Police Blotter

Police Blotter: Additional Arrests in Teen Homicide

By Uriah Kiser
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

The shooting happened July 5 in the 16700 block of Blackjack Oak Lane in Woodbridge. Officers responded about 10:12 p.m. and found the victim with a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Police said the victim and two acquaintances arranged to confront and rob another man, Damion Jamon Atwater. During the encounter, shots were fired that fatally struck the 16-year-old. After the shooting, Darrian King Rutherford, who had been with the victim, left in a vehicle. Officers tried to stop the vehicle and began a pursuit. Rutherford later stopped and fled on foot.

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter: Unlawful Filming, Brandishing Arrest Reported

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Alan Gloss]

In Stafford County, deputies reported arrests for assault and battery, multiple driving under the influence cases, shoplifting, narcotics possession, and public intoxication. Several fraud reports, including Sheriff’s Office impersonation scams, were also logged.

Here is a summary of recent incidents from local law enforcement.

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Stafford

Water Problems at Brooke Station Delayed Response to Devastating House Fire

By Uriah Kiser

Contaminated water forced career staff out of Brooke’s Company 5 for nearly a month, delaying the first response to Saturday’s devastating house fire on Indian Point Road that resulted in a total loss of the property.

Two career personnel normally work 24-hour shifts at Company 5 and cross-staff Engine/Tanker 1505 and Medic 1505. Those firefighters had been staged at Company 2 since July 15 due to water quality problems, according to County Fire Chief Joseph Cardello. They returned to Company 5 on Tuesday after the latest water tests showed no hazards.

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Event

2026 Ocean, River Cruises and Guided Tours Showcase

Event location

BlackRock Center For The Arts

12901 Town Commons Dr

Germantown, Maryland 20874

Add to Calendar

Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!

Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.

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Traffic

VRE Runs Special Sunday Trains August 23

By Uriah Kiser
A Virginia Railway Express train pulls into the Fredericksburg train station. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/PLN]

Virginia Railway Express will operate modified service on Sunday, August 23, with northbound morning trains and southbound afternoon trains, giving Northern and Central Virginia residents a way to reach the Washington region without driving into expected gridlock from the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. The one-day service, detailed in a VRE press release, coincides with the IndyCar street race around the National Mall that is projected to draw about 140,000 visitors daily and trigger extensive road closures and parking restrictions in the District.

Tickets will cost the usual VRE rates and can be bought through the VRE Mobile app or station ticket machines. The press release does not list specific train times, stations served on each line, or the exact number of trips; a schedule PDF is available on vre.org and is subject to change. The special Sunday run also serves as a test of demand and operations for a possible regular weekend service once major projects, such as the Long Bridge expansion, are completed under VRE’s System Plan 2050. District officials are urging travelers to use transit that weekend.

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Manassas

New Control Tower Would Be Significantly Taller and Larger Than the Existing 1990s Structure

By Uriah Kiser

As the Federal Aviation Administration clears the environmental path for commercial service at Washington Manassas Airport, detailed plans for a replacement air traffic control tower are also advancing.

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Prince William

Parks Seek Volunteers for Historic Sites

By Uriah Kiser

Virginia’s sales tax holiday continues through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, letting Prince William families buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, emergency preparedness items such as generators, and certain Energy Star or WaterSense products without state sales tax. A Weekly Happenings post from Volunteer Prince William dated Aug. 7 also promotes a Town of Dumfries “Hot Spot Clean-Up Day” along Quantico Creek on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at Jeff Simpson Community Center.

The same post lists a wide range of other local volunteer needs, including invasive plant removal at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, battlefield guides at Bristoe Station, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue handlers and drivers, Prince William Special Olympics support roles, Girls on the Run of NOVA coaches for the fall season, daytime shifts at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, food box deliveries with ACTS, ESL classroom help at Grace United Methodist Church, and outdoor work at Leopold’s Preserve.

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Manassas

Manassas City Schools Welcomes New Principals and Assistant Principals

By Uriah Kiser

The Manassas City School Board introduced five new administrative leaders during its regular meeting as the division prepares for the 2026-27 school year, beginning August 12, 2026.

Montell Brown will serve as principal of Baldwin Intermediate School. He joins MCPS from Fairfax County Public Schools, where he was an assistant principal, and brings leadership experience across elementary, middle, and high school settings.

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Prince William

Prince William County Police Host Sixth Annual Community Fair Sept. 12

By Uriah Kiser
Officer Kevin Jeschke a member of the Western District has been with Prince William County Police since 2017. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

The free, family-friendly event aims to celebrate the county’s diversity, promote unity across communities, and give residents a closer look at the many facets of police work. Displays from the Police Department and other public-safety agencies and county government organizations will line the plaza, alongside live music, food trucks, pet adoptions, a dunk tank, and live exhibitions that include a demonstration by the department’s dive team.

Police Chief Peter Newsham invited the community in a video message: “I’m here to invite you to our sixth annual community fair. It’s going to take place right here at McCourt in the plaza. You’ll see service providers lining this entire plaza in the back. We’ll have our dunk tank. We’ll have live exhibitions, including an exhibition from our dive team. There’ll be food. There’ll be live music. This is a great event. Every time we’ve come out here, we’ve had a wonderful time. It’s family friendly. If you’re available, remember September 12th, noon to four, right here at the plaza at McCourt. Hope you can join us.”

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