News

Stafford School Board Addresses Transportation Chaos, Blames Software Issues, Staff Shortages

By Uriah Kiser

In a meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Stafford County School Board members faced a litany of transportation issues that had plagued the district since the beginning of the school year. A beleaguered transportation system left 3,000 children—nearly 10 percent of the student population—without a ride to school.

On Monday, August 12, the first school day for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th-grade students, parents learned that some children would not have bus transportation. All Stafford County students were scheduled to return to classes the following day, and the problems continued, with about 1,000 students still without a bus.

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Multiple Homes Struck in Woodbridge Shooting Spree; Suspect Detained

By Uriah Kiser

On August 24, officers responded to multiple residential shootings in Woodbridge, where gunfire struck homes on Yawl Court, Lost Colony Drive, and Minnie Court, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old man, who faces charges including nine counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding and three counts each of shooting into an occupied dwelling and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, with no reported injuries or additional property damage.

From Prince William police:

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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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Manassas City Council Candidate Survey: Data Centers

By Caitlyn Meisner

As early voting for the fall 2024 election approaches, Potomac Local News is dedicated to informing the community about candidates vying for one of three open seats on the Manassas City Council and the mayor’s seat.

To help voters make an informed decision, we are continuing a new feature series, “One-Question Manassas City Council Candidate Survey.” This series will run throughout the campaign season, offering insights into each candidate’s stand on key issues affecting our city. Our third one, which ran on Aug. 16, focused on commercial airline services.

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STEP VA Announces Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” as 2025 Spring Musical

By Kelly Sienkowski
(Photo | STEP VA)

Fredericksburg’s STEP VA Inc. has announced Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” will be its 2025 spring musical. The organization, which empowers people with disabilities through artistic expression, has chosen the show as its fourth licensed musical, following previous productions like “The Lion King, Kids!” and “Seussical Jr.”

The STEP VA musical selection committee of 14 STEP VA participants ranging from middle school-age to adults worked together over four sessions to narrow down show options. The committee then presented the options to the production team, who made the final choice and submitted it to the licensing organization for approval.

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Big Mac Attack: Girl Faces Assault and Battery Charges After Demanding Customer Get Up from his Table

By Uriah Kiser
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

An intoxicated woman at McDonald’s on Garrisonville Road in North Stafford assaulted a juvenile after demanding he move from his seat, leading to her arrest on charges of assault and public intoxication, said police.

From the Stafford sheriff’s office:

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Former Marine, Stafford Man Convicted in Federal Court for Child Pornography Offenses

By Kelly Sienkowski
Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse, Eastern District of Virginia

A Stafford man has been convicted by a federal judge in Alexandria on charges of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Eman Goodwin, 33, a former U.S. Marine, was found guilty following a trial where evidence revealed his involvement in obtaining and storing thousands of explicit images and videos involving children.

Court records show that in February 2021, Goodwin attempted to acquire CSAM from a trafficker on the messaging platform Kik, specifically requesting material involving children under the age of 12. A subsequent search of his apartment, car, and person by the FBI on March 24, 2022, led to the seizure of 21 electronic devices. Forensic analysis uncovered nearly 5,000 images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit activities, which Goodwin had meticulously organized into folders with explicit labels.

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State Police: Issue Critically Missing Adult Alert for Nancy Briesemeister

By Kelly Sienkowski
Nancy Briesemeister

The Virginia State Police issued a critically missing adult alert on behalf of the Fredericksburg Police Department on August 26, 2024.

The Fredericksburg Police Department is looking for Nancy Elizabeth Briesemeister, race: White, sex: female, age: 86 years old, height: 5’4″, weight: 100 lbs., with blue eyes and white hair.

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Judge Deems Husband of Missing Woman a Flight Risk, Danger to Community; Prosecutors Reveal More Chilling Details

By Uriah Kiser

Insidenova.com: “The 37-year-old Manassas Park man, charged with concealing a dead body in connection with the disappearance of his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, was denied bond during a hearing Monday morning in Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Manassas.”

(more…)

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