Press Release

Stafford Firefighters Contain Townhouse Fire, Rescue 2 Cats

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Stafford County Fire and Rescue]

At 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units were dispatched to the 400 block of Club House Road in the England Run subdivision in south Stafford for a reported structure fire. Crews arrived within two minutes and found smoke coming from the side of a three-story, end-unit townhouse.

Firefighters brought the fire under control in under 20 minutes. While searching the house, they rescued two cats. All human occupants had safely evacuated before emergency crews arrived, and no injuries were reported. Officials confirmed that smoke alarms were functioning during the fire, which helped alert residents to the danger.

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Updated: Prince William County Police Seek Public’s Help in Locating Missing Mother and Son

By Uriah Kiser

Update Feb. 25, 2025 – From Prince William police:

*UPDATE Jazmine Parris Renee GRIFFIN and Kyrie Jashia Darren BONDS, who were reported as missing and endangered on February 23, have been located and are safe.

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“Mommy! Mommy! I Missed You!” – Latoya Crabbe’s Tearful Reunion with Her Children Four Months After Being Jailed

By Alan Gloss
Latoya Crabbe shares an embrace with her three children ages 5, 4 and 2. (Photo by Alan Gloss)

Latoya Crabbe, the Manasas woman accused of shooting and killing her estranged husband, Curtis Crabbed,  was released from jail on Friday, February 21, 2025. At the county jail, she had an emotional reunion with her mother, Marilyn Martin, who patiently waited for officials to release her from the lockup she’d been in since being charged on October 21, 2024. 

A short time later, at home, Crabbe waited anxiously for her three children, whom she had not seen in four months, to come home from school. “I’m relieved to be back home, but I’m still anxious about the pending trial,” she said. “The most important thing for me is to hug and kiss my babies right now.”

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Today: Prince William County to Hold Virtual Meeting on Proposed FY2026 Budget

By Uriah Kiser

Prince William County residents are invited to participate in a virtual community meeting on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon to discuss the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Hosted by the Office of Management & Budget, the event allows the public to learn about the budget details and ask questions directly to county officials.

Residents must register in advance to attend. Upon approval, registrants will receive an invitation to the webinar.

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New Stafford African American Heritage Trail Debuts, Celebrating Black History Month

By Uriah Kiser
Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard in Stafford.

Stafford County is making history with the launch of the Stafford African American Heritage Trail, a new initiative designed to highlight the county’s rich African American history. The trail, developed in collaboration with the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Geography, local historians, and community members, officially debuts this week as part of Black History Month celebrations.

Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Deuntay Diggs, announced the trail’s opening at the board meeting on February 18, 2025. “This trail system is part of Discover Stafford’s commitment to sharing the complete story of the county’s history,” Diggs stated. “By walking this trail, residents and visitors can learn about the powerful contributions of African Americans to our community and honor their legacy.”

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Electrical Fire Caused Fire that Damaged Children’s Gym

By Uriah Kiser

A house fire that erupted on December 5, 2024, at 3:53 p.m. at 1405 Devils Reach Road in Woodbridge has been determined to have started due to an electrical issue. The fire quickly spread to the nearby Kid’s Choice Sport and Fun Center, causing significant damage to both buildings.

Investigators at Prince William County Fire and Rescue concluded that the fire began on the backside of the home along the exterior wall, near electrical outlets and lithium-ion (Li-Ion) portable tool batteries left on chargers. The fire has been classified as accidental/electrical.

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George Mason Women’s Basketball Pink Game Raises Awareness and Honors Breast Cancer Survivors

By Uriah Kiser
Cancer survivors being honored at the 2025 Play4Kay Pink Game at George Mason.

The George Mason University Patriots women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 76-66 victory over the University of Massachusetts during the annual #Play4Kay Pink Game at EagleBank Arena on Sunday, February 16. The event, sponsored for the sixth consecutive year by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC), brought together fans, survivors, and medical professionals to raise awareness of women’s cancers and honor those affected by breast cancer.

A Victory Beyond the Scoreboard

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New Iconic Sign Installed at Central Park in Fredericksburg

By Uriah Kiser
A crew installs a new 160-foot sign above Fredericksburg's Central Park shopping center on Feb. 5, 2025.

A new, towering sign has been installed at Central Park, the region’s largest and busiest outdoor shopping center.

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Love, Music, and Classic Rock: Big Fat Doug Belford Experience Heats Up Occoquan

By Mike Salmon
Big Fat Daddy with Meri Schaefer and Brian Curtiss and John David Coppola with the peace sign. [Photo: Mike Salmon]

This combination of musicians is called “Big Fat Doug Belford Experience,” they rocked out a healthy list of covers for the appreciative crowd. The band was a combo of three members of a band called “Big Fat Daddy,” featuring Meri Schaefer, Brian Curtiss, John David Coppola on bass, and three others from Doug Belford Experience, which featured Doug Belford, Meri Schaefer, and Brian Curtiss. Meri Schaefer and Brian Curtiss play in both bands.

Sure, some of the songs are well-known covers from the heyday of rock and roll, but people dig those songs anyway. A beer or two feeds that love the staples in their rock list, including “Maneater” from Hall and Oates, “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads, and “Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young. The tempo of the night stretched far and wide.

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