The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking feedback from residents and travelers on a Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) study assessing potential safety, operational, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian improvements along Hoadly Road (Route 642) between Route 234 (Dumfries Road) and Prince William Parkway (Route 294).
Hoadly Road, a key corridor in Prince William County, carries an average of 25,000 vehicles per day with a posted speed limit of 50 mph. The STARS study aims to identify potential improvements to enhance traffic flow, increase safety, and support multimodal transportation in the area.
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Shorter proposed the real estate tax remain at 92 cents per $100 of assessed value, but the average residential tax bill would increase by $276. According to the budget presentation, the average residential tax bill would then total $5,165, which is up from the average $4,881 tax bill in fiscal year 2025.
A majority — 57% to be exact or $2,956 — of the average tax bill will go to fund Prince William County Schools (PWCS) due to the revenue-sharing agreement between the county and PWCS. This has been a major point of contention for some of the county supervisors and became a topic of discussion at Tuesday's meeting.
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The Dumfries Town Council designated a Waterfront District off Possum Point Road, marking a significant step in the town’s broader economic development strategy.
During the February 4th, 2025, meeting, Councilman Shaun Peet emphasized the vision for the district on Quantico Creek, stating:
“Having this vision of a mini National Harbor down here with the boardwalk and some waterfront amenities that we can enjoy right here in the town, which we actually just named as a council of the town of Dumfries Waterfront District.”
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Arrests
- Malicious Wounding (Dumfries, 17100 block of Dumfries Rd.) – Terrance Lemartre WRIGHT, 44, was arrested in Roanoke City on February 17 in connection with a malicious wounding case from May 27, 2024. The incident involved a 48-year-old woman who was assaulted by Wright during a verbal altercation. The victim suffered a non-life-threatening facial injury and later reported the incident. Wright was taken into custody and is currently incarcerated.
- Sexual Assault (Manassas, 9500 block of Damascus Dr.) – Chalillo Rosalio PEREZ PEREZ, 19, was arrested on February 13 for forcible sodomy of a victim under age 12. The assault occurred on July 25, 2024, and was reported in August. The accused was known to the victim. He is being held without bond.
- Armed Robbery (Target, 2460 Prince William Pkwy, Woodbridge) – Matthew William JONES, 34, was arrested after robbing a 37-year-old victim inside Target on February 17. Jones implied he was armed, demanded money, and fled before being located by officers. He was charged with robbery and is being held without bond.
Incidents
- Attempted Armed Robbery (Dale Blvd. & Hillendale Dr., Woodbridge, 10:08 p.m.) – A 30-year-old man was assaulted by three unknown men while inside his vehicle. One of the suspects brandished a knife before the confrontation ended. The victim's keys were stolen. The suspects, described as 20-30 years old, wearing dark clothing, were not located.
- Reckless Handling of a Firearm (Brandon Ct. & Benton St., Woodbridge, 9:04 p.m.) – An exchange of gunfire between two groups led to six parked vehicles being struck. No injuries were reported, and multiple shell casings were recovered.
- Reckless Handling of a Firearm (Harrison St., Woodbridge, 4:23 a.m.) – An individual was seen in a driveway in the 14100 block of Fisher Ave. firing multiple rounds before fleeing. No injuries or property damage were reported.
- Attempted Commercial Burglary (Exxon, 13594 Quate Ln., Woodbridge, 4:54 a.m.) – Two suspects attempted to break into the Exxon station using an unknown object but failed. Surveillance footage showed them leaving in a U-Haul truck. The suspects wore dark-colored clothing.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to call the Prince William County Police Tip Line at 703-792-7000 or submit a web tip at pwcva.gov/policetip.
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The Occoquan Town Council is set to hold its first FY2026 budget work session on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The meeting will review the town’s Strategic Framework and discuss proposed budgets for the eSummons Fund and the Mamie Davis Fund.
Key Topics for Discussion
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The Prince William County Department of Transportation (PWDOT) has released its FY2024 Annual Report, outlining major infrastructure improvements, safety initiatives, and upcoming projects that aim to enhance the county’s multi-modal transportation network.
Department Director Rick Canizales emphasized the department’s commitment to constructing and maintaining a transportation system that supports local and regional mobility with a focus on safety, equity, and accessibility.
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The Prince William County Police Department is expressing gratitude to the community after another successful Polar Plunge event, which raised $130,000 for Special Olympics Virginia.
The event, held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Leesylvania State Park, saw strong participation from local residents, law enforcement personnel, and sponsors. Funds raised during the Polar Plunge will support Special Olympics Virginia, providing athletes with opportunities to compete and receive essential services.
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The Northern Virginia real estate market is experiencing an increase in home listings, with notable pricing and inventory level changes across Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. This shift comes amid large-scale federal job cuts, prompting some government employees to list their homes out of economic uncertainty.
Federal Job Cuts and Housing Market Impact
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Thousands of residents in Prince William and Stafford counties are without power as Dominion Energy and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) report widespread outages amid a high wind warning.
As of Sunday evening, Dominion Energy has reported 7,496 outages in Prince William County and 8,363 outages in Stafford County. NOVEC has also reported power disruptions, with 3,322 customers affected in Prince William County and 1,031 in Stafford County.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the region, which will remain effective until 1 a.m. Monday. Forecasters expect sustained west winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph, posing risks of falling trees, downed power lines, and travel disruptions.
Authorities warn that damaging winds could bring down trees and power lines, leading to additional outages. Motorists, especially those operating high-profile vehicles, should exercise caution as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Emergency officials advise residents to stay indoors, secure outdoor objects, and avoid downed power lines. Those experiencing outages should report them to their respective power providers and prepare for potential extended disruptions.
Dominion Energy and NOVEC crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible, but strong winds may delay efforts. Residents must check their utility providers’ outage maps and updates for estimated restoration times.