In a recent interview, Brian Landrum, a Republican candidate for the Gainesville District seat on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, shared his vision and plans for the community. Landrum, an attorney and consultant, emphasized putting residents first and ensuring development benefits the community.

Background and Personal Life

Landrum is married to Nicole, and they have one daughter. The family attends Heritage Baptist Church. The son of a naval officer and a historic preservationist, Landrum says his upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of community and public service. He has been active in civic life since childhood, including handing out flyers with his mother and attending board meetings.

Professional Experience and Political Involvement

Landrum runs a consulting business that advises Republican candidates on legal strategy and political advertising. He has been politically active for years, including working on Corey Stewart’s gubernatorial campaign. Landrum says he is self-funding his campaign to avoid special interest influence and maintain independence.

Campaign Platform and Key Issues

Landrum’s campaign slogan, “Make Data Centers Pay,” underscores his views on development and taxation. He has criticized the county’s handling of data center approvals and their impact on nearby communities.

• Resident-Focused Development: Landrum is critical of the Digital Gateway project, which he described as “one of the greatest abominations ever built.” He says new development should serve existing residents.
• Tax Rate Reduction: He proposes using the estimated $400 million in tax revenue from data centers to lower the property tax rate and issue a rebate to residents. He calls this the “Big Data Dividend.”
• Transparency and Accountability: Landrum has pledged to maintain an open-door policy and to expose backroom deals or corruption.

Community Involvement and Historic Preservation

Landrum has chaired the Prince William Architectural Review Board and supported preservation efforts in communities such as Thoroughfare, a historic site once home to freed slaves. He has proposed increasing conservation acreage in the county and said his detail-oriented approach and experience will inform his policy decisions.

Addressing Residency and Commitment Concerns

While he is a long-time county resident, Landrum just moved to the Gainesville District, prompting questions from critics who said the relocation is politically motivated. Landrum acknowledges the timing but says his family’s history in the area and his community involvement reflect his commitment.

“You know if people want to say that, obviously the timing here is close. You know when you’ve got a supervisor that suddenly passes away and anytime there’s that kind of sudden event I could have moved into the district six months ago and people would still have said, ‘oh, you were just waiting in the wings,’ but I moved in June and rented a friend’s basement in Haymarket and I have already signed a lease in Haymarket. I live in the Gainesville District. My move coincided, but was not because of Bob’s illness. Besides, I’m not running for a title,” he said. “I’m running because I want to do the work.”

Political Outlook with Competitors

Landrum addressed the candidacy of Patrick Harders, a business owner who, along with his wife Laura Harders, has been active in anti–data center advocacy. “Everybody seems to really like Laura, but the same people that seemed to really like Laura don’t know Patrick very well because he’s just not really—he’s not been front and center the way that she has,” Landrum said.

Harders has yet to formally announce his candidacy, but his name was leaked in a text message—intended for others—sent to Landrum by presumed candidate Kathy Kulick.

“This is a two-and-a-half, three-week Firehouse Primary and then right after that we’ve got to unite and we’ve got to work together,” Landrum said. “We’ve gotta win this thing.”

Landrum criticized how the Harders campaign emerged.

“This whole idea that [Kulick] would just keep the seat warm for him and then, you know, surprise switcheroo and had to take the thing into Patrick announcing his candidacy… it was a deceptive start to his campaign,” he said.

“There definitely seemed to be coordination,” Landrum added, referring to communications that indicated a planned handoff between Kulick and Harders. “That’s not only being dishonest with me, it’s being dishonest with the press. It’s being dishonest with the voters. It’s being dishonest with the Republican Party.”

“I don’t know enough about Patrick to be a judge of his character, and I’m not going to impute his character,” Landrum said. “But I’ll say that that’s a bad look.”

Republicans will hold a firehouse primary to determine their nominee. The winner will face a Democratic challenger in November to fill the seat previously held by the late Supervisor Bob Weir.

Approximately 150 people attended a fundraiser at the Harris Pavilion in downtown Manassas on Sunday, July 27, 2025, to support food assistance programs in the greater Prince William County area. The event raised over $5,200, which will be divided equally among three local organizations: Haymarket Food Pantry, Action in the Community Through Service (ACTS), and Creating Foundations for Hope (CFH).

Several elected officials participated, including members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) and state legislators. One of the event’s main attractions was a dunk tank, where attendees could donate money for a chance to dunk local officials.

