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.

ACTS Helpline is a free service for those who need someone to listen to their thoughts and feelings. Listeners will assist with crisis intervention for suicide, sexual assault, and abuse. The crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, and no problem is too big or small to be heard.

The cost of health care, obesity and access to healthy foods were the top concerns of the 1194 people who responded to a survey taken by Prince William Health District (PWHD) between February and June this year. The health district includes Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan and Quantico.

A lot of residents in the City of Manassas are glad to see that the historic 9300 Prescott Ave. House has been saved from being torn down and will be remodeled. Hugh Ickrath, a neighbor two doors down and two other investors had managed to buy the decaying eyesore at the last hour at a short sale before a demolition crew was to arrive.

Plans for the Pyramid Center, a mixed-use development which would include rerouting Prince William Parkway at Buckhall Road, were pulled from the June 18 agenda of Prince William Board of County Supervisors by the applicant who said he has "some unfinished work to do with (county) planners and the neighbors."

Prince William County crews have started the the design of the actual 9-11 memorial on the ellipse at the county's government center in Woodbridge VA "along with the conservation of the steel," according to Brendon Hanafin, chief of the county's Historic Preservation Division. Residents are invited to stop by and watch. Hanafin hopes the memorial will be completed by Sept. 11.

Members of the Brentsville High School Class of 1954 "want to make sure the building is not destroyed and" are preparing a petition to present to the Prince William County School Board that it be preserved," according to Helen Graves, a member of the class.

Prince William Health District offers health and safety precautions as residents gather to celebrate Independence Day. Outdoor picnics and barbecues present an opportunity for foodborne illnesses to occur and increase the potential of residents to experience heat-related illnesses or be affected by severe weather.