A Gen Z–focused marketing campaign created by Prince William Public Libraries has earned national recognition from the Urban Libraries Council, which named the system a Top Innovator for 2025 in the Advocacy and Awareness category.
The award recognizes the campaign, titled “Finding a Way to Slay Among Gen Z,” which originated at Bull Run Library and featured branch manager Gregg Grunow delivering a script written by a teen volunteer using Gen Z slang to promote library services.
The project, which is slated to have 1,058 units along more than 1,100 acres, has caused significant resident pushback. The developments are in the rural areas of western Prince William County, near the Prince William Gold Club, the Alderwood Fields, Patriot High School and Burnside Farms.
According to the staff reports, there would be a total of 855 single-family detached homes and 136 townhouses across the three properties. The developer planned to have 712 acres dedicated to open space with 10 miles of trails nestled within the development. There would also be transportation improvements along Vint Hill Road to accommodate the large development.
The Prince William County Planning Commission approved four developments across the county at its Dec. 10 meeting, the last of 2025.
The Commission unanimously approved of three developments, while approving of another in a 7-1 vote. Here are details on some of the final votes of the Commission’s 2025 term:
Prince William County real estate agent and U.S. Navy veteran Vendall Robinson has been named the Republican nominee for the January 13, 2026, special election to fill the open seat in Virginia’s 23rd District House of Delegates.
Republican leaders in the 23rd District, encompassing portions of Prince William and Stafford counties, said discussions among party officials and potential candidates had reached a consensus on Robinson, citing her professional background and prior experience as a candidate. With a short window between the vacancy and the special election, party leaders said it was critical to move quickly to unify behind a nominee.
“More than 87,000 winning Powerball tickets were sold in Virginia for the Wednesday, December 17, drawing,” Virginia Lottery reported. “Five tickets in Virginia each won a $50,000 prize in that drawing.”
Since no ticket in Virginia or anywhere matched all six numbers in the December 17 Powerball drawing, the jackpot for the upcoming Saturday, December 20, drawing is now an estimated $1.5 billion. Virginia Lottery reported that winners came from locations including Smoketown Shell, 15550 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge; Tiger Market and Bakery, 3903 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria; and Safeway, 3043 Nutley Street, Fairfax. Virginia Lottery
A suspect was arrested in connection with a sex trafficking case at the Springhill Suites in Woodbridge. The investigation revealed that a 39-year-old woman was being trafficked by the accused, a 42-year-old man from Hampton. The arrest was made by the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force.
In another incident, a 32-year-old man from Manassas was arrested for a commercial burglary at the Taste of India restaurant in Gainesville. The burglary occurred on April 20, and the suspect was apprehended on December 15.
Two women rescued from a burning Manassas townhouse have died from their injuries, officials confirmed Monday.
Firefighters were dispatched at 1:37 p.m. to the 7900 block of Flager Circle, where heavy smoke was pouring from a three-story townhouse. Crews learned that two adult females were trapped on the second floor. Firefighters rushed inside, carried the victims down the stairs, and brought them outside for treatment. Both were transported to a nearby hospital but later died.
Prince William County police are thanking local partners and residents after another successful Santa Cops fundraiser and shopping event that spread holiday cheer across the community.
The annual program, run in partnership with the Fraternal Order of Police Battlefield Lodge 43, local businesses, and volunteer organizations, helps provide holiday gifts and essentials to area children. The police department shared its gratitude on Facebook following the conclusion of Part II of the event.
A 17-year-old male from Springfield was arrested for malicious wounding after a stabbing incident at Orchard Mills Apartments in Woodbridge. The incident occurred during a gathering on November 30, where the accused stabbed a 16-year-old male multiple times. Another juvenile also suffered a minor injury. Both victims were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
In another incident, a strong-arm robbery occurred at Smoketown Station shopping center in Woodbridge. A 37-year-old man was approached by a woman who entered his vehicle and demanded money. The suspect, identified as Georgina Megan Regazzi, 27, was later arrested.
