Springfield's Ironman
Springfield man recovers from mid-triathlon biking accident.
Bill Vitaletti of Springfield had fractured his jaw in three places, broken a bone in his eye socket, chipped a tooth and cracked two other teeth that would eventually have to be pulled.
Lorton: Holiday Homes Tour ‘Warm Hospitality’
Clifton residents welcome visitors for Holiday Homes Tour.
The Currans had the old house demolished and a new one built in its place. One that would fit the character of the historic neighborhood.
Fairfax Station: Thirtieth Joint Thanksgiving Eve Service Held at Temple B’Nai Shalom
Temple B’nai Shalom in Fairfax Station and Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence in Burke held a 30th consecutive joint Thanksgiving Eve service Nov. 23 at the Jewish congregation’s synagogue.
Celebrating Diversity in Burke
33rd Interfaith Thanksgiving service at Burke Presbyterian Church celebrates differences.
“You can lament about the hate in the country right now,” she said, “but there’s a great sense of readiness to act in a different way, that we’re capable of being different and being together.” Co-pastors at Burke Presbyterian Church Rev. Meg Peery McLaughlin and her husband Rev. Jarrett insist the interfaith Thanksgiving service held in their worship hall on Nov. 22 was not in response to any perceived disunity in the country following the Presidential election.
‘Clawing Away For Information’ in Mount Vernon
Parents of Annie McCann pursue human trafficking as possible factor in her 2008 death.
For Mary Jane and Dan McCann, losing their 16-year-old daughter Annie was a personal catastrophe.
Fairfax: Robinson Square Root
Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness.
“If you don’t do homework, you get bad grades,” Dowling asserted. The boys are receiving after school homework assistance at the Robinson Square community center, owned by Fairfax County and operated by Fairfax-based non-profit FACETS.
Fairfax Station: Donated Thanksgiving Food Baskets Ready for 525 Households
Five-hundred twenty-five households in southeastern Fairfax County were served a Thanksgiving food basket from Lorton Community Action Center, thanks to donations from the community and volunteers to organize the packing.
Mount Vernon: Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment
Comments may be sent prior to planning’s Nov. 30 meeting
The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.
Springfield: Key Center Teacher Publishes Counting Book
If Barney, the big purple dinosaur, motivates one of his students to learn to count, Ka’ala Rapoza won’t stand in the way. But Rapoza, 37, also recognizes the need to balance age-appropriate teaching tools with the skill being learned.
Fairfax County: Commonwealth’s Attorney Begins Review of FCPD Report on Deputy-Involved INOVA Shooting
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh said he has received the completed criminal investigation from Fairfax County Police into the Aug. 15 fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Fairfax County: Planning Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment
The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.
Fairfax: Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness
On a weekday afternoon, young Fairfax resident Demetrius Dowling works independently on an extra math word problem. A few rows behind him, George Mason University senior and volunteer Rebecca Curtis spends time on a division problem with Yasir Abuelhassan, also from Dowling’s neighborhood.
Fairfax County: FCPS Testing Water Quality in Schools
Drinking water at 40 public schools in Fairfax County has been tested for safety, a release from FCPS said.
Fairfax County: School Board Formalizes Search for New Superintendent
Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent. Dr. Karen Garza announced on Sept. 19 she would be leaving that role to become president and CEO of the Columbus-based education organization Battelle for Kids.
Mount Vernon Schools News
Search for New Superintendent Begins
Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent.
Burke, Fairfax Station and Lorton: Sangster Elementary hosts annual Veterans Day assembly
For about a third of the families at Sangster Elementary School in Burke, military and mobility is a way of life.
Tysons: Warby Parker to Open First Virginia Eyeglasses Store
Warby Parker, a popular online eyeglasses retailer, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia on Nov. 19 at Tysons Corner Center mall.
Fairfax County: Volunteers compile more than 7,500 pounds in donated food for Lorton Community Action Center and Britepaths.
Wanda Jeter of Lorton has been a volunteer with the Lorton Community Action Center for 20 years. As single mother who’s struggled to provide for herself and four children, she’s also been a client.
Mount Vernon: Day of Service at Huntington Gardens
Owner Christian Relief Services partners with Accenture and Operation Renewed Hope Foundation.
