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Friday Finds

The weekend is upon us and you’re probably looking for something to do. Well you’ve come to the right place. With a cold drink in my hand (because it’s still so stifling hot outside) I present to you our Friday Finds:

Belmont Through a Lens
The photographs of Benjamin Johnston will be on display at Gari Melcher’s Home and Studio, at Belmont Plantation in Falmouth, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults. Students will be admitted free with accompanying adult.

Occoquan River Festival
The 2010 version of this festival kicks off at noon Saturday, with live music, the Taste of Occoquan, games, a petting zoo, boat tours and other family fun. The events last until 7 p.m.

Powell’s Creek walk
You can come and hike along Powell’s Creek at Leesylvania State Park  in Woodbridge on Sunday. You can meet a Park Ranger at the Powell's Creek trail head for the hour-long walk, at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m.

The trail takes you past the wetlands, where you’ll learn how the forest is involved in the water cycle. Plus you’ll get to go to the overlook peering out at Powell’s Creek.

Photo by Mary Davidson

Games canceled because of heat

The high heat has forced the cancellation of all adult and youth softball practices and games at Stafford County parks this afternoon.

The cancellation comes as temperatures in Stafford County climbed near the century mark Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service also placed the county under a severe thunderstorm watch, stating that an isolated tornado could develop somewhere in the region before 8 p.m.

Area under thunderstorm watch

Most of the region, from Fredericksburg and Stafford County and most of Maryland has been placed under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch by the National Weather Service until 8 p.m.

Some of the storms could become severe, and the weather service has also warned of the possibility of an isolated tornado.

At 2:30 p.m. Thursday, a line of storms could be seen on radar developing west of Winchester.

Temperatures throughout the day have been climbing into the high 90s, approaching the triple digits in some places.

Friday will be a slightly cooler day, with a forecasted highs in the low 90s, according to the weather serivce.

VRE offers free rides after massive delays

Virginia Railway Express offered free ride certificates to their customers Wednesday after multiple trains were delayed in the summer heat.

Fredericksburg line train 309, coming from Fredericksburg to Washington's Union Station, was late making it back to pickup passengers for its 5:15 p.m. departure from the Washington rail hub.

After completing it’s midday run as train 301, which left Union Station at 12:55 p.m., the train encountered problems on its return trip south of Franconia, said VRE spokeswoman April Maguigad.

When it reached Union Station, passengers boarded, but the train and left about an hour late.

Another VRE train bound for Manassas, which left Union Station before delayed train 309 did, stopped in Crystal City after the engineer saw smoke coming from the axels. VRE decided to move passengers from that train onto another train, said Maguigad, which caused train 309 to be delayed once more.

Train 311 bound for Fredericksburg, which left Union Station at 6 p.m., was also stopped because of the delays in Crystal City, said Maguigad.

It wasn’t until about 8 p.m., when the stranded passengers in Crystal City were moved to another train, that the rail line delays eased.

VRE spokesman Mark Roeber said all of the delayed trains had working air conditioning.

To get the free ride tickets, VRE asks that you visit their Web site.

Video: Dale City fire chief remembered

When members of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department died, Chico Marrero worked with Assistant Chief Carl Persing to make plaques and memorials for their fellow fallen fire fighters and EMTs.

This week, Persing died from complications from colon cancer. He battled the disease three times in the past five years.

“I told him that ‘I never wanted to work on one of these for you.’ It looks like I had to make one anyway,” said Marrero, an 11-year volunteer with the department. With the help of volunteers, Marrero made a large poster in memory of Persing, with photos depicting him at work doing the job he loved.

It was placed under glass and presented at a remembrance gathering held for Persing  Wednesday night at  Dale City Fire Station 13.

Persing had volunteered with the Dale City department since 2001, joining the organization after taking medical leave from the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department where he worked for 23 years. He officially retired from Manassas in 2007, but wanted to remain active in the fire service.

“He was a great firefighter, he was a great leader, a great teacher and a good mentor to people. And he cared about his people, and unfortunately at times he didn’t worry about himself, but worried about other people,” said DCVFD Chief Christopher Hool.

Wednesday night’s memorial gathering drew about 100 people. Many who attended remembered Persing for the experience that he brought the job.

During his life, he volunteered with fire stations in Fairfax County, Ft. Belvoir, Woodbridge, the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority and the U.S. Army.

He leaves behind two children, a mother and father, a brother and sister and a family of fire fighting professionals who will miss him.

A viewing for Persing will be held Tuesday June 29 at Dale City Fire Station 13, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

His funeral, with full honors, will be held the following day at 11 a.m., at the Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge.

Photo by Martin O'Connor. Persing is depicted on the right.

River fest is Saturday

If you’re hungry, like shopping or petting an assortment of animals then the Occoquan River Festival 2010 is for you.

