Press Release

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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Rotary Club of Manassas Raises Over $20K at 25th Annual Reverse Raffle

By Uriah Kiser

The Rotary Club of Manassas hosted its 25th Annual Reverse Raffle on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Bishop Russell Hall, 9290 Stonewall Road in Manassas. The highly anticipated event successfully raised over $20,000, benefitting Connections Family Resource Center, Medical Missionaries, and The Knights of Columbus – George Brent Council.

The evening featured a dinner catered by The Bone BBQ and honored Rotarian William “Bill” Burton, a dedicated club member since 1983, who sadly passed away on December 11, 2024. Attendees paid tribute to Burton’s contributions and his legacy within the Rotary community.

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VDOT Seeks Public Input on Hoadly Road Safety and Traffic Study

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking feedback from residents and travelers on a Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) study assessing potential safety, operational, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian improvements along Hoadly Road (Route 642) between Route 234 (Dumfries Road) and Prince William Parkway (Route 294).

Hoadly Road, a key corridor in Prince William County, carries an average of 25,000 vehicles per day with a posted speed limit of 50 mph. The STARS study aims to identify potential improvements to enhance traffic flow, increase safety, and support multimodal transportation in the area.

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DUI Arrests, Armed Robberies, and Assaults: Crime Reports from Prince William and Stafford Counties

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Alan Gloss]

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to call the Prince William County Police Tip Line at 703-792-7000 or submit a web tip at pwcva.gov/policetip.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Daily Incident Report

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Stafford County Names Eugene Loew as New Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Director

By Uriah Kiser
Loew

Stafford County has appointed Eugene Loew as its new Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, bringing over two decades of experience in public recreation and leisure services. Loew joins the county from Prince William County, where he served as the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.

Loew’s selection follows the retirement of longtime Parks Director Brian Southall, who stepped down in January 2025 after more than 30 years of service to Stafford County. The Board of Supervisors honored Southall, recognizing his dedication and leadership across multiple county departments, including utilities and facilities management, before taking the helm of Parks and Recreation. “Brian has been a cornerstone of Stafford County, ensuring access to top-tier facilities and recreational opportunities,” Board Chairman Deontay Diggs said during the January 21st board meeting. “We thank him for his incredible contributions and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

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Prince William County Police Thank Community for Supporting Polar Plunge 2025

By Uriah Kiser

The Prince William County Police Department is expressing gratitude to the community after another successful Polar Plunge event, which raised $130,000 for Special Olympics Virginia.

The event, held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Leesylvania State Park, saw strong participation from local residents, law enforcement personnel, and sponsors. Funds raised during the Polar Plunge will support Special Olympics Virginia, providing athletes with opportunities to compete and receive essential services.

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Sentara Lake Ridge Now Accepting Ambulance Patients

By Uriah Kiser

Sentara Lake Ridge, a standalone emergency facility, is now accepting ambulance patients as of February 4, 2025, expanding emergency medical access in eastern Prince William County. Previously, emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles were required to take patients to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, a Level III Trauma Center.

This expansion aims to address the region’s growing healthcare needs and alleviate pressure on SNVMC’s emergency department, which treated over 50,000 patients in 2024. SLR, which served more than 23,600 walk-in patients last year, has invested in staff training and medical equipment to support this transition.

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Window Cleaner Gives Back to Boys & Girls Club of Manassas for Random Acts of Kindness Week

By Uriah Kiser

Fish Window Cleaning owner Lona Bryan and her crew volunteered to clean the windows at the Boys & Girls Club of Manassas during National Random Acts of Kindness Week, giving back to the organization that first introduced her children to organized sports.

A random act of kindness can make a big difference. That’s the mindset of Lona Bryan, owner of Fish Window Cleaning, who brought her crew out to the Boys & Girls Club of Manassas Thursday. The Fish crew volunteered to clean the windows at the nonprofit, which provides before and after-school activities to community children including sports and educational programs. The initiative was in celebration of National Random Acts of Kindness Week.

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