Due to the current weather advisory and anticipated adverse weather conditions, several school systems in the region have announced delays for Thursday, February 6, 2025.

Stafford County

• Stafford County Public Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay.

Prince William County

• Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) will open two hours late.

Manassas City

• Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS): Schools will open on a two-hour delay due to expected inclement weather. There will be no PreK.
• MCPS will continue monitoring the weather and provide an update if any changes are needed. Please check MCPS alerts for the latest information.

Manassas Park

• Manassas Park City Schools: All schools will open 2 hours late due to winter weather conditions.

Fairfax County

• Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS): Schools and offices will open on a two-hour delay.

We will continue updating this post as more school systems announce schedule changes. Stay tuned for the latest information.

Please check back for updates on additional school delays.

Stafford County Sheriff's Office

Warrant Service Leads to Three Arrests

• Olympic Drive, 2/4, 9:02 p.m. – A warrant service escalated when a suspect and two others attempted to flee law enforcement. Deputies arrived to serve multiple felony identity fraud warrants on Rehela Lacatus, 31, and observed her inside the residence. As deputies announced themselves, Lacatus and two others attempted to escape through the backyard but were quickly apprehended. The three—a 26-year-old female, a 28-year-old male, and Lacatus—were charged with obstruction of justice and are being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. Lacatus was additionally served on her outstanding warrants. A separate warrant for obstruction was issued for another female who obstructed the investigation at the front door but has not yet been served.

Fraud

• Truslow Road, 2/4, 1:36 p.m. – A resident received a call from an individual claiming to be "Simon" from Microsoft's Security Department. Simon falsely stated that the victim’s account had been hacked and instructed him to deposit money into another bank account to resolve the issue. The victim’s bank teller recognized the scam and advised against complying.
• Whitsons Run, 2/4, 7:05 p.m. – A resident received a call from "Albert," who claimed to be from her bank’s Fraud Department. Albert falsely reported that the victim’s account had been compromised and directed her to transfer money into an account under his control.

Larceny

• Home Depot, 305 Worth Avenue, 2/4, 11:13 a.m. – Two unidentified suspects wearing hoodies stole a saw valued at nearly $450 from the store.

Swatting

• Julian Drive, 2/4, 2:42 p.m. – Deputies responded to a report of a shooting in which the caller claimed he had shot his juvenile brother and was suicidal. Due to inconsistencies in the caller’s statements, deputies approached the situation cautiously. Upon arrival, they confirmed there was no emergency and determined the call was a hoax.

Vandalism

• Boxelder Drive, 2/4, 3:56 p.m. – A suspect became enraged after a family member discarded his "green leafy items" and retaliated by throwing a rock through her window. Deputies charged the suspect with felony destruction of property. He was later released on personal recognizance.

Prince William County Police Department

Commercial Burglary

• Tobacco King and Vape, 4315 Dale Blvd., 2/5, 4:03 a.m. – Officers responded to a burglary in which a masked suspect broke the front glass door with an object and stole merchandise before fleeing in a vehicle.

Strong-Arm Robbery

• Molinari Juvenile Shelter, 8642 Wellington Rd., 1/25, 9:25 p.m. – Three juvenile residents assaulted a staff member and took his keys before fleeing the facility. No injuries were reported. Following an investigation, the three juveniles—ages 13, 16, and 17—were charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit theft and are being held at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Assault & Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer

• 17100 block of Old Stage Rd., Dumfries, 2/5, 3:04 a.m. – Officers encountered Saria Andora Wilson, 25, a wanted individual. When they attempted to detain her, she pushed an officer and provided false identification. She was arrested and charged with assault & battery on a law enforcement officer, false identification, and obstruction of justice. She is being held without bond.

Manassas City Police Department

Increased Police Presence – No Threat to Public

• Pristine Ct. & Hood Rd., 2/4, 8:47 p.m. – Police responded to an ongoing investigation at a single residence in the area, resulting in increased law enforcement presence. Authorities advised residents to avoid the area as traffic was impacted. The incident has concluded, and officers have cleared the scene. Police have confirmed there is no threat to the public but have not released further details.

Contact Information

• Stafford County Sheriff's Office: (540) 658-4450
• Prince William County Police Department Tip Line: (703) 792-7000 or submit a web tip at pwcva.gov/policetip
• Manassas City Police Department: (703) 257-8000

Prince William County’s State of the Parks Event Set for February 13

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Stafford County Public Schools advise families and staff to practice good hygiene habits to reduce the spread of flu, colds, and other viruses as cases rise in the community.

