Pausing for Farmland in Montgomery County?
Council rejects task force, but sends solar proposal back to committee; vote by end of this year could allow solar in the Agricultural Reserve
Advocates on two sides of important long-term environmental goals: solar power for sustainable clean energy, and the preservation of farmland for food, have three council work sessions to get in sync.
The Buck Stops Here? Or Never Got Going in Montgomery County?
Millions in grant and relief funding to help residents and businesses in need have yet to be distributed by the county.
Montgomery County received $183,336,953 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help county residents and businesses survive the pandemic.
U.S. Park Police Charged in Killing of McLean Resident
Family has waited for justice since November 2017 when Bijan Ghaisar was shot.
Latest: Police Officers Turn Themselves In
Disparities in Arrests Lead to Questions about Police in Montgomery County Public Schools
Black and Hispanic students twice as likely to be disciplined with suspension all the way back to elementary school.
Black and Latino students are disproportionately affected by routine school discipline, suspensions, and by arrests in Montgomery County Public Schools.
Gathering Hundreds of Ideas for Police Reform in Fairfax County
Public input session part of effort to create more transparency in public safety.
In retirement, Randy Sayles, former Marine, former Denver police detective, former DEA special agent undercover in the U.S., Pakistan and Brazil, won a lifetime achievement award from Fairfax County for his efforts to make this county’s police force and policies more equitable for all residents.
Montgomery County News in Numbers
2.5 Miles of suggested pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements along MacArthur Boulevard from Old Angler’s Inn to Eggert Drive were presented to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Reimagining Public Safety in Montgomery County?
When officers use force, black people are on the receiving end 55 percent of the time despite being 18 percent of the county population.
Professor Rashawn Ray trains police officers on racial equity with a virtual reality program that allows evaluators to examine how bias creeps into traffic stops, mental health crises and suspicious person encounters.
Prosecutor Delivers Blow in Fairfax County
Commonwealth’s Attorney says 84 additional positions are needed; 137 if the office is to prosecute traffic cases too.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is in crisis, with an “unsettling lack of resources,” said Steve Descano, who was elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in 2019.
From Nursery to Nursing in Potomac
Planning Board recommends approval of 152,655 square-foot, three story retirement community on River Road.
Up Next: Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings on Sept. 21.
Be Smart: Press Pause
Informal tally: 54 comments oppose 495/270 expansion and toll lanes; nine support. Final day of public hearings scheduled for Sept. 10.
Seth Glinski works in construction and development. An uncertain future because of the 2020 pandemic, he said, is actually cause for “feeling lucky” when it comes to the possible widening of the Capital Beltway and I-270 and the American Legion Bridge.
Clean Energy or Farmland? Or Both? in Montgomery County: Solar Could Supplant Agricultural Reserve
Council moves forward with zoning amendment to allow solar fields, an industrial use, in the agricultural reserve.
Andrew Friedson was the lone dissenting voice, advocating for the Agricultural Reserve, land preserved 40 years ago by zoning laws to remain farmland forever.
‘We’ve Seen an Awakening’ in Montgomery County
Council passes use of force policy that prohibits a police officer from using deadly force unless as a last resort.
Craig Rice beamed and Will Jawando teared as a unanimous roll call of Montgomery County’s Council effected change and policy hundreds of years in the making.
Look Below the Impervious Surface
The public has 90 days to respond to a proposed $11 billion project that would impact 48 miles of the Beltway, the American Legion Bridge, and land and water below for generations to come.
The risk is $11 billion and contamination of waterways and parkland for generations to come.
Revolutionary Measures in Police Reform in Fairfax County
Calls to 911 could be dispatched differently from the start.
Only 40% of Fairfax County Police officers are currently trained in crisis intervention techniques.
Data Proves Black People Treated Differently in Fairfax County
Arrests of Black people disproportional in every police district in the county.
Of all arrests made by police officers in the county, Black people are arrested 38.54 percent of the time. Black people are targets of police use of force 45.63 percent of the time in the county. Black people make up less than 10 percent of the population.
COVID-19: Not a Fair Fight in Alexandria
Regional perspective: pandemic exposes health inequality leading up to discrepancies in life expectancy.
In Alexandria, the Latinx population, which comprises 16.8 percent of the City, accounts for 55.5 percent of Alexandria’s positive cases of COVID-19.
Covid Week in Potomac
FIREWORKS? NEXT YEAR: Fourth of July celebrations; “Germantown Glory” and “Mid-County Sparkles” have been cancelled.
Use of Force Rises in 2019 in Fairfax County
Disproportionate treatment of African Americans recorded in every police district in the county.
While Black people are less than 10 percent of the Fairfax County population (9.7 percent), they are the targets for use of force by police 46.53 percent of the time.
Marijuana Decriminalized July 1 in Virginia
Will decriminalization of marijuana stop inequitable treatment for communities of color?
Who is more likely to be charged, asked Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw. An executive of a defense contractor smoking marijuana on his deck overlooking woods in Clifton or Great Falls, or the Black teen or young adult walking down Route One in Mount Vernon, or on a street in the Annandale or Culmore sections of Fairfax County?
Use of Force Rises in 2019 in Fairfax County
Disproportionate treatment of African Americans on the rise, too.
While Black people are less than 10 percent of the Fairfax County population (9.7 percent), they are the targets for use of force by police 53 percent percent of the time, 315 of 594 incidents.
Covid-19 Response in Potomac
Metro announced that 15 rail stations that had been closed as part of the transit agency’s Covid-19 response will reopen on Sunday, June 28.
‘We Can’t Wait Until 2021’ in Fairfax County
Calls for police reform intensify in the days since Fairfax County officer charged with assault for tasing man in Gum Springs.