Supervisor Yesli Vega (R-Coles BOCS) was dunked multiple times, including once by BOCS Chair Deshundra Jefferson (D, At-Large BOCS), who declined to participate in the dunk tank herself. Vega said, “I am absolutely happy to be here today in support of putting an end to hunger in Prince William County. This is neighbors helping neighbors that should be lauded and encouraged.”

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura attended on behalf of Governor Glenn Youngkin. In remarks to the crowd, Segura stated that the administration supports programs aimed at reducing poverty through community assistance.

“Governor Youngkin from day one has talked about creating more opportunities for Virginians, offering a hand up,” Segura said. “Whether it’s bringing more economic opportunity or supporting organizations like these that help folks with food insecurity, the Governor is committed to a Virginia that creates opportunity for everyone.”

Organizer Jessica Schaer said in the 10 minutes Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-Manassas) was in the tank, and VA State Senator Danica Roem (D-30) spoke to the crowd, more than $700 flooded into the online donations page. Shaer couldn’t say which politician was responsible for the influx, but she praised Lovejoy for promoting the event on his social media accounts in the days leading up to it. 

Virginia Delegate Briana Sewell (D-25) said, “I was happy to come out and support organizations lending a helping hand, at a time when we know 43% of our community goes hungry. For me [participating] was a no brainer not only bringing food and donating money myself but more importantly making sure [getting dunked] could generate additional investments into the food banks. Sewell touted her bipartisan bill, “5,000 families,” which would provide funding for families with school-age children to assist with housing and food costs, helping them stay in their current homes during the school year.

Foster’s Grille pledged 20% of all sales from their Old Town Manassas location on July 27 to the drive.

Other notable dunk tank participants: Principal of Henderson Elementary, Amy Schott; Manassas PD Officer TJ Rodriguez; Principal of Tyler Elementary, Jennifer Perilla;  Manassas PD Captain Marcus Hyde; Meg Stevens, Chair of Potomac Democrats; and Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10).

If you missed the event and want to donate to the organizations that serve the greater Prince William area, please see:

Haymarket Food Pantry https://haymarketfoodpantry.org/needs/

ACTS https://actspwc.org/donations/ 

Creating Foundations for Hope https://cfhva.org/how-to-give/ 

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Updated 3:23 p.m. A small fire broke out Friday afternoon at the LIDL grocery store on Liberia Avenue near Prince William Parkway, just outside the City of Manassas.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue spokesman Matt Smolsky said the fire was discovered by a shopper around 1:15 p.m. in the 9700 block of Liberia Avenue. Store management quickly evacuated the building and called 9-1-1.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke throughout the store. A small fire in a meat aisle cooler was located and quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported.

As of mid-afternoon, fire crews remained on the scene working to remove smoke from the building.

If you see news happening, text us photos and details at 571-989-1695.

MANASSAS, Va. – Prince William County Police executed a search warrant at the Sunrise BP & Two Brothers Chicken Express convenience store and gas station at 9745 Liberia Avenue on July 24, 2025.

Police spokeswoman Officer Renee Carr confirmed the department was conducting an active search at the property but declined to provide further information. Officers at the scene blocked off the premises, though nearby businesses remained accessible.

The store’s business license is registered to Haroon Sheikh and opened in June 2022. According to public records, its business license was automatically terminated in October 2023 for failure to pay required fees or submit documentation mandated under Virginia law. Despite the termination, the store continued operating until the day of the raid.

Haroon Sheikh is to be the brother-in-law of Raheel Sheikh, who represents the Occoquan District on the Prince William County Planning Commission and was a former Democratic candidate for the Coles District seat on the Board of County Supervisors in 2019.

Attempts to reach store management were unsuccessful. A phone number listed for the business returned a busy signal, and an email was not immediately returned.

 

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A political action committee tied to Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega (R-Coles) reported a second large-dollar contribution in its latest filing with the Virginia Department of Elections. The committee, YES PAC, launched less than six months ago, has already raised more than $200,000 from just three donors.

Vega, now in her second term on the Board of County Supervisors, has frequently been seen as a rising star in Virginia Republican politics. The formation of YES PAC has reignited speculation that she may be eyeing another run for higher office.

In 2022, Vega emerged from a crowded GOP primary to win the Republican nomination for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. She lost the general election to Democrat Abigail Spanberger by fewer than five percentage points. Spanberger is now running for governor, and Democrat Eugene Vindman holds the 7th District seat through at least 2026.

When asked if the new PAC signals a return to the campaign trail, Vega dismissed the notion: “I am laser focused on my work for the people of Prince William County,” she said.

