U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) Jan. 17 report Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has been awarded $1,884,992 by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to improve track safety and protect employees who repair and maintain the Metro system. The grant will support a Metro program to outfit track workers with technology bands that will alert them of incoming trains so they have enough time to move to safety.

The Virginia Senate Finance Committee will conduct a hearing during its Jan. 18 meeting that starts at 9 a.m. on proposed legislation (SB 836) that would require localities to base the Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) tax on the Virginia taxable income of a business instead of the current law that gives a locality the option to impose the tax upon gross receipts or Virginia taxable income.

The body of an adult male which was discovered along the Potomac River in the 1500 block of Cherry Hill Rd in Dumfries on January 12 has been positively identified as Christian Alexander SOSA RIVAS, 21, of Fairfax, according to Sgt. Jonathan Perok, spokesman for Prince William County Police Department.

The Virginia House of Delegates just recessed for the weekend, completing our first week of the 2017 legislative session of the General Assembly. I’m still at my desk on the floor of an empty House chamber as my fellow Delegates make their way home for the weekend. Before driving north to Prince William County this afternoon, I want to give you this first-hand report from my perspective. Read the delegate's bills & give him opinions below.

On January 13, the body discovered along the Potomac River in the 1500 block of Cherry Hill Rd in Dumfries Jan. 12 underwent an autopsy at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Manassas, according to a statement issued by the Prince William County VA Police Department.

The Prince William County Planning Commission will be holding a work session on the Comprehensive Plan Update on January 18, 2017 at 7 PM in the Potomac Conference Room, 1 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge, VA.

Drivers are asked to monitor weather reports for the latest updates to avoid being on the road during periods of limited visibility or icy conditions. Stay off roads Saturday or delay trips until Sunday if possible, to avoid being caught in deteriorating conditions as weather transitions between snow, sleet and freezing rain through the day.

Manassas Park Fire Chief David O. Dixon reports that firefighters located and removed five unresponsive dogs when they searched for occupants in a burning house in Manassas Park Thursday afternoon. Firefighters and paramedics provided lifesaving treatment to all five unresponsive animals. Two were revived and transported to a local emergency veterinary clinic by Manassas Park Police animal control.