Voters in Dumfries are heading to the polls today to choose three candidates for the Town Council from a slate of four contenders. The candidates include incumbents Brian Fields and Shaun Peet and new challengers Ebony Lofton and Russell Young. The election comes amid ongoing discussions about growth, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life in the town of about 5,000 residents.
Brian Fields, 54, a Dumfries Town Council member seeking his third term, is running on a platform to continue the town's progress under his tenure. Fields, who has lived in the Dumfries area for over eight years, emphasized his commitment to projects such as the Route 1 widening initiative and the Chronicle Creek restoration. He highlighted how these developments and the construction of new businesses like a Wawa gas station, The Rose Hotel and slots, the largest company to open in Dumfries, will modernize the town.
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On November 4, a pedestrian was struck by a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van while walking on the shoulder of Lake Jackson Dr. near Manassas and later died from his injuries. The driver, a 68-year-old man, remained at the scene, and investigators are seeking witnesses as the investigation continues, with charges pending.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Fatal Crash Investigation – On November 4 at 4:18PM, officers responded to the 10100 block of Lake Jackson Dr. [near] Manassas (20111) to investigate a crash involving a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van was traveling eastbound on Lake Jackson Dr. when the vehicle struck a pedestrian who was walking on the shoulder portion of the roadway. At the location of the crash, no sidewalk is present. The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital where he died later that evening from injuries sustained during the crash. The driver of the striking vehicle remained at the scene and was not injured. Investigators determined that speed was not a factor in the crash. Crash investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. Charges are pending as the investigation continues.Identified:
The deceased pedestrian was identified as Gary Paul WILSON, 90, of Manassas
The driver of the 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van was identified as a 68-year-old man of Manassas
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Tuesday (Nov. 5)
- It's Election Day! Go out and make your voice heard by voting. Check out our story from last week with the necessary voting information.
Saturday (Nov. 9)
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The Virginia State Police HEAT program awarded five police departments and seventeen individuals for efforts in reducing vehicle theft across the Commonwealth during an event on August 26. Notably, the Prince William County Police Department won the top award for departments serving populations over 100,000, highlighting its significant contributions to auto theft enforcement.
Press Release from Virginia State Police:
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On October 26, a 16-year-old male juvenile from Woodbridge was charged in connection to an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven in Montclair on March 5. In addition, on November 1, a different suspect committed two other armed robberies in Woodbridge and was later identified driving a stolen truck, with the investigation ongoing.
Press Releases from Prince William police:
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Press release:
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Granules Consumer Health, a subsidiary of Granules India and a manufacturer of over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals, will invest $1.5 million to expand its operations in Prince William County. The company will install new manufacturing lines at its existing facility, creating 99 new jobs.
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Transportation officials held a ribbon cutting for a newly expanded Quantico Station in Virginia with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 1, 2024. The upgraded train station serves Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express customers in the Town of Quantico, now accommodates longer trains, improves accessibility, and adds grade-separated pedestrian access for the adjacent Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ).
Key enhancements include a 550-foot platform extension, a new 840-foot island platform, and three elevator towers connected by pedestrian bridges. STV designed the necessary track improvements and a 714-foot retaining wall to support a third track, minimizing disruptions to MCBQ. This project, part of a long-standing partnership between STV and VRE, reflects collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Amtrak, and CSX Transportation.
Press release:
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Press Release from Prince William Police:
The Prince William County Police Department collected 393 pounds of unused and/or expired prescription drugs as well as e-cigarette and vaping devices as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) national Drug Take-Back event held on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will deploy federal monitors to observe elections in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park on Election Day. These monitors will focus on ensuring local compliance with federal voting laws, specifically related to accessibility for voters with disabilities and the availability of language assistance.
Susan Reed, the Voter Registrar for Manassas, confirmed the DOJ’s involvement, stating, “DOJ has contacted me and have agreed to allow DOJ to monitor the precincts. The DOJ monitored right after Manassas City was language required several years ago. The DOJ’s focus is ensuring localities are making progress with ADA and language requirements. I have had positive feedback and also helpful suggestions from them. The DOJ’s monitors are doing their job to ensure federal laws are being followed, and Manassas City wants to adhere to federal law.”
