Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega is pushing to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass project, a multi-year effort designed to alleviate congestion on Route 28 by extending Godwin Drive to connect Manassas with Dulles Airport. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is set to vote on her resolution during its meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

A Project Years in the Making

The project, initially endorsed in September 2020, was meant to relieve congestion on Route 28 by constructing a four-lane divided bypass extending Godwin Drive across Sudley Road. The road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County.

The selected plan, known as Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.

However, as development progressed, the county encountered significant obstacles, including:

• Difficulty in acquiring land inside and outside Prince William County, leading to potential legal disputes over property condemnation.
• Environmental, utility, and historic preservation concerns complicated construction.
• High costs and engineering challenges, particularly regarding bridge and retaining wall designs.

In October 2023, the county attempted to salvage the project by exploring Modified Alternative 2A, a version that would have followed the same route but turned east to rejoin Route 28 south of Bull Run. While this alternative kept the project within Prince William County’s jurisdiction, it ultimately proved even more expensive and disruptive, failing to deliver the intended benefits.

Why Cancel the Project?

Supervisor Vega and other proponents of cancellation argue that continuing the Route 28 Bypass is no longer a viable solution. The county’s transportation staff has recommended ending the project, citing mounting financial and logistical barriers.

The $89 million in funding allocated from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for the bypass has already seen over $6.5 million spent on planning and early development. If the project is canceled, there is a possibility that NVTA may request repayment of its reimbursements with interest, requiring further financial negotiations.

Vega specifically cited concerns about the impact on working-class communities along the proposed bypass route, stating:

“The Loch-Lomond and Yorkshire neighborhoods in addition to the Bull Run Trailer Park lay right along the proposed alignment for the bypass. These are very working-class neighborhoods with significant Hispanic and minority populations where the average home value is not even half the county average in many instances.”

She also emphasized the human cost of the project, adding:

“With little consideration for residents, over 70+ homes in the Coles District would be affected, displacing families from their homes and forcing taxpayers to fund millions of dollars for a project that does not solve the problem of 28 being less congested than it is today. This is why I have opposed the Route 28 Bypass Project.”

Supporters of Vega’s resolution believe canceling the bypass will:

• Open the door for alternative congestion relief solutions
• Avoid further disruptions to homeowners and environmentally sensitive areas
• Provide flexibility in reallocating remaining funds toward cost-effective, innovative transportation projects

What’s at Stake?

Opponents argue that without the bypass, congestion on Route 28 will continue to worsen, particularly for commuters traveling between Manassas, Centreville, and Dulles. Local businesses that rely on efficient transportation networks may also feel the strain if alternative solutions are not identified quickly.

Moreover, residents along Route 28 have long expressed frustration with traffic bottlenecks. Many supported the project when it was included in the 2019 Mobility Bond Referendum, raising concerns that abandoning it now might betray voter expectations.

What Comes Next?

If the board votes to cancel the project, county transportation officials will begin exploring other congestion relief measures, though no concrete alternatives have been proposed yet. Discussions will likely center around enhanced public transit options, road widening initiatives, and improved traffic signal coordination.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors meets at 2 p.m. at the Prince William County Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge.

The Prince William Mounted Patrol Unit has become a fixture within the police department. Serving on horseback, they go where regular officers cannot. 

We spoke with Sergeant Jeramy Ramos, one of the officers on the Mounted Patrol Unit, to learn more about their role within the community. 

The Mounted Patrol Unit was established in 2006 as a part-time unit. Taking inspiration from a similar unit within Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, the mounted patrol unit, the Prince William Police Department partnered with the National Parks Service at the Manassas National Battlefield Park to load the horses. 

To join the Mounted Patrol Unit, an officer must be in good standing and no longer be on academy probation. The application is competitive since officers must have prior riding experience. If chosen, they attend a ten-week training school to learn how to perform their duties on horseback. The Prince William Police Department is working on creating its certification process to simplify the process. 

Since the unit is part-time, officers have full-time jobs elsewhere in the department. The unit has seven members, including detectives, officers, and administrative staff. Ramos was one of the earliest members of the unit, joining in 2010 and serving as the Community Engagement Officer.  

Mounted Patrol officers have similar duties to regular officers: patrolling communities, investigating suspicious activity, and engaging with local community members. One of the most significant benefits of the Mounted Patrol Unit is its visibility.

The horses draw much attention and increase neighborhood engagement with the officers; an aspect Ramos said he found surprising. The horses make it easier to navigate crowded or narrow streets and give the officer a wider field of view, enhancing their surveillance capabilities.  

The Prince William Police Department owns no horses. Instead, it uses four horses on loan from Manassas National Battlefield Park.

