The City of Manassas Department of Public Works and Utilities recently welcomed Derek Howard as their new compliance officer. A 20-year veteran chemist and environmental specialist from Florida, Howard is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water in Manassas City and working with the City of Manassas Treatment plant operators, the Virginia Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Quality. The Manassas Public Works/Utilities Department just released the 2012 Water Quality Report, available in digital format on their website. For information about Manassas City Water Quality, go to www.manassascity.org/waterqualityreport.

WASHINGTON (USA TODAY) --  Disgraced ex-South Carolina governor Mark Sanford will learn Tuesday night whether the "God of second chances" has heard his prayers.

If he loses the special election in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District to Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the Republican who was once touted as a possible presidential candidate says he won't run for office again.

"I think you can go back in and you can ask for a second chance in a political sense once," Sanford told the Associated Press and other news outlets. "I've done that, and we'll see what the voters say."

Voters are deciding whether they will be represented by Sanford, who was their congressman from 1995 to 2001, or Colbert Busch, a political neophyte and sister of comedian of Stephen Colbert. Mitt Romney carried the district by 18 percentage points in the 2012 presidential election.

Occasionally Cake of Old Town Alexandria needs diapers as part of the Northern Virginia Family Service Diaper Drive. Customers can drop off diapers from Sat., May 4 through Mother’s Day, Sun., May 12, and be entered to win a Mommy and Me Cupcake Decorating Class, to be held on Tues., May 14 at 5 p.m. Three winners will be chosen from a raffle drawing.  Call (703) 647-9638 or visit www.occasionallycake.com for more information.

The Mommy and Me Cupcake decorating will be taught by owner, Sabrina Campbell, mom of two daughters and soon-to-be son. She will discuss cupcake decorating techniques, creativity and tips for parent and child.