The institution of policing dates back to the institution of slavery. “It has to be acknowledged as such. What happened 400 years ago is actually manifesting itself in practice today,” said Fairfax County Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce.
Racism: As American as Apple Pie?
One bill passed, one introduced, to start untangling systematic and institutional racism here in Montgomery County.
“We are in a historic moment here in our country and in the world,” said Councilmember Will Jawando.
Alexandria: This Week in Covid
Library fees, George Floyd, pandemic within pandemic, combating institutional racism, playgrounds opening, auto loan relief and more.
The Virginia Department of Health updated its demographics dashboard to include additional racial reporting categories for case, hospitalization and death data.
COVID-19: Not a Fair Fight
Regional perspective: pandemic exposes health inequality leading up to discrepancies in life expectancy.
The zip codes with higher concentrations of poverty, lower education levels, and crowded housing conditions tend to have the highest rates of COVID.
Alexandria’s Week in Coronavirus
Quaranteens, nursing home holes, virtual boxing, rental relief and more.
BACKLOGGED TESTS: Starting on June 9, the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 data dashboard will reflect 13,000 additional tests that were backlogged.
Potomac’s Week in Coronavirus
Montgomery County metrics still higher than rest of the state, and an election during a pandemic within a pandemic.
PANDEMIC WITHIN PANDEMIC: Racism will be declared a public health crisis, according to a Montgomery County Council resolution spearheaded by Councilmember Will Jawando and sponsored by the full Council.
Arlington’s Week in Coronavirus
Coronavirus response funding – The Arlington Board will take action to accept $413,265 in federal CARES Act funding from the state. The funding would be used to expand services that provide home-delivered meals, in-home care services, respite care for caregivers and information, and referral to supportive services to Arlingtonians age 60 and older and their caregivers.
Fairfax County’s Week in Coronavirus
Cornerstones Town Hall, contact tracing, contact tracing scams, moratorium on evictions for now, and more.
BACKLOGGED TESTS: Starting on June 9, the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 data dashboard will reflect 13,000 additional tests that were backlogged. Over the next couple of days, this new information will be slowly added to the current data, which will result in an influx of results.
Alexandria’s Week in Coronavirus
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) remind everyone that the safest place to be is at home.
Arlington’s Week in Coronavirus
DAY OF MOURNING: Arlington County will join other officials and faith leaders across the country for the day of mourning. The County will hold a moment of silence and lower the County flag at the government building to remember the 109 Arlingtonians — and the more than 100,000 people nationwide (101,711 as of Saturday, May 30) who have died from COVID-19.
Potomac’s Week in Coronavirus
RULES AND REGULATIONS: Montgomery County has developed reopening guidelines for businesses as we move into Phase 1 on Monday, June. 1.
George Floyd on Our Minds in Montgomery County
Police use of force incidents in Montgomery County involve African Americans 55 percent of the time, even though they make up just 19.9 percent of the population.
While protests spread coast to coast, and local law enforcement condemn the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, data show that police use of force locally targets African Americans disproportionately.
Fairfax County’s Week in Coronavirus
Facemasks mandatory; outdoor seating in restaurants; retail stores start to open.
“Science shows that face coverings are an effective way to prevent transmission of the virus, but wearing them is also a sign of respect. This is about doing the right thing to protect the people around us and keep everyone safe,” said Gov. Ralph Northam.
George Floyd on Our Minds
While protests spread coast to coast, and local law enforcement condemn the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, data show that police use of force locally targets African Americans disproportionately.
Alexandria’s Week in Coronavirus
OPENING NOW: Northern Virginia will open into Phase 1 on Thursday, May 28.
Potomac’s Week in Coronavirus
200,000: Maryland surpassed 200,000 tests and completing testing of 3.5 percent of the state’s population, and now has the capacity and supplies to offer testing to Marylanders who may have been exposed to the disease even if they do not have symptoms.
Arlington’s Week in Coronavirus
OPENING NOW: Northern Virginia will open into Phase 1 on Thursday, May 28.
Alexandria Week in Coronavirus
More 89,000 deaths in United States, more than 275 cases in Alexandria in one week, but most of Virginia eases restrictions.
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Arlington Week in Coronavirus
Virginia begins to open despite adding more than 6,000 cases and 150 deaths in one week; Arlington up to 1,638 cases and 77 deaths.
Arlington and Northern Virginia will continue stay-at-home restrictions despite most of Virginia transitioning to Phase One of Governor Ralph Northam’s “Forward Virginia” reopening plan.
Potomac Week in Coronavirus
Maryland passes 40,000 cases; cases increased more than 6,000 last week in the county, but state reduces restrictions; county takes an exemption.
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Fairfax Week in Coronavirus
Fairfax County cases increase more than 1,600 in last week, and Virginia rises more than 6,000 cases as most of the state eases restrictions.
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This Week in Coronavirus: Alexandria
Will Phase One begin Friday? Alexandria Mayor and chairs of Fairfax and Arlington Boards respond.
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This Week in Coronavirus in Fairfax County
Virginia surpasses 25,000 cases; Phase I being discussed while numbers of cases and deaths continue to rise.
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This Week in Coronavirus in Potomac
More than 200 cases in Potomac, more than 1,500 deaths in Maryland. County officials say they will be deliberate and thoughtful when lifting restrictions.
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This Week in Coronavirus in Mount Vernon
Phase I would ease some limits on business and faith communities, and would transition the stay at home directive to a “safer at home” guideline, especially for those in vulnerable populations.
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This Week in Alexandria Coronavirus
Alexandria approaches 1,000 reported coronavirus cases and Virginia surpasses 20,000, but Phase I recovery could come May 15.
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