DUMFRIES, Va. – A proposal to name a new public park after former Delegate Luke Torian (D-24, Prince William County) and his wife, Clarice, was removed from the July 1, 2025, Dumfries Town Council agenda — delaying what many community members hoped would be a celebratory vote.

The park, which sits atop the town’s former landfill site, is part of a major transformation that’s turning more than 80 acres of reclaimed land into a public green space overlooking Quantico Creek. The site is adjacent to the Rose Gaming Resort and represents one of the most visible symbols of the town’s revitalization.

The resolution that was scheduled for council consideration would have named the property “Luke & Clarice Torian Overlook Park.” The draft resolution outlines Luke Torian’s pivotal role in securing over $400 million in public-private investment projects for Dumfries during his time in the House of Delegates from 2008 to 2024. It also credits him with pushing for state tax reforms expected to double gaming revenue by 2026 and securing funding for Quantico Creek flood mitigation, which directly impacted the park’s viability.

Clarice Torian is recognized in the resolution as a long-time educator and administrator who served as Director of Student Services for Prince William County Public Schools, leading efforts in student wellness, school safety, and counseling initiatives aligned with the values the park is intended to represent.

But despite the accolades, the item was formally removed from the agenda by a split council vote. Councilmembers Caetrina Peterson, Shaun Peete, Brian Fields, and Vice Mayor Monaé Nickerson voted in favor of removing the resolution entirely. Mayor Derrick Wood, Chair Pro Tem Selonia Miles, and Councilman Russell Young voted against removing it.

During citizens’ time, multiple residents passionately urged the council to honor the Torian family by approving the name. Resident Carolyn Woodson called the couple “steadfast pillars in this community,” while Margie Oden and Tyrone Brown cited Delegate Torian’s role in helping bring the Rose project to fruition and transforming the former landfill into usable community space.

“Dumfries has its own pioneers who deserve to be noted in the history books,” Oden told the council.

Joanne Bagner Rise, speaking in support, said the naming was an appropriate tribute to “decades and decades and decades” of service.

Though the measure did not move forward on July 1, council members indicated they may revisit the resolution at a future meeting, potentially giving supporters another opportunity to advocate for the name.

Mayor Wood acknowledged the significance of the naming during his comments.

“It’s more than a designation,” said Wood. “I believe it would have been a tribute to their legacy of leadership, compassion, and tireless service.”

No timeline has been set for when the naming proposal may return to the council agenda.

DUMFRIES, Va. – Prince William County Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred near Dumfries.

Officers responded to the scene at 7:41 p.m. on July 18 in the area of Four Seasons Drive near Dumfries Road (Route 234) after a report of a single-vehicle crash. According to police, a 2011 Toyota Highlander was traveling westbound on Four Seasons Drive when it veered off the road to the left, entered the median, and struck multiple trees before coming to a stop.

Investigators believe the driver, 60-year-old Diedra Adare White, of Dumfries, suffered a medical emergency just before the crash. Police noted White was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died on July 20.

No other passengers were in the vehicle.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

DUMFRIES, Va. – A recent black bear sighting in a residential area near Duke Street has drawn attention to the close relationship between suburban neighborhoods and the expansive wilderness of Prince William Forest Park.

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DUMFRIES, Va. – The Town of Dumfries has postponed the kickoff of its free Summer Movie Nights series due to rainy weather in the forecast.

Originally set for Wednesday, July 16, the showing of Moana 2 at Garrison Park will now take place on Tuesday, July 23 at 8:30 p.m. The town is also keeping an eye on a recent bear sighting in the area but says it’s prepared on all fronts to keep the event safe and enjoyable.

In a Facebook post, the town invited families to bring blankets, chairs, snacks, and coolers for a fun night under the stars. Each movie night includes free hot dogs and popcorn while supplies last, as well as restrooms and free on-site parking at each location.

The rest of the series remains as planned:

• Tuesday, July 23 – Moana 2 at Garrison Park

• Wednesday, August 6 – Minecraft at Ginn Memorial Park

• Wednesday, August 13 – Inside Out 2 at Merchant Park

The movie titles were chosen through a community vote held on the Dumfries Citizens Connect App, social media, and the Neighborhood App. According to Town Manager Tangela Innis, the event is meant to bring neighbors together in a fun, inclusive setting. While no outside sponsors are involved this year, the town is seeking local partners for future events.

“We want every person who attends to feel welcomed, included, and proud to be part of the Dumfries community,” Innis said.

You can view the updated flyer and stay informed by visiting the Town of Dumfries website.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – California Tortilla is diving into summer fun with the return of its popular Shark Week promotion, just in time to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary.

Starting Wednesday, July 23, anyone who buys a fish taco at a participating California Tortilla location will receive a free Shark Fin Hat—available in-store while supplies last. Guests who return with their fins by July 31 and make a purchase will receive a free fish taco in return. And for those ready to show off their fin flair online, posting a photo with the hat and tagging @caltort on social media will earn them another free taco through the Burrito Elito loyalty program.

