To help federal employees and retirees navigate through the many changes in the 2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans, dental and vision insurance programs, and flexible spending accounts, Congressman Gerry Connolly, who represents part of Prince William County, will hold an Open Season Workshop tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 15.

The date by which an absentee ballot must be requested for the Nov. 4 election was incorrect in the page 1 story in the Oct. 24 edition of the Manassas Observer. It should be Oct. 28 - NOT Nov. 28. The newspaper regrets the error.

New boundaries for the 12th high school in Prince William County will "prioritize racial/ethnic diversity," according to a news release from the school division. The U.S. Department of Justice raised concerns about the first plan but says this version will pass muster.

The Civilian Corps of the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) at Fort Sam Houson, TX has recognized October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) with dedicated efforts to encourage employment in the federal workforce for individuals with disabilities.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) will administer the $22 million grant over the next seven years beginning with nearly 6,000 seventh grade low-income students in 16 school districts this year through GEAR UP programs and (eventually) college scholarships to increase preparation and enrollment for post-secondary education.

The Washington, D.C., metro area’s 2013 median household income ($90,149) was not statistically different from 2010, the first full year after the last recession, when it was $90,316 in 2013 dollars, according to new statistics released today, Sept. 18, from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the nation’s most comprehensive data source on American households.

Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today, Sept. 17, announced the agency will resume the periodic mailing of Social Security Statements--once every five years for most workers--while encouraging each prson to create a secure my Social Security account to immediately access his or her Statement online, anytime.

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), who represents part of Prince William County/Manassas area, has introduced legislation authorizing the use of military force against international terrorist groups. This includes the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al Qaeda and its affiliates, like al Nusra, Ansar al Sharia, al Shabaab and Boko Haram, while encouraging close coordination with NATO and regional allies.