[Photo courtesy of Prince William County]October is bound to be a spooky and busy month around Prince William County with several events and activities scheduled. If you're looking for Halloween-related events, visit our story from Wednesday that details all of the spooky events.
On September 28, a 37-year-old man was assaulted in the parking lot of Afrikiko Restaurant and Bar in Woodbridge. After regaining consciousness, he contacted a family member, who informed the police about the incident.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a domestic dispute that occurred in June at an apartment complex. The individual faces charges of abduction, brandishing, and domestic assault following an incident where a physical altercation escalated and a firearm was brandished.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Abduction (Domestic Related) *ARREST – On September 28, the suspect sought in
connection to the domestic dispute that was reported to have occurred at the Woodbridge
Station Apartments located in the 1300 block of Eisenhower Cl. in Woodbridge (22191) on
June 7, was arrested. The accused, identified as Jamari ANKRAH, was located by Prince
George’s County police.
Arrested on September 28:Â
Jamari ANKRAH, 23, of the 1300 block of Eisenhower Cl. in Woodbridge
Charged with 1 count of abduction, 2 counts of brandishing, 1 count of domestic assault & battery
Court Date: Pending | Status: Incarcerated
Abduction (Domestic Related) [Previously Released] – On June 7 at 12:19PM, officers responded
to the Woodbridge Station Apartments located in the 1300 block of Eisenhower Cl. in Woodbridge
(22191) to investigate a domestic dispute. The investigation revealed the victim, a 22-year-old
woman, and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that
escalated. During the encounter, the accused struck the victim and physically prevented her from
the room. When a 33-year-old female family member intervened, the accused brandished a firearm
before leaving the apartment. No injuries were reported. Following the investigation, officers
obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Jamari ANKRAH. Attempts to locate the
accused have been unsuccessful.
On September 27 at 10:36 p.m., officers responded to an attempted burglary at a residence near Triangle. The investigation indicated that an unknown man had attempted to force entry multiple times, causing damage to the front door. The suspect was located nearby, found to be intoxicated, and was arrested on charges of attempted burglary and public intoxication.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Clayton, M. D.Attempted Burglary – On September 27 at 10:36PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 18100 block of Olde Port Ln. [near] Triangle (22172) to investigate an attempted burglary. The investigation revealed an unknown man, later identified as the accused, attempted to force entry into the home multiple times. Responding officers located the accused nearby where he was detained and determined to be intoxicated. Officers determined the accused damaged the front door of the residence. No entry was made into the home. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Michael Delanie
CLAYTON, was arrested.
Arrested on September 27:
Michael Delanie CLAYTON, 38, of 859 W. Glebe Rd. in Alexandria
Charged with attempted burglary and intoxicated in public
Court Date: Pending | Bond: $5,000 Secured
On September 27 at 10:36 p.m., officers responded to an attempted burglary at a residence near Triangle. The investigation indicated that an unknown man had tried to force entry multiple times, causing damage to the front door. The suspect was located nearby, found to be intoxicated, and was arrested on charges of attempted burglary and public intoxication.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Attempted Burglary – On September 27 at 10:36PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 18100 block of Olde Port Ln. [near] Triangle (22172) to investigate an attempted burglary. The investigation revealed an unknown man, later identified as the accused, attempted to force entry into the home multiple times. Responding officers located the accused nearby where he was detained and determined to be intoxicated. Officers determined the accused damaged the front door of the residence. No entry was made into the home. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Michael Delanie CLAYTON, was arrested.
Arrested on September 27:
Michael Delanie CLAYTON, 38, of 859 W. Glebe Rd. in Alexandria
Charged with attempted burglary and intoxicated in public
Court Date: Pending | Bond: $5,000 Secured
The Perkins Eastman design team joins the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Occoquan Elementary School. L–R: Huyen Nguyen, Lina Taheri, Jeannine Otieno, Ken Terzian, Ed Waters (PWCS on-site construction representative), Mike Massey (IMEG), Michael “Buddy” Lint (Occoquan Elementary School principal), Sean O’Donnell and Omar Calderón Santiago. [Photo: Courtesy of Perkins Eastman]On Sept. 25, Occoquan Elementary School construction officially broke ground.
Occoquan Elementary is set to become the first net-zero school in Prince William County Schools and will be located in Woodbridge. The new 120,000-square-foot, three-level building will replace the oldest school in PWCS.
"The new Occoquan Elementary School will be a beacon of progress, embodying our dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment while respecting and preserving our planet,” Babur B. Lateef, chairman of the PWCS School Board, said at the ceremony. "This school will be a place where innovation thrives, where students are inspired to think critically and creatively and where they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. By harnessing the power of the sun and the earth, we are setting a precedent for future generations, teaching them the importance of sustainability and the impact of their choices on the world around them."
Commuters and residents in Woodbridge should prepare for a planned lane closure that will impact traffic on the Opitz Boulevard westbound overpass at Interstate 95. The closure, scheduled from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, is necessary to construct a new ramp linking the I-95 E-ZPass Express Lanes to Opitz Boulevard.
This infrastructure project aims to enhance traffic flow and accessibility to key destinations in the area, including Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and nearby commercial centers. However, as the construction enters a critical phase, disruptions are anticipated. The specific lane closure will allow workers to safely implement parts of the new ramp directly above the Opitz Boulevard overpass.
On Sept. 25, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) in Woodbridge celebrated the new mural recently completed by a local artist, Alethea Marie Robinson.
SNVMC President Jeff Joyner had the idea to have a mural throughout the hallway entering the north side of the hospital from the employee parking lot. Instead of a regular hallway, this one is now adorned with vibrant colors, flowers and butterflies.
Officers responded to a report of a death in the 500 block of Harbor Side Street in Woodbridge on Saturday, September 28 at 10:20 p.m. The deceased, a 46-year-old man, was discovered by a fishing vessel crew floating in the water. Fire and rescue teams retrieved the body, confirming the death. Initial investigations indicate no signs of foul play, with the exact cause and manner of death awaiting determination by the Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as needed.
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has announced a sustained increase in ridership through August 2024, reflecting a growing reliance on public transit amid various operational challenges, including service reductions and fare adjustments.
In August 2024, PRTC experienced an average daily ridership of 2,753 passengers, a 22% increase compared to last year. This rise comes despite significant service cuts implemented at the end of July and a $2 fare increase at the start of the month. Even a tropical storm at the beginning of August failed to significantly deter passengers, underscoring the essential role of PRTC in the daily lives of many in the region, said OmniRide CEO Dr. Robert A. "Bob" Schneider.
[Photo: Virginia State Police]The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force arrested a 33-year-old Woodbridge resident following a three-month investigation into a drug operation in Culpeper and Prince William counties. Authorities seized 2,857 grams of Fentanyl, two handguns, a rifle, and over $26,000 in cash during searches at private residences.
Press Release from Virginia State Police:
The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force has concluded a three-month investigation with the arrest of a Woodbridge, VA resident. Through the course of the investigation, officers learned of a multi-jurisdictional operation throughout Culpeper and Prince William counties.
![The ribbon-cutting was completed by the three longest-tenured employees. L to R: SNVMC President Jeff Joyner, Janice Carneal, Tania Brown, Shirley Conley and Sentara President and CEO Dennis Matheis surrounded by team members. [Photo: Courtesy of Sentara]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sentara-new-mural2024-1260x840.jpg){kind=link}
![Local artist Alethea Marie Robinson working on the mural. [Photo: Courtesy of Sentara]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sentara-new-mural-2-2024-1260x840.jpg){kind=link}