police have since charged Michael Tillman, owner of Tillman’s Auto Salon in Manassas, with a third felony offense related to illegal towing and demanding exorbitant fees for vehicle release. This charge represents the third vehicle Tillman is accused of stealing, and authorities say more charges are likely as they uncover years of him towing without a license.

In the most recent case, police say Tillman took a 2018 Toyota Yaris from the Raising Cane’s parking lot on Liberia Avenue just outside Manassas under false pretenses. The Yaris owners had contacted their insurance company, which arranged for a tow truck. Police said Tillman arrived before the legitimate tow company, misrepresented himself as the insurance company’s provider, and obtained the vehicle.

Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson delivered her annual State of the County address during the board’s organizational meeting on January 14, 2025. Jefferson reflected on the board’s achievements in 2024 and outlined priorities for the coming year, emphasizing collaboration, financial stewardship, and community investment.

Achievements in 2024

Jefferson highlighted the board’s bipartisan collaboration, leading to several major accomplishments:

Tax Reforms: A reduction in the real estate tax rate, offset by an increase in the business computer and peripheral (data center) tax rate to $3.70, the highest allowable rate. The board also extended the car tax deadline by 60 days to provide temporary relief to taxpayers.

Education Investments: A historic $105.1 million increase in contributions to Prince William County Schools, marking the largest year-over-year increase in the county’s history.

Public Safety Enhancements: Funding for additional police officers and medics, and the ratification of collective bargaining agreements with public safety personnel to improve recruitment and retention.

Preserving Fiscal Health: Maintaining the county’s AAA bond rating, a distinction held by only 53 counties nationwide and 12 in Virginia.

Two recent house fires in Prince William County displaced multiple families and highlighted the importance of fire safety measures. On January 14, a fire in Woodbridge damaged a home on Boatswain Circle, displacing five adults and three children. One adult was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Working smoke detectors and a closed bedroom door limited the fire’s spread and ensured the occupants’ safe evacuation.

On January 10, a fire on Harvey Road in Manassas destroyed a home while the occupants were away, displacing four adults. Firefighters battled challenging weather conditions to extinguish the flames. Both fires are under investigation, and the Red Cross is assisting the affected families. Fire officials emphasized the importance of maintaining working smoke detectors and practicing fire safety.

Prince William Times: Licensed wildlife rehabber Olivia LoBalbo can’t wait until the wild animals she treats are well enough to scurry off or fly away into the forest on their own. But while they’re in her care, they can now be safely transported in a fully equipped wildlife rescue van, dubbed “The PAW Express,” courtesy of the Prince William SPCA.

LoBalbo, 37, is a former veterinarian tech and the founder of AERO, which stands for Animal Education and Rescue Organization. For the last 10 years, she and her nonprofit have taken in thousands of injured, sick or orphaned wild animals that wouldn’t survive without human intervention. She runs the licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility out of her Gainesville home.

Olivia LoBalbo’s Gainesville home is a refuge for more than 1,000 hurt, orphaned wild animals a year