Officials at Quantico Marine Corps Base are on alert and warn of longer than normal traffic delays for those attempting to get aboard base on Monday.

MCBQ Traffic Advisory
Travelers can expect delays at all entry points. Base law enforcement personnel will be conducting 100% ID checks of all individuals. Expect an increase in vehicle inspections and longer wait times when entering the base.
Please have IDs ready. pic.twitter.com/rcX6uh2KYX

— MCBQuantico (@MCB_Quantico) January 5, 2020

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It’ll be slow going tomorrow at Fort Belvoir, too.

The heightened security comes after a U.S. drone airstrike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on Thursday, the head of Iran’s elite Quds military force and one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic, in Baghdad.

The Lake Ridge Chorale will hold auditions for new signers this month.

From an email:

We are now looking forward to rehearsals, which will resume next Tuesday, Jan.7. Some of you on this list have expressed interest in joining the Lake Ridge Chorale.

Auditions will be held the same evening at 7:00 pm, prior to rehearsal.

The location is:
Westminster at Lake Ridge, 12191 Clipper Dr., Lake Ridge (Harbor Room).

Save the Date (for our next concert!)

Friday, March 13th, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church
12351 Al Saints Pl.
Lake Ridge, VA
(We will also perform this concert at Westminster at Lake Ridge on Tuesday, March 10th at 7:30 pm)

Thank you again for joining us in our mission of sharing music and supporting local charities.

[pdf]https://s3.amazonaws.com/potomaclocal-images/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-Spring-Auditions-Flyer.pdf[/pdf]

He came to Stafford County from a county just outside Charlottesville in 2016 to take over the reins of the Stafford County Government.

He’s a Dale City native, as we reported when he took the job. And now he’s ready for retirement.

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Authorities in Stafford County say these two men stepped out for more than just a pack of smokes. A press release states:

Two suspects were arrested on Thursday by deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for illegally selling cigarettes. On January 2, 2020, at approximately 3:50 a.m., deputies responded to the Wawa located at 72 Austin Park Drive after a citizen reported observing suspicious activity. The caller advised that he observed two male subjects going back and forth between their vehicle and the store to purchase large quantities of cigarettes. Each time they’d re-enter the store, they would change into different jackets. Deputy Philippsen located the suspect vehicle and made contact with the occupants at the Walmart located at 217 Garrisonville Road. The suspects were identified as Denyal Duz, 27, of Alexandria, VA and Ari Botani, 34, of Arlington, VA. Both suspects were taken into custody. Numerous jackets and stacks of cash, totaling over $13,000.00, were located in the vehicle. In addition, the trunk was filled with approximately 225 cartons of cigarettes. The suspects were subsequently incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail on charges of felony possession with intent to distribute tax-paid cigarettes and felony conspiracy.

Two suspects were arrested yesterday for illegally selling cigarettes. Over $13,000 & 225 cartons of cigarettes were located. We are proud of the diligent efforts of the deputies and detectives working this case! #KeepingStaffordSafe pic.twitter.com/xZ6ESr9yAA

— StaffordCoSheriff (@staffcosheriff) January 3, 2020

We’re now learning about the first baby of the New Year born in Manassas, at Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center.

A press release states:

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Prince William County firefighters were called to a barn fire near Haymarket on Thursday.

 

Barn fire in the 4300 block of High Ridge Road (Haymarket). Barn fully involved on arrival. Crews have the fire under control, starting to release some units. No injuries reported. Cause under investigation.

— PWC Fire & Rescue (@PWCFireRescue) January 2, 2020

Fredericksburg's boat show is set to return this month to the Fredericksburg Expo Center on Friday, January 17 and Saturday, January 18.

A press release states:

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The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest to be held in Woodbridge on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020 is returning to its roots.

A press release states:

At 11 a.m., six students in grades 6-12, representing schools from Prince William County, Manassas City, and Manassas Park will display their oratorical skills to expound on the theme “Let Freedom Ring.” The six students will be selected from participation in a regional contest held the week before.

Over the past 29 years, the six finalists have amazed and inspired audiences with thoughtful ideas, impactful delivery and a clear vision and call to action. The 30th year, with the guidestar of “Let Freedom Ring” is sure to be to one the best. “The 2020 theme, ‘Let Freedom Ring,’ is actually a return to a theme we used to inspire our orators at the first oratorical contest back in 1991” notes Sheila Bryant, co-chair of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program.

Fellow program co-chair Sandra Mitchell added, “The audience at the 2020 program will hear about these ideals from the optimistic and courageous, which will remind us of our better selves, what we can be, and what the future can hold for us. This message, we believe, is the legacy of Dr. King and the reason this program exists, but our chapter could not sustain this program with the generous support of the community, corporate and education foundations, local churches and private donors.”

Fourth and fifth grade students from the area elementary schools are invited to participate in a writing contest. The essay contest provides an opportunity for elementary students to also participate and the winners are announced on the day of the program.

This is the 30th year for the contest sponsored the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It will be held at the Hylton Memorial Chapel, 14640 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge. The program is free, and the doors will open at 10 a.m. and various vendors and community organizations will be there.

From Prince William police:

Armed Robbery – On January 1 at 6:59PM, officers responded to investigate a robbery that was reported to have occurred in the area of Stoney Ridge Pl. and Lady Catherine Ct. in Triangle (22172) earlier in the evening.

The investigation revealed that the victims, a 13-year old male juvenile and a 14-year-old male juvenile, were approached by five unknown individuals while in the above area. During the encounter, one of the suspects grabbed the 13-year-old juvenile before brandishing a firearm and demanding his property.

When the 14-year-old juvenile intervened, the suspect pushed him to the ground, pointed the firearm at him and relieved him of his property. The suspects fled the scene on foot and the victims went home where police were contacted. No injuries were reported. A police K-9 searched for the suspects who were not located. 

An iPhone and money were reported missing. The suspects were only described as black teenaged males.   

We’re learning what will replace the Peebles store in the Mathis Avenue shopping center in Manassas.

It’s Gordman’s, which sells a variety of children's, men's, and women’s clothing is set to take over the retail space following an announcement the Peebles brand was being phased out by parent company Stage Stores.

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