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.

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) offers suggestions for ways that Virginia consumers can celebrate Farmers’ Market Week Aug. 4-10. There are 200 markets now, up from 88 in 2006.. A number of them are in this area. Watch for stories during Farmers Market Week.

Manassas City Police Association and Manassas City Police Charitable Foundation, Inc. are coordinating public awareness and fundraising campaigns in response to the July 13, 2013 tragedy involving Manassas City Police Officer Heather Munsterman, who was injured in the line of duty.

The work that pretrial, probation, parole and community supervision professionals in Prince William County's 31st Judicial Circuit do in their ongoing effort to support public safety will be recognized during Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week, July 21-27, 2013.

Melissa Robson, president of Novant Health Prince William Medical Center & COO, Greater Northern Virginia Market, will give an in-depth look at how Novant Health is making healthcare remarkable in Prince William County at a July 30 breakfast sponsored by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce in Haymarket.

Local residents are still needed to host members of a group of French students (mostly boys) who have signed up to come to this area for three weeks in August to experience the "American Way of Life" through LEC (Loisirs Culturels A IÕEtranger), a Paris-based organization that promotes international friendship via family homestays.

Prince William County VA police department's crime report for Wednesday, July 17, 2013.

Prince William County is celebrating Park and Recreation Month during July with special activities throughout the park system, family-fun theme nights at the waterparks and the department's Facebook Photo Contest.

Manassas VA City police department crime report for Tuesday, July 16, 2013