The family event will be held in Occoquan from noon until 7 p.m. Saturday, where area residents can come out and sample the ‘Taste of Occoquan,” sidewalk sales, pony rides and petting zoo, trolley rides, boat tours, see costumed reenactors, and of course hear live music.

The festival comes in addition to the annual fall craft show that is scheduled for September. That, in addition to a spring craft show, brings thousands of visitors to the town located just north of Woodbridge off Va. 123.

Photo by Mary Davidson

Heat, mechanical failure delays VRE trains

Trains on Virginia Railway Express’ Fredericksburg line are running slow this afternoon because of the heat.

Heat restrictions were put into place this afternoon on the rail line.

Train 309 was still sitting and waiting to depart Washington’s Union Station 25-minutes late, at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, after train 333 broke down at Crystal City. The train was reported to be on the move again just after 6 p.m.

The air conditioning system on the stalled train was still working while it was stopped, said VRE spokesman Mark Roeber.

Temperatures were hovering in the mid 90s with high humidity when the train broke down.

The delays come days after a Maryland commuter rail train broke down and left passengers stranded it in the heat after its locomotive failed earlier this week.

Car takes down power lines in Woodbridge

UPDATE: Power in the area of the crash was reported to restored after 6:30 p.m., according to Dominion Virginia Power.
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A car crash in Woodbridge led to about 100 customers loosing power Tuesday afternoon.

The crash happened about 4:30 p.m., at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Port Potomac Avenue, said police.

The car hit a transformer and took down some power lines at the intersection. The unidentified driver was flown to a local hospital after complaining of head injuries. Police said the injuries did not appear life threatening.

The temperature was 93 degrees in Woodbridge at the time of the crash, making for a tough go for rescue workers and motorists sitting in traffic at the scene of the crash.

We’ll have an update on this story when more information become available.

Send us photos from the scene if you're in the area.

Effort launched to combat premature births

One man is out to raise $30,000 for unborn children.

Jonathan Arehart, CEO of Cavendo Corporation in Manassas, was picked by a local chapter of the March of Dimes to lead a fund raising and awareness effort for the March for Babies, a major fundraiser for the organization.

The money will go to help mothers have full-term pregnancies and to deliver healthy babies.

“I’m serving as the 2011 chair for March for Babies because I believe our children’s health is a top priority,” said Arehart. “All babies should have the chance to be born healthy."

Premature birth affects more than half a million babies each year, and those involved with the awareness campaign say that number is growing each day. Babies that are born too soon are susceptible to death or disability, according to Arehart.

A Manassas womens health center is just one of the local organizations that will benefit from the money.

Two Web sites about the organization are available, one in English and one in Spanish, where those interested can learn more information.

Arehart’s Cavendo Corporation provides Web site design, development, hosting and maintenance services for clients throughout Northern Virginia.

As police department turns 40, top cop comments

The Prince William County Police Department will turn 40 next month and they want you to come and celebrate with them.

The party starts at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza, behind the McCoart Building off Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. All of the usual outdoor family fun activities are planned, like a dunk tank, face painting, moon bounce and an appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog.

But those who are curious about how police officers do their jobs and those who want to know more about the tools they use will get a behind the scenes look. Scheduled to be on display is the major crimes and incident command unit, Command One, the SWAT team, scuba team, forensic unit, mounted patrol and Marine One – Prince William County’s watercraft patrol unit – just to name a few, according to the county police Web site.

Police equipment, old and new, will also be on display. And so will a chronology of major events in Prince William County’s history. They’ll also have a vintage county police cruiser on display.

The police department formed in July 1970, taking over major policing operations from the Prince William County Sheriff’s Department, said police chief Charlie T. Deane. He was promoted to chief in 1988 but was recruited to the force from the Virginia State Police the same year the department began, when the county’s population was just over 100,000 people.

“We were all very excited about embarking on a new segment of our careers and establishing a new department,” said Deane. “Back then we were all generalists. We had K9s and the motorcycles, but over time, because of the demand for the services we developed more specialization.”

Now nearly 400,000 people live in the county and the department in recent years has seen its fair share of tough cases, including the Lexie Glover case in 2009, the Smith murders in Dale City in 2008 and the Bobbit case in 1993, when at 26, Lorena Bobbit used a knife to sever her husband’s penis.

She was later found not guilty by reason of insanity. Her husband, John Wayne Bobbit, went on to star in a pornographic film after having the organ reattached.

Power outages follow severe storms

UPDATE: Nearly 4,000 customers remained without power as of 11 p.m. The outages were located east of U.S. 1 in Stafford County.

Power officials said they would be restored by 3 a.m.

The number of reported outages grew Tuesday night following a round of severe storms that moved through eastern Prince William and North Stafford about 8 p.m.
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More than 1,300 customers are without power in North Stafford following a round of summer storms that just moved through the area Tuesday night.