“Some people work two jobs, 80 hours a week, and still can’t afford to pay rent on a place. This gives them a hand up, not a hand out.” — Gay Shane, Operation Renewed Hope Foundation
Armed Commercial Robbery on North Kings Highway
Fairfax County Police responded to a report of a commercial armed robbery in the 5900 block of North Kings Highway on Monday, Nov. 14.
Burke, Fairfax Station and Springfield: ‘Crazy’ Lines on Election Day Morning
Ipads, communication keep things moving quickly.
At 5:45 a.m., Colleen Dewing was queued up for a lifetime first: voting. The West Springfield High School senior needed to fulfill her civic duty early in order to take a shift right away at the senior class’ annual bake sale outside the school.
Mount Vernon: Accident Victim’s Friends Plan Memorial Service
Amari Newton, 18, of Alexandria was killed in a car crash in Brunswick County, Virginia on Nov. 5, Virginia State Police said. Newton was a 2016 Mount Vernon High School graduate.
Mount Vernon: Heavy Turnout Early
Chief election officer Doris McBryde said there were around 70 voters already in line at 6 a.m. when the polls opened at West Potomac High School.
Fairfax County: No to Trump And Meals Tax
Beyer, Connolly re-elected.
With final numbers still coming in from around the country, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump carried a strong lead early Wednesday morning over Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton.
Clinton and Kaine Carry Virginia, Trump Seizes Key Battlegrounds
Comstock, Connolly, Beyer re-elected; meals tax voted down; bonds voted up.
MEALS TAX referendum would have allowed Fairfax County supervisors to enact up to a four percent tax on prepared foods and beverages.
Springfield Martial Arts Instructor Arrested on Charges of Sexual Battery of a Child
Renzo Martin Garcia Davila, 29, of Springfield was arrested at home Sunday, Oct. 30 by Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Division, Child Abuse Section detectives.
Fairfax County: Autopsy Report Yet to Come for Deputy-Involved Shooting
Administrative investigation to follow.
Law enforcement officials are still waiting to receive the final autopsy report for Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, who was shot dead by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital on Aug. 15 of this year.
H Mart Grocery Store Opens in Burke Nov. 9
The building formerly occupied by the Giant Food supermarket in Burke Village Center will re-open Nov. 9 as Asian-inspired grocery store H Mart.
Aldersgate Church Marks 60 Years
Choir performs specially commissioned piece.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church marked its 60th anniversary Oct. 23.
Storck Defers Farm Vote
"We don’t have much time to lose.” — Supervisor Dan Storck (D-Mount Vernon)
Once again, Supervisor Dan Storck (D-Mount Vernon) recommended the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors defer taking action regarding the development of more than four acres of the land close to the Inova Mount Vernon medical office suites on Hinson, or Bock, Farm.
Mount Vernon: Friends and Family Reflect on Michael M. Skinner
Memorial service set for Saturday at MVHS.
Pat Hynes remembers Michael M. Skinner as an administrator was one of those people who “the kids all love, and sort of fear a little.”
Mount Vernon: Firehouse Subs Donates $80,000 to First Responders
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation presented a check on Oct. 13 for $79,895 to Virginia first responders and public safety organizations including the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, City of Manassas Park Fire and Rescue, Manassas City Police Department, Loudoun County Police Department, and U.S. Park Police.
Springfield: New FBI Headquarters Decision Now Coming March 2017
The three sites in competition to be the next home of FBI headquarters -- Greenbelt and Landover, Maryland, and the General Services Administration warehouse off Loisdale Road in Springfield -- will see their race come to an end early next year.
Serial Armed Robber from Burke Convicted
Burke resident Larry Pyos, Jr was convicted Thursday, Oct. 20 on charges linked to several armed robberies that took place around Fairfax County, a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Fairfax Challenger Little League Celebrates Trunk-r-Treat
On Oct. 23, Frankenstein’s monster stepped up to the plate in Fairfax. Around 125 players, siblings and player buddies in costume participated in two baseball games as part of the Fairfax Challenger League’s Trunk-r-Treat event at Chilcot Field in Fairfax.
Burke: Firefighters Extinguish Burning Tractor Trailer
Firefighters from Battalions 7, 5 and 4 helped extinguish a burning tractor trailer in the 8900 block of Burke Lake Road on Saturday, Oct. 22, a release from Fairfax County Fire & Rescue said.
