Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families often qualify for special tax benefits. An IRS news release describes some of the most common deductions and exclusions and tells where to get more information.

Food safety experts at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) says parents should be aware that food preparation and storage is as important to family health as the food itself.

Two state information technology (IT) initiatives have been selected as finalists in the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) State IT Recognition Awards program. Virginia Department of Transportation’s “Outside VDOT” is a finalist in the “Improving State Operations” category. Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) program “Barring Open Doors to Threats” is a finalist in the “Cybersecurity” category.

Prince William County Schools has issued a Q & A about immunizations covering the the rules, the exceptions and the fact that it is prohibited by law from inquiring about the legal/documentation status of any student.

Mauricio Florian-Polanco, a 39-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala who was residing in Manassas pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit immigration document fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs announced Aug. 22 it will hold several public meetings to identify and discuss possible amendments to the charitable gaming statute and the charitable gaming regulations.

A September 25 community meeting at 7 p.m. at Bull Run Middle School is planned on the PWCS proposal to build a new transportation center near Catharpin Park (northwest of the Manassas Battlefield). The new facility will help ensure safe, reliable bus service to thousands of students in the growing western part of the county.

Va. Governor Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring Aug. 21 announced a comprehensive effort to address sexual assault and violence on college campuses and set an Oct. 30-31 statewide summit of campus leaders on the issues, according to a news release.

At approximately 10:30AM on August 17, 2014 Manassas City Police responded to Colonial Village Apartments for a report of a deceased body left by a dumpster area. Officers identified the victim as 26-year-old Cesar Benjamin Contreras of Manassas and his death has been ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner’s office.