The outages are in the Garrisonville, Aquia and Widewater areas of the county, according to Dominion Virginia Power. Crews are working now to restore power.

Area under severe thunderstorm warning

Lightning is flashing in the sky and thunder is crashing overhead in Woodbridge, as the Potomac communities – from eastern Prince William to North Stafford – are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.

The storm is capable of producing quarter-sized hail and winds up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm has tracked out of the west, from Fauquier County to the Potomac River. 

It comes tonight after the region grappled with temperatures in the mid 90s on Tuesday.

The Virginia Department of Health encourages everyone to drink lots of water and to stay indoors, preferably in air conditioning, for as long as possible.

Temperatures are expected to remain hot throughout the rest of the week, according to the weather service.

Chief dies from colon cancer

The Dale City Volunteer Fire Department lost a long-time member to colon cancer.

Assistant Chief Carl Persing died this week after fighting three bouts of colon cancer during the past five years. He was 53-years-old when he died, said DCVFD spokesman Steve Chappell.

Black cloths have been draped over Dale City’s four firehouses and Persing’s chief’s vehicle, said Chappell.

The department draped similar black cloth over their stations in 2008, after Dale City EMT Cecilia Turnbough died during a training exercise at the Prince William County Public Safety Center.

Funeral Arrangements for Persing are still being worked out.

He leaves behind two children, his parents, brother, sister and the fire department family, said Chappell.

Persing retired from the Manassas City Fire and Rescue Department in 2007. He joined DCVFD as a volunteer in 2001.

During his life, he also served with the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire Department and the U.S. Army.

Drowning victim identified

Police identified the man who fell into the Occoquan River and drowned last week.

Gregory James Gilker, 52, of Occoquan fell into the water while docking his sailboat at the Belmont Bay marina in Woodbridge on Thursday night.

A preliminary investigation revealed that  the man became stuck underneath the boat after falling into the river, said Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok.

Residents were able to get him onto the dock and fire and rescue personnel preformed CPR, but the man could not be saved and drowned, said Perok.

An autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death, he added.

Stafford’s courthouse complex is expanding

The old rescue station is coming down and a new courthouse annex is going up.

Stafford County officials will spend $3 million to build new offices that will house its Commonwealth Attorney and Court Services organizations, where a 30-year-old department of fire and rescue building that used to house a rescue squad now stands on the grounds of the county’s administrative center and courthouse.

With the new two-story, 11,000 square foot building, the county expects to save a considerable amount of money in rent costs it incurs from leasing multiple offices across from the courthouse, said Stafford County Administrator Anthony Romanello.

“What we’ve done is been able to reduce our costs in the long term by not paying lease costs by building this new building, and it’s really a function of taking advantage of the great construction climate we’re in,” said Romanello.

Last week, county supervisors decided to solicit bids for the project, which will be paid for with bonds the county sold in 2008. Romanello said $3.3 million in bond money was supposed to go to expanding the courthouse, but now will go to the construction of this new building.

The rescue squad that used to occupy the building has moved to a new firehouse that opened on nearby Courthouse Road.

The new offices could open in early 2012.

There was some talk about converting the old building, but officials decided it would be more cost effective to build a new structure after seeing that a new roof, new walls to enclose the garage bays, canopies, exterior doors, and an elevator was needed to make the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to county documents.

“There is the possibility of hidden defects and non-conforming construction methods that could escalate the cost substantially,” county documents showed.

Push to collect cell phones for soldiers pays off

More soldiers serving abroad will be able to speak with their families thanks to the generosity of area residents.

During the past six months, Belvoir Credit Union collected 322 cell phones at their more than 10 branches. And with each cell phone donation, the credit union has donated one dollar to the Cell Phones for Soldiers charity.

The charity turns the donated phones into calling cards that are sent to soldiers, said Belvoir Credit Union spokeswoman Amy Shanks.

Since two Massachusetts teenagers formed the charity in 2008, Cell Phones for Soldiers has been working to collect 50,000 old cell phones per month at more than 3,000 collection sites, according to the charity’s Web site.

You can donate your old cell phones at Belvoir’s Woodbridge location, at 14040 Central Loop, just off Prince William Parkway.

Woodbridge fighter to get second chance

Though he lost, he’s not finished yet.

Kris McCray, the 28-year-old mixed martial arts championship fighter who appeared Saturday on cable television in an Ultimate Fighting Championship match, hails from Woodbridge.

At the match in Las Vegas, he was competing for a contract that comes with a six-figure salary to become a full-time UFC fighter. But he came up short when he lost to his opponent, Court McGee.

His friend and trainer for the past 10 years, Elijah Harshbarger, says he’ll get another chance to step into the ring.

“We talked to the UFC guys and they should be calling us in the next few weeks, so we’ll be there to pick up the phone when it rings,” said Harshbarger.

