On Saturday, March 17, a Gainesville Middle School 5K Race and 1 mile Fun Run will raise funds to help start a Special Olympics group in western Prince William County VA. Steven Bailey, a mentor to the director for administration at the National Military Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. will be with his family in spirit during the school 's 5K Race and 1 mile Fun Run. “It’s a great opportunity to show support to both the Special Olympics and GVMS,” he said. “Given the time difference, pending weather and any security issues, I hope to run [in Afghanistan] the same day [as the event in Gainesville].”

Prince William County VA emergency personnel as well as workers from the Department of Social Services and school bus drivers joined with personnel from the Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross late last night in relocating 50 senior citizens–some in wheelchairs–and 20 pets to the Dale City Recreation Center from an apartment building at 13900 Hedgewood Drive near Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge VA. Flooding caused by a burst hot water pipe forced the relocation, according to a Prince William County VA press release.

Officials of Prince William County VA Public Schools say a faulty smoke detector alarm caused the evacuation of Neabsco Elementary School in Woodbridge VA earlier this afternoon. All are safe and have returned to school, according to Irene Cromer, spokesman for the school division.

Threat of critical fire weather is forecast for Prince William County VA on Feb. 24. The Fire Marshal issued a temporary ban on all outside burning starting on Feb. 23

The "no open burning ban before 4 p.m." is now in effect in Virginia. The threat of dangerous wildfires is a scary part of spring, and 95 percent of the fires have been found to have been caused by humans. According to the governor, the wildfire threat is more pronounced than usual due to the mild winter.

Fire officials in Nokesville VA have given the okay for Patriot High School to resume class and other activities after the school was evacuated earlier this morning for an unidentified "strong odor." The cause of the smell has since been identified, according to Irene Cromer, supervisor of community relations for Prince William County Schools.

Prince William County VA Police Department's crime report for Feb. 20, 2012

Prince William Parkway, a cross-county connector in Prince William County VA. has been reclassified as a "primary road," making it eligible for new funding and maintenance priorities, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.