There was no school for students at the new Baldwin Elementary School in the city of Manassas VA today, Tuesday, Jan. 10, because of standing water in the building due to frozen pipes and no heat. Late this afternoon, the Manassas City school division announced there will be no school for students on Wednesday, Jan. 11, due to the remaining clean-up in the building from the presence of water.

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.

Drivers in northern Virginia are asked to prepare for rush hour commutes to be impacted by snow Thursday evening, Dec. 5, and Friday morning, Dec. 6, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. (VDOT) Road crews are conducting anti-icing activities today and tomorrow. Please watch for crews as they stage along roads prior to the storm.

I like to tell folks in discussing the services Keep Prince William Beautiful provides that we clean up not just for the sake of keeping things beautiful, but rather so our people can do beautiful things. When the park is clean, more kids will go. Home values are higher in clean neighborhoods; new businesses open on vibrant and clean streets; when we take pride and keep it beautiful, our communities are safer and stronger.

Who takes care of the trash in our streams? Where does this trash come from? Where does this trash end up? How does this trash impact water quality and aquatic life? What type of waterways and water quality will the next generation enjoy? How can residents help promote clean waterways? Take Action: Stop littering, recycle, promote programs to raise awareness about trash in the communities, and join those who are already volunteering with the District.

After all the holiday festivities are over and the finery has lost its luster, give your Christmas tree, wreath and other cut greenery another life as compost, mulch or habitat.

Facilities will close early Christmas Eve, all day Christmas and New Year’s Day.

"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."