O’Riley is a lovable 2-year-old hound mix with a sleek gray and black coat and a personality that shines even brighter. Found as a stray, he came to the shelter with a possible fracture in his right hind leg and a small head wound—but after some much-needed care, he’s fully recovered and ready for a new beginning.

This good boy is full of heart, adventure, and the classic hound’s musical voice. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a cuddle on the couch, or a road trip with the windows down, O’Riley is ready to be your loyal companion.

You can meet O’Riley at the Stafford County Animal Shelter, located at 26 Frosty Lane, Stafford, VA 22554. For more information or to schedule a visit, call (540) 658-7387 or visit staffordcountyanimalcontrol.com.

Don’t wait—O’Riley’s forever home could be with you.

Three local music groups—Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, Gainesville Community Choir, and South Loudoun Youth Chorale—will perform together at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m.

The concert, Illuminare: Songs of Light and Life, will bring 300 musicians together for one evening. The program includes Lux: The Dawn from On High by Dan Forrest, selections from Mozart’s Requiem, and music from video games.

Each group shares a focus on music performance, education, and community involvement.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra (OBCO), formed in 1998, is an all-volunteer group that presents concerts in Prince William County. The group is led by Music Director David Kirven. More information is at obco.org.

Gainesville Community Choir (GCC) is a non-auditioned group that includes vocal technique and music literacy in its rehearsals. The choir received the 2023 Seefeldt Award for Outstanding Arts Organization, and its conductor Jacob Lash received the 2024 Seefeldt Award for Outstanding Arts Educator. Learn more at gainesvillecommunitychoir.com.

South Loudoun Youth Chorale (SLYC) works with young singers to build music skills and support music programs. Artistic Director Laura Lazarevich and Associate Artistic Director Erik Jacobs will lead the group. Details at slychorale.org.

Tickets are available through the Hylton Performing Arts Center website. Prices are $25–$35 for adults, $20–$30 for seniors, $5 for youth ages 6–17, and free for children under 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The concert will last about two hours with one intermission.

To purchase tickets, visit: hylton.calendar.gmu.edu/illuminare-songs-of-light-and-life

Families in Stafford County must now opt-in to receive school bus transportation for the 2025–26 academic year—a major change prompted by last year’s transportation meltdown that left thousands of students without a ride to school.

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A routine agreement for using school buses by Prince William County government agencies was anything but routine Tuesday, as the Board of County Supervisors raised sharp concerns over dramatic cost increases and deferred the decision for further negotiations.

The board voted 5-2 to defer action on the agreement until April 8, after supervisors questioned a 72% hike in hourly rates and a 66% jump in mileage fees proposed by Prince William County Public Schools.

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As spring approaches, the Prince William County Solid Waste Division is making it easier than ever for residents to tackle their annual spring cleaning with a series of environmentally friendly programs and events designed to reduce landfill waste.

Through initiatives like Dumpster Days, Community Clean-Ups, and a special paper shredding event, residents are encouraged to declutter responsibly—by recycling, donating, composting, or properly disposing of items that can’t be reused.

Dumpster Days & Community Clean-Ups
Residents can dispose of household trash and bulky items such as furniture and appliances during scheduled Dumpster Day events. Neighborhoods are also invited to host Community Clean-Ups in partnership with Keep Prince William Beautiful, which will provide a dumpster on site. A full schedule of events is available at www.pwcva.gov/dumpster-days.

Recycling and Reuse Options
The Solid Waste Division encourages residents to think beyond the trash bin:

• Yard Waste: Leaves, tree limbs, and grass clippings can be dropped off at the County Landfill or Compost Facility to be turned into mulch or compost.
• Garage Items: Automotive batteries, antifreeze, oil and filters, household batteries, and scrap metal have designated disposal areas at both the Landfill and Compost Facility.
• Donations: Clothing, shoes, linens, furniture, and small appliances can be donated at onsite bins or to local reuse organizations.

Secure Paper Shredding
A free shredding event will be held Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pfitzner Stadium parking lot, or until shred trucks reach capacity. Additional paper shredding opportunities are available during some Dumpster Day events.

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Items such as insecticides, paint, aerosol cans, gasoline, and fluorescent bulbs require special handling. Prince William County residents can dispose of these items at no cost, provided they are sealed in original, labeled containers. Details about proper disposal and recycling programs are available at www.pwcva.gov/trashandrecycling.

“This spring, don’t just clean—clean responsibly,” said Deborah K. Campbell of the Solid Waste Division. “Whether it’s repair, reuse, or proper disposal, there’s a solution for nearly every item.”

Willing Warriors, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting recovering service members and their families, will hold a community-wide event this spring to celebrate a decade of healing and hope.

The organization will mark its 10-year anniversary with a celebration on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run near Haymarket. The retreat provides free, week-long stays for wounded service members and their families, offering them rest, reconnection, and recovery in a peaceful setting.

Since opening its doors in 2015, the Warrior Retreat has hosted nearly 2,700 warriors and their loved ones, helping to restore hope, rebuild relationships, and provide a supportive environment for healing.

“We’ve seen lives changed, marriages saved, and families restored,” said Shirley Dominick, founder of Willing Warriors. “When warriors arrive on Friday, they are often tired and discouraged. When they leave, they are smiling, hopeful, and ready to move forward.”

