FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – A Manassas man was killed Saturday evening in a fiery crash on I-66 westbound near the Fairfax County Parkway, and state police are still investigating what led to the collision.
The folks at Virginia State Police just told Potomac Local News that 20-year-old Will R. Hernandez-Villalta died at the scene after his 1996 Nissan pickup, stopped due to a mechanical issue, was rear-ended by a Honda Pilot around 5:51 p.m. on August 2.
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.
“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” the statement read.
Connolly served Prince William County residents until 2022, when redistricting left the 11th District comprising only Fairfax County. He also announced he will step down as Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. Connolly emphasized his pride in his more than 30 years of public service and thanked his family, staff, and constituents.
His term ends in 2026.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — A 21-year-old Woodbridge woman was killed early Friday morning in a crash on Interstate 495, Virginia State Police said.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. on April 25, 2025, in the northbound lanes near the Old Dominion Drive overpass. According to state police, a fully loaded tractor-trailer was slowing down due to traffic from a nearby work zone when it was struck from behind by a sedan traveling northbound.
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?
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. Here is the full list of updates:
Colleges and Universities:
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the largest school district in Virginia and one of the largest in the nation, announced the cancelation of all schools and central office operations for Monday, January 6, 2025. The closure impacts over 180,000 students and approximately 200 schools and centers across the district.
The announcement was made via the school district’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter. In addition to the closure of schools, all activities scheduled to take place on school grounds are canceled. This includes extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, middle school after-school programs, professional learning and training courses, and recreation programs. Community use of school facilities by organizations unaffiliated with FCPS is also suspended.
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, is hosting its Annual Toy Drive in partnership with OAR NOVA to support local families affected by the criminal justice system. Running through December 8, the community is encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys at drop-off locations across the Workhouse campus. The drive aims to bring holiday joy while emphasizing the center’s commitment to creativity, compassion, and community engagement. For more information, visit the Workhouse Arts Center’s website.
Press Release:
Gainesville Community Choir (GCC) will perform a collaborative concert this winter entitled “From Darkness to Light” featuring Dan Forrest’s LUX: the Dawn from On High and other songs for the season with Fairfax Choral Society. Performances will take place at Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas on Friday, December 6, and Annandale United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 7, both concerts starting at 7:30 p.m. This highly anticipated concert will feature over 200 musicians, making it the largest group of singers ever amassed by the Gainesville-based group.
Since its formation in 2013, GCC has always been committed to its mission to enrich, educate, and entertain through intentional community-building and developing and supporting musical excellence. Gainesville Community Choir was honored to receive the Seefeldt Award for Outstanding Arts Organization in 2023. In addition to that distinction, conductor and co-founder Jacob Lash recently received the 2024 Seefeldt Award for Outstanding Arts Educator. GCC’s Board of Directors believes that both vocal technique and expression are essential to achieving this mission. Rehearsals incorporate lessons in vocal technique and music literacy, and the choir strives to thoughtfully impact the hearts and souls of audiences and the surrounding communities through their performances.
