Prince William

Manassas Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison; Sex Trafficking a Child

By Uriah Kiser

A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.

According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.

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Legislation Update: What Your State Senators Are Working on This Session

By Kelly Sienkowski
Virignia State Capitol

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 40 Senators who serve 4-year terms.

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Frigid January Causes Significant Damage at Leesylvania State Park Fishing Pier

By Uriah Kiser
Leesylvania State Park Fishing Pier [Flickr photo pool]

Repairs are needed across the entire structure, and park management is working diligently to complete the necessary fixes as quickly as possible.

“Most of the bracing has broken underneath, and the roof portion of the pier also has extensive damage to the pillars holding it up,” said Kenneth Ashdown, Leesylvania State Park Manager. “It is not safe for the pier to be open to the public at this time, and we hope to have this repaired as soon as possible.”

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Legislation Update: What Your State Delegates Are Working on This Session

By Kelly Sienkowski
Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 100 delegates who serve two-year terms. Between Jan. 8 and Jan. 30, 2,370 bills were introduced by delegates and senators. A total of 287 have failed the House of Delegates so far, and 306 have passed the House, many of which have moved into a committee for further review.

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Family Charged in Death of 4-Year-Old Boy Found Unconscious

By Uriah Kiser
Romero

A case of child abuse and neglect has led to the arrest of three family members following the death of a 4-year-old boy on January 19.

Officers responded to The Regency Apartments in the 9800 block of Shallow Creek Loop near Manassas at 7:36 p.m. January 19, to investigate reports of an unconscious child. When emergency responders arrived, they found the young victim, later identified as a 4-year-old boy, unresponsive.

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Historic Site of the Week: Barnes House Historic Site

By Sponsored Post

Originally built in the mid-1800s, the Barnes House offers a rare look at the past through its preserved architecture and surrounding grounds. It was once home to the Barnes family, who played a significant role in the local community. Today, the site provides visitors with an educational experience about life in Prince William County during the 1800s, showcasing its unique history and connection to the area’s early settlers.

While many residents are familiar with the more prominent landmarks, the Barnes House is an often-overlooked gem that offers a peaceful escape into history. Its quiet location makes it a perfect stop for history enthusiasts, families, or anyone seeking to explore the lesser-known sites that make our community special.

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ParkZen App Pilot Program Extended to Improve Commuting in Northern Virginia

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is testing a new way to manage parking at commuter lots through the innovative ParkZen app. Initially launched in November 2024, the pilot program has been extended through May 2025 to further evaluate the app’s effectiveness in providing real-time parking availability at six commuter lots in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg.

What Is the ParkZen App?

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Armed Robbery, Vandalisms, and Assaults Under Investigation

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Armed Robbery in Manassas

On January 26, around 11:33 p.m., two men, ages 19 and 21, were robbed at gunpoint at the Gardens of Crestwood Village on Provincial Drive. Suspects, described as Black males with thin builds, brandished firearms and stole various items, including a camera and recording equipment, before fleeing in a Toyota Camry. One victim was struck with a firearm and sustained minor injuries.

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Prince William Staff Predict Home Prices to Continue Rising

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Engin Akyurt via Pexels]

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