Prince William - Page 212 of 1261

Call to Action: Food demand increases 26%

Published October 3, 2023 at 7:00AM

(Left to right) Erin Tooley, Ryan Walker, and Jessica Root, House of Mercy employees, sort items at the Manassas thrift store and food pantry. The combined donation from NOVEC and NOVEC HELPS paid for diapers for more than 300 low-income families. [Submitted Photo by Ashley Arnold]

Greetings, Prince William – NVFS SERVE campus is conducting a Fall Food Drive to stock the shelves at their Hunger Resource Center in Manassas. The demand for food has increased 26% and will probably get higher as we move into Fall, so your support is crucial! Volunteers age 16+ are needed to assist with unloading, sorting and organizing food October 20-27 at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas 20110. Be prepared to lift up to 25 pounds and be OK standing for the duration of a shift. You’ll feel great knowing you’re helping ensure SERVE can meet the increased needs of its client families during the holiday season! Please register at http://fallfooddrive.nvfs.volunteerhub.com/, email Navara at [email protected] with any questions. Want to donate to the food drive? Please visit www.nvfs.org/support/fall-food-drive/ for more information.

If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.

Prince William firefighters to celebrate International Walk to School Day

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 10:03AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:25PM

Prince William County fire and rescue: “Firefighters of the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System will join students, from selective schools around the county to celebrate International Walk to School Day. Although the official event occurs on Wednesday, October 4th, Prince William County schools will be extending the activity throughout the month known as “Walktober.”

“The Walk to School Day/Walktober event will begin at various times, corresponding with the school’s opening. Students, along with parents and community leaders, will walk from meeting points along the walker’s route. Walkers at some schools will be joined by Fire & Rescue personnel as they exit the buses and enter the schools for the day. The event raises awareness of the need to create safer routes for our children when walking and biking. In addition, it emphasizes important issues as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. International Walk to School Day is a global event involving communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day.”

New Woodbridge area high school, Potomac Shores area elementary school delayed until 2027

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:50AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:25PM

(Photo: Prince William County Public Schools)

Prince William Times: “Two new Prince William County schools — a high school in Woodbridge and an elementary school in Potomac Shores — that are coincidentally planned near sites once considered by the Washington Commanders for a new stadium, will be delayed by more than a year and are now slated to open in 2027.”

“But the possible future stadium was not a factor in the delays, according to School Board Chairman Babur Lateef and a school division spokeswoman.”

Brentsville supervisor candidate was convicted of tax fraud two decades ago. He still calls the IRS ‘terrorists.’

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:48AM

Prince William Times: “Jim Gehlsen, the Democratic candidate for Brentsville supervisor, pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 2000 and spent a year in federal prison. More than 20 years later, he continues to have strong feelings about the IRS, saying he was “harassed” by the federal agency and that its actions “provoked” his crimes.”

“In an interview with the Prince William Times, Gehlsen, 69, called the IRS “terrorists” and repeatedly said he was ”tortured and terrorized” by the federal agency. Gehlsen said he is running for the Brentsville District supervisor’s seat in part because he believes Prince William County “does tax terrorism as well.”

OWL VFD plans open house Saturday, October 14

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:38AM

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department: “OWL VFD Open House event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Fire Station 14 (12400 Hedges Run Drive, Woodbridge). OWL VFD welcomes the community to visit the station.

OWL VFD President Dave Williams shared, “This event is a traditional favorite for OWL VFD to host. The community is invited to visit “our house” to see fire and rescue apparatus up close, talk with firefighters and EMTs, and enjoy refreshments provided by the OWL VFD Auxiliary.”

House burglar parked in driveway before entering, police said

By Amelia Breeden

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:35AM

“Residential Burglary – On September 26 at 6:15 a.m., officers responded to a residence located in the 11600 block of Crystal Creek Lane in Manassas to investigate a burglary-in-progress. The investigation revealed an unknown man, later identified as the accused, parked his vehicle in the driveway of the residence before entering the home through the front door. While inside the home, residents confronted the accused, who then left the residence and drove out of the area. While investigating the incident, officers identified the accused as Richard Steven STARK, and obtained warrants for his arrest. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful. Wanted: [Photo from July 2022] Richard Steven STARK, 40, of the 12000 block of Parkriver Drive in Manassas. Described as a white male, approximately 5’10, 160lbs., with short brown hair, blue eyes, and a full beard and mustache. Wanted for burglary.”