The horses are well trained; the Mounted Patrol Unit has dedicated training days each month. The training ensures that the horses’ skills remain fresh and desensitizes them to any possible triggers, such as noise or crowded spaces. 

Other than patrols, the Mounted Patrol Unit attends community events, visits schools, and participates in engagements such as the National Police Week Ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

Press release:

A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.

According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.

Ayilaran recorded the sex acts on his cellphone. A forensic examination of Ayilaran’s phone revealed 73 sexually explicit images and videos of the victim and approximately 1,000 images and videos depicting other minors, including prepubescent children, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ayilaran kept the majority of his CSAM in a folder that he titled with a smiley face emoji.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Halper and Vanessa Strobbe prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The fishing pier at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge has been closed due to significant structural damage caused by ice and extreme winter weather.

Repairs are needed across the entire structure, and park management is working diligently to complete the necessary fixes as quickly as possible.

“Most of the bracing has broken underneath, and the roof portion of the pier also has extensive damage to the pillars holding it up,” said Kenneth Ashdown, Leesylvania State Park Manager. “It is not safe for the pier to be open to the public at this time, and we hope to have this repaired as soon as possible.”

Although the fishing area is closed, the rest of the park will remain open for visitors. However, Ashdown noted that the repairs might impact the upcoming night fishing programs scheduled for March. Efforts are underway to find an alternative location for these events.

Visitors should check the park’s website for updates before planning their trips.

As a reminder, water temperatures in the Potomac River are currently around 35°F at the Little Falls Pump Station, as the National Weather Service observed. Those planning to fish or visit the river should be mindful of these cold conditions.

January 2025 has been a frigid month for the region, with temperatures significantly below normal. Overall, the average monthly temperature was 29.8°F, 4.5°F colder than usual. There were several days with low temperatures dropping below freezing, including a particularly frigid day on January 21, when the high was just 20°F, and the low dropped to 11°F, a departure of -18.4°F from normal.

Snowfall was also a significant factor, with 8.9 inches recorded for the month, further contributing to the cold conditions.

For more information about Leesylvania State Park, visit the park’s webpage.

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 100 delegates who serve two-year terms. Between Jan. 8 and Jan. 30, 2,370 bills were introduced by delegates and senators. A total of 287 have failed the House of Delegates so far, and 306 have passed the House, many of which have moved into a committee for further review.

Delegate Joshua Cole (D) represents the 65th District, which includes the City of Fredericksburg and parts of Spotsylvania and Stafford. Cole won re-election in November 2024 and is a member of three committees: General Laws, Health and Human Services, and Privileges and Elections.

Cole did not cast any votes on Jan. 30. On previous days, he voted Yes on all floor votes. Cole was a Patron or Chief Patron of 131 bills. We explored a few:

HB1600 Budget Amendment

Cole has requested $25,000 from the General Fund to support Stafford County’s Rappahannock Education Farm.

HB1598 Individual income tax; first-time homebuyer tax credit.

This bill would create a one-time tax credit for first-time homebuyers. From 2025 to 2029, eligible homebuyers can receive a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $10,000 for expenses related to buying their first home. The credit is based on the purchase price of the home. However, if the buyer sells the home within three years of purchasing it, they will have to repay the credit.

The bill passed two committees with 5-3 and 11-10 split votes and is currently waiting for review by the Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.

HB1599 Certain end-of-course Standards of Learning assessments; elimination and replacement.

This bill would eliminate the Department of Education’s end-of-course
Standards of Learning tests for Chemistry and World War II. Instead, localities would be required to create an end-of-course assessment for both courses.

The bill was referred to the Education Committee.

HB1601 Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility.

This bill would require localities to have applicants for data centers to perform and submit site assessments of sound assessments for residential areas and schools within 500 feet of the property boundary. Localities will also be allowed to require assessments of the impact of a new data center on agriculture, water, parks, historical sites, and forestlands.

The bill passed the house 57-40 and was referred to the Committee on Local Government on Jan. 24.

HB1635 Certified nurse midwives; licensed, certified midwives; independent practice; organized medical staff.

This bill allows licensed certified midwives (LCMs) to practice independently after completing 1,000 hours under a practice agreement, as long as they confirm the physician or midwife they worked with. It also lets certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and LCMs form practice agreements with other CNMs or LCMs who are authorized to practice independently. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health to update regulations so that organized medical staff can include independent practice midwives, physicians, and dentists.

The committee voted 21-0 to pass, with Cole not voting.

Delegate Paul Milde (R) was elected in 2023 and represents the 64th District, part of Stafford County. Milde serves on the Privileges and Elections and Transportation Committees.

