Virginia Democrats on Jan. 9 announced new legislation that would allow borrowers to refinance student loan debt. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church), would revive the Virginia Education Loan Authority (VELA) and empower the entity to re-finance high-interest student loans. An estimated 629,000 Virginians could benefit from re-financing their loans.

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people. In a confined and populated area, active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Often within 10 to 15 minutes, sometimes before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals and institutions must be prepared to deal with an active shooter situation. Committee of 100 is sponsoring a panel discussion Jan. 19.

All Prince William County Public Schools after-school and evening activities are cancelled effective 6:30 p.m. tonight, due to predicted inclement weather, according to Irene Cromer, supervisor of school community relations for the school division.

Lillie G. Jesse, Occoquan District representative to the Prince William County School Board, was reelected to a second one-year term as vice chairman for 2017 at the School Board’s annual organizational meeting on Jan. 4. Jessie, a retired elementary school principal, first joined the School Board in 2012 and was reelected in November 2015.

One of the oldest and largest free celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy in the Washington metro area will be held at Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge on Monday Jan. 16. Six young orators will compete in the 27th annual Dr. King Youth Oratorical Contest, starting at 11 a.m.

Many high school specialty programs are open to transfer students; others are site-based. All programs listed below require an application. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2017.

In accordance with Board Policy 180, the Prince William County School Board takes action annually regarding membership in professional organizations and selection of Board representatives to each organization.

The public is invited to attend a presentation on conceptual plans of the 13-classroom addition to Lake Ridge Elementary School on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m., in the media center of Lake Ridge Elementary School.