Fairfax County: Breaking Down the Bonds
County seeks authorization to finance transportation and parks projects, and human services and community development facilities
Fairfax County will try to make the most of voters’ time on election day Nov. 8, having them weigh in not only on the Presidential and Congressional elections, but also proposed Constitutional amendments, a referendum and bond questions.
Fairfax County: Garza FCPS Departure Impacts Stuart Name Change Working Group
Responding to a student-led group petitioning to change the name of J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church, the Fairfax County Public Schools board voted over the summer to create a working group that would consider the community concerns and look into the logistics of a potential name change.
Supervisors to Vote on Civilian Review Panel Dec. 6.
Draft item discussed at Oct. 25 Public Safety Committee.
By its Dec. 6 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors should have the opportunity to vote on creating a Civilian Review Panel for police oversight, a first in Fairfax. The independent panel was one of the more controversial of the 142 recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission created by board chairman Sharon Bulova in 2015. The civilian review panel would “review completed police internal administrative investigations of civilian complaints concerning allegations of abuse of authority and serious misconduct,” according to the draft action item.
Mount Vernon: Inside Cedar Knoll
Historic restaurant approaching one year after re-opening.
After being shuttered since November 2014, the restaurant at Cedar Knoll along the George Washington Memorial Parkway will have been re-opened for a year this December.
Mount Vernon: Quander Stream Outfall Project on Track
Construction began Aug. 8 on a restoration project for the stream running through Mount Vernon Park, beginning behind the intersection of Dartmouth Drive and Swarthmore Drive in Alexandria.
Mount Vernon: Michael M. Skinner Dies
Mount Vernon High School’s “institution.”
Michael M. Skinner of Mount Vernon died Oct. 17 at the age of 91. Skinner was as well-known fixture at Mount Vernon High School between 1955 and 1983, where he taught history, coached basketball and was served as subschool principal.
Springfield: 50 Years of Spartan Star Athletes
West Springfield names inaugural Sports Hall of Fame class.
West Springfield High School continued to celebrate its 50th anniversary by inducting 21 individuals into its inaugural Sports Hall of Fame.
Clifton: At-Risk Youth Teach Sheriff’s Deputies Horsemanship Skills
Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program partners with Alternative House and Sheriff’s Office for pilot program.
Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputies tread carefully as local youth led them around an obstacle course they’d designed, blindfolded. Others were taught horse safety by their young coaches.
Lorton: Fair Winds Launches ‘Buy a Vet a Beer’ Campaign
Some simply say “Thank you for your service.” Others are more personal, listing a name, service branch and years served, or names of loved ones who were killed in the line of duty. Regardless of the content, each note for active duty or retired veterans on the wall at Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton comes with the same thing: a free beer and a hearty thanks.
Burke Farmers Market runs until Dec. 17
While many of the 11 farmers markets around Fairfax County will be closing in the next month, the market in Burke is one of the last two to shut down for the winter.
Fairfax County: Room to Improve for Fairfax County Public Schools on SAT
Scores above Virginia, national Levels, but achievement gap remains
On average, Fairfax County Public High Schools performed better on the SAT college placement exam in 2016 than the Commonwealth of Virginia overall average.
Mount Vernon: Celebrating Joshua Owusu’s Life
Stratford Landing student loses brain cancer battle.
Joshua Owusu’s bell-like soprano voice floated through the reception hall, carrying the words “Maybe we found love right where we are,” from singer Ed Sheeran’s hit “Thinking Out Loud.” A video projected on one side of the hall showed Owusu, a sixth grader at Stratford Landing Elementary School, performing confidently and innocently onstage, sharply dressed with suspenders and a clip-on bow tie.
Burke and Springfield: Veterinary technician switched careers to heal and pursue her passion.
Part way through her career, Elizabeth Exline of Burke decided she needed to change her life completely. She had attended art school and was working in a restaurant, being trained for management, when her beloved dog died.
Clifton Primitive Baptist Church Re-Opens on Clifton Day
Oldest African American church in Fairfax County had been closed a decade.
Chuck Rusnak of Clifton stood in the middle of the Clifton Primitive Baptist Church, on all-original wooden floors laid in 1871 for an All-African American Church built on land donated by an emancipated slave.