Parents are encouraged to ensure children wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their faces, and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. The CDC and Virginia Department of Health recommend flu vaccinations for anyone six months and older.

Students should stay home if they have a fever over 100.4°F, vomiting, diarrhea, or other severe symptoms. They must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.

Here’s the email to parents:

Dear Stafford Schools families and staff,

As you may be aware, influenza season has arrived in the area. It is important to remain mindful of seasonal illnesses, including the flu, colds, and other viruses that can spread easily in schools and the community. Practicing healthy habits can help reduce the risk of illness for everyone.

To help prevent the spread of flu, colds, gastro-intestinal, and viruses, please remember to practice good hygiene habits:

Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.

Do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth.

Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Use a paper tissue, or cough/sneeze into sleeves.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

The CDC and VDH recommend vaccinating anyone six months of age and older against the flu.
Please follow Stafford County Public Schools Health Services guidelines for staying home from school when sick:

Fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.7 degrees Celsius
Vomiting more than two times within 24 hours

Diarrhea

Nasal drainage that is yellow or green

Severe earaches (pain) or chronic productive (wet) cough

General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness, or muscle aches

All students and staff should be free of fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea for 24 hours without the use of medication to control these symptoms prior to returning to school. Staying home when you are sick will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom. Please visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/influenza/ and https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/ for more information.

(The Center Square) — Tuesday was crossover in Virginia’s legislature, the last day the chambers can consider their own legislation.

From Wednesday on, the House of Delegates can only consider Senate bills and vice versa.

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(The Center Square) – The National Transportation Safety Administration says the Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines jet over the Potomac River last Wednesday was flying at about 300 feet at the time of the collision, above the permitted flight ceiling.

The permitted flight ceiling for helicopters flying over the Potomac River in the vicinity of Reagan National Airport (DCA) is 200 feet, which is meant to keep military and law enforcement helicopters clear of commercial aircraft landing and taking off in the already tightly restricted airspace around the nation’s capital.

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(The Center Square) – Nearly a week following the mid-air collision over the Potomac River between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, authorities have announced that all 67 victims have been recovered.

The Unified Command announced Tuesday afternoon that 64 victims from the down jet and three soldiers from the Black Hawk helicopter were recovered, and sixty-six of the remains have been positively identified.

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A winter storm is expected to impact the region starting Wednesday evening, bringing the potential for significant ice accumulation in some areas. The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for parts of the Potomac Highlands, Northern Shenandoah Valley, and Northern Virginia Blue Ridge.

Prince William County is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday. Stafford County is currently not under any advisory.

Winter Weather Advisory Details for Prince William County:

• WHAT: Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to one inch, with ice accumulations between one-tenth and two-tenths of an inch.
• WHERE: Portions of northern and northwest Virginia, including Prince William County.
• WHEN: 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday.
• IMPACTS: Slippery road conditions are likely, which could impact the Thursday morning commute.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS: A mix of light freezing rain, sleet, and snow begins Wednesday evening, transitioning to steady freezing rain overnight. Temperatures will warm Thursday morning, changing freezing rain to rain.

VDOT Prepares for Icy Roads, Urges Caution

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Northern Virginia District has been spot treating bridges, ramps, and overpasses ahead of the storm. Crews are preparing for the wintry precipitation expected Wednesday into Thursday morning, with freezing rain and sleet likely to create icy road conditions.

VDOT advises limiting travel Wednesday night and delaying travel Thursday morning due to the increased risk of slick roads and hazardous driving conditions. If you must travel:

• Equip your vehicle with emergency supplies.
• Give space to first responders and VDOT crews treating the roads.
• Drive cautiously and be prepared for icy spots on area roads.
• Review winter driving safety tips before heading out.

What to Expect:

• Light wintry mix (freezing rain and sleet) begins Wednesday evening.
• Steady and heavier freezing rain and sleet develop overnight.
• Greatest ice accumulation expected late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.
• Elevated surfaces (trees, power lines, bridges) will ice up first, with some slick road conditions possible.
• By late Thursday morning, temperatures will rise above freezing, transitioning all precipitation to rain and helping ice melt.

Impacts & Precautions:

• Travel could become hazardous, especially on untreated roads and overpasses.
• Power outages possible due to ice accumulation on trees and power lines.
• Plan ahead if traveling Wednesday night into Thursday morning, and stay updated on road conditions.

After the storm, Friday will bring drier conditions, with temperatures ranging from the 30s in the mountains to the 50s in lower elevations.

Stay prepared, stay safe, and stay tuned for updates on this developing winter storm.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.

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