Prince William County Parks and Recreation is hosting its annual Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park for the third year. The FREE lights display begins Friday, Dec. 6. New this year: Visitors can experience the magic of the holiday season with visits from holiday characters, joyful holiday music sung by carolers and an unforgettable holiday shopping experience on select nights.

A historic house for rent near Manassas VA could grab the attention of any history buff. The house at Bloom Hill Farm, with origins in the late 1700s, and a little over an acre are available for lease. According to information from the RELIC Room at Bull Run Library in Manassas, Bloom Hill was part of the land holdings of Rutt Johnson, an immigrant farmer from New Jersey who purchased approximately 100 acres in 1770 from Patrick Hamrick.

Fire and rescue units from the city of Manassas VA, the city of Manassas Park VA and Prince William County VA quelled a blaze that broke out in a middle of the row townhouse with heavy fire on the first floor on New Britain Circle. Seven adults and a child exited the structure before rescue units arrived. One resident was treated and transported to Prince William Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Damage was estimated at $150,000.

The ApologetiX band, now on its 20th anniversary tour, will stop at Gainesville United Methodist Church, 13710 Milestone Court, in Gainesville VA on Saturday, Sept. 29. "ApologetiX specializes in biblical parodies of classic and modern rock songs" and is suitable for all ages, according to J.Jackson, the band's lead singer and songwriter. Tickets at the door.

Has your child ever met a farmer? Have you? Now you can and ask those questions you've always wanted to know about farms during a weekend in the beautiful Prince William County VA countryside. Ten locations with fun and educational activities for the whole family will be open to the public. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Sample farm life of yesteryear at Brentsville Courthouse, #1 stop of the 12th free western Prince William County Farm tour. There will be goats and chickens in the nearby pens to visit and feed. They will be able to pet the goats through the fence and offer feed to the chickens, said Mike Riley, manager of the Brentsville property. There will be apple butter making. Hours are 10-4 Saturday, 12-4 on Sunday.

Catch a hayride to the Christmas trees, organic produce and pumpkin patch during the 12th free Prince William County Farm Tour Sept. 29-30. Visit one farm or several. Talk to the farmers. Learn about local produce and see animals. A preview of stops #3 and #4 on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Under a new Virginia law, “Mandate reporters who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect as soon as possible, but no longer than 24 hours after having reasons to suspect abuse, can be charged anywhere from $500 and higher in fines. In the case of suspected acts of rape, sodomy, or object sexual penetration, a person who knowingly and intentionally fails to make the required report shall be guilty of a Class 1 Misdemeanor.”

Manassas VA CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is the city’s local program that teaches ordinary people how to safely help in their neighborhoods when an overwhelming emergency requires more than regular 911 responders. The fall series of CERT training sessions starts Thursday, Oct. 4, and there are a few more spots for volunteers, according to Bob Keller, the city’s CERT volunteer coordinator.