Woodson Fire Follow-Up
Garza, school reveal what’s next.
In the aftermath of Friday’s chemical fire at Woodson High, both Superintendent Karen Garza and Principal Scott Poole sent messages Monday to the parents. Stressing that the “safety of students and staff is always the top priority in our schools,” Garza directed the following actions be taken.
Fire in Woodson High Chemistry Class Injures Six
‘Keep Those Injured in your Prayers’
Five students and a teacher were all injured in a fire last week after a chemical demonstration inside a Woodson High classroom went awry.
Fairfax's Lamb Center breaks ground for new building.
‘God Had a Plan for Us’
There is nothing like a fresh, new beginning to invigorate the spirit, and that is just what The Lamb Center is getting. On Oct. 20, it broke ground on its future, new home.
Tom Wilson: “It takes creativity and hard work.”
Candidates Compete for School Board Seat
Tom Wilson of Oakton believes he stands for the will of the people and is the best person to speak for them as Sully District’s representative on the Fairfax County School Board.
Karen Keys-Gamarra: ‘I’ve been focusing on children’s needs.’
Candidates Compete for School Board Seat
Karen Keys-Gamarra believes she’s the best person to represent Sully District on the Fairfax County School Board. After all, she’s been looking out for children’s best interests for years.
Local Student in Woodson Musical
Juliet Strom, 7, acts in “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
A slice of Americana and a glimpse at a kinder, gentler time – that’s the musical comedy, “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Fairfax: 22nd Annual Goblin Gallop is Oct. 25
Benefits families of children with cancer.
Halloween will soon be here, and that means it’s time for the 22nd annual Goblin Gallop. It’s set for Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.
City of Fairfax Approves Future Pay Raises for Mayor, Council
‘It’s Simply a Matter of Equity’
Everyone likes getting a raise, but the City of Fairfax’s hard-working mayor and City Council members haven’t received one since 1982 – some 33 years ago. So on Sept. 29, they approved a pay hike for the governing body that will succeed them in the May 2016 election.
It's Time to Sign Up For the Goblin Gallop
Benefits families of children with cancer.
Halloween will soon be here, and that means it’s time for the 22nd annual Goblin Gallop. It’s set for Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.
John Guevara: “Grow the Economy Through Business.”
Candidates Pursue Sully District Supervisor Seat
When asked why he’s running for Sully District supervisor, Fair Oaks resident John Guevara says his entire life has been one of service.
‘We Made a Difference’
Girls raise money for animal shelter.
Take two girls, add in compassion, determination and a love for animals, and the result is a successful fundraiser for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Helping People to Better their Lives
Lamb Center counts its blessings and celebrates.
Last week’s Lamb Center Celebration Banquet at the Waterford in Fair Oaks was aptly named. That is because this organization that ministers to the poor and the homeless has a great deal to celebrate.
Chantilly High Presents ‘Annie, the Musical’
“The sun will come out tomorrow.”
Complete with Daddy Warbucks, Sandy the dog and a certain red-haired orphan, Chantilly High is presenting “Annie, the Musical.” The curtain rises Thursday-Friday, Oct. 22-23, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door or $10 via www.chantillyhsdrama.com.
Fairfax: Matthew Sentenced to Three Life Terms in Prison
‘Cruel and Savage Sexual Predator’
It took 10 years, but a former City of Fairfax resident got justice at last when the man who brutally assaulted and nearly killed her a decade ago finally received his punishment.
Fairfax Reaches ‘A Significant Milestone in the Journey’ to Affordable Housing
City adopts an official affordable-housing policy.
The City of Fairfax welcomes developers wanting to build new homes here, but it also wants lower-income families to have places to live, too.
Fairfax Fall Festival is This Saturday
Food, crafts, music, lumberjacks and fun.
Food, crafts, music, children’s activities, carnival rides and even a lumberjack show – they’re all part of the upcoming Fairfax Fall Festival. The 39th annual festivities are slated for this Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., (rain date, Oct. 11) in downtown City of Fairfax.
Centreville Day: Swordsmen, Parade, Music and Tightrope Walker
Centreville Day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
The leaves are starting to change colors and the weather’s turning cooler. That means it’s time for the 23rd annual Centreville Day celebration.
