This week, we’re thrilled to host Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman of the Prince William County School Board, and Jennifer Wall, Gainesville District Representative, for an engaging discussion on the state of education in Prince William County on the next Potomac Local News Podcast.
What’s on the agenda?
- The post-cellphone era in schools: How the ban is reshaping classrooms and reducing behavioral issues.
- Big plans for 2025: Over $1 billion in capital improvements, exciting new extracurricular programs, and updates to the strategic plan.
- Teacher retention and compensation: Learn how Prince William County is setting new benchmarks for teacher salaries and competitiveness.
- Graduation rates and academic rigor: Discover how the school division is helping students achieve excellence and access unprecedented scholarship opportunities.
Dr. Lateef also shares insights into his campaign for Virginia Lieutenant Governor, touching on statewide education funding and key constitutional amendments.
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the policies and priorities shaping the future of education in our community. Subscribe to our channel now and hit the bell to get notified when the podcasts drop!
Rania Lateef, a senior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and the Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, daughter of Prince William School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, has been named one of 40 finalists in the prestigious 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS).
Selected from nearly 2,500 applicants nationwide, Rania is recognized for her groundbreaking research on the effects of artificial light and circadian disruption on biobehavioral systems in Drosophila melanogaster. Her work highlights the impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances on physical and mental health.
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The Woodbridge District invites residents to join a Community Update Town Hall Meeting hosted by Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin. This virtual event offers an opportunity for residents to stay informed about the latest developments and initiatives in the community.
Details of the Town Hall:
- Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Residents can participate in the meeting by joining the Zoom session.
Supervisor Franklin will provide important updates and address concerns relevant to the Woodbridge District. Don’t miss this chance to engage with local leadership and stay informed about what’s happening in your community.
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Incidents
McDUI in Fast Food Drive-Thru
On January 24, 2025, at 12:25 a.m., Sergeant E.E. West responded to a single-vehicle crash at the McDonald’s on Wonder Road. An intoxicated driver, identified as Juan Gomez Alvarez, 38, of North Carolina, entered the drive-thru at a high rate of speed, struck a sign, and came to rest at an awkward angle, blocking the lane.
Gomez Alvarez displayed red, glassy eyes and had a strong odor of alcohol. The investigation revealed that he had been convicted of DUI in New York just the previous day, making this his second offense in five years. He was charged with DUI second offense, refusal, and destruction of property and was taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Authorities remind residents to plan for a designated driver before going out. Don’t drive drunk
Malicious Wounding and Brandishing a Firearm
On January 23, 2025, at 2:45 a.m., deputies responded to a disturbance on Malvern Lakes Circle. A male suspect broke the victim’s cellphone, leading to a verbal argument that escalated into an assault. During the incident, the suspect brandished a firearm toward friends of the victim. Deputies detained the suspect and charged him with malicious wounding, two counts of assault and battery, destruction of property, and brandishing a firearm. He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Hit-and-Run on Taylors Hill Way
At 3:02 p.m. on January 23, deputies investigated a hit-and-run involving a mailbox on Taylors Hill Way. A resident reported hearing a loud noise and later discovered her mailbox had been destroyed. Witnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as a black Jeep, which fled the scene. Authorities are investigating this incident.
Drive Under the Influence of “Coffee”
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on January 23, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Jeep near Warrenton Road and Hartwood Church Road for a traffic violation. Deputy C.A. Sharp engaged with the driver, Stanford Miles, 49, of Stafford, who exhibited slurred speech, red, glassy eyes, and the odor of alcohol. When asked about his alcohol consumption, Miles claimed he had consumed “coffee,” though his behavior suggested otherwise.
Field sobriety tests were conducted, and Miles was arrested for his fourth DUI offense, with a blood alcohol content above .2. Miles, who has three prior DUI convictions, was charged and taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond.
DUI Arrest in Aquia Harbour
On January 22, 2025, at 8:55 p.m., a traffic stop on Aquia Drive in Aquia Harbour revealed an intoxicated driver, Devon Mulgrew, 35, of Stafford. Mulgrew refused to exit his vehicle and rummaged through the glove box. An Aquia Harbour Officer removed him from the vehicle and restrained him on the ground.
Mulgrew was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance, obstruction, possession of controlled paraphernalia, refusal, a traffic lane violation, and a traffic sign violation. He further escalated the situation by assaulting a deputy at the Magistrate’s Office, resulting in an additional charge of assault and battery on law enforcement. He is being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Prince William County Police Incidents
Attempted Malicious Wounding Arrest in Woodbridge
On January 23, 2025, at approximately 8:48 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 2100 block of Port Potomac Avenue in Woodbridge to investigate an assault. A verbal altercation between a 52-year-old woman and an acquaintance escalated when the suspect brandished a knife and attempted to cut the victim. A struggle ensued, and the victim sustained minor injuries.
The suspect, Hillery Hurst Thomas, 47, of Greenbelt, was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding and assault and battery. He is being held without bond.
Manassas Police Incidents
The Manassas City Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating Diego Esquivel Martinez, who is wanted on several felony counts of check fraud.
In September 2023, Esquivel Martinez allegedly cashed several fraudulent checks at a local business, causing the business to lose thousands of dollars. Authorities are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Manassas City Police at 703-257-8000.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to the Manassas City/Manassas Park Crime Solvers. The organization offers a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in these cases. Anonymous tips can be provided via the confidential 24-hour tip line at 703-330-0330 or through the P3 Tips app.
To submit a tip using the app, scan the QR code or visit https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=271.