He didn’t say when or where the match could take place, but did say McCray cannot participate in any other fighting events as long as he is involved with UFC.

Harshbarger was in McCray’s corner during Saturday’s fight and said McCray was prepared for the match, but McGee had an overall better game plan from the start of the bout.

McCray congratulated McGee on his win Saturday during the show’s live season finale.

McCray and Harshbarger met as wrestlers in high school. Harshbarger graduated from Gar-Field High School and McCray from Woodbridge Senior High School.

Both went on to coach for their respective schools and that’s when McCray decided he wanted to be a professional fighter, said Harshbarger.

Three years ago, Harshbarger opened Gold Medal Grappling, a gym in Woodbridge where McCray trains at least two days a week.

He says McCray gets a lot of support from his hometown.

“We have fans from everywhere and when go out to clubs and hang out we don’t have to stand in line, we shake hands and take a lot of pictures,” said Harshbarger.

UFC fighters use a mix of kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate and boxing when they’re in the ring. The events are televised on Spike TV.

Diner drowns at riverside restaurant

An Arlington man drowned at Tim’s Rivershore restaurant early Saturday morning.


Police were called to the riverside eatery and bar, at 1510 Cherry Hill Road near Dumfries, at 1:32 a.m., after the man walked away from the group of people he had been with. When police arrived, the man had not been seen for at least an hour and a half, said Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok.

Members of the department’s marine unit and dive team found the man’s body in the water, floating near the restaurant, said Perok.

Shelton Carl Burstrom, 74, is the victim in the drowning, said Perok.

An autopsy is scheduled to be preformed this afternoon to determine the cause of death.

Police do not think his death is suspicious.

Video: Freedom trail dedicated at Falmouth

When the Union soldiers arrived Stafford County in 1862 more than 10,000 slaves from Fredericksburg and the surrounding area saw their chance to escape, starting on the Trail to Freedom.

Many crossed the Rappahannock River, near where the Port of Falmouth Park sits today, and that’s where county leaders and historians on Saturday dedicated two new plaques that tell the story of the slaves' run to freedom.

The ceremony focused on 24-year-old John Washington, who in 1862 heard the music of the Union camps on the Stafford side of the river, and then crossed it and made his escape from slavery. Now residents can read his story printed on plaques at both the Port of Falmouth Park and across the river in Fredericksburg.

“Many slaves from Fauquier, King George and other surrounding areas crossed the river to find their way to freedom, said Jane Conner, with the Stafford County Historical Society. “Near here, at Aquia Landing on the Potomac, is what really was the gateway to freedom.”

You can learn more about the trail at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center on Caroline Street. Raising awareness about the trail is a joint project between Stafford County, Fredericksburg and the National Park Service.

 

Photos by Mary Davidson

Search ends for homeless camp shooter

The man police eyed in the shooting at a Dale City homeless camp turned himself in Friday night.

Johnny McManus, 45, became the subject of a police search after a man was shot in the ear at the camp more than a week ago. The victim was treated at a hospital for his injuries.

McManus is charged with malicious wounding.

The shooting occurred during an argument between the victim and the shooter, police said.

The homeless camp sits in the woods, near the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Interstate 95.

Man drowned while docking sailboat

A man who drowned last night at a Woodbridge marina was trying to tie his sailboat to the dock.


Police said the unidentified 52-year-old man fell from the marina into the Occoquan River at 9:18 p.m., at the Belmont Bay marina at 530 Harbor Side Street.

A resident who was walking in the area then jumped into the river to help the man, but found him trapped underneath the boat, said Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok.

Police will release the victim’s name after they notify his next of kin, said Perok.

His death is being investigated as an accident.

Fire and rescue crews were called to the scene just about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. They pulled the man out the water and started CPR, but were unable to save the man’s life, according to initial reports from the scene.

Neighborhoods can set parking rules

Parking restrictions in Stafford may get tighter.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously voted to allow the leaders of homeowners associations in the county to petition the board as to which types of boats, commercial and recreational vehicles that are allowed to be park on their streets.

Though no neighborhood has filed a petition yet, once they do, a public hearing will be scheduled before the board and then the supervisors will have the final say when it comes to implementing a parking restriction, according to Stafford County Attorney Joseph Howard.

Stafford Sheriff Charles E. Jett said if the Board approves a parking restriction his deputies would enforce it during their regular traffic duties.

The Board chose to allow subdivisions to set their own rules instead of issuing a county-wide policy.

Marine band starts summer concert series

The band played on last night in Triangle as the National Marine Corps Museum kicked off what it hopes will become an summertime tradition.

Members of the National Marine Corps Band played for area residents who pitched lawn chairs in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, outside the museum. The two-hour free concert began at 7 p.m., and in addition to the music it was a chance for those who attended to have a picnic on the lawn where sandwiches, drinks and ice cream were sold.

