News

Fredericksburg’s Drinking Water Unaffected Amid Rapidan River Investigation

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water and the Rapidan Service Authority issued a continued “Do Not Use Water Advisory” for the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant. The advisory, first implemented on August 21, is still in effect following reports of an unknown odor in the drinking water.

Despite extensive testing and sampling by a VELAP-certified private lab, the cause of the odor has not been identified, and no harmful contaminants have been detected. The odor is noted to be dissipating, but the advisory will remain until it is sufficiently reduced or eliminated. The Rapidan Service Authority is actively working to address and mitigate the odor.

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Jackson Ulmer, 23, of Stafford County Joins VSP

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Virginie State Police]

Press release:

A resident of Stafford County, and a resident of Fauquier County, were among the 21 Virginia State Police Troopers who graduated from the 141st Basic Session on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the VSP Academy in North Chesterfield, Va. During the 141st Basic Session’s 30 weeks at the VSP Academy, trooper-trainees received instruction in more than 100 different subjects over the course of hundreds of hours. Academy training includes areas such as crime scene investigation, judicial procedures, self-defense, cultural diversity, and firearms.

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Stafford Sheriff Investigates Anti-Semitic Flyers Distributed in Stafford

By Kelly Sienkowski
White Oak Road

Several residents in Stafford County’s White Oak area woke up to anti-Semitic flyers strewed across their properties. Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported several calls about the flyers, which were placed at residences. Detective S.M. Danyluk has obtained copies of the flyer and is actively investigating the incident, requesting any residents with video footage be submitted online.

Department spokesman Ryan Wilbur said while houses were not specifically targeted, the flyers were distributed randomly along sidewalks and driveways. The flyers were inside plastic bags weighed down by rice. Wilbur said the papers “were generalized flyers” and they “contained misinformation regarding religion, media, and conspiracies.”

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Ribbon Cut, Cava Sabered: City Vino Celebrates New Location in Fredericksburg

By Kelly Sienkowski
City Vino

City Vino held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 22, marking their new location at 100 Hanover Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

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STEM Solutions Transitions to First Office in Historic District

By Caitlyn Meisner
Brad Wilson is the founder of STEM Solutions and Manassas native.

STEM Solutions, a company focused on connecting “security-cleared talent with federal contractors,” has transitioned to its first physical office space in Historic Manassas.

Brad Wilson, the company’s founder, is a 2006 Osbourn High School alumnus and a state football championship for the school. He remains dedicated to the community, even hiring an intern, being an active member of the OHS alumni board and has begun discussions with OHS’s career and technical education program.

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Happening Now: Fredericksburg Fire Department on Scene at 800 Caroline St.

By Kelly Sienkowski

Fredericksburg’s Fire Department is on the scene now at 800 Caroline Street for a structure fire. The building is home to Dragonfly Yoga and Stage Door Productions, amongst others.

No injuries have been reported, but drivers are advised to use alternate routes in downtown Fredericksburg.

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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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Structure Fire Engulfs Home in Stafford County, No Injuries Reported

By Kelly Sienkowski

A residential fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in the 800 block of Walnut Drive, prompting a swift response from Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units. The fire was reported just before 2:40 p.m., and firefighters arrived on the scene within five minutes to find flames engulfing multiple sides of the single-family home.

Despite challenges posed by the steep terrain and the distance to the nearest hydrants, the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. Fortunately, no occupants were in the home at the time, and there were no reported injuries among the residents. The occupants, one adult and four children, are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

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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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