Over 1,000 people have already signed a petition to save the historic Old Bennett School — started by a young resident who said, “This isn’t right.”

Built in 1909, the grand Bennett School isn’t just another old building. It represents education, community, and the healing of our area after the Civil War. As one advocate put it: “It’s a piece of history that people want to touch.”

Now it’s on Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places list… while facing possible demolition for courthouse expansion.

Background Documents & Reports

• Prince William County Bennett Facility Condition & Feasibility Study (2019)
• May 2026 Judicial Campus Expansion Information
• Bennett Building 2002 Preservation Information Form (PIF)

Learn more: SaveOldBennettSchool.com

What do you think should happen to the Old Bennett School?

Watch the full conversation with Manassas Councilwoman Teresa Coates Ellis and Colin Turner.

#SaveBennettSchool #ManassasHistory #PreserveOurPast #PrinceWilliamCounty #HistoricPreservation

Prince William County detectives have charged two men in the shooting death of a 42-year-old Bowling Green man. The fatal altercation happened on May 12 in the 1200 block of Potomac Vista Drive in Woodbridge.

Detectives say the incident stemmed from a narcotics transaction involving people known to the victim. Taiyon Damari Jackson, 20, of Alexandria, and William Latrale Lisenby, 23, of Lorton, face murder charges along with related firearm offenses. Both men were arrested last week and are being held without bond.

Officers responded to the scene around 8:58 p.m. after the victim, identified as Frances Joseph Douglas, sustained multiple gunshot wounds in a parking lot fight. A third person produced a firearm during the physical altercation. Douglas was able to reach his vehicle and was driven to a hospital by a family member, where he later died.

The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Prince William County police at 703-792-7000 or submit a tip at pwcva.gov/policetip.

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Quantico residents lost power Thursday evening, May 21, after an osprey nested on an electric pole. The outage hit the entire small Prince William County town around 10 p.m.

Stafford County Public Schools and Stafford County Fire and Rescue partner on the High School Fire Academy, a hands-on program that gives local high school students real-world training in firefighting and emergency medical response. The program allows students to earn high school credit while learning skills that can lead to careers in public safety.

Class sizes appear to vary. Recent sessions have included around 20-25 students. The latest, High School Fire Academy 7, graduated in spring 2026. The program has grown since its start, with earlier classes having smaller groups.

The initiative has been in place for several years, with the first classes launching around 2019-2020. By May 2025, Class 6 had graduated, and Class 7 followed in 2026, indicating it has operated for roughly six to seven years as of now. It continues to serve as a key pathway for young people interested in serving the community.

Students from all five Stafford County high schools can apply. Applicants typically need to be at least 16 years old, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, submit a transcript, provide letters of recommendation (including one from a fire department member if possible), complete an application, and write an essay. Academic performance is reviewed as part of the selection process. The program runs during the school year, often with students attending half-day sessions.

Stafford County firefighters responded quickly to a house fire early Sunday morning in the 200 block of Choptank Road near A.G. Wright Middle School.

Crews arrived just over five minutes after the call came in, before 5:30 a.m., and found fire coming from the side of a two-story single-family home.

They brought the blaze under control in about 20 minutes while searching the residence under high heat conditions. All five occupants were safely evacuated before firefighters arrived and reported no injuries.

Smoke alarms were present and activated during the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced family. Unfortunately, multiple pets inside the home did not survive.

The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause as routine. Quantico Fire & Emergency Services assisted at the scene.

Information from Stafford County Fire and Rescue.

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