Additional performances are scheduled for July 8, August 5 and 19. The museum will stay open on concert days until 7 p.m.

The museum sits off U.S. 1 in Triangle and is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week. It’s closed Christmas Day.

Body pulled from Occoquan River

Rescue crews pulled the body of a man from the Occoquan River about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. They started CPR but it was already too late.

Police have identified last night’s drowning victim only as an adult male. His body was pulled from the water at the Belmont Bay marina in Woodbridge. It appears to be an accident, stated Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok in an e-mail.

A police investigation is ongoing and we expect to get more details as the day progresses.

The Belmont Bay marina sits in a neighborhood that shares the same name, behind the Woodbridge Virginia Railway Express station off U.S. 1. The neighborhood overlooks the Occoquan River, at the point where it meets the Belmont Bay.

Crews called to rescue five aboard boat

There were some hairy moments for five people on board a boat on the Potomac River on Thursday night.

While off the shores of Leesylvanaia State Park in Woodbridge, the boat started taking on water about 10:30 p.m. and then someone on board called for help. When a fire rescue boat approached, the vessel in distress shot a flare into the air to waive the boat in, said OWL VFD chief Jim McAllister.

All five aboard were wearing life vests,  but the crew was acting “rowdy”, so fire crews called for police assistance before they could move into rescue the five, said McAllister.

Because the boat was in distress closer to Maryland shores than Virginia's, Prince William officials decided to return their boats and allow Charles County, Md. crews to complete the rescue.

Woman denies man directions, attacked

A woman was attacked while walking in her neighborhood by a garbage man, police say.


The 46-year-old female victim was in the area Bobwhite Drive, near Hope Road in Stafford, when a green trash truck pulled up next to her. A man got out, approached her and asked if she knew what street he was on, said Stafford Sheriff’s Major David Decatur.

The woman pointed to the posted street signs, and then he asked her to look at his map. When she said no and walked away, the man grabbed her from behind and knocked her to the ground, said Decatur. The woman then bit him, and while she was on the ground a car passed by and the man fled to his truck and drove off, said Decatur.

After the attack, police said the woman was missing her shoe. They did not say if she was injured.

A short time later, a sheriff’s deputy received a call on his cell phone about a truck similar to the one reported in the attack, spotted about a mile away on Jason Lane, said Decatur.

Police stopped the truck on, which was now on Antietam Loop, and then arrested 20-year-old Demetrice Deonte Ferguson, of Fredericksburg, charging him with abduction with the intent to defile, said Decatur.

Police say the truck Ferguson was is registered to Davis Disposal in Fredericksburg.

County asks residents to do safety survey

Stafford officials want to know if you are prepared in the event of an emergency.

The county has provided a survey for its residents asking what precautions they’ve taken in the event a natural disaster, public health emergency or terrorist attack strikes the region.

The survey has been linked to the Stafford County Department of Fire and Rescue Web site.

The county has been no stranger to disaster in recent years. In May 2008, a tornado struck the England Run neighborhood in the Berea section of the county. At least two homes were destroyed and several others damaged. Multiple injuries were reported but no one was killed.

Slave trail exhibit to be unveiled in Stafford

Residents on Saturday came come to see the same trail 10,000 slaves in Stafford County used in attempts to escape to freedom nearly 150 years ago.

A ceremony unveiling a new exhibit called "The Crossing," which marks the trail, will be held 10 a.m. at Port Falmouth Park in in Stafford County.

Dr. James Bryant from Shenandoah University and Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va. 1st will be on hand for the exhibit dedication, said Stafford County spokeswoman Cathy Riddle.

The first exhibits will feature reading panels on both sides of the Rappahannock River, in Stafford and Fredericksburg, marking the spot where Fredericksburg slave John Washington took his first steps to freedom, Riddle added.

Boat sinks into Occoquan

Jeff Frederickson watched a boat sink into the Occoquan River on Wednesday morning.

“It was about 11 a.m. when we noticed its port side sinking into the water, and then the bottom of the boat lift up against the dock,” said Frederickson, the dock master at Fairfax Yacht Club.

The unattended 35-foot boat started taking on water, and then its left side tilted down allowing it to sink five feet to the bottom. No one was on board and no injuries were reported

The boat then began leaking gasoline into the river, then Fairfax fire and rescue officials and the Coast Guard were called.

Fire officials floated booms in the water to contain the gasoline seeping from the boat, said Frederickson. They look much like the booms now being used off Louisiana’s gulf coast to contain the massive BP oil spill.

Frederickson also used “oil pads” Wednesday afternoon that float on top of the water to help soak up the gasoline. He said there were no signs of oil leaking from the boat.

The Coast Guard also used ties to secure the right side of the boat, which was exposed from the water, to the boat dock to keep it from sinking further.

