Members of an honor society at Northern Virginia Community College's Manassas VA campus recently collected 786 diapers and baby items for needy families–more than any other of the honor society's Virginia chapters.

Prince William County VA Fire Marshal’s Office investigators are working to determine the origin and cause of an Oct. 14 fire that heavily damaged or destroyed about 80 storage units and brought in firefighting units from Fauquier, Loudoun and Fairfax counties to supplement Prince William County's firefighting force. No one was injured and no fire loss estimate is yet available.

Fire and rescue units from the city of Manassas VA, the city of Manassas Park VA and Prince William County VA quelled a blaze that broke out in a middle of the row townhouse with heavy fire on the first floor on New Britain Circle. Seven adults and a child exited the structure before rescue units arrived. One resident was treated and transported to Prince William Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Damage was estimated at $150,000.

Under a new Virginia law, “Mandate reporters who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect as soon as possible, but no longer than 24 hours after having reasons to suspect abuse, can be charged anywhere from $500 and higher in fines. In the case of suspected acts of rape, sodomy, or object sexual penetration, a person who knowingly and intentionally fails to make the required report shall be guilty of a Class 1 Misdemeanor.”

Manassas VA CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is the city’s local program that teaches ordinary people how to safely help in their neighborhoods when an overwhelming emergency requires more than regular 911 responders. The fall series of CERT training sessions starts Thursday, Oct. 4, and there are a few more spots for volunteers, according to Bob Keller, the city’s CERT volunteer coordinator.

Prince William County Public Schools has cancelled all after school and evening events Sept. 18 due to potential severe weather.

Manassas VA City Police Department, in collaboration with the Prince William County Police Department and the Virginia State Police’s H.E.A.T. Program, will host a free “VIN Etching” event for motorists in the Liberia Avenue Walmart parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, etc. are welcome at this auto theft prevention event.

Matthew's Center, a Manassas VA organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of children and families affected by autism, will begin to offer autism services in eastern Prince William County VA this fall, due to a grant from the Potomac Health Foundation, a news release said. These services include educational instruction, afterschool recreation and leisure programs and summer camp.