Mount Vernon: Police Searching for Suspects in Huntington-area Homicide.
Fairfax County Police found 64-year-old Santos Rafael Zelaya inside a residence with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a department release.
Fairfax County School Board Votes Down Veterans Day School Holiday
Fairfax Station resident Steven Hunt, retired U.S. Navy, put it bluntly: “Votes count, words don’t.” That was following a vote in which all but two members of the Fairfax County School Board voted against an amendment to the 2015-2016 calendar that would have made Veterans Day a school holiday.
Del. Dave Albo to Seek Re-election
Del. Dave Albo (R-42) recently announced he had submitted paperwork on March 18 to run in the Republican primary and seek re-election for his seat.
South County High School Closing in on Fundraising Goal for Artificial Turf
South County High School is looking for real green to transform into artificial green. The school plans to replace two natural grass fields -- the football stadium and track -- with artificial turf that can withstand increased foot traffic and play during rain or snow, and cost less to maintain.
Mount Vernon: The Magic of Giving Back
Friends of UCM hosts annual Spring Gala for United Community Ministries.
United Community Ministries executive director Nichelle Mitchem wasted no time addressing the challenges she and the multi-faceted service organization are facing. Heavy on her mind is the Healthy Families program, aimed at preventing child abuse through intensive home visits to first-time parents, that’s slated to be eliminated in FY2016.
Planning Commission to Decide on Vulcan Quarry in Lorton
The Fairfax County Water Authority has proposed increasing the land area for the Griffith Water Treatment Plant and reconfiguring the Vulcan Materials quarry in Lorton to be used for water storage.
West Springfield High School Hosts Job and Opportunity Fair
Robinson graduate Jackson Muse was looking for some professional direction. Currently a junior political science major at Shepherd University in West Virginia, he’s worked at Barnes & Noble but is potentially interested in counseling for the Fairfax County Park Authority, or helping open the new Wegmans at Hilltop Village Center.
News Briefs for the Week of March 25
News Briefs
Classes Canceled after Bomb Threat at Lake Braddock Secondary School
Lake Braddock Secondary School staff received a bomb threat via email, according to the school and Fairfax County Public schools representative John Torre.
Police Investigating Reported Assault of Two Mongolian Students in Burke
Two students from Mongolia were reportedly given alcohol and sexually assaulted in a Burke area house on March 8, according to Fairfax County Police.
League of Women Voters Hosts Forum on Firearms, Domestic Violence and Suicide in Burke
Among intimate partner homicides in Fairfax County in 2009 and 2010, firearms were the fatal weapon 60 percent of the time, nearly double the next closest implement: knives. Fairfax County domestic violence coordinator Sandra Bromley shared this and further information at an information forum on gun use in domestic violence and suicide held at Pohick Library on March 22.
Mt. Vernon: NOVA's Scholarships Provide Security Net
In 2011, Mount Vernon resident Dr. Glenn B. Fatzinger and his daughter Jennifer created a pair of scholarships to memorialize their wife and mother Harriet H. Fatzinger. Harriet was an elder and chair of the Congregational Care Council at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, where she helped co-founded a regular Friday-night fellowship program called Agape Reservoir that continues to serve individuals with special needs in the Mount Vernon Area.
Fairfax County Town Hall Budget Meeting Scheduled in Franconia
Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) and Fairfax County School Board chairman Tammy Derenak-Kaufax were scheduled host one of the last town hall meetings for the advertised FY2016 county budget on March 25 at the Franconia Governmental Center in Alexandria.
Emotional Beginning for Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission
While several other members of the recently created Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission stated their general intent to listen and learn and help, Salvatore Culosi had a more specific request.
Hannah Graham remembered at West Potomac Softball home opener in Mount Vernon
Ruddy cheeks glistened with sweat and tears following a home opener for the West Potomac softball team.
Students From Around Fairfax County Recognized for Promoting Peace
After a friend of South County High School senior Sakira Coleman was sexually assaulted while running on a local public path, Coleman decided to take action and started the “Fight for Your Right to Run at Night” program.
Nova nursing students awarded Harriet H. Fatzinger Memorial Scholarships at Fort Belvoir
In 2011, Mount Vernon resident Dr. Glenn B. Fatzinger and his daughter Jennifer created a pair of scholarships to memorialize their wife and mother Harriet H. Fatzinger.
No Evidence of Problems with Foxes and Coyotes in Springfield
Though it’s not uncommon to have additional sightings of wildlife such as foxes and coyotes in late winter and early spring, according to Fairfax County Police Department spokesperson Lucy Caldwell, Animal Control Services doesn’t have any anecdotal information pointing to problems with the two species.
Lake Braddock and Robinson Update Security
According to school releases, Lake Braddock and Robinson Secondary Schools have each updated security features on their campuses.
Homeowner Shoots Burglary Suspect in Mount Vernon area of Alexandria
Charges are pending an investigation for a 27-year-old northern Virginia man who was shot while allegedly attempting to enter a private residence on the 5700 block of Lenore Lane in Alexandria, according to Fairfax County Police.
First Meeting Set for Fairfax County Police Commission
With endorsement, albeit non-unanimous, from the Board of Supervisors, the ad hoc commission organized by board chairman Sharon Bulova to review Fairfax County Police Department practices will hold its first meeting March 23.
Surovell Kicks Off Senate Campaign
Mount Vernon residents Lyn Snodgrass, Alan Edelstein and Jim Seeley engaged Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) in a banquet room of The Landing restaurant in Woodbridge.
Mount Vernon: Residents Help Shape County Budget
Citizen ideas on budget and services sought.
Despite a damp dreary Saturday morning, several dozen people turned out at the South County Government Center for the first of two community dialogues on the proposed budgets for Fairfax County government and schools. The meeting along Route 1 began in the morning, followed by a similar event at the Fairfax County Government Center in the afternoon. Both were hosted by Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova.
News Brief: Matthew Trial Date Postponed
At a March 4 hearing in Albemarle County Circuit Court, Judge Cheryl Higgins granted the man charged with abducting and murdering Hannah Graham a continuance.
Democrats Hold Mardi Gras Straw Poll in Alexandria
Surovell, Sargeant lead.
As the saying goes: In Virginia, every year is an election year. And every election year is replete with straw polls. The first such event leading up to the June 9 Democratic primary was a Mardi Gras-themed dinner party held March 7 at Don Beyer Volvo in Alexandria.
Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability Adds Leaders at Mount Vernon Meeting
Michelle Evans, the new public affairs director for the Virginia Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability, explained to group members how important it is to like and share and Tweet stories online, related to their goal of increased transparency and accountability.
Telegraph Road Widening Completed in Alexandria
Though the morning of the ribbon-cutting was damp and chilly, Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) said he was thankful the ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday rather than Thursday.
West Springfield Grad’s Nonprofit Helps New Mothers
Rather than diving into the surf at a sunny southern beach, Springfield resident Sarah Musa spent the first day of her spring break delivering care packages to Howard University Hospital.
John Cook Announces Re-Election Bid for Braddock Supervisor
Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) was first elected to represent the Braddock district in a 2009 special election. He won his first full term in 2011 and on March 3 formally announced he would seek another term to sit on the Board of Supervisors.
Fairfax League of Women Voters to Hold Firearms Forum in Burke
What is Fairfax County doing to cut down on firearms-related suicide and domestic violence? The Fairfax-