News - Page 142 of 1915 - Potomac Local News

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

Published August 23, 2024 at 10:35AM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

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.

Structure Fire Engulfs Home in Stafford County, No Injuries Reported

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 22, 2024 at 8:29PM

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.

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

By Alan Gloss

Published August 22, 2024 at 4:40PM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

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.

Quantico Live-Fire Training Scheduled August 26 to 30

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 22, 2024 at 4:12PM

Members of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group train at Quantico

Marine Corps Base Quantico has announced a series of live-fire training exercises scheduled from August 26 to August 30.

These exercises will include demonstrations using fragmentation devices and .50 caliber munitions, potentially resulting in louder-than-usual noise.

Decomposed Body Found in Woodbridge

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 22, 2024 at 2:03PM

Police found a decomposed body in the woods near the Featherstone Square Shopping Center. They are investigating.

3 Displaced in Woodbridge House Fire

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 22, 2024 at 1:59PM

Fire and rescue units responded to a townhouse fire on William Harris Way in the Rippon area of Woodbridge. Smoke was visible, and all occupants were safely evacuated. The basement-origin fire was quickly extinguished without injuries, though the home was deemed unsafe. Three adults were displaced, and the American Red Cross assisted.

Press release:

Fredericksburg to Host “Day of Play” at Virginia Credit Union Stadium

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 22, 2024 at 1:00PM

A paddling pool with kayaks will be available.

Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation, and Events will host its inaugural “Day of Play” at the Virginia Credit Union Stadium on September 21, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The family-focused event will feature a variety of activities like an obstacle course, kayak paddling pool, baseball pitch, and Ga Ga ball. University of Mary Washington’s Cheerleading team will teach cheerleading skills, while Mary Washington Healthcare will host Wellness Workshops. The event will also have a Toddler Area, designed for the youngest attendees.

Teen Driver Killed in Single-Vehicle Rollover Crash on Poplar Road

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 22, 2024 at 12:28PM | Updated August 22, 2024 at 3:35PM

In the early hours of August 21, police responded to a single-vehicle accident on the 600 block of Poplar Road at 1:10 a.m. following a report that a Toyota Avalon struck a tree and rolled over several times.

Upon arrival, deputies found four individuals in the vehicle. The driver, identified as Landon Lynn, 18, of Stafford, was pronounced dead at the scene. The three passengers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

Stafford School Board to Hold Special Meeting on Aug. 27

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 22, 2024 at 12:20PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

Stafford County Public Schools Alvin York Bandy Complex, the headquarters of the school division.

The Stafford County School Board will hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, August 27, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, livestreamed online, and televised on local cable channels. The public is invited to attend, but the agenda does not include public comments.

The meeting agenda includes a transportation update; Stafford Public Schools faced a chaotic first week with major software issues that left thousands of students without transportation to and from school. The board will also discuss redistricting for the county’s newest High School, which will impact students in the 2026-27 school year. The school will be located between Route 17 and Truslow Road in the southwestern part of the county. This area currently does not have a public high school, and the new facility is expected to help alleviate overcrowding in the existing schools.

Local Governments, Agencies Issue School Bus Safety Reminders

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 22, 2024 at 12:00PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood

With school having started in the region these past two weeks, several localities have released safety reminders for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

In a May 2021 report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said between 2010 and 2019, there were 1,080 school transportation-related crashes and 1,199 people of all ages were killed in those crashes.