Feds Drop Charge Against Man Once Dubbed MS-13’s East Coast Leader
Story via InsideNoVa.com
Federal prosecutors have dropped a criminal charge against Henrry Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old Dale City man once named by Trump administration officials as MS-13’s East Coast leader. Despite headlines and official statements, court records reveal no confirmation of a leadership role, and the charge was dropped without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled. Villatoro remains in custody.
Dead Vultures at Stafford Landfill Test Positive for Avian Influenza
Story via Fredericksburg Free Press
According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, several dead vultures discovered at the R-Board Landfill in Stafford County have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. The department encourages residents to avoid touching dead birds and to report unusual bird deaths. While the risk to humans remains low, officials are urging caution and the monitoring of domestic poultry. Local officials coordinate with state agencies to monitor the situation and advise residents to take standard precautions with pets and backyard birds.
Stafford County Public Schools to Host 49th Annual Arts Festival
Celebrate creativity at Colonial Forge High School this Saturday and Sunday, April 12–13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. View art from every school in the division, enjoy musical and theatrical performances, and don’t miss the All-County Third Grade Musical at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, narrated by Superintendent Dr. Daniel Smith.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Energy & Data Centers Panel – April 17
Members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors may attend a panel discussion hosted by the Prince William Committee of 100:
“Meeting the Energy Needs of Data Centers”
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025 | Time: 6–9 p.m.
Location: Manassas Park Community Center
Register at pwc100.org
A Wet, Cool Weekend Ahead
A slow-moving upper low will bring several rounds of rain through Saturday, with total rainfall of 1 to 2 inches, and locally up to 3 inches east of the Blue Ridge. The heaviest rain is expected Friday, but showers may linger into Saturday.
- Today, expect increasing rain chances, especially west of the Blue Ridge and later toward I-95. Highs will be in the 50s to near 60, with cooler temps in the mountains.
- Friday, plan for widespread rain and a chilly day in the 40s and low 50s. Some wet snow is possible in the mountains Friday night. Rain continues into Saturday, gradually becoming more scattered.
- Sunday looks better, with high pressure returning and a warming trend kicking off into early next week.
Top 5 Most-Read Stories on Potomac Local in the Past 24 Hours
- Three dead, four charged in Spotsylvania shooting tied to illegal gun sale (April 9)
- Three dead, three injured in Spotsylvania shooting (April 8)
- Small plane crashes in Spotsylvania County, two injured (April 9)
- Prince William Supervisors rail against public schools funding requests (April 8)
- “No Opt-In, No Ride”: Stafford County reimagines school transportation (April 8)
Also Trending — Don’t Miss These Stories:
- Fredericksburg schools on delay after Spotsylvania mass shooting
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- Stafford leaders push for veterans tax exemption clarity
- Gas leak outside Manassas at QTS data center
- Woodbridge man indicted for obstructing IRS, failing to file taxes
FredNats Have Home Opener Hangover, Fall 6-2 to Salem
The Fredericksburg Nationals (1-4) fell flat a night after their walk-off win, losing 6-2 to the Salem Red Sox (4-1) on Wednesday.
Davian Garcia struggled in the third inning, giving up four runs, while Salem starter Steven Brooks, making his pro debut, held the FredNats to just one hit over five scoreless innings.
The FredNats didn’t score until the eighth inning with an Elijah Nunez triple and an RBI single from Nate Rombach. But it wasn’t enough, as Nathanael Cruz closed it out for Salem.
Next up: Game 3 Thursday
- FredNats: Bryan Polanco (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
- Salem: Brandon Clarke (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Thanks for reading today’s Publisher’s Post. For breaking news, local sports, weather alerts, and community features, check back often at potomaclocal.com.
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On June 20, Prince William County Parks will join other agencies across Virginia for Play All Day VA — a celebration of the summer solstice packed with free events and activities for all ages.
STAFFORD, Va. – Virginia State Police are investigating a serious three-vehicle crash that shut down local northbound lanes of Interstate 95 near the Rappahannock River Bridge on Saturday night.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – A crash involving a tractor-trailer has shut down all lanes of Interstate 95 northbound near mile marker 142 in Stafford County, just two miles north of exit 140 at Courthouse Road.
FAIRFAX, Va. – Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, a veteran Northern Virginia lawmaker known for his decades of public service and deep ties to the region, died peacefully at his home this morning, surrounded by family, according to a statement released by his loved ones.
Calling all WSHS Class of 1975 graduates! Our class has planned our 50-Year Class Reunion to be held September 26-28, 2025 in Woodbridge, Virginia. Reunion details and registration information are available to be sent to you.
To find out more, please email our reunion committee at [email protected]
POTOMAC, MD – A local credit union is receiving national recognition for offering some of the highest certificate rates in the country. Lafayette Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Rockville and serving the greater Washington, D.C. region, has been named by financial outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Investopedia, DepositAccounts, and GoBankingRates for its top-ranked share certificate products.
According to these sources, Lafayette Federal currently holds the #1 national ranking for its 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year certificate terms. The institution is offering fixed annual percentage yields (APYs) up to 4.28%, with a minimum deposit requirement of $500.
Share certificates, also known as certificates of deposit (CDs) at traditional banks, have grown in popularity as a low-risk savings option during a period of economic uncertainty. With interest rates rising and market volatility continuing, many savers are seeking fixed returns on their funds without taking on additional risk.
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