YES PAC’s three reported contributions include:

• Alejandra Duarte, wife of developer Jeff Mulhausen. Duarte declined to comment for this story, but political insiders suggest her support reflects confidence in Vega’s appeal to a broad cross-section of county residents, not just development interests.
• Cheryl Kenny, a Manassas-based real estate broker.
• William Cooley, a developer behind the proposed Lexora Park data center project in Dumfries.

Cooley is a prolific political donor in Prince William County, having given to nearly every current Board of Supervisors member except Deshundra Jefferson (D-At Large), Bob Weir (R-Gainesville), and Tom Gordy (R-Brentsville).

Asked about accepting contributions from data center developers, Vega defended her land use record. “My record speaks for itself. I have never voted for a data center outside of the overlay district,” she said. “Nothing has changed. My land use decisions continue to be guided by clear standards, community input, and by the facts of each case.”

Overlay districts are designated areas in the county’s comprehensive plan where data centers are deemed most compatible with surrounding land uses. Projects outside those zones face greater scrutiny and often public resistance.

Data centers have been a flashpoint in local politics. Since 2019, developers have spent heavily in Prince William County, lobbying for land use approvals. Under then-Chair Ann Wheeler (D), the previous board approved millions of square feet of new data center space, often during meetings that stretched into the early morning hours.

In the 2023 election cycle, Democrats in Prince William received sizable donations from data center developers. Campaign finance records indicate some of those funds were routed through other Democratic committees or lawmakers before being passed to local candidates—an apparent effort to obscure the industry’s financial influence.

Looking ahead, Vega said YES PAC is just getting started. “I intend to raise as much money as I can to help elect common sense Republicans across the Commonwealth,” she said.

The PAC recently launched a small-dollar fundraising campaign to build broader grassroots support. Vega indicated additional contributions will appear in the committee’s next report, due in September.

Joseph Miller Dunivin (Age 97)
Memorial service info

On June 5, 2025, Joseph Miller Dunivin, lifelong Virginia resident, died peacefully in the presence of his family. Joe (as he was known to everyone) was born on February 15,1928 in Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia, to Grace Darling Rebecca Miller and Alvin Joseph Dunivin. He grew up in the Shenandoah Valley and, at ten years of age with his parents and five siblings, moved to Lorton, Fairfax County, Virginia. After graduating from Mount Vernon High School, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps. His service took him to the South Pacific – Okinawa and Guam, and state-side in Arizona. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Joe returned to civilian life with his parents and brothers.

Joe married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy White (whom he lovingly called “Dot), on November 5, 1951, in New York City, on the Bride and Groom television program. Students in the local elementary school where Dot taught were released from classes so they could watch the wedding of their beloved teacher. A local paper reported that “the bride televised beautifully, and her poise could well be envied by professionals. Lorton was justly proud of its representatives and rejoiced with the young couple.” They soon moved to Woodbridge, Virginia to raise their family and begin an active life in the community and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

By the early 1960’s, Joe had gained recognition for community service as well as savvy entrepreneurship. Soon after opening the Lorton Gulf Service in January 1961, a local paper reported feeling “no hesitancy predicting a bright future for the Lorton Gulf Service under the highly capable and competent proprietorship of Joe Dunivin”. They went on to describe the wide range of “prompt and courteous services” offered, concluding that “the equipment and facilities are modern and up-to-date in every way and all in all the Lorton Gulf Service is a distinguished credit to this entire area as well as to Mr. Dunivin personally.”

Other newspaper articles described the Lorton Gulf baseball team that Joe sponsored as “outstanding in the Lorton Little League”, while Joe was recognized by Gulf Oil Association as one of area’s top five dealers, and by the Greater Washington Service Station Association with a cover story on the association’s publication. His leadership in that organization, as well as the operating efficiency of his service station and specialization in personalized service were noted, as were the support of his lovely wife and growing family.

Joe and Dot raised their six children in Northern Virginia and later retired to Fairview Beach, Virginia. Shortly after they married, they began what was to become a lifelong love of traveling – driving with their children to every one of the contiguous 48 U.S. states, most of the Canadian provinces and made several trips to visit family in Alaska, usually towing a travel trailer or riding in one of their increasingly large RVs. Joe and Dot also traveled to many other countries throughout the world, circling the globe three times.

