WOODBRIDGE -- Virginia is one of the states that has yet to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, but a group in Prince William County is trying to change that.

It kicked off their effort on Women’s Equality Day, Sunda, Aug. 26, at the Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge where they watched Iron Jawed Angels and shared the microphone with ERA champ and television star Alyssa Milano.

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Everyone has a reason to end Alzheimer’s.

Each year more than 400,000 people in over 600 communities nationwide come together for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® — the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. While we all have our own reason to step up to the start line, our eyes are set on the ultimate finish — the end of Alzheimer’s.

At Home Instead Senior Care®, our tagline is To Us, It’s Personal®; The only way we can fulfill our mission to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families is by being personally committed to increasing awareness of the issues seniors face.

Our Goal is to raise $2500 this year!

2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Virginia Tri-Counties
Saturday, October 20, 2018
8:30 am
Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas

Click the link below to join our team, make a donation or learn more about volunteering.

Join the Home Instead Team!

And in the local writing scene, we have news from Write by the Rails:

Write by the Rails ‘Back on Track’ with new initiatives

Write by the Rails (WbtR), the Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club, has announced two new initiatives in conjunction with its 2018-19 theme, “Back on Track.”

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY -- U.S. officials were taken by surprise when China announced this year that it will no longer accept most plastics for recycling.

Prince William County and Manassas residents were equally confounded.

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If you went to college, there’s a good chance you’re among the more than 70 percent of graduates with student loans to repay.

While those loans allowed you to achieve educational goals, they could affect your ability to achieve another part of the American dream — buying a home.

But with careful planning and proper guidance, you can qualify for a mortgage.

To assess each specific situation, Victoria King of The Fauquier Bank recommends the first stop be with a mortgage loan officer. Understanding your financial profile — and how to improve it, if necessary — is the best place to start.

“When you want to buy a home, the first thing to do is talk to a loan officer, even before you talk to a real estate agent, so they can guide you in the home buying process,” she says.

Don’t worry; you’re not alone in this. About 45 million Americans have student debt. The average borrower owes almost $40,000, according to Student Loan Hero. Many owe even more, according to the National Association of Realtors. And it’s a particular problem for first-time homebuyers.

King recommends these steps:

Build Credit: Take small steps that can have a big pay-off. For instance, if you can’t get a major credit card, take out a smaller card, make purchases and pay them off in full. By practicing good habits, you’ll build your credit.

Improve Your Score: Once you’ve got a credit history, talk with a lender, who will begin by checking your credit score. The higher the score, the better the interest rate you can qualify for.

If you need to improve your credit score, there are several options, such as making payments on time, and keeping the balance below 50 percent of the credit limit. If your score still isn’t where it needs to be, King can help improve it through a “rapid rescore” process.

“I can absolutely help somebody with their credit score if they need it,” she explains. The process can take time, for both the lender and the customer, but it can be worth it. “It’s something I take the time to do in order to help my clients,” she says.

Reduce Monthly Payments: Keep your student loan payment — as well as all expenses — low in order to reduce the amount you have to pay each month.

“For qualifying purposes with a mortgage,” she says, “you want to get that payment down as low as possible.”

NMLS #314753

 Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in life. We provide local expertise and personal service through our tradition of community banking with a hometown touch. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about mortgage options from TFB.

From the Prince William police report:

**UPDATES**

Murder Investigation *VICTIM IDENTIFIED – Homicide detectives are releasing the name of the victim killed in the shooting that occurred at a residence located in the 14700 block of Arizona Ave in Woodbridge (22191) on August 1. Detectives have been unable to locate and notify the victim’s next-of-kin of his death. A suspect known to the victim was previously arrested for murder in connection to this investigation and is awaiting trial. Anyone who may know a family member of the victim is asked to contact police at 703-792-7000.

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In February of this year, the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic (USTA MAS) announced it will locate its new headquarters and state-of-the-art tennis facility in Innovation Park, in Prince William County. The Board of County Supervisors approved an agreement between USTA MAS and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Prince William County and agreed to assign a $100,000 Economic Development Opportunity Fund (EDOF) grant as an incentive for the project, which is due to be completed by 2021.

The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, one of 17 sections of the United States Tennis Association, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving more than 33,000 members in the D.C. metro area. According to the USTA MAS, tennis players of all ages and skill levels are involved in leagues, tournaments and programs sanctioned by the section. Over 300,000 visitors are anticipated to visit the new USTA facility per year.

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From the Prince William police press release:

Thank you! That is the message from the staff of the Prince William County Police Department's Animal Control Bureau and our partners in the 4^th annual, nationwide "Clear the Shelters Day" event.

Fifty-four animals – 40 cats, 12 dogs and two rabbits – were adopted on Saturday, Aug. 18. The Prince William Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PWSPCA) covered the adoption fees for animals adopted at the event. The Prince William County Animal Shelter, which is run by the Animal Control Bureau, covered the spay/neuter fees. The PWSPCA-sponsored P.A.W. Express was set up in the Shelter's parking lot and adopted out 10 cats that were on board.

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A back-to-school message from Dr. Steven Walts, Superintendent of Prince William County Public Schools:

We enthusiastically await the arrival of approximately 91,000 students on the first day of the 2018-19 school year. Our educators and support staff are prepared and passionate about ensuring each student learns, grows, and excels.

Our commitment to serving individual needs is evident in this school year’s opening of Independence Nontraditional School. This unique, state-of-the-art school facility that combines the former New Directions and New Dominion Alternative Education Centers, as well as PACE East, provides all students with greater access to courses and Division resources.

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