Fairfax Fall Festival on Oct. 10
Come one, come all to the 39th annual Fairfax Fall Festival. It’s set for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., (rain date, Oct. 11) in downtown City of Fairfax and promises fun for everyone.
Marsh Leads Fair Oaks District Police Station
Keeping officers happy and the community safe.
The Fair Oaks District Police Station running smoothly, due to its officers as well as the man at the helm, Capt. Chris Marsh.
‘We Made a Difference’
Girls raise money for animal shelter.
Take two girls, add in compassion, determination and a love for animals, and the result is a successful fundraiser for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Chantilly Snapshot: Officer of the Month
PFC Brian Rochefort (on left) receives the Officer of the Month certificate from 1st Lt. Matt Owens.
Centreville/Chantilly: ‘I’ll See You in the Community’
Flanking Supervisor Frey are his staff members Kathy Buckley and Mike Coyle.
Overwhelmed after hearing the lavish praised bestowed on him by the community Friday night for his 24 years of service, Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) stepped to the podium to respond.
Centreville/Chantilly: ‘The Epitome of a Leader’
Michael Frey honored as Sully’s longtime supervisor.
Heartfelt accolades, fond memories and good-natured ribbing marked Friday night’s Roast and Boast for Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully).
Fairfax: Keeping Officers Happy and the Community Safe
Capt. Chris Marsh leads Fair Oaks District Station.
The Fair Oaks District Police Station is humming along smoothly, due to its officers as well as the man at the helm, Capt. Chris Marsh. Altogether, he’s worked nearly 23 years in the Fairfax County Police Department.
Fairfax: Council Hears about Two Road Projects
Both are geared toward future development.
In 2014, Gov. McAuliffe signed House Bill 2 (HB2) into law. It requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to develop a prioritization process for making funding decisions for the statewide Six Year Improvement Program.
Duck Donuts Opens in the City of Fairfax
At first glance, Duck Donuts seems like a funny name for a doughnut shop. But those familiar with the legendary doughnut store in Duck, N.C. – from which it gets its name – know it’s the real deal.
Fairfax City Council Approves Project to Build 80 Condos
Although there were problems along the way, the Fairfax City Council last week gave the go-ahead for a residential development called The Enclave to be built at the Mantua Professional Center on Pickett Road.
Mountain View High School: Helping Students Reach Their Goals
Gary Morris takes the reins at Mountain View High.
Gary Morris is Mountain View High School’s new principal. But before he became an educator, he was a professional football player.
Chantilly's Sully Historical Site: Where History Is ‘Touchable’
Celebrating 40th anniversary of Sully Historic Site’s restoration.
The Sully Historic Site in Chantilly provides a window into late 18th-century life in Northern Virginia. And on Sunday, Sept. 6, volunteers, visitors and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its restoration.
Fairfax: Enjoying Music, Relaxation and Fun
Customers create like crazy at Paint Your Own Pottery.
Sporting the slogan, “Create Like Crazy,” Paint Your Own Pottery is proving to be popular with both individuals and groups as a destination for fun. And it’s right in downtown Fairfax.
Fairfax: ‘Privileged to Join the Lanier Family’
Lenart takes reins at middle school.
Erin Lenart, Lanier Middle School’s new principal, always pictured herself as an educator. Raised in Tennessee, her first dream was to become a teacher.
Centreville/Chantilly: The Sweet Sounds of Summer
Franklin Middle holds annual band and orchestra camp.
Each summer, students flock to Franklin Middle School’s Band & Orchestra Camp to fine-tune their musical skills and learn new ones. And Camp Director Lawrence Walker bases one of his philosophies for it on a simple proverb.
Centreville/Chantilly: Students Improve Music Skills, Make New Friends at Orchestra Camp
Learning’s fun at band and orchestra camp.
Whatever their reasons were for attending Franklin Middle School’s Band & Orchestra Camp, the results for the students were the same — knowledge, improvement and fun. Rocky Run Middle seventh-grader Alexander Alvarez and his sister Christina, a Poplar Tree Elementary sixth-grader, attended for the first time. Both play clarinet and had a great time there.
Centreville: ‘He Fought with Honor, Dignity’
Sully Police Sgt. Ryan Lindenbaum loses battle with cancer.