Throughout his 97 years of life and service, Joe engaged in a series of successful ventures in both commercial and real estate fields, but was perhaps best known for his decades of public and community involvement in such organizations as the United Methodist Men (over 70 years), Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (60 years – 320), Veterans of Foreign War, Kiwanis Club, Parent Teacher Associations; and for the special attention he gave his customers, tenants, employees and, in his early years, folks on his rural postal delivery route. When talking about Joe, most people recall his friendliness and engaging smile, his willingness to always help his neighbors, and especially his good humor.

Joe was predeceased by his wife of 67 years; and survived by his six children, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, step grandchildren, great and grand nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Thursday July 17th – 10:00 am at Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 8330 Fletcher’s Chapel Road, King George, Virginia 22485; and graveside – 1:30 pm at Pohick Episcopal Church, 9301 Richmond Highway, Lorton, Virginia, 22079. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

MANASSAS, Va. – Republicans from across Prince William County gathered at Fox Chase Manor for their annual black-tie Lincoln Reagan Dinner, drawing a record crowd and laying out their strategy ahead of the 2025 election cycle.

County GOP Chairman Jacob Alderman said the party sold more than 300 tickets for the fundraiser, which brought in over $30,000 to support local political efforts. The evening featured prominent conservative speakers including Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega, and Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts.

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Jose Rafael Lizama, a 48-year-old Manassas Park resident, was sentenced on April 3, 2025, to 10 years in prison, with five years suspended, for the 2023 death of Justin Burns. He will serve five years in the Virginia Department of Corrections, followed by five years of supervised probation. Lizama must also wear an ankle monitor for continuous drug and alcohol testing after release.

Four days before the start of his January 2025 trial, Lizama took a plea deal and admitted to striking and killing Justin Burns of Blackstone near Richmond while speeding and driving drunk on December 2, 2023. Justin was crossing the 8900 block of Center Street in downtown Manassas, near Old Town Sports Pub, just before 11 p.m. Police crime scene investigators determined that Lizama was traveling nearly double the speed limit in foggy weather when he struck Justin. 

Prince William Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, Ryan Reynolds, told the court that police wrote in their report that Lizama had attempted to blend into the crowd to avoid responsibility for the crash until witnesses identified him as the driver.

Lizama appeared remorseful before Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Angela Horan, apologizing to the judge, the victim’s family, and his own family. “I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart to Mr. Burns’ family. My words will never be enough for the pain and suffering that I have caused,” Lizama said through a Spanish interpreter.

Horan said she wanted to see an end to drunk driving and stated that the sentencing guidelines did not allow for a harsher sentence. “We are never going to eradicate this behavior (drunk driving) if we let people get away,” she said, adding, “too many lives are taken because of this behavior.”  Raising her voice, Horan expressed anger that he had been driving 47 miles per hour drunk down Manassas’ Center Street. “That decision was outside the realm of the sentencing guidelines.”

Lizama had prior offenses related to speeding and alcohol dating back to 2018 in Virginia. It is unclear when he entered the country or if he had other violations elsewhere.

Kim Burns, Justin’s mother, gave a victim impact statement emphasizing his philanthropic work in the community. He volunteered with several organizations, including the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Manassas. He also founded Succor Solutions, Inc., a nonprofit specializing in disaster recovery and economic development in Blackstone.

Burns told the court she was saddened not to receive a call from Justin on her 66th birthday, as he had done every year. “Our lives changed forever that day. There will never be a day I don’t wake up thinking of Justin, and he is the last thought I have before I go to sleep. My son had so much to give, and that’s not going to happen now. I’m never going to get to dance with my son at his wedding. I’m never going to get to hold my grandchild from him, and he’s not going to be there for his brother and sister when his dad and I get old.”

“Justin was a blessing to the community, what a loss his death was to the community,” Horan said in response.

Justin had been in town to attend an event for his nonprofit. Burns described Justin’s death as a “good day,” during which he participated at the Manassas Christmas parade with his brother and toured the recently renovated Manassas Museum. He was on his way to Old Town Sports Pub to meet friends when he was killed.

After sentencing, Burns told Potomac Local News that she was glad Horan did not hold back in chastising Lizama from the bench. “While nothing can fill the loss of our son, Justin, Judge Horan served a sentence that brings him some justice while setting a precedent that drinking and driving will not be tolerated.”

Burns said her family plans to honor Justin’s legacy by organizing an annual blood drive, something he was passionate about. Justin was designated as a “Hero for Babies” by the American Red Cross, a title awarded to blood donors who meet specific criteria to provide safe and essential blood for newborns and infants. His blood donations over the years saved more than 75 lives.

