Author: Alan Gloss

Alan Gloss is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you're not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!

Manassas

Manassas Holds Grand Reopening of City Hall Following Renovations

By Alan Gloss
Members of the Manassas City Council and Interim City Manager Douglas Keen at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated City Hall space on Monday. [Photo by Alan Gloss]

Although initially estimated in 2014 to cost $8.5 million, the city’s final price tag came in at a staggering $15.9 million. With the exception of Social Services, residents can find all services in the renovated building.

After the ribbon cutting, City Council held its first meeting in the newly refurbished building and officially named the room in honor of Edgar Rohr, a former mayor and City Councilor with deep roots in Manassas.

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Manassas

Man, 23, Charged After Girl Walking to School Abducted

By Alan Gloss

Manassas detectives arrested a suspect following a 48-hour investigation into a recent abduction and robbery incident of a girl waiting for a school bus.

Jesus Enrique Ramirez Cabrera, 23, of Manassas, was taken into custody on the evening of September 6 and is being held without bond at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center.

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News

Sink or Swim: Cardboard Captains Make a Splash at Signal Bay’s Labor Day Regatta!

By Alan Gloss
Owen, age 12, and his sister Cora from Bristow, children of Tim and Elspeth McCormick cross paddles in their quest to be the fastest boat all day. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

Potomac Local went to Signal Bay Water Park in Manassas Park on Labor Day for its 2nd annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Eighteen children aged 6 to 15 competed in this year’s competition. Labor Day marks the official end of the water park’s season. See the tournament in pictures:        

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Breaking News

Breaking News: Manassas Park Police Shut Down Signal Hill Park

By Alan Gloss
Police search a wooded area of Signal Hill Park [Photo: Alan Gloss]

Manassas Park Police, with assistance from Prince William County Police and their Cadets, have closed Signal Hill Park on Signal View Drive in Manassas Park. The park, located approximately a mile and a half from the home of missing mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt, is closed immediately. Bhatt, a frequent visitor to the park, has been missing, triggering extensive searches.

Authorities have established a command post within the park’s pavilion, which notably hosted a vigil for Kaffle Bhatt last Saturday, drawing 800 attendees.

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Manassas Park

New Evidence Found in Home of Missing Manassas Park Woman

By Alan Gloss
Manassas Park Chief of Police Mario Lugo speaking to media and onlookers on Wednesday night following a search at the home.

Chief Mario Lugo of the Manassas Park Police addressed the media on Tuesday, providing updates on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, last seen over a month ago. Her husband has been charged with concealing a body and is currently held without bond.

Chief Lugo confirmed that police executed a new search warrant at the couple’s residence Tuesday afternoon. “We located additional evidence today,” he said, without disclosing specifics.

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Prince William

Back to School, Slow Down: Police Ramp Up Enforcement in School Zones

By Alan Gloss
Officer Anthony Lynch explains what a driver has to do for the multiple violations she received as the nearly four-foot long paper ticket blows in the wind. (Photo by Alan Gloss)

Area police have a message for the public: Slow down in school zones because school is back in session. Prince William County Police officers were out in force this week to encourage motorists to slow down in the posted school zones.

Lt. Jonathan Perok said, “School zone safety is a serious concern that impacts students, school staff, parents, and the broader community. Enforcement in these areas is one-way police can assist in ensuring the speed through these zones during critical times is followed. Drivers and pedestrians alike are urged to follow posted signs, avoid distractions, and plan extra time in their commute, especially during this transitional back-to-school period.”

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Manassas Park

Vigil for Missing Manassas Park Woman Draws Hundreds Demanding Justice

By Alan Gloss
Hundreds of residents gathered at Signal Hill Park on Saturday, August 24, for a vigil to share their thoughts about the missing Manassas Park mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who is believed to have been murdered in her home. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

Hundreds of residents gathered at Signal Hill Park on Saturday, August 24, for a vigil to share their thoughts about the missing Manassas Park mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who is believed to have been murdered in her home.

The sound of children playing at the park was poignant as Kafle Bhatt disappeared just weeks before her daughter celebrated her first birthday. Speakers at the event highlighted that Mamta means “loving mother” in her native Nepal.

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Manassas Park

Photo Story: Hundreds Gather Near Home of Missing Manassas Park Woman

By Alan Gloss and Caitlyn Meisner
More than 200 members of the community attended a vigil after police announced charges in the case of the missing mother. [Photo/Alan Gloss]

On Thursday evening, more than 200 community members gathered at the Manassas Park home of a missing mother, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who was last seen earlier this month. Her husband, Naresh Bhatt, was arrested and charged Thursday morning with felony concealing a body.

At a hearing on Friday morning in the Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Bhatt remains in custody without bond. According to court documents, “a substantial amount of digital and forensic evidence” was found inside Bhatt and Kafle Bhatt shared.

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Breaking News

Breaking News: Husband Arrested, Charged with Concealing a Dead Body in Mamta Kafle Bhatt Case

By Alan Gloss
Police appear to be removing carpets from Mamta's home. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

Update 5:40 p.m.: Naresh Bhatt has been charged with concealing a dead body. It is a felony charge of Prohibition Against Concealment of Dead Body in violation of Section 18.2-323.02 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. He is being held without bond at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center.

Manassas Park police are expected to hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to share more details on the case. MPPD has not yet announced if they have found a body in connection with Kafle’s disappearance.

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Breaking News

UPDATE: Police Say Husband is Person of Interest in Manassas Park Missing Woman Case

By Alan Gloss and Caitlyn Meisner

9:38 p.m. — Manassas Park Police have determined the husband of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, Naresh Bhatt, is a person of interest. They also said he is no longer cooperating.

Police just wrapped up a press conference with details on tonight’s search of the home. More as we have it.

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