The Town of Dumfries Police Department took children and their families Christmas shopping.

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The four-lane extension will bridge the gap between Route 234 near and Cardinal Drive in Dale City. The two-and-half-mile extension will have a concrete median and be designated a significant collector route for drivers who want to avoid traveling on Interstate 95 or Route 1.

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The Dumfries Town Council will begin updating the town's comprehensive plan.

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Dumfries residents are getting a Wawa gas station.

The new station will sit at 3500 Pointe Center Court in Dumfries, just off Possum Point Road. In October 2023, the town council approved a conditional use permit to allow the gas station.

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It's parade day in Dumfries, as the town will welcome the season during its 49th annual Christmas Parade.

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Prince William County Community Foundation: “The Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) announces the appointment of Monaé Nickerson as the new Chair of the Board of Directors.”

“Nickerson’s journey as Vice Mayor of Dumfries, and her history of public service and advocacy, mark her as a leader for this role. Elected to her second term as Vice Mayor in 2022, Nickerson has been a force in the community, initiating programs and advocating for the needs of residents.”

“Nickerson’s experience in organizing community events, such as the one-stop-shop expungement clinic, has set a model across Northern Virginia. This initiative has opened new employment and housing opportunities for individuals. Additionally, her leadership in organizing the inaugural Pink and Purple Brunch and Men’s Health Event has raised health awareness in the community.”

Dumfries Town Government: Derrick Wood, Mayor of Town of Dumfries, VA, has been elected as the 2024 first vice president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO), a constituency group of the National League of Cities (NLC). NBC-LEO serves as a forum for communication and networking among African-American municipal officials and their colleagues to share ideas and develop leadership experience. Mayor Wood was elected in November at NLC’s 2023 City Summit conference in Atlanta, GA.

“NBC-LEO plays a crucial role in connecting leaders and also in empowering us to work collaboratively to bring effective change and innovation to our respective communities.” – Mayor Derrick R. Wood.”

“Established in 1970, NBC-LEO provides a platform for municipal leaders to connect, share best practices, and advocate for the needs of their communities. The group also contributes to NLC’s leadership development, policy formulation, advocacy, and program activities.”

Wood won a second term as mayor in November 2022 and has served on the town council since 2012.

Bay Journal: “The effect of coal ash on the environment has been studied and debated for more than seven years now in Virginia. Utilities have spent those years looking for long-term disposal solutions for huge volumes of the industrial waste product, much of it located near major rivers.”

“Frankel and his team studied surface water, sediment, species diversity and fish tissue from Quantico Creek, which runs into the Potomac River next to the Possum Point Power Station in Dumfries. They found elevated concentrations of several trace metals in the sediment and in the muscle tissues of banded killifish, which are food for striped bass, birds and other predators. The researchers also found reduced species diversity in the stretch of Quantico Creek closest to the power station, compared with samples taken at upstream and downstream locations.”

“Sexual Assault Investigation – On November 22, detectives concluded an investigation into a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred in the Gainesville area of Prince William County between July 2021 and June 2023. The investigation revealed the victim, who was under the age of 18 during the time of the offenses, began a relationship with the accused after meeting on a social media app in July 2021. During that timeframe, the accused provided the victim with marijuana before he sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Justin GARCIA, was arrested. Arrested on November 22: Justin GARCIA, 23, of 2352 Basin View Lane in Woodbridge. Charged with carnal knowledge of a child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and distribution of marijuana to underage person. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable.”

“Sexual Assault Investigation – On November 18, detectives concluded an investigation into a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at the Melrose Apartments located in the 18100 block of Purvis Drive in Triangle on May 13. The investigation revealed the victim, an adult female, was attending a gathering at the above apartment with an acquaintance, identified as the accused. At one point during the gathering, the victim became incapacitated before being sexually assaulted by the accused. Additionally, the accused was found to have video recorded the encounter without the victim’s permission. On November 18, following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Douglas ESCOBAR SOTO, who turned himself in to police without incident. Arrested on November 18: [No Photo Available] Douglas ESCOBAR SOTO, 23, of 18155 Purvis Drive in Triangle. Charged with rape, aggravated sexual battery, forcible sodomy, and unlawful filming. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”