Press Release - Page 14 of 119 - Potomac Local News

No Charges Filed in Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Woodbridge

Published March 13, 2025 at 7:41PM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

The regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) conducted the investigation and presented its findings to Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth. After a thorough evaluation, Ashworth determined that the officer acted lawfully and that no charges would be pursued.

Following the criminal investigation, the Prince William County Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards will now review the case internally. Additionally, the department’s Use of Deadly Force Review Board will conduct a final assessment to determine whether the shooting was justified and by department policy.

Traffic Signal Removed at Brady Lane and Cushing Road Intersection

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 13, 2025 at 3:16PM

A traffic signal at the intersection of Brady Lane and Cushing Road, near Prince William Parkway and Balls Ford Road near Manassas, has been removed as part of ongoing roadway realignments in the area. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) dismantled the signal on Wednesday, March 12, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

VDOT stated the signal was no longer necessary due to shifting traffic patterns following the realignment of Balls Ford Road. As part of the project, Balls Ford Road was moved further south, creating a new interchange. The previous section of the road, east of Prince William Parkway (Route 234), was renamed Brady Lane and no longer intersects the parkway.

NOVA Launches NOVAnext to Support Displaced Federal Workers

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 13, 2025 at 1:45PM

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has introduced NOVAnext, a comprehensive initiative to assist recently unemployed federal workers and contractors in transitioning to new careers.

“Many talented Northern Virginians are facing sudden, unexpected changes in their professional lives. As the community’s college, NOVA is focused on advancing opportunity, and the current moment has made our mission ever more important. We are honored to play a role in connecting residents across the region to their next steps, helping to build brighter futures,” said NOVA President Anne M. Kress.

Police Blotter: Child Neglect, Assaults, and Thefts

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Published March 12, 2025 at 8:23PM

[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

At 4:16 PM, a newly arrived inmate from the US Marshals was found with suspected controlled substances inside her body. Both cases resulted in warrants for possession of an unlawful chemical.

Updated: Firefighters Contain 4-5 Acre Brush Fire in Massaponax

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 12, 2025 at 2:33PM | Updated March 12, 2025 at 8:37PM

Fire and rescue crews responded to a brush fire near Mills Drive and Overview Drive in the Massaponax area on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Emergency crews were called to the scene around 12:45 p.m. after multiple reports of a large fire near Germanna Community College. Several callers told Potomac Local News they could see a plume of billowing black smoke from Interstate 95.

Tractor-Trailer Fire Causes Major Delays on Interstate 95 at Dumfries

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 12, 2025 at 11:10AM

A fiery crash on Interstate 95 southbound on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, caused significant delays overnight and into the early morning hours.

According to Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein, the crash occurred at approximately 12:17 a.m. at the 150-mile marker at Dumfries when a Honda SUV traveling in the right lane slowed and was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer.

Egg-citing Spring Adventure: Stafford’s Eggcellent Eggventure Returns

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 12, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated March 17, 2025 at 3:14PM

Photo by Denisse Leon on Unsplash

Families and adventure seekers in Stafford County can gear up for a fun-filled outdoor experience this spring as Blue and Terrence’s Eggcellent Eggventure returns for another year. The event, which kicks off on April 1, 2025, encourages participants to explore local parks and tourism sites while hunting for hidden eggs and earning prizes.

“We created Blue and Terrence’s Eggcellent Eggventure as a way to highlight our parks, get families outdoors, and bring more visitors to Stafford,” said Lisa Logan, Tourism Program Director for Stafford County. “Last year, we launched it in just two weeks, and we received so much positive feedback that we’ve spent this entire year making it even better.”

Fire Marshal: Cause of Waterford Drive House Fire Undetermined

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 11, 2025 at 4:29PM

[Photo: Manassas fire and rescue]

According to Manassas City spokesman Jeremy Beale, the City Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the fire but was unable to determine what sparked the flames.

Firefighters responded to the home at 100201 Waterford Drive, near Clover Hill Road, at approximately 5:05 p.m. on February 14. Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire spreading through the second floor of the three-story residence. The roof collapsed during the firefighting efforts, but no residents were injured as all occupants, including a dog, evacuated safely before emergency responders arrived.

Falmouth Bridge Emergency Repairs Complete; Lane to Reopen Friday

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 11, 2025 at 4:08PM

Photo: VDOT

The emergency repairs on the Falmouth Bridge are complete, and the right lane of Route 1 northbound will reopen over the Rappahannock River between the Fredericksburg and Stafford County on Friday, March 14, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

VDOT reduced Route 1 northbound to a single lane between Charles Street in Fredericksburg and Carter Street in Stafford on Nov. 1, 2024, after routine bridge inspections revealed rapid deterioration among structural steel elements supporting the bridge deck. The lane closure was necessary to reduce vehicle weight on the bridge and allow construction crews to complete critical repairs.

31st Judicial District Community Criminal Justice Board New Leadership

By Alan Gloss

Published March 11, 2025 at 11:14AM | Updated March 11, 2025 at 2:14PM

Marshall/Vega

During its February 2025 meeting, the Thirty-First Judicial District Community Criminal Justice Board (CCJB), re-elected Bradley Marshall as board chairman and elected Yesli Vega as vice chair. The board, which serves the greater Prince William County area, assists community agencies and organizations in establishing and modifying programs and services for criminal offenders based on objectively assessing the community’s needs and resources.

Marshall, a criminal defense attorney with Manassas-based Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C., has been a board member since 2009 when he was appointed as former Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Ebert’s designee. He was first elected chairman in 2014 and remained in the position after transitioning to private practice. Marshall attributes his long history in Prince William County law and his experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney as reasons his colleagues have consistently elected him.