It’s estimated the sunken boat caused about $5,000 damage to slip where it was docked.

Divers will be called in Thursday to place objects described as pillows that will placed under the sunken craft. They will be inflated with air, which will help right the boat. It will will then be lifted out of the water, said Frederickson.

The sunken boat drew the attention of others at the yacht club.

“Sure the boat has sunk, but everything seems to be OK, and were glad to hear it’s not oil thats leaking out; just gas, and it’s OK because gas evaporates,” said Joe Policastro of Fairfax.

Boat sinks, leaks fuel into Occoquan River

A 37-foot boat has reportedly sunk this afternoon into the Occoquan River, at the Fairfax Yacht Club.

Officials have reported the boat is leaking fuel into the river, and that Farifax rescue crews are on the scene.

Two weeks ago, fire crews were called to the same yacht club for a report of a boat fire. Fire crews were able to extinguish the flames and the boat did not sink.

We'll have more on this as we get it.

Man threatened with machete at homeless camp

A man was threatened with a machete as he returned to his tent at a Dale City homeless camp.

The victim saw a man using the blade to slice open his tent, and when the victim ap-proached him, the blade-wielder threatened to kill him, said a Prince William police spokesman.

James Shearer, 36, was charged with brandishing a machete and with attempted mali-cious wounding in connection to the incident.

The is the second attack in week at the homeless encampment.

The 49-year-old man was shot in the ear during an argument with another man about 9 p.m. Sunday. He was taken to a hospital and treated for his injuries.

Police are still looking for their suspect who fled on foot.

On Monday, an arrest warrant for Johnny McManus, 45, was issued, charging him with malicious wounding. He is described as black, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call Prince William Crime Solvers at 703-670-3700.

The homeless encampment is located in the woods, near where Dale Boulevard crosses Interstate 95.

Post calls for HOT lanes studies

The Washington Post in a new editorial says the federal government should conduct the environmental impact studies Arlington wants before High Occupancy Toll lanes are built, according to ARLnow.com.

Last year, Arlington sued the federal government and state officials claiming that the required studies had not been completed and that the project should not be allowed to move forward.

The suit also stated only rich, white suburbanites from Stafford and Spotsylvania counties would be the ones to benefit from the lanes. The Post called those allegations “a doozy,” according to ARLnow.com.

If the lanes are built, the HOV lanes from Dumfries to the Pentagon would be converted to toll lanes and then would be extended south to Spotsylvania County, making a 56-mile toll road.

Amtrak to run VRE trains for two weeks longer

Amtrak workers will continue to operate Virginia Railway Express trains until July 9 under a new agreement.

The new employees for Keolis Rail Services of America, a French Company, were supposed to take over VRE operations June 28. But training has taken longer than anticipated, and that has prompted VRE’s CEO Dale Zehner to ask Amtrak for the two-week extension.

“You should know this is not my first choice,” said Zehner in a letter to VRE riders. “Keolis is expected to be ready to operate much of, if not all of the VRE service by June 28, and VRE prefers what is known as a “soft start” or “staggered start” of service on June 28, with the Fredericksburg line operated by Keolis and the Manassas line operated by Amtrak.”

The extension is not expected to affect service on either the Manassas or Fredericksburg line.

VRE awarded at $85 million, 5-year-opearations contract to Keolis last fall. Amtrak lost the bid to the company, which has never operated in the U.S.

Amtrak has been contracted to operate and maintain VRE trains since the service began in 1992.

Dump the Pump Day tomorrow

Prince William residents are encouraged to take the bus tomorrow as part of the fifth annual Dump the Pump Day.

Bus rides won’t be free, but the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission encourages you to tell a friend about Dump the Pump Day, and then to ride your bike to the bus stop Thursday where you can take local OmniLink buses around Prince William, OmniRide buses to points north, and PRTC’s Metro Direct and Tysons Express buses.

“Participating in Dump the Pump Day will give people the chance to save money while making a statement in support of public transportation and its ability to help our country save the enviroment and reduce its reliance on oil. As an added bonus, those who share their commutes can reach their destinations sooner by traveling in HOV lanes,” said PRTC’s Christine Rodigo.

OmniRide buses use the HOV lanes on Interstate 95 and 395 to reach their destinations, which normally allow them to travel faster than cars in the regular travel lanes.

Public transportation is estimated to save the U.S. an estimated 4.2 billion gallons of gas each year, Rodrigo added.

Styx to rock Fredericksburg

Styx and Blues Traveler have been added to the list of performers this year at Celebrate Virginia Live, the concert venue in Central Park in Fredericksburg.

Here’s this year’s list of performers:

-Phil Vassar on June 18
-Ted Nugent on June 25
-Blake Shelton July 9
-The Charlie Daniels Band on July 16
-Blues Traveler on July 30
-Luke Bryan and Eric Church on August 13
-Styx on August 14

Ticket prices range between $12.50 and $20. Advanced tickets for Styx go on sale Friday.