The promotion is part of a series of fun throwbacks celebrating the brand’s 30-year milestone—an era known for quirky perks like Pop-Tart giveaways and the Wall of Flame hot sauce bar.

DUMFRIES, Va. – Fireworks will light up the sky over Garrison Park this Sunday as the Town of Dumfries hosts its annual Independence Fireworks Show.

The event takes place on July 6, 2025, from 5 to 10 p.m. at 17749 Main Street and promises an evening full of family fun. According to a news release from the Town of Dumfries, attendees can enjoy live music, food trucks, games, vendors, and a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m.

The town says the celebration is a chance for residents and visitors alike to gather in the spirit of community and patriotism.

Click here to see more Independence Day events happening across the region.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A Dumfries woman was struck and killed early Tuesday morning while walking along Interstate 95 in Prince William County.

Virginia State Police say the crash happened at 4:56 a.m. on July 1, 2025, in the northbound lanes near mile marker 152.

According to investigators, a 2012 Toyota Corolla was heading north when it hit Karen S. Rosa Hernandez, who was in the travel lane. She died at the scene.

Troopers found a gas can nearby and located a disabled vehicle registered to Hernandez just south of the crash, in the Express Lanes.

The incident remains under investigation.

DUMFRIES, Va. – The Town of Dumfries will host its Independence Day Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 6, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Garrison Park.

According to a flyer from the Department of Recreation and Civic Engagement, the free event will feature live music and food vendors from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with fireworks launching at dark. Garrison Park is located at 17749 Main Street.

Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the evening. A rain date is scheduled for July 12. For more information, residents can call 571-363-5200.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. –A surge in riders across OmniRide commuter bus routes is triggering overcrowding issues on several key lines, prompting officials at the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) to weigh how and where they can expand service — especially as the region heads into a busy fall season.

Speaking during the June 5 PRTC Board of Commissioners meeting, Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider said ridership dipped slightly in May due to seasonal factors like Memorial Day and rainy weather, but overall remains strong.

“Ridership is still fantastic… We are hitting that beginning of the summer seasonal adjustment,” Schneider told the commission.

Among the standout performers is Route 981, which runs from Lake Ridge to the Pentagon and downtown D.C. — ridership on that route has doubled since January. Western express routes that operate from the University Boulevard commuter lot are carrying more than 40,000 monthly riders, while southern routes serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania counties have topped 30,000 riders a month.

Still, the agency is confronting the downside of growing demand: overcrowded buses.

Schneider said OmniRide recorded 74 overcrowded trips in May, all of them in the afternoon as commuters returned from D.C. to Northern Virginia.

“The issue isn’t the number of people going in — it’s everyone leaving at the same time,” he said.

The biggest pinch points are on the following routes:

• Route 612 – Warrenton/Gainesville to Pentagon/Navy Yard
• Route 943 – Stafford to D.C.
• Route 953 – Montclair to D.C.
• Route 971 – Dale City to D.C.

Routes 612 and 943 are grant-funded, giving the agency more flexibility to add trips if needed. However, Routes 953 and 971 are locally funded, and Schneider cautioned that OmniRide currently lacks dedicated funding to expand service on those lines.

Commissioners raised questions about how ridership trends align with overall population growth. Staff explained they track commuter lot capacity and development trends — not just raw population figures — to guide service decisions. That includes monitoring ongoing residential growth along I-66 and Route 28, as well as major developments like the planned Manassas Mall redevelopment.

Officials expect to have a clearer picture of ridership patterns by mid-July.

“If the summer dip is minimal, we’re concerned that overcrowding will worsen in the fall,” Schneider added.

DUMFRIES, Va. – A beloved annual tradition at Williams Ordinary allowed visitors to step into the past—and into a tavern—during Tavern Night, hosted by the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation.

Held at the 18th-century tavern in downtown Dumfries, the event featured reenactors, colonial-era games like Shut the Box and Nine Men’s Morris, and live music from Colonial Faire. This year’s event spotlighted proclamations tied to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and George Washington’s appointment as commander-in-chief.

The evening also marked the opening of a new exhibit, Resolves to Revolution, inside the historic building. The exhibit connects Prince William County to the broader events of the American Revolution, highlighting local residents like William Grayson and Andrew Leitch who played significant roles in the war. A large map traces the battles where these residents served, showing the far-reaching impact of their efforts.

Though the county didn’t host any major battles, the war still shaped its people. The exhibit challenges the common belief that Prince William County’s wartime history begins and ends with the Civil War.

Community members welcomed the opportunity to explore Williams Ordinary—usually closed to the public—and connect with its history. The Office of Historic Preservation hopes to expand access to the site in the future.

For more Revolutionary War history, residents can explore Prince William County’s Revolutionary War History Trail or attend Road to Victory at Rippon Lodge on Saturday, October 25. That event will include colonial living history demos and a visit from the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience.