Walk to School Day in Burke
Students around Fairfax County participated in International Walk to School Day on Oct. 5.
Fairfax County: Lockard Named Interim Superintendent
Dr. Steven Lockard will take over for Dr. Karen Garza as Fairfax County Schools superintendent for the interim period while the School Board searches for her replacement.
Mount Vernon: Lockard Named Interim Superintendent
Garza leaves Dec. 19.
Dr. Steven Lockard will take over for Dr. Karen Garza as Fairfax County Schools superintendent for the interim period while the School Board searches for her replacement.
Mount Vernon: Friends of Dyke Marsh Celebrate 40th Anniversary
“It could be our Everglades.”
More than 100 members of the Friends of Dyke Marsh group, supporters and elected officials spent the afternoon at River Farm in Alexandria on Sunday Oct. 2, celebrating the Friends group’s 40th anniversary.
Mount Vernon: 400 Evacuated from River Towers
Fairfax County firefighters evacuated 400 residents from one of three River Towers condo buildings Sunday afternoon Oct. 2 following reports there was structural damage and residents felt the building shake.
Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke helps seniors age in place with free rides program
It was the first time Fairfax residents Marilyn Hanick and her husband Robert ever asked for any help. She can drive herself to doctor’s appointments at her Fair Oaks area hospital, but for the couple to get Robert to Tysons Corner for appointments for eye injections, his back and hearing problems make it much more difficult.
Fairfax County: Meals Tax Statement Debated During Joint Budget Meeting
Text prepared by Board of Supervisors and FCPS board chairs.
There continues to be division, at least among several members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board, on whether voters should approve a referendum allowing the government to levy up to a four percent additional tax on prepared foods and beverages at restaurants, as well as ready-to-eat foods from grocery and convenience stores.
Fairfax County Public Schools Beat Virginia On-Time Graduation Rate
The Virginia Department of Education has released graduation rates for school systems around the Commonwealth. Fairfax County Public Schools had 92.3 percent of its 2016 class graduate on time, compared with the state average 91.3 percent.
Mount Vernon: Quander Road School provides flexible, family-like special education experience
Within the first week of the 2016-2017 school year, teachers at the Quander Road School in Mount Vernon had already finished their jobs for five students. For that select group, they were ready to return to their base high school and transition back to a less restrictive educational experience.
Mount Vernon: West Potomac Freshman Verbally Commits to Auburn Softball
On a recent unofficial visit to Auburn University, West Potomac High School freshman Claire Davidson committed verbally to play softball at the college. At the end of the 2016 season, Auburn was the SEC conference champion and finished second in the NCAA national championship.
Clifton: Whitehall Farms Opens Second Fall Fun Days
Pumpkin. Slingshot. The imposing medieval-esque wooden structure Whitehall Farms business owner Jeff Waters built by hand stands ready to launch seasonal gourds 250 to 300 feet past a grazing area of chickens into a vast grassy expanse. Next year, Waters said, there will be a proper trebuchet.
Art, craft and food festival Clifton Day returns Oct. 9
In 2005, Frank Burdell of Fairfax started blowing glass. He was driving back from Niagara Falls with his family when they stopped randomly in Corning, New York and decided to take a few short classes in blowing, fused glass and etching.
Sworn Officer Liaison Integral to Community Policing in North Springfield
Civic Association to hold community meeting on break-ins Oct. 5.
For North Springfield resident Jeff Schaefer, having a safe community starts with neighbors looking out for each other.
Fairfax County: Call for Civility in Schools’ LGBTQ Discussion
School board Board also receives Opening of Schools report, votes on challenged materials review committee.
Robert Rigby stood before the Fairfax County School Board on Sept. 22 wearing a red polo shirt, typically a sign of unity at board meetings among parents and community members who have opposed recent policy updates in the school system surrounding students who identify as transgender.
Police Investigating Two Related Burke Break-ins
Victims assaulted with a machete
Fairfax County Police believe the same four men are responsible for assaulting and robbing two Burke residents at different locations, around 2 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 23.
Burke, Fairfax: Police Investigating Graffiti at Robinson
On Friday, Sept. 16, Robinson Secondary School staff reported graffiti on the side of a trailer to Fairfax County Police.
Burke, Fairfax, Lorton, Springfield: Volunteers pack 10,000 meals at Burke Presbyterian Church
As Nancy Rosene of Fairfax screeched clear packing tape across the top of a cardboard box filled with dozens of meals worth of dried and dehydrated food, she was highly conscious of where she was and what she was doing.
Springfield: Keene Mill Elementary Students Raise $32,000 with Boosterthon
More than 760 Keene Mill Elementary School students in Springfield ran in the Boosterthon Fun Run on Sept. 16, capping a nine-day fundraising program and learning experience with the theme “Backyard Box Office.”
Fairfax County: Students learn IT and job skills, earn tech internships.
On a scorching week day in late summer, rising Fairfax County seniors Kenneth Smith, Amy Wong and Tasmia Dia were taking cumulative review tests in their summer course. This wasn’t exactly summer school, though.
Fairfax County: Changes in Voting from 2012
Electoral board highlights key dates and procedure updates.
Clinton or Trump? Meals Tax or no Meals Tax? These are just a two of the weighty decisions on the ballot for this fall’s election. To help people prepare for this cycle, leaders of the Fairfax County electoral board held a meeting with media to highlight some changes from the 2012 Presidential election.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Garza Resigns
Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Karen Garza has announced her resignation, just months after the FCPS board renewed her contract through June 30, 2020.
Fairfax County: Supervisors Approve Independent Police Auditor
Unanimous vote follows Ad Hoc Commission recommendations for more transparency and oversight of Fairfax County police.
With a unanimous vote on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of an independent police auditor office, following recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Fairfax: Roadside Protest for McKenna and Martinez Deaths
The Northern Virginia chapter of the group Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) organized a demonstration at 4 p.m. on Sep. 14 along Lee Highway in Fairfax, calling for justice for Natasha McKenna and Giovanny, or Jovany, Martinez.
Welcoming Fall at Burke Centre Festival
Temperature dips between massive two-day event.
With more than just a few degrees Fahrenheit separating Sept. 10 and 11, the two days of the annual Burke Centre Festival, the massive community event once again signaled the end of summer and beginning of fall in more ways than one.
Mount Vernon, Springfield: School Performance, Meals Tax Discussed with Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber
Three FCPS board members speak to business leaders.
“I learned about empathy and coding,” was the response from one young Fairfax County Public Schools student who participated in this summer’s Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics lab program.
Clifton: Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program to hold tenth Polo Classic fundraiser
Once a week for the last seven years, César Dulanto of Lake Ridge, Va. has come to Clifton to trade his wheelchair for a saddle. Dulanto, 13, has been been wheelchair-bound since the age of two with cerebral palsy. He used to have difficulty just sitting up in a chair. And, he said, “I used to be so shy.”
Amazon ‘Lockers’ Come to Springfield Town Center
Springfield Town Center is one of 15 mall locations across the east coast now offering Amazon’s “Locker” service as a quicker alternative to home delivery of items.
2007 West Springfield Grad Competed in Olympic Rowing
As a freshman at West Springfield High School, Matt Miller passed the eye test for the rowing team.
Fairfax County: Supervisors to Vote on Independent Auditor Office
Board item reviewed by public safety committee
At its Sept. 20 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission to create an office of independent police auditor.
Fairfax County School Board Postpones Decision on New Sponsorship Policy
Fairfax County Public Schools are far from becoming a David Foster Wallace novel.
Fairfax Namesake School District in California Celebrated
While there can only be one Fairfax County Public Schools system, members of the FCPS board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors congratulated the namesake Fairfax School District in Bakersfield, Calif. on its 125th anniversary.
Lorton 17-year-old Dies after Sep. 7 Shooting
Maurice Anderson Berger, 17, of Lorton was found suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his upper body on the sidewalk on the 9700 block of Hagel Circle the night of Sep. 7.
Mount Vernon: New MVHS principal brings new mission and vision.
It might surprise some people, Mount Vernon High School Principal Dr. Anthony Terrell said, but 90 percent of students at his school — with a 54 percent poverty rate — are consistently on time to class.
Burke: Students return, principals stress inter-student encouragement.
South County High School senior Dominique Butler remembers skipping class as a freshman. But when she saw how it was affecting her chances at going to college, she turned things around. When she saw freshmen from her neighborhood on the first day of school, she made sure they wouldn’t make the same mistakes she did.
Springfield: Students return, principals stress inter-student encouragement
South County High School senior Dominique Butler remembers skipping class as a freshman. But when she saw how it was affecting her chances at going to college, she turned things around. When she saw freshmen from her neighborhood on the first day of school, she made sure they wouldn’t make the same mistakes she did.
Fairfax Station, Lorton: Students return, principals stress inter-student encouragement
South County High School senior Dominique Butler remembers skipping class as a freshman. But when she saw how it was affecting her chances at going to college, she turned things around. When she saw freshmen from her neighborhood on the first day of school, she made sure they wouldn’t make the same mistakes she did.
Fairfax: Dead Man’s, Deputy’s Name Released in Inova Shooting
Police, sheriff investigations continue.
Jovany Martinez is the 29-year-old Hispanic man who died after being shot by a Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputy Monday night Aug. 15 outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Mount Vernon: Change of Command
Holbrook relieves Mitchell as Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander.
After master of ceremonies Terry Ruggles reminded the audience at Fort Belvoir of the U.S. Army’s age — 241 years — he said that it’s existence is “perpetuated on time-honored values and traditions, not the accomplishments of individuals.”
Fairfax County: Aiming To Reduce Deer Population
Second Deer Management Program discussion
With an ecosystem struggling to support a deer population several times what’s considered to be healthy for a habitat, Fairfax County is preparing once again to initiate its deer management program.
Burke, Clifton, Fairfax Station, Lorton Springfield: Area Roundups
Rallies for Back to School and Refugees
Springfield Town Center is hosting a pep rally to celebrate students returning to school. The event is scheduled for the Grand Court area of the mall from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton hosts first Brewfest
Shamara Wilkins of Lorton ventured out of the priceless shade just long enough to get a refreshing top up on her beer-tasting glass from Lorton-based Forge Brew works.
Fairfax: Man Dies After Being Shot by Fairfax Sheriff’s Deputy Outside Inova Hospital
Hispanic male was discharged patient who was escorted by security to bus stop before the incident.
Early Tuesday morning, Aug. 16, a man died after having been shot by a Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy outside the green garage area at Inova Fairfax Hospital the previous evening.
Fairfax County Police Release Name of 2-Year-Old Victim in Murder-Suicide
Despite pleas from the girl’s family, Fairfax County Police have released the name of the young victim who was found dead along with the body of Roy Eugene Rumsey, 58, in an upstairs bedroom at the scene of a house fire in Fairfax on July 27.
Burke Lake Golf Course Upgrades to Begin Oct. 3
A new clubhouse and expanded driving range and parking lot highlight upgrades to the Burke Lake Golf Course in Fairfax Station that’s more than 40 years old.
Two Reports of Fox Bites in Springfield Area
A fox or foxes are still at large after two reports of bites in the Springfield area on Monday, Aug. 8, Fairfax County Police said.
Update Anticipated in Fairfax Murder-Suicide
The Office of the Medical Examiner has yet to identify the toddler whose dead body was found along with that of Roy Eugene Rumsey, 58, in a house fire on July 27 in the 12100 block of Fairfax Hunt Road in Fairfax.
Stars of Summer
Northern Virginia Swimming League holds individual championships
Olympic swimming started with an expected bang in its opening weekend in Río, with Katie Ledecky and the men’s four by 100 freestyle relay, that included Michael Phelps in the second leg, captured gold medals for Team USA.
Ginny Thrasher's Golden Gun
Springfield’s Ginny Thrasher wins Olympic gold in air rifle.
Before she left for the Río Olympics, 19-year-old sharpshooter Ginny Thrasher of Springfield was just looking to get experience in her first games. “I was looking more towards 2020 as a realistic option,” she had said.
Mount Vernon: Swimming with Engie, for Cancer Research
Fundraiser benefits Inova Schar Cancer Institute.
When Engie Mokhtar of Kingstowne woke up from a blackout on the floor of her kitchen, she didn’t think much of it. She cleaned up, went to bed, and went to swimming practice with the Alexandria Masters team the next morning.
Fairfax County Police Receive National Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies recognized compliance with 484 standards.
In a hearing in Baltimore’s inner harbor on Saturday, July 30, the Fairfax County Police Department received a formal recognition of its national accreditation from the Gainesville, Va.-based Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, CALEA.