Lizama’s attorney, Fernando Villarroel of the Manassas-based Irving Law Group, did not respond to requests for comment. He had sought only probation and alcohol treatment for Lizama, but Horan denied the request.

Martha Lee “Marti” Seers (Age 86)
Memorial service info

In Loving Memory of Martha Lee “Marti” Seers

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Martha Lee “Marti” Seers, who departed on October 3, 2024, at 86. Born on May 15, 1938, in Clifton Forge, Virginia, she was the beloved daughter of Hazel Bazzarre and James Francis Crush.

Martha Lee was a graduate of Central High School in 1955, Low Moor, Virginia, and earned her degree in business from Averett College in 1958. After graduating, she pursued her passion for dance, ballet, and modeling. She married for the first time in 1960.

Martha Lee is survived by her four children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many dear friends who will forever cherish her memory. She touched the lives of so many, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and resilience.

A dedicated and compassionate woman, Martha Lee was a proud member of the Woodbridge Women’s Club in Prince William County, where she served for a period of twenty-one years. She devoted her time to uplifting her community and always put the needs of others before her own. Her unwavering spirit and generosity inspired all who had the privilege of knowing her.

To honor and celebrate Martha Lee’s life, an interment service will be held on June 7, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Covington, Virginia, her beloved hometown of Alleghany County. We invite family and friends to join us in remembering a remarkable woman who meant so much to many.

May Martha Lee rest in eternal peace, free from pain, and may her memory continue to comfort those who mourn her passing.

In place of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in her honor to a Cancer Research Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the ASPCA, causes that were close to her heart.

With love and remembrance,

The Family of Martha Lee Seers

The following memorial event is planned.

Graveside Service
06/07/2025 01:00 PM to 01:30 PM
Cedar Hill Cemetery
1521 S. Carpenter Dr., Covington, Virginia, 24426

Sharon J Wilson (Age 80)
Memorial service info

Sharon Jean (Locker) Wilson of Manassas, Virginia passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025. She had just celebrated her 80th birthday with her family a month earlier.

She is survived by her daughter Leah (Mike) Munnis; her son Jonathan (Gery) Wilson; her grandsons Sean and Jared Casey; step-grandchildren Kiauna (Justin) Munnis, Mike Jr, Jeff Munnis, Kiara, and Pamela; her siblings Leo (Sue) Locker, Connie (Rick) Jorgensen, Howard (Marka) Locker, and Brenda (Harry) Duchscherer; countless nieces and nephews; her grand-dogs Tater and Wilson, her grand-cats Sushi and Sashimi, and her grand-fish Ceviche. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy Locker; husband, Fred L. Wilson; and brother, Ryan (Maria) Locker.

Sharon was raised on a farm in Balfour, North Dakota, the oldest girl of the six children of John and Dorothy Locker. Her first job was at the Weidler’s Café in Balfour. She attended Minot Business College and worked at the Clarence Parker Hotel, during which time she met Fred L. Wilson when he was stationed at Minot Air Force Base. They were married on July 2, 1966, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Balfour, then moved to Virginia when Fred was transferred to the Pentagon, eventually settling in Dale City to raise their two kids. Sharon and Fred subsequently made their home for many years in Stafford County, VA. She retired from the Prince William Service Authority and moved to Dumfries, VA, after Fred’s death in 2012. She briefly lived with Leah and Mike in Colonial Beach, where she enjoyed going out for charcuterie, hanging out at Bay One, watching karaoke, and talking to Tater and Wilson. Mom made her final home with Jon and Gery in Manassas, where she loved to feed Ceviche and cuddle with Sushi and Sashimi.

Mom loved praying, reading, walking, visiting, canasta, Knock, cats, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Tom Jones, John Denver, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees in general, Maryland Terps basketball (especially the girls), The Young and the Restless, Bluebloods, The Waltons, noodles, Gery’s cake, colorful socks and Dove dark chocolate. Later in life, she walked a 5K and discovered a love of California rolls. Mom wasn’t the one who told the jokes, but she certainly appreciated them, and she could throw out some surprisingly funny one-liners when she felt like it.

>> Donation link

The following memorial events are planned.

Visitation
03/25/2025 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM
Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home
4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, Virginia, 22193

Funeral Mass
03/26/2025 10:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
8213 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155

Graveside
03/26/2025 01:00 PM to 01:30 PM
Quantico National Cemetery
18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, Virginia, 22172