NOVEC has restored service to most of its 40,000-plus customers who lost power during the storm, and is now pouring all its efforts into getting the lights on for approximately 250 more customers by midweek. With 100+ broken utility poles, crews have to cut away branches; remove power lines, transformers, and other equipment on the pole; erect and secure a new pole; and then reattach lines and equipment. It's time-intensive and dangerous work, according to NOVEC.

Manassas is looking for volunteers at five April events to "Keep Manassas Beautiful." Manassas residents and businesses are invited to adopt a cleanup project of their choosing and add to the city's charm, beauty and appeal.

NOVEC crews -- and crews that have come to help from Tennessee and Georgia -- are working to restore service to approximately 9,000 customers in NOVEC's six-county service territory. Our goal is to have most -- if not all -- customers back online by Monday afternoon," a NOVEC official was quoted as saying.

Audubon Society of Northern Virginia invites community groups, schools, churches and other non-profit organizations to apply for funding under two new mini-grant programs designed to address habitat concerns and youth education.

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced Feb. 8 the detection of a new invasive insect pest in Virginia, the Spotted Lantern Fly, It causes damage to plants because of its method of feeding, a news release stated.

Prince William County's Department of Fire & Rescue (DFR) will be conducting live structural fire training on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the 10300 block of Kettle Run Road, a news release stated.

Gov. Ralph Northam was quoted as saying Feb. 5, “This year, the General Assembly is rightly working to change the law to lift a freeze on electric utility rates that was originally devised to help utility providers cope with federal regulations that have since been repealed. The goal of that legislation should be simple: Give Virginians as much of their money back as possible, restore oversight to ensure that utility companies do not overcharge ratepayers for power, and make Virginia a leader in clean energy and electrical grid modernization."

Prince William Committee of 100 has assembled a group of transportation experts to talk about the future of transportation in Prince William County at the Committee's Feb. 15 dinner meeting/forum at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 10800 Vandor Lane, in Manassas.