Prince William

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A federal study aimed at closing major gaps in the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) is nearing completion, marking a significant step forward in Prince William County’s long-term effort to expand its trail network and connect communities.

The $375,000 study, funded by the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), identifies preferred alignments to close three key gaps in the trail:


Features

Fredericksburg’s sister city is Fréjus, France, and the Bastille Day celebration on July 14 was all about this international bond.

“I’ve been there plenty of times,” Mathalie Bullock, a French resident of Fredericksburg, who loves celebrating the sister city recognition. Part of the celebration is a giant omelet that wasn’t on the menu this year, but Bullock remembers seeing it in the past. “Everyone breaks eggs. They did it once here, it was really cool,” she said.


Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Fredericksburg planning commissioners are reviewing new recommendations to help revitalize aging commercial shopping centers throughout the city — a strategy officials say is key to shaping the next wave of growth and neighborhood vibrancy.

During a recent Planning Commission meeting, city planning staff and consultants from Rhodeside & Harwell presented the Phase II findings of the Commercial Shopping Center Revitalization Study, which focuses on eight commercial centers and outlines next steps to guide redevelopment in partnership with property owners.


Event

Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon at the BlackRock Center for the Arts as Cruise Planners Beth & Rod present a special travel-inspired matinee featuring the beloved film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


News

DUMFRIES, Va. – A recent black bear sighting in a residential area near Duke Street has drawn attention to the close relationship between suburban neighborhoods and the expansive wilderness of Prince William Forest Park.

Kristi Shelton, a biologist at the park, says bear sightings like this one aren’t unusual—and are often misunderstood.


Prince William

Thousands lost power Wednesday night as severe thunderstorms rolled through Northern Virginia. As of 5:30 a.m. Thursday, about 850 NOVEC customers remained without electricity, down from a peak of 7,000. Reported outages include 79 in Prince William County, 63 in Stafford, 561 in Fauquier, and 136 in Loudoun. Dominion Energy reported 24 outages in Prince William and more than 500 in Fauquier.

At the same time, the National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning that remains in effect until 8:30 a.m. after heavy rainfall—up to 4.5 inches in some areas—caused creeks and streams to overflow. Roads in parts of Manassas, Manassas Park, Haymarket, Nokesville, and Gainesville were flooded, and emergency officials warn that some crossings remain impassable.


Breaking News

STAFFORD, Va. – Two men are dead following separate but deadly incidents in Stafford County within just a few hours of each other—a fatal shooting late Tuesday night and a fatal crash early Wednesday morning.

The violence began just before 11 p.m. on July 15, when deputies responded to multiple 911 calls about gunfire at the England Run Apartments in South Stafford. There, they found a 19-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. First Sergeant M.L. Jacobeen, Deputy M.A. Holub, and Deputy S.M. Kotter provided immediate aid until medics arrived, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released.


Prince William

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – A new walkable community featuring more than 1,000 homes, restaurants, and Prince William County’s first Whole Foods Market is moving closer to reality at one of the region’s busiest intersections.

Over 100 people attended a community meeting at the Prince William County Government Center in Woodbridge on Saturday, July 12, where county officials and developers shared updated timelines and new design details for the Quartz District, a long-planned mixed-use development located at the intersection of Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway. But the project’s future hinges on the construction of a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI)—a first for the county.


Stafford

STAFFORD, Va. – About 50 drivers gathered outside Genesis Logistics in Stafford County on Wednesday afternoon to demand better pay, safer working conditions, and progress on a long-awaited union contract.

Chanting “Who are we? Teamsters!” and holding signs reading “Craving Respect Not Convenience,” drivers rallied outside the second entrance of the warehouse on Bradburn Place. The demonstration, which began around 1 p.m., was organized by Teamsters Local 322 as a “practice picket” to pressure the company into finalizing a contract.


Breaking News

According to a release from the Prince William County Police Department, officers executed around 14 search warrants early Tuesday, July 16, as part of their ongoing investigation into the April 13 shooting at Babylon Café, located at 3081 Golansky Boulevard in Woodbridge.

The investigation revealed that members of the Wheels of Soul motorcycle gang were involved in assaulting a 42-year-old man outside the café. Police say the man was forcibly removed from the business into the parking lot, where he was severely beaten. Shortly after, an acquaintance of the victim approached the group, leading to a shootout with more than 80 rounds fired.