Friends, family and the Fairfax County Police Department said goodbye to one of their own this week when Sgt. Ryan Matthew Lindenbaum was laid to rest.
Chantilly: A Glimpse of the Horizon
Homes, shops, restaurants and a Wegmans are proposed.
With the downturn in the office market, developers are looking at vacant parcels of land in the Westfields area of Chantilly as a place for residential and other uses, instead.
Centreville/Chantilly: Moving Forward with Local Road Projects
What’s planned for I-66, Routes 28 and 29, Stone, Walney, etc.
Several local road projects are either underway, in the pipeline or nearing completion.
Oak Hill: Sharing Stories and Emotions in Quilts
The Sacred Threads quilts exhibition comes every two years to Oak Hill’s Floris United Methodist Church. Within each work, the artists tell stories of love, loss, joy, hope, healing and inspiration. The display ran July 10-26.
City of Fairfax Fire Chief Dave Rohr Retires
When Dave Rohr says he and his brothers were “always interested in public safety,” it’s definitely an understatement. All three have had long careers with the Fairfax County Fire Department, and now Rohr, 55, just retired as the City of Fairfax’s fire chief.
Fairfax: Social Painting Can Be an Art
City of Fairfax resident mixes food, drink, art lessons and fun.
When Luc Atangana came to the U.S. from his native Cameroon, Africa, little did he expect to someday make his living as an artist. But that’s exactly what the City of Fairfax resident is doing.
Centre View: Wegmans Grocery Store Proposed
Residents are pleased, but worry about traffic troubles.
The Wegmans grocery store in Fair Oaks has proved to be a hit with local residents. And now plans are afoot to bring a Wegmans to Chantilly, too.
Centre View: ‘It’s Like a Giant Family’
Fair Oaks, Sully districts celebrate National Night Out.
Take some firefighters, law-enforcement personnel and local residents; add in food, fun, handshakes and conversation in a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere. Mix well, and the result is National Night Out.
Fairfax City Council Greenlights Old Lee Highway Survey
Questions about project’s scope still remain.
The results are in and City of Fairfax residents have now given their opinions on how best to improve Old Lee Highway. So the Fairfax City Council has authorized a survey of the entire corridor to obtain more information before going further with the project.
Fairfax City Intends to Rewrite its Comprehensive Plan
The City of Fairfax’s Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for future development.
Fairfax: ‘Master Plan Wasn’t Finished Document’
City Council, Planning Commission discuss Fairfax Boulevard’s future.
In April 2012, the City of Fairfax adopted the Master Plan vision for the redevelopment of Fairfax Boulevard. It transformed this 3.5-mile corridor from transportation-oriented to more pedestrian friendly.
Fairfax: New Funding Rules for Road Projects
City must amend its Comprehensive Plan to qualify for state money.
There are now new rules jurisdictions have to follow to get state money for transportation projects. So if the City of Fairfax wants to obtain future funding, it’ll have to make some changes.
Centreville: Homes Instead of Offices at Trinity Centre
Developer wants to build 355 apartments at the Trinity Centre.
As the area office market continues to stall, more and more land-use applications are proposing to replace planned office uses with residential communities. One of the latest proposals is at the Trinity Centre, off Route 29, in Centreville.
Chantilly: Getting a Look At Officer Training
Residents tour county’s Criminal Justice Academy.
About 30 local residents recently got a behind-the-scenes look at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy. They learned what recruits go through to become police officers and participated in a training scenario.
Centre View: ‘Impeccable Work Ethic’
Police PFC Earl Culbertson is honored as the Officer of the Month.
Reliable, a team player and a skilled motorcycle rider — that’s how Lt. Tim Burgess describes police PFC Earl D. Culbertson. In fact, as Culbertson’s supervisor, Burgess thinks so highly of him that he nominated him for Officer of the Month.
Fairfax Residents Have Concerns about 80-Condo Project
Worried about water runoff, building height and view.
Although IDI-RJL Development LLC hoped the Fairfax City Council would green-light its condo project in June, both the Council members and local residents voiced many concerns.
Centre View: Wanted: 2,300 School Backpacks
WFCM asks community to help local children in need.
Once again, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is collecting new backpacks for local students in need. Its goal is to provide backpacks for 2,300 qualified, low- income children attending schools in the Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high school pyramids.