Lost Canyon Court murder suspect arrested

By Amelia Breeden

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:33AM

Prince William Police Department: “Murder Investigation *ARREST – On September 27, the suspect sought in connection to shooting death of a 25-year-old man following an altercation that occurred at the Misty Ridge Apartments located in the 15000 block of Lost Canyon Court in Woodbridge on May 21, was arrested. The suspect and victim were involved in an argument in front of the complex when the victim was fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire. In June, the suspect was identified, and warrants were obtained for his arrest with a reward offered for information leading to his whereabouts and conviction. On September 27, the suspect, identified as Jeffrey Donelle HAMPTON, turned himself in to police without incident. Arrested on September 27: Jeffrey Donelle HAMPTON, 34, of the 13902 Roanoke Street in Woodbridge. Charged with 1 count of murder, 1 count of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and 2 counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond. Identified: The deceased was identified as Michael Eugene HAWKINS, III, 25, of Woodbridge.”

“Murder Investigation *REWARD INCREASED [Previously Released] – The Prince Wiliam County Police Department has increased the reward offered regarding the whereabouts of the suspect sought in connection to shooting death of a 25-year-old man following an altercation that occurred at the Misty Ridge Apartments located in the 15000 block of Lost Canyon Court in Woodbridge on May 21. The involved parties were in an argument when the victim fatally shot as gunfire was exchanged. In June, the suspect was identified as Jeffrey Donelle HAMPTON. Detectives obtained arrest warrants for the suspect and an initial reward amount was offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Further attempts and leads in locating the suspect have been unsuccessful. The Police Department are now offering an increased reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of this suspect. The investigation continues.”

21-year-old charged in sex assault of child

By Amelia Breeden

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:32AM

Prince William Police Department: “Strong-Arm Robbery *ARREST – On September 25, the suspect sought in connection to the robbery that was reported to have occurred near the 10500 block of Stonehouse Drive in Manassas on September 20, was arrested. The accused, identified as Leroy Diaz MOTEN, was located and taken into custody by Manassas City police. Arrested on September 25: [No Photo Available] Leroy Diaz MOTEN, 48, of No Fixed Address. Charged with robbery. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable.”

“Strong-Arm Robbery [Previously Released] – On September 20 at 5:09 a.m., officers responded to the area near the 10500 block of Stonehouse Drive in Manassas to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed the victim, a 38-year-old female, engaged in a verbal altercation with an acquaintance, identified as the accused. At some point, the altercation escalated when the accused grabbed the victim’s purse from her hand before fleeing the area. The victim reported minor injuries. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Leroy Diaz MOTEN. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful.”

Tanyard Hill Road closes today

By Amelia Breeden

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:29AM

Town of Occoquan Mayor’s E-Newsletter: “As some of you may be aware, from October 2 through October 31, a portion of Tanyard Hill Road will be closed. This is to accommodate the replacement of approximately 650 feet of a 24-inch water main, which is part of the Occoquan River Crossing Project of Fairfax Water in collaboration with the Prince William County Service Authority.”

Armed man at a Haymarket church wanted to do harm, police said

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 2, 2023 at 9:25AM | Updated October 3, 2023 at 2:18PM

Rui JIANG

Prince William police: “Threats of Violence Investigation – On September 24, at 10:12 a.m., officers responded to Park Valley Church located at 4500 Waverly Farm Drive in Haymarket to investigate a possible threat of violence. The investigation revealed Fairfax County police contacted Prince William County police after their agency received information from police in Anne Arundel County, Maryland regarding a citizen residing in Laurel who reported recent suspicious and concerning online postings on Instagram from an individual later identified as the accused.”

“In the postings, vague threats of violence were made, some of which included images of a location later determined to be Park Valley Church in Haymarket (Prince William County). Through the swift investigation lead by Anne Arundel police, their officers were able to determine a potential residence for the accused in Falls Church and immediately contacted Fairfax County police concerning the postings.”