In an effort to minimize congestion and increase safety on area roads, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Prince William County transportation office work to improve roads and intersections. However, sometimes these changes take time and can impede traffic flow and add a few minutes, and perhaps a few headaches, to our commutes.

Local Gainesville area drivers may want to stay off US 29 and Linton Hall Road this weekend. The traffic pattern is being changed to allow for new construction.

The year 2011 will go down in the record books for its weather highs and lows. From deadly tornadoes, droughts, wildfires, flooding and high winds in different parts of the country – to a hurricane and an earthquake in the same week in our area!

Prince William Health System offered a seminar on sleeping better. Dr. Kevin Glass presented.

Tranquility Day Spa & Salon moved to Haymarket in the spring. In 2012, the business, owned by Gloria and Wayne Harding, will celebrate 15 years of business.

Prince William County residents who are looking for pets should watch for the new pet adoption van, which will be unveiled Saturday, Dec. 10. The P.A.W. (Pet Adoption on Wheels) Express, bought in the summer by the Prince William Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with a $154,565 grant from the PETCO Foundation, is making its public debut at 2 p.m. at the Prince William County Animal Shelter, at 14807 Bristow Road in Manassas. The van can hold about 26 cats and dogs. Potential adopters can see the animals through roll-up windows on the van, then walk through the van to meet the animals.

Manassas City police department's crime report for Nov. 29, 2011

Manassas City police department's crime report for Nov. 28, 2011.