GAINESVILLE FOOTBALL: Cardinals down Robinson to improve to 4-0. Sports, Page 19
September 25, 2024 | Vol. 23, No. 40 | www.princewilliamtimes.com | $2.00 Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Margins matter as Prince William shifts left
Democrats try to run up the score, while GOP aims to keep it close By Cher Muzyk, Jill Palermo and Evelyn Mejia Staff Writers
Prince William County, once considered a “swing” county that could go to either party in state and national elections, hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate in 20 years. And the county’s move toward the Democratic Pary has accelerated since Donald Trump was first on the ballot in 2016. But this November, both Democrats and Republicans are counting on a boost in voter energy to help them in Prince William County. Democrats hope enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and voters motivated by issues such as abortion rights, will bring a big margin of victory in the presidential race. Republicans, meanwhile, are urging their voters to cast early ballots or even vote by mail in an effort to reduce the divide between Harris and Trump. Still, if past elections are any indication, Trump is not likely to do
PHOTO BY IAN SITEK
Yolanda Stowe, of Dumfries, shows her enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris during a recent stop of the “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom” bus campaign in Dumfries. well in Prince William. President Joe Biden won the county by 27 percentage points in 2020, while Hillary Clinton beat Trump by 20 points in 2016. “If you look at Prince William County and how it’s changed over the last eight years, there’s a large concern about protecting democracy and about Trump. ... His plans for the
federal workforce, his darkness and division, his attacks on reproductive rights and his attacks on immigration really don’t play well here,” said Aaron Fritschner, a spokesman for the Harris-Walz campaign in Virginia. But local Republican leaders say Trump might outperform in Prince William, based on concerns about
issues such as border security and inflation. Ian Lovejoy, the only Republican state delegate still representing Prince William County, said the issues people are talking about this election cycle “transcend party politics,” especially in a county as diverse as Prince William. “We all want a strong economy, safe neighborhoods and our children to have opportunities and a good education,” Lovejoy said. “These are issues that tie us all together and are common to all of us.” The race between Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson in the 7th Congressional District might be the only competitive contest on the ballot for Prince William voters. The district, currently held by a Democrat, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, encompasses all or parts of 11 counties. Prince William County voters make up the largest share of the district, but Republican-leaning areas could balance out Democratic votes from Prince William County. That race is considered “competitive” by the Cook Political Report. See ELECTION, page 2
Nokesville native charged with murder in decade-old case Arrested in Florida, suspect is hue’s mother, announced fighting extradition to Virginia the news of Hickerson’s By Jill Palermo and Cher Muzyk Staff Writers
Prince William County Police have charged a Florida man with murder in connection with the disappearance of Shane Ryan Donahue in Nokesville 14 years ago. The Sept. 17 arrest marks a major development in a cold case that’s familiar to Prince William County residents because of the missing person banner that still hangs in front of Donahue’s parents’ home along busy Aden Road. Timothy Sean Hickerson, 43, of Palm Coast, Fla., and formerly of Nokesville, was arrested during a traffic stop on felony charges of murder and burglary in connection with Donahue’s disappearance, according to Lt. Jonathan Perok, a Prince William County police spokesman. Donna Donahue, Shane Dona-
interviewed parties and digital evidence in greatarrest that evening on the er detail due to advances “Help find Shane Donain analytical technology hue” Facebook page. The and modern police invesfamily called Shane Dotigative practices,” Perok nahue by his nickname, said. “Bubba.” That effort led to new Shane Donahue “Timmy Hickerson has information that led to been arrested for first deHickerson’s arrest, he gree murder of Bubba,” Donna Dona- said. Police have not yet said what hue wrote in all capital letters. “Yes, information was obtained. yes, yes; I have been waiting for a Donahue and Hickerson, who very long time for this to happen.” was 28 in 2010, were seen leaving Hickerson was a friend of Dona- Donahue’s parents’ home together hue’s at the time Donahue went miss- on March 22, 2010, and reportedly ing and had long been described by returned to Shane Donahue’s nearpolice as a person of interest in the by residence in the 12000 block of case. Shortly after Donahue’s disap- Aden Road. Donahue was not seen pearance, Hickerson was convicted or heard from again. in connection with the burglaries of During the investigation, Hickertwo Northern Virginia gun stores son was connected to a burglary that and sentenced to federal prison. occurred at Donahue’s residence just Earlier this spring, police re-ex- days prior to his disappearance, Peramined “every detail of the case ok said. from scratch, including revisiting The Donahue family said they are
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grateful to the Prince William Police Department. “The Donahue family would like to thank the men and women of the Prince William County Police Department and Chief Peter Newsham. Thank you to all of our family, friends and our community who kept Shane in their prayers,” a Donahue family spokesperson said in a statement. The Donahue family also thanked Kenny Jarels with The Aware Foundation, a Virginia organization that works to bring nationwide attention to missing persons. Jarels has kept in touch with the Donahue family and worked to find Shane for more than a decade, the family spokesperson said. Hickerson is fighting extradition to Virginia, Perok said, but a hearing has not yet been set. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip online at pwcva.gov/ policetip.
88 DULLES, VA