Gunfire injures North Stafford commuter

A man on his way to work Tuesday was injured after a gun blast shattered his car window.

The 37-year-old victim was driving his car through the Stafford Marketplace shopping center about 4:30 a.m., trying to avoid traffic on Va. 610, when he heard a loud blast in the area of T.J. Maxx and Lowes, said Stafford Sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy.

After the blast, the man saw that his rear car widow had shattered, and then noticed a hole in his windshield and a tear in the driver's side head rest, said Kennedy.

Looking for a hospital, the injured victim then drove to the entrance of the Aquia Harbor neighborhood where the gate attendant called 911, said Kennedy.

Once police and rescue crews arrived, the man was taken to a hospital and treated for his injuries. Investigators are not certain if the man was injured by flying debris or by a bullet fragment, said Kennedy.

The victim was not able to provide a description of the gunman.

Before the shot rang out, the man was headed to Interstate 95 for his usual commute to Northern Virginia, police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-568-4000.

Stafford to address RV, truck parking

Stafford County supervisors again today will take up the topic of parking commercial and recreational vehicles on neighborhood streets.

Last month, county leaders favored an ordinance that allows homeowners associations to set their own rules when it comes to what types of recreational and commercial vehicles are allowed to park in their neighborhoods, deciding against an ordinance that would dictate parking countywide.

If the board passes the new ordinance at today’s meeting, the leaders of homeowners associations could obtain a petition from the county which would tell the sheriff’s department what types of watercraft, boat trailers, motor homes, camping trailers and commercial vehicles are allowed to park on their streets, county documents show.

A violation of those rules would be punishable up to a $35 fine.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors meets today at 1 p.m., at the county's adminisration center off U.S. 1.

Plan to use taxes to build HOT lanes explored

Taxpayers could get a bill for the cost to build High Occupancy Toll lanes on Interstates 95 and 395.


Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton said his office is reviewing plans which explore the financial viability of converting HOV lanes between Dumfries and the Pentagon to toll lanes, and then extending then south to Stafford and Spotsylvania counties.

Part of those plans, presented by the Virginia Department of Transportation at Connaughton's request, include slapping taxpayers with a portion of the construction costs for the proposed lanes.

Another scenario has two private firms, Texas-based Fluor, Inc. and Australia’s Transurban, which would operate, maintain and profit from the lanes for up to 80 years, harboring all of the construction costs, said Connaughton.

VDOT’s plans could become public in the next few weeks, after they are reviewed the Federal Highway Administration, said Connaughton.

The renewed interest in building the lanes follows a combined $20,000 donation from Fluor, Inc. and Transurban to the Virginia GOP last month, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

After giving $25,000 to Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell during his 2009 campaign, Fluor, Inc. also donated $15,000 to McDonnell’s inaugural committee in January, according to VPAP.

In addition to donating to R. Creigh Deed’s gubernatorial campaign last year, Fluor, Inc. has donated $13,500 to state Democrats so far in 2010, VPAP showed.

The I-95 / 395 HOT lanes project was put on hold in August when VDOT said Fluor Inc. and Transurban couldn’t come up with enough private investors for the project.

Then Arlington County sued state and federal officials claiming that required environmental impact studies needed before the lanes could be built were not done, and that the lanes would adversely affect residents who live along I-95.

Arlington leaders last fall courted Prince William County officials about joining their suit, but they declined after reading the suit’s allegations that only rich, white suburbanites from Stafford and Spotsylvania counties would benefit from the new lanes.

Dale City Farmers Market draws crowds

There was no shortage of sweet corn, fruits, vegetables, popcorn or even dueling banjos at Sunday’s Dale City Farmer’s Market.

The popular open air market drew farmers from Central Virginia, Stafford and other points that all came to sell produce, flowers, seasonings and other goods they had produced.

Evelyn Scott with vaflowerfarm.com traveled from Saluda in Middlesex County, about an hour west of Richmond, to sell lilies, perennials and other fresh-cut flowers.

“I only set up shop at producer-only farmers markets because it would be hard to do business next to a wholesaler,” she said. “Since my flowers are all locally grown, you’ll get a better deal from me.”

At 11 a.m. at least 60 people were still strolling through the market that sits near the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Minnieville Road, sampling free tomatoes, flavored butters and homemade salsas.

In the process they were entertained by some very unlikely music.

“We just like pickin’ around,” said Martin Stamper, who along with band mate Travis Ferrell was dueling banjoes Bluegrass style. “We both live in Manassas, so it’s fun for us to just come here and play.”

The two have been playing together in their band, Stomper, for eight years, he said. They play mostly local gigs.

The market, which is featured on the state’s tourism Web site, opens each Sunday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Its season lasts from April 4 through Nov. 21.

