Prince William County Government Winter Shelter, operated by the Department of Social Services, will open today, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 This is two days earlier than normal. The winter shelter normally opens Nov. 1. Social Services decided on the earlier opening because of expected cold weather. Temperatures were in the 40s Tuesday morning.

High water was affecting Prince William County roads Monday afternoon, Oct. 29, and some roads were closed, while others had been reopened, according to an update from Jason Grant, director of communications.

City of Manassas VA will open a shelter for Hurricane Sandy victims at 7 p.m. at Osbourn High School.

Prince William County VA has opened two shelters, one with animal accommodations, reports schools and courts closed on Tuesday.

Prince William County VA has opened a Haymarket location and added the McCoart Government Center location in Woodbridge as places where absentee ballots may be cast for the Nov. 6, 2012 General Election and Special Elections.

Prince William County has solicited entries in a design competition to add to its 9-11 memorial- Liberty Memorial at Freedom Park - using four steel beams acquired from the destroyed World Trade Center. The board of supervisors will be making a selection from one of a dozen submissions, from around the country and from both design companies and individuals, according to Tracy Gordon, assistant to the county administrator.

Get ready for Halloween and upcoming holidays by learning to make decorated cookies. Aubergine Chef Jason Shriner will share secrets to successful cookie decorating on Saturday, Sept. 8, with a free class at the Manassas Park VA Community Center. "Admission" will support the center's "kitchen drive," with the donation of new or gently used kitchen equipment.

Manassas VA City Police Department's crime report for Tuesday, Sept. 4 includes larcenies involving a laptop, medication, miscellaneous tools and a red tool box and a fight involving two sets of males, 4-5 in one group, 2 in the other.