Bristow Beat: 'We are Thankful'

Almost a year ago, husband and wife journalists decided that there was a serious dearth of local news in western Prince William County. So in an attempt to spur community involvement, open dialog, and provide essential news to communities in Bristow and Nokesville, we founded the Bristow Beat.

We have experienced steady growth for the last 11 months since our launch; however, after the 1-2-3 punch of a superstorm, a presidential election, and most shocking, the shuttering of a journalistic institution, we were presented with opportunities that no business plan could have anticipated.

Where are we going? Expansion.

In the coming months, as we consider how to best serve those in Prince William County who will soon be without a source for daily news, we hope to introduce them to the professional, ethical journalism that you have come to embrace.

To meet the demand of our expanded audience, we will offer new products and expand our existing coverage. This will include:

• Offering more interactive content including the return of our mini-documentary series,“From Here to Here”
• Making small site modifications to enhance your viewing experiences
• Providing more comprehensive coverage of local sports
• Capitalizing on our popular “Restaurant Inspections,” with the debut of “Daycare Inspections”

Perhaps our most ambitious plan will be to formalize our coverage of the Gainesville Magisterial District. Therefore, we can officially announce that on Jan. 1, 2013, we will launch the Gainesville Beat to serve Gainesville and Haymarket.

Thank you.

As we join together with family and friends tomorrow, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the reason that all of this will be possible.

You.

We are thankful for the confidence and trust that you have offered us and for the opportunity to honor the great legacy of news reporting in Prince William County. At Bristow Beat, we will always take this mandate seriously.