The Prince William County Animal Shelter has issued a vital warning to residents and visitors of Dumfries following the confirmation of a rabid cat sighting in the area. The grey male cat, found near 17440 Fraley Boulevard, has tested positive for rabies, prompting urgent action from health officials.

Individuals who were in the vicinity of 17440 Fraley Blvd. in Dumfries between February 1st and February 12th are urged to exercise caution if they come into contact with the infected cat. Immediate action is necessary to prevent the spread of rabies and ensure proper medical evaluation and treatment if needed.


With cumulative grants to school divisions totaling $1.52 million, PWCS, in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), is set to establish registered teacher apprenticeship programs aimed at alleviating teacher recruitment challenges and fostering a robust talent pool within the community.

Expressing enthusiasm for the initiative, Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons stated, “I am proud to continue our commitment to helping school divisions find ways to put exceptional people from their own communities in their local classrooms.” Coons emphasized the pressing need for innovative approaches in addressing teacher shortages and highlighted the collaborative efforts with the National Center for Grow Your Own to tailor effective apprenticeship programs to local contexts.


With a road project as significant as the Interstate 66 Express Lanes, having an office open to the public is ideal for those wanting to ask questions to an actual person and discuss future initiatives that impact hundreds of thousands of people in the I-66 corridor.

There is a certain level of complications, too, with the switchable HOV E-ZPass, so an office along I-66 outside the beltway is ideal. Only it’s not open and doesn’t appear to be in operation.


Transit ridership has significantly declined across the U.S. since the beginning of COVID-19. Although now rising slowly, transit agencies still see a 22% drop from peak pre-COVID ridership.

Overall weekly ridership went from 196.3 million the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2020, to 152.7 million the week of Feb. 4-10, 2024. That’s according to reports from the American Public Transportation Association.


In a ceremony on Wednesday, February 14, at 10 a.m., the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue celebrated the graduation of Recruit Class 2023-2 at the Grace Life Community Church, at 9560 Linton Hall Road.

Battalion Chief Scott Arft presided over the ceremony, marking the end of months of training for the Fire and Rescue Technicians of Class 2023-2. These individuals completed 27 weeks of rigorous academic and physical training at the Department’s Public Safety Training Center in Nokesville, Virginia.


Aggravated Malicious Wounding Arrest:

Michael Carlos DUNCAN, aged 43 and a resident of Woodbridge, was apprehended on February 8. He faces charges including abduction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated malicious wounding. Duncan’s arrest stems from an incident on October 16, 2023, when a shooting occurred outside a residence on Earlham Ct. in Woodbridge. Montgomery County police assisted in locating and apprehending Duncan, who is slated for a court appearance on April 30, 2024. Previously, Michael Carlos DUNCAN was identified as the suspect in connection to a shooting incident that took place on October 16, 2023, in Woodbridge. During the incident, a 39-year-old man sustained a non-life-threatening injury. The investigation into this matter is ongoing.


The incident resulted in the death of Elijah Islam Safdi, 23, of Manassas, who was one of the stabbing victims. The other stabbing victim, a 23-year-old man from Fairfax, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), with members from Local Union 26 IBEW, operates a training center at the address.


Dumfries Town Council approved the amended proffer agreement and memorandum of understanding between the town and Churchill Downs, owner and operator of The Rose Gaming Resort, which is under construction, six to one.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Rape Investigation

On November 26, 2023, at 12:26 AM, officers responded to a residence in the Woodbridge (22192) area of Prince William County to investigate a sexual assault. The investigation revealed a female juvenile victim was being sexually assaulted by a man, identified as Dimas Alexis LAZO, inside the home. A family member intervened, separating the victim from the accused who fled the residence. Detectives determined the victim and the accused had previously met on a social media app and arranged to meet at the residence. Dimas Alexis LAZO, 26, of the 9200 block of Limestone Pl. in College Park, MD, is wanted for rape.


Updated: One of the victims involved in the initial stabbing altercation with the suspect has died. All parties involved in the incident were adult males. The surviving victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. A knife was recovered at the scene. The identities of the deceased will be released pending notifications of their next-of-kin, police said.

Original post: Prince William County Police responded to a reported stabbing incident at an apprenticeship training center on Infantry Ridge Road, near Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus, on February 13 at 3:23 p.m.


View More Stories