Contact Information:
- Prince William County Police Department: 703-792-7000 or pwcva.gov/policetip
- Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: 540-658-4450 or follow updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Manassas City Police Department: 703-257-8000
The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk announced the continuation of the “Seals on Wheels” initiative for 2025. This mobile services program, led by Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline C. Smith, brings essential court services directly to community members in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. Services include marriage licenses, name changes, notary oaths, and concealed handgun permits.
The program’s 2025 schedule begins in March and will visit various community locations, including libraries and local events such as the Occoquan Riverfest and Haymarket Day. Residents can save time and money by accessing services at convenient locations. For updated schedules and information, follow the Circuit Court Clerk’s social media or visit their website.
Here’s the press release:
Circuit Court Clerk’s Seals on Wheels: Bringing Services to the Community in 2025
The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is proud to announce the return of Seals on Wheels, the innovative mobile services program that brings essential court services directly to community members in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
First launched by Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline C. Smith, this program is the first of its kind in the United States, designed to make court services more accessible and convenient for residents. By visiting Seals on Wheels, residents can save both time and money while accessing services near their homes.
Services Offered
Seals on Wheels offers a range of services, including:
- Marriage licenses
- Name changes
- Notary oaths
- Concealed handgun permits
- And more!
2025 Schedule
The program kicks off in March 2025 with visits to libraries and local community events. Early dates include:
- March 29 – Bull Run Regional Library (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- April 26 – Montclair Library (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- May 10 – Manassas City Library (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- May 4 – Dale City Library (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- June 7 – Occoquan Riverfest (TBD)
- July 26 – Potomac Library (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- September 26 – Prince William County Police Department Community Fair (TBD)
- October 18 – Haymarket Day (TBD)
Please note: The schedule is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Check for updates on social media or the Clerk’s Office website.
Stay Connected
For the latest updates about Seals on Wheels and the full 2025 schedule, follow the Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk on social media:
- Threads
- X (formerly Twitter)
You can also visit their official website at www.pwccircuitcourt.com.
The Manassas City Council began its three-day retreat on Thursday at James Madison’s historic Montpelier, located over 80 miles south of the city. The event quickly raised concerns about public access after members of the public who traveled to attend the meeting discovered the venue was locked and inaccessible.
Virginia law mandates that government meetings remain open to the public unless they are specifically classified as legal closed-door sessions. According to Virginia’s open meetings laws, the Council’s work session and retreat did not qualify as a closed-door meeting, raising questions about compliance.
Former Councilwoman Lynn Forkell Green attended the event and confirmed the gate to the complex was locked. “I couldn’t get in. Had I not had the cell numbers of council members, I would not have gained access because the meeting space was more than a mile past the gate, and the complex was closed,” Forkell Green said. While she was able to contact a council member who provided the entry code, she noted that most members of the public would not have such relationships or access.
This is not the first time the city has faced scrutiny over potential violations of open meetings laws. In July, Potomac Local News identified that Manassas had held several meetings without the required public notice and had ceased sending email notifications to residents who specifically requested them, as required by Virginia law. At that time, Potomac Local News chose not to publicize these issues immediately, as the city was undergoing significant changes, including a transition in the Clerk’s office and construction at City Hall. The city had also promised to improve communication and public access to meetings—a commitment aligned with the Virginia open meetings law.
Following the discovery of these deficiencies, the city issued a statement and pledged reforms, including:
- Ensuring the kiosk outside City Hall is updated monthly or when meetings are scheduled or changed, as required by VA Code §2.2-3707(D).
- Placing clear and visible signage at various public meeting locations (e.g., the Art Factory, Public Safety building, Jennie Dean) to alert the public when meetings are open.
- Posting meeting notices outside the Clerk’s Office during business hours and duplicating these notices in the front window of City Hall for 24/7 visibility.
- Publishing meeting notices prominently on the city’s website, including the main page and online Council calendar.
- Testing subscription links to ensure residents subscribing to public meeting notices are immediately added to the city’s email list.
- Contacting 2024 subscribers to apologize for missed notifications and offering immediate renewal.
- Updating FOIA officer contact information on the website and with the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council.
The city implemented these changes in response to the earlier issues.
On Friday, the gates were unlocked, but a new sign was posted at the entrance stating “PRIVATE EVENT” and “CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.” The Montpelier complex is privately owned, and the posted sign legally bars entry.
The city has not yet responded to Potomac Local News’ request for comment regarding the retreat and public access concerns.
The City Council planned to tackle multiple topics during the retreat, including updates to the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, a review of the 2024 community survey results, and discussions on public priorities such as traffic flow, public education, public safety, and affordable housing.
The agenda also included financial planning and budget discussions covering FY2024 audit results, FY2025 budget highlights, and revenue estimates. Other topics included updates on employee recruitment and retention efforts, economic prosperity, community vitality, transformative mobility, and the city’s future projects and capital improvement programs.
OmniRide has reached a significant milestone, serving 1 million passengers in FY2024. This achievement signals a post-pandemic recovery for the regional transit provider and sets the stage for even greater success, with projections to double ridership to 2 million passengers by June 2025, according to agency officials.
During soon-to-be released Potomac Local News Podcast episode, OmniRide Executive Director Bob Schneider shared insights about the agency’s new routes and its vision for the future. He highlighted the introduction of new services to Warrenton and Front Royal as a pivotal step in expanding OmniRide’s reach and addressing regional transportation needs.
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PWCS already observes Eid al-Fitr, the other official Islamic holiday, in mid-March. The district also observes many major holidays, including but not limited to Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur Christmas, Presidents Day and Memorial Day.
At the Nov. 19, 2024, meeting where the calendar was initially approved, there was some contention between Board members based on the results of a community survey; a majority of the community members wanted a different option than the one that was ultimately approved.
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Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Jan. 27 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
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Important links
Key agenda items
