BristowBeat.com and PotomacLocal.com will band together to provide more comprehensive news coverage for Prince William County and Greater Manassas.

“Prince William residents have been clamoring for a consistent daily news product that provides comprehensive news coverage of the county,” Bristow Beat LLC Publisher/CEO Jason Shaw said. “Between our two sites, we’ve got the county covered!”


Do you know your neighbors? How old are the children across the street? What are the names of the couple two doors down? Who on your block has your house key? If you became ill, how long before one of your neighbors noticed?

For about 26 years I could tell you all that and more. I wish I could tell you about all the wonderful people who have been part of my community, but there are just too many of them. My neighbors on the right and left of me have been here since these homes were built in 1976.


The family of Robe’rt (Bob) and Bettye Palmer are holding a surprise 50th wedding anniversary celebration today at the Waterford Hotel in Springfield.  Two hundred guests from across the country are expected to attend, including community leaders.

The Palmers were engaged in 1963, a pinnacle year for the Civil Rights movement.  As plans were being made for 100,000 people to converge on Washington, D.C. for the historic March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King would deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the Palmers were making a promise that has held firm for decades.  The Palmers married September 1, 1964.


STAFFORD, Va. — The Stafford County Citizens Academy is now open for student registration. The academy is a series of classes taught by Stafford County employees designed to familiarize citizens with the services that they provide to the community. 

The academy will run once a week in October. Classes focus on educating residents, business owners and interested individuals who work in Stafford on how the operations of their daily county government contribute to building a better community. Topics will include an introduction to local government, as well as information on various County departments and programs, the County budget, and history and tourism.


· Good morning  – Manassas Neighborhood Services needs volunteers for the Color Vibe 5K Run on Saturday September 13th. This event is from 6:30am-1pm at Osbourn High School. Duties include packet pick-up, water stations and rout coordination. Volunteers are also need on Friday from 11am-6pm for packet pick-up at the Harris Pavilion. Please email Christen at:[email protected] for more info.

· Beacon Adult Literacy needs volunteer tutors to teach conversation or computer literacy to ESL students in the Manassas area. Please call Caroline at (703) 368-7491 to learn more.


Megan Elliott of Woodbridge, Va. was one of 115 first-year students who recently took part in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2018 White Coat Ceremony.

Elliott graduated from C.D. Hylton High School in 2009 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2013 and a Master of Science in Biochemistry in 2014 from the University of Tulsa. She is the daughter of Jay and Jane Melott of Woodbridge, granddaughter of Jenny Melott of North Platte, Neb., and wife of Benjamin Elliott.


RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury returned guilty verdicts Thursday against former Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell and former First Lady of Virginia Maureen G. McDonnell for participating in a scheme to violate federal public corruption laws.

Here’s more in a press release from the U.S. District Attorney’s Office: 


MANASSAS, Va. – On August 29, a 53-year-old woman told police that a man exposed himself to her at a Harris Teeter on August 26. According to the report, the description given matches that of the man who exposed himself at Barnes & Noble on August 24. 

Here’s the latest from Prince William police:


MANASSAS, Va. – On August 28, a 35-year-old male victim was hospitalized after the male suspect, a co-worker, pushed him off of an elevator platform onto the ground and started to choke him. According to the report, the suspect left the scene before police arrived and a warrant has been issued.

Here’s the latest from Prince William police;  


WOODBRIDGE, Va. – On September 3, a 30-year-old man told police that after calling his friend to help him get gas, the friend and two other men came to the home armed with weapons. After stealing the victim’s safe, the men left the scene on foot. 

Here’s the latest from Prince William police:


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