Milde and Cole were sponsors of HB2164 Public school funding, specific funding calculations.

This bill requires the Dept. of Education to remove the value of real estate property eligible for tax exemptions for disabled veterans or surviving spouses when calculating a locality’s ability to pay for each school division. This bill would increase funding for areas with significant veteran populations.

The bill was set aside by the Appropriations committee.

Milde and Cole were both patrons of the HB1991 Domestic and Sexual Assault Conviction Database; established.

This bill would require the State Police to establish a database of persons convicted of certain crimes against family members or household members. The public could access this information on the State Police website, and persons listed would be able to petition for their removal from the database.

The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.

Milde introduced 56 bills as a Chief Patron or Co-Patron. We explored a few:

HB2127 Local gov’t. employees; establishes a framework for the locality to establish & implement telework policy.

This bill allows localities to establish a framework to allow telework for local government employees. Employees would have to commit to a telework agreement, and requests for remote work would need to be approved by different authorities based on the number of remote workdays per week.

The bill was submitted January 7, before President Donald Trump  mandated federal employees return to the workplace. It was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 17.

HB1551 Income tax, state; removes sunset on elevated standard deduction amounts, etc.

This bill would remove the sunset provision which currently applies to the current standard deduction amounts, which were established in 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As a result, the current standard deduction amounts would apply permanently and not expire after Taxable Year 2025.

Under current law, the standard deduction amounts are $8,500 for single individuals and $17,000 for married persons filing jointly. Because of the sunset provision, the standard deduction is currently set to revert to $3,000 for single individuals and $6,000 for married persons filing jointly after Taxable Year 2025. If enacted during the regular session of the 2025 General Assembly, this bill would become effective July 1, 2025.

This bill was assigned to a Finance subcommittee on Jan. 25.

HB1885 Juvenile/adult adjudicated delinquent/convicted of violent juvenile felony; immigration status.

This bill would require the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice to report any juveniles or adults found guilty of violent juvenile crimes to ICE if they are found to be in the country illegally.

The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.

HB2129 Exchange of items on roadways; the ability of localities to prohibit.

This bill would allow localities to ban the exchange or attempted exchange of any item between a pedestrian and the occupant of a motor vehicle on a roadway. Violators could receive a fine of $50 or less.

The bill was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 24.

HB1985 Child support orders; date of conception.

For children conceived on or after July 1, 2025, this bill would make child support orders retroactive to the date of conception. Under current law, child support orders are retroactive to the date of the filing for child support.

This bill was struck from the docket on Jan. 15.

Candi Mundon King (D) represents the 23rd District, which covers part of Prince William and Stafford Counties. She chairs the Counties, Cities and Towns committee; is Vice Chair of Public Safety, and a member of the Finance and Labor and Commerce Committees. King was a Patron or Co-Patron of 80 bills. King voted Yes on all Floor votes except HB2595, related to tax credits for firearm safety devices. That bill later passed 99 – 0 after a passage was reconsidered. We explored a few of King’s bills:

HB1614 Postpartum doula care; DMAS to amend state plan for medical assistance services.

This bill directs the state medical plan to provide payments for post-partum doula care.

The bill passed the house 89 to 9 on Jan. 28. Cole was also a patron of this bill.

HB1844 Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals.

This bill provides for a work group to study the presence of toxic metals in baby food products and requires manufacturers to comply with limits and testing requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This bill was assigned to the Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee.

HB2041 Speed safety cameras; placement and operation.

This bill allows localities to install speed cameras. New cameras must be announced publicly and requires a warning by mail for the first 30 days instead of a ticket or fine. It also requires localities have periodic reviews of the cameras and traffic impacts, provide public information about usage of the cameras, and form advisory groups related to the use of the cameras.

The bill was amended by the Transportation Committee.

HB1928 Minimum wage.

This bill raises the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2027. The increase will be done in increments: minimum wage was $12.41 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2025 and will raise to $13.50 effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The bill passed the House 50-46 on Jan. 30; the voters’ list was not available at the time of writing.

The House of Delegates is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, Feb. 22. Delegates will continue introducing and reviewing bills throughout the period.

A case of child abuse and neglect has led to the arrest of three family members following the death of a 4-year-old boy on January 19.

Officers responded to The Regency Apartments in the 9800 block of Shallow Creek Loop near Manassas at 7:36 p.m. January 19, to investigate reports of an unconscious child. When emergency responders arrived, they found the young victim, later identified as a 4-year-old boy, unresponsive.