Night paving this week in Stafford

Construction crews will be out in force this week working to pave portions of Interstate 95, between the North Stafford and Courthouse Road in Stafford County.

The work will begin each night after rush hour, and comes as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation works to maintain the highway, the state transportation agency stated.

The paving will take place at various spots between Stafford and Caroline counties, and up to three lanes of the highway could be closed at times.

Drivers who have used Va. 610 in North Stafford in the past week have probably seen night construction crews already working near the highway.

Man shot in ear at Dale City homeless camp

The police helicopter hovering above Dale City on Sunday night was the result of a shooting that left one man shot in the ear.

The 49-year-old victim was shot about 9 p.m., during an argument he had with another man at the homeless encampment near the overpass at Dale Boulevard and Interstate 95, said Prince William police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.

The victim was treated at a local hospital, and police are still searching for their shooting suspect.

Johnny McManus, 45, is charged with malicious wounding in connection to the shooting, said Hernandez. McMannus does not have a last known address, he is described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, police said.

Virginia State Police were called in to assist in the search, and troopers still remained posted at the exit ramps at mile post 156 about 11 p.m.

Anyone with information on McManus’ whereabouts is encouraged to call Prince William County Crime Solvers at 703-670-3700.

Charges filed in playground sex assault

Police have yet to explain the connection between a 5-year-old male victim and a man now charged with forcible sodomy, and with taking incident liberties with a minor on Tuesday at Featherstone Elementary School in Woodbridge.

A witness to the assault shot a video of the incident, which took place on the school's playground, showing the accused forcing the victim’s hand into his pants, according to News & Messenger. The video, filmed by an onlooker while another witness called police about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, shows the man kissing the child, the newspaper reported. Police have not said if the child is a student at the school.

The school's principal sent a notice home to parents about the incident, though it didn't occur during the school day, Prince William schools spokesman Ken Blackstone told the newspaper.

Police say 19-year-old Frank Devon Harris, of Bowie, Md., is charged in the crime. He was held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court July 28. He was also previously charged in Maryland with disorderly conduct and with disrupting the operation of a school, the News & Messenger reported.

Report finds failings after campus shooting

School officials in a new report say there was a delay in communicaiton following a shooting at a Woodbridge community college campus in December.

After shots were fired at Northern Virginia Community College off Neabsco Mills Road on Dec. 8, it took up to 40 minutes to send voice and text messages to students, faculty and staff informing them of the shooting, and telling them to shelter in place, according to The Fortnightly.

No one was injured, but systems put in place after the deadly 2007 Virginia Tech shootings  - such as a designated operations room that was supposed to provide access to computers, phones and television news channels - were not utilized, the newspaper reported.

The report also shows there was limited access to security camera feeds, and that Prince William police - who were called to immediately after the shooting - were not able to get into the campus’ police office, which hindered their ability to get keys to classrooms, and the get the building's floor plans which were later used in a campus-wide search to ensure everyone had evacuated.

Jason Michael Hamilton, who was 20 at the time of the shooting, is set to appear in court Aug. 16 on an attempted murder charge in connection to the shooting.

Police say the shooter used a high-powered rifle that was purchased at a nearby sporting goods store. After walking into the school building, the gunman then walked into a fourth-floor classroom and fired two shots at a math professor who was standing just feet away from him. The teacher was able to evade the shots, the gun jammed, students fled and the shooter surrendered to police.

The Big Futbol Game

Update: It was great to sit and watch the U.S. vs. England match and Tweet about it with you. In case you haven't heard, the match was tied at one a piece.

Let’s talk soccer, wait I mean Futbol, again next week as the U.S. prepares to play again on Friday.

We’ll be Twittering during the U.S. vs. England game. Let us know where you’ll be watching the game, and if you think soccer has a future here in the U.S.

We hope you’re enjoying the World Cup as much as we are!

What's going on

It took us more than year to put the wheels in motion on a new Web site that would focus on news, events and happenings in northern Stafford and eastern Prince William counties.

Now it’s here. Its name is Potomac Local. Its mission is simple: Tell people what’s going on.

Writing about eastern Prince William and Stafford counties is not new for me, but launching a new Web site is. For the past four years, I have worked as a reporter covering Northern Virginia. I love my job and will have no plans to do anything else right now.

But in my spare time (which I am still trying to find) I, along with some fine friends, will work to highlight what’s going on in our neighborhoods. From topics like crime, transportation, new business openings, things to do this weekend, even the cardboard boat regatta – we’ll work to bring it to you here and through our favorite social media sites.

I hope you’ll follow us on Twitter and on Facebook as we continue to grow, and let us know what’s going on in your neighborhood. We would love to hear from you.

You'll want to check back as we develop our site! Thanks for stopping by.

P.S. – We chose the photo of the National Marine Corps Museum because it is a building designed with style to spare.