Dominick accepted a proclamation from the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday, March 18, recognizing March 16–22, 2025, as Women Veterans Week and honoring the contributions of women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. During the ceremony, she reflected on the vital role the community has played in the retreat’s success.

“It is you—this community—that made all of this possible,” she told the board. “Your financial support, your volunteer hours, your belief in our mission—it has all helped us serve our nation’s heroes in a meaningful way.”

Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir read the proclamation, noting that women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population, with many calling Prince William County home.

Sarah Ford, Executive Director of Willing Warriors, encouraged residents to attend the May 26 event. “This anniversary isn’t just about us—it’s about what this community has done together,” Ford said. “We want everyone to come out, celebrate, and be part of the next chapter.”

Willing Warriors continues to offer no-cost stays for service members recovering from both physical and invisible wounds, supported by a network of volunteers, donors, and local partners. The retreat includes private suites, accessible amenities, and access to nearby medical facilities and outdoor activities.

For more information about the anniversary event or to support Willing Warriors, visit willingwarriors.org.

The Prince William Committee of 100 drew a crowd Thursday night at Brittany’s Sports Bar to discuss how the federal government’s latest cost-cutting efforts could impact the local economy.

The panel, moderated by University of Mary Washington political science professor Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, focused on the sweeping changes being proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal initiative aiming to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending.

Federal cuts coming

Rob Hartwell, a former Capitol Hill chief of staff and now president of Hartwell Capital Consulting, warned that Prince William County’s reliance on federal jobs and contracts makes it vulnerable.

“There’s never been a complete overhaul of federal agencies in 50 years,” said Hartwell. “Now, the pendulum is swinging hard, and we’re seeing real disruption.”

According to Hartwell, Virginia is home to more than 235,000 federal employees — about 5.5% of the state’s workforce — and Prince William County alone has about 23,000, with some estimates placing that number even higher.

Public support for reform is strong, he said, citing polls showing over 60% of Americans back DOGE’s mission. But Hartwell cautioned that such popularity comes with costs. “We may lose 10% of our federal workforce here,” he said, adding that layoffs are already happening in the defense contracting industry.

Hartwell also presented examples of what he called “wasteful spending,” including $12 million for Las Vegas pickleball courts and $4.6 million for international drag shows. “It’s spending like this that makes the public fed up,” he said.

Economic outlook: gloomy

Dr. Keith Walters, director of the Stephen S. Fuller Institute at George Mason University, delivered a stark economic forecast. “I’m here to provide some doom and gloom,” Walters said, only half-joking.

Northern Virginia’s economy has underperformed the national average since 2011, Walters said, largely due to overreliance on federal procurement. He warned that layoffs in the federal and contracting sectors would likely bleed into retail, hospitality, and other industries.

Walters estimated that 1.5% of Prince William residents — those with federal jobs — could lose employment as the DOGE cuts take effect. “That’s your neighbors,” he said.

He added that the local housing crunch is compounding the region’s challenges. “There are just 552 homes for sale in Prince William County. If you’re running a business, you can’t hire people if they have nowhere to live,” Walters said.

Solutions and opportunity

Despite the dire outlook, both speakers offered solutions. Hartwell called on county leaders to diversify the economy by investing in tourism, technology, and workforce development. He also pitched ideas to revitalize Route 1 into a military technology corridor and transform Route 28 into a high-tech hub.

Meanwhile, Walters said Prince William County is doing better than some neighboring jurisdictions when it comes to housing construction. “You’re building more than most, and you’re helping the region — that’s part of why your traffic is so bad,” he said, sparking a round of chuckles.

The evening wrapped with a reminder of the stakes involved.

“We’re going to pay the price here in Prince William County,” Hartwell warned, “for the excesses of some inside the federal bureaucracy who threw our money away.”

The Prince William Committee of 100 is a non-partisan educational forum dedicated to studying essential interests, problems, and goals of the people of Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. The committee brings together diverse leaders from business, civic, and government communities to explore issues and foster common understanding. Membership is open to individuals living or working in the Prince William area engaged in civic, business, cultural, humanitarian, or similar activities.

The Committee generally offers programs on the third Thursday of every month except for June, July, August, and December. Forums typically feature panels of experts discussing current issues of importance to the community.

The Committee of 100 will continue hosting public forums on key regional issues throughout the year.

 

A paraprofessional at Conway Elementary School was arrested following an investigation into inappropriate conduct involving students, according to information from the Stafford Sheriff’s Office posted on March 20, 2025.

The sheriff reports that the investigation began on March 18 after a student alerted school officials that a male staff member was misbehaving toward a female student. A School Resource Officer immediately began an investigation, and the case was referred to detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.

The suspect was arrested at the school, 105 Primmer House Road. Detectives say Van Orden had taken inappropriate photos and videos of unsuspecting juvenile students.

He has been charged with 19 felony counts and one misdemeanor count of unlawful creation of the image of another.

Detective B.E. Abramaitys is leading the investigation and is working to identify and notify the victims. The Sheriff’s Office coordinates with Stafford County Public Schools to ensure all affected students receive appropriate support services.

“We understand parents and members of the community will have many questions, and our office will work to get those answers,” a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Eric Van Orden, 56, of Stafford, is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

The Sheriff’s Office commended the student who came forward with the report and said plans are underway to formally recognize the student’s bravery.

“This young man’s actions helped uncover a serious crime, and we are extremely proud of him,” the statement said.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Abramaitys at 540-658-4400.