Fire and Rescue personnel administered CPR before transporting the child to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

As detectives delved into the investigation, they discovered that the boy and his 5-year-old sister had endured long-term abuse and neglect at the hands of three family members, police said. These individuals were the primary caretakers of the children.

The investigation revealed the victim had been regularly bound with plastic wrap and packing tape, and he showed signs of severe malnutrition and dehydration at the time of his autopsy. Both children had been routinely deprived of food and water.

On January 29, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the three family members responsible for the children’s care. The arrested individuals have been charged with aggravated murder, felony murder, and felony child abuse and neglect. They are being held without bond.

The arrested individuals are:

• Rebecca Ann Romero, 53 – Charged with aggravated murder, felony murder, and felony child abuse and neglect.
• Shanyah Elizabeth Dilda, 22 – Charged with aggravated murder, felony murder, and felony child abuse and neglect.
• Kemmilyn Anita Wade, 18 – Charged with felony murder and felony child abuse and neglect.

The 5-year-old sister, along with two other children aged 12 and 14 who lived in the apartment, has been placed into the custody of Child Protective Services for their safety and well-being.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case and the age of the deceased, law enforcement has not released the victim’s identity. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure the remaining children are safe and adequately cared for.

Prince William County Schools (PWCS) are embarking on an ambitious $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) aimed at alleviating overcrowding, modernizing aging school facilities, and preparing for future shifts in student enrollment. The plan, presented at the January 15, 2025, school board work session, includes new school constructions, significant renovations, and sustainability-focused upgrades.

Key Projects in the CIP

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Hidden in plain sight, the Barnes House Historic Site offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of Prince William County. Nestled in a serene setting, this charming 19th-century home stands as a testament to the area’s cultural heritage.

Originally built in the mid-1800s, the Barnes House offers a rare look at the past through its preserved architecture and surrounding grounds. It was once home to the Barnes family, who played a significant role in the local community. Today, the site provides visitors with an educational experience about life in Prince William County during the 1800s, showcasing its unique history and connection to the area’s early settlers.

While many residents are familiar with the more prominent landmarks, the Barnes House is an often-overlooked gem that offers a peaceful escape into history. Its quiet location makes it a perfect stop for history enthusiasts, families, or anyone seeking to explore the lesser-known sites that make our community special.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, take a moment to visit this historic gem. The Barnes House offers a step back in time and a chance to connect with the community’s past, all while enjoying the beauty and charm of this unique historic site.

Visit the Barnes House Historic Site today, and experience one of the many hidden treasures that make Prince William County so special. For more information, check out their official page here.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is testing a new way to manage parking at commuter lots through the innovative ParkZen app. Initially launched in November 2024, the pilot program has been extended through May 2025 to further evaluate the app’s effectiveness in providing real-time parking availability at six commuter lots in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg.

What Is the ParkZen App?

ParkZen uses crowdsourcing technology to provide users with parking availability updates. Unlike traditional parking systems reliant on sensors, ParkZen counts a sampling of mobile phones in parking lots, using advanced algorithms to estimate vehicle occupancy. To participate, users download the app and grant location permissions.

Joel Ticatch, Vice President of Consulting at Kapsch TrafficCom which advises VDOT on this project, emphasized the app’s goal: “It helps travelers determine ahead of time whether parking is available at selected commuter lots.” This feature aims to address pre-pandemic parking challenges and encourage commuters to use transit or rideshare options.

Pilot Locations

The pilot includes six commuter lots, chosen for their strategic locations and varied configurations:

• Prince William County: Horner Road commuter lot
• Stafford County: Brooke and Leeland Road Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station lots
• Fairfax County: Saratoga and Stringfellow Road lots
• Fairfax County: Backlick Road VRE station lot

Encouraging Usage and Privacy Protection

While participation in the app is voluntary, Ticatch highlighted the benefits of user engagement, including access to parking availability and other lot features. He reassured users about data privacy, stating that ParkZen is contractually prohibited from selling user data to third parties.

The pilot is part of VDOT’s Regional Multimodal Mobility Program (RM3P), which integrates advanced technologies to improve transportation options. Future plans may include dynamic incentives, such as discounts on parking or transit for app users who adjust their travel habits.

If the pilot succeeds, VDOT plans to expand the program to over 50 commuter lots in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg, creating a more seamless parking and commuting experience for residents.

Ticatch underscored the importance of innovation in transportation, citing VDOT’s use of the Innovative Technology Transportation Fund to test forward-thinking solutions. “Not everything may succeed,” he noted, “but the goal is to push boundaries and find ways to better serve commuters.”

For those interested, the ParkZen app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Commuters are encouraged to download the app and contribute to shaping the future of commuting in the region.