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.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative board of directors has voted to return $2.12 million to current customer-owners who had active accounts on December 31, 2012. Customers will see a CashBack capital credit on their March 2014 bills.

Three local notables, Didlake, Inc., John O. Gregory and Carol Merchant Kirby will be honored for their leadership in bringing the Hylton Center to Prince William County and the Northern Virginia region in early April.

A caller notified police to report that a child could be heard yelling from a neighboring residence. Police responded and located the victim, a 4 year old female child. The investigation revealed that the victim suffered multiple strikes to the body by the accused, a known acquaintance, using an electrical cord.

Each pet adopted from the Prince William County Animal Shelter is receiving a complimentary microchip from PW-SPCA. A fee microchip clinic for people who already have pets is this Saturday, March 1, at Wellington-Petco in Manassas.

Bull Run Regional Library at 8051 Ashton Ave., Manassas, VA, will offer free tax help on a first-come-first-served basis for low- to moderate-income taxpayers and seniors through the AARP Tax Aide program on ten days in March.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary recall by Roos Foods of ALL LOTS of certain cheeses Mexicana. The products are in flexible plastic bags and rigid plastic clam shell packages in 12 oz. and 16 oz. sizes under brand names: Mexicana, Amigo, Santa Rosa De Lima and Anita.

Residents of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park who demonstrate they need some assistance with necessary repairs to their homes can get the details at a March 8 meeting sponsored by the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

On March 6, a panel of local experts will discuss the future of the Rural Crescent at a community forum sponsored by the Prince William Conservation Alliance. Each speaker will make a brief presentation, followed by Q&A with the audience.