In response to a heroin and prescription drug epidemic that claimed more lives in Virginia in 2014 than car crashes, Attorney General Mark R. Herring is premiering Heroin: The Hardest Hit, a powerful documentary about the danger of heroin and prescription drugs and their impact on Virginia families and communities.

Dominion Resources announced Nov. 23 that it is providing $1 million in grants through its charitable foundation to help feed, shelter and care for people in need across 12 states this holiday season. The Critical Community Needs grants will be awarded by the Dominion Foundation and several in the Prince William area are to be recipients.

This holiday season, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give something that means something – a blood or platelet donation. Negative blood types are especially needed.

NBC4’s next Community Shred is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. Local food banks SERVE and ACTS will be collecting nonperishable items to help fill a growing need during the holidays.

“Tablets, sporting goods and beauty products are popular holiday gift items, but they’re also commonly counterfeited and sold to unsuspecting consumers,” said National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) Director Bruce Foucart. “It’s important that the American public is aware of these online schemes so they can shop smartly, protect their finances and stay safe.”

To reinforce the necessity and importance of buckling up on every ride, the Virginia State Police is partnering with local, state and federal law enforcement and traffic-safety advocates for the November 2015 National Click It or Ticket Mobilization.

“The reason our staff from Student Services is here tonight is because we really care. We want to help our students as much as we can,” said Rebekah Schlatter, supervisor of secondary counseling. She shared tips and resources on indicators of trauma and suicide warning signs. “Making connections are key to children’s health and well-being. Nobody succeeds alone; everyone needs help,” Schlatter added.

SafeWise, a recognized community safety organization, has announced its10 Safest Cities in Virginia Report for 2015, and Manassas Park is one of only three cities in Northern Virginia to receive this distinction.