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 is accepting donations of non-perishable food for Operation Turkey until Nov.15. The Co-op will accept donations at its Gainesville, Manassas and Woodbridge offices to help provide Thanksgiving meals for unemployed and low-income people in Prince William County.

Though both presidential candidates, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, had scheduled campaign stops in Prince William County VA before Halloween, Hurricane Sandy made both reschedule events. On Nov. 3, President Obama along with former President Bill Clinton made their appearance together at a campaign stop at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow VA.

Virginia State Parks will continue the tradition of honoring veterans by waiving parking and admission fees for all visitors on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. Special programs will also be offered in all 35 Virginia State Parks, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Virginia State Parks will continue the tradition of honoring veterans by waiving parking and admission fees for all visitors on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. Special programs will also be offered in all 35 Virginia State Parks, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The Virginia Department of Fire Safety has answered the most frequently asked questions about smoke detectors. Safety officials recommend changing smoke alarm batteries when turning the clocks back Nov. 4.

This Sunday, Nov. 4, residents are reminded to set their clocks back one hour for the end of Daylight Savings Time. Also change the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clock. This is the 25th year of "Change you clock, change your battery" slogan.

Virginians will be able to feed their families a Thanksgiving meal for a little more than $4.72 per person this year, according to an informal price survey conducted by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. The average cost of a traditional meal for 10 adults was $47.23. This includes turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

Manassas city officials tipped their collective hats to city public works and utility crews, volunteer and career firefighters and police officers for their work in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and dubbed them "Hurricane Heroes," according to a news release from Patty Prince, public information director.