"We urge everyone who puts up a cut Christmas tree to water it daily and then take it down right after the holidays," says Mike Curtis, NOVEC vice president, Public Relations. "The longer it stays up, the drier it becomes, and the more dangerous."

Birders and other volunteers can participate in the National Audubon Society’s 117th Christmas Bird Count, which is held annually by groups on any one day between Dec.14 and Jan. 5. The Nokesville Circle will take place on Mon., Dec. 26, starting at 7 a.m. at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area.

Virginia Department of Transportation reports that road crews are ready to report tonight, Friday, Dec. 16, for a forecast of low temperatures, freezing rain, sleet and snow across northern Virginia. As many plan to move across the region for shopping and other holiday preparations this weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation asks drivers to plan accordingly

During periods of extreme cold, like today, Dec. 15, the Manassas Park Community Center is a designated Emergency Warming Center.

In addition to a cash payment of just over $42 million, DuPont will fund the design and implementation of significant renovations at the Front Royal Fish Hatchery, estimated to cost up to $10 million. The settlement terms are outlined in a proposed consent decree filed in federal court in Harrisonburg, Virginia, today.

Officials of Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation in Manassas recently demonstrated the capabilities of its optionally piloted aircraft in locating and tracking great white sharks in connection with a three-week marine science expedition conducted by OCEARCH off the coast of Nantucket, Mass.

County planning commission to consider land use changes for a church parking lot and a Taco Bell eatery with drive-in (rezoning & Special Use Permit) and changes to the Design and Construction Standards Manual to "solve/correct design and construction issues, omissions, errors and inconsistencies" in fire safety and transportation areas

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today, Nov. 7, the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Virginia Beach City to help businesses impacted by Hurricane Matthew that began on Oct. 7, 2016. SBA representatives at the Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Virginia Beach City can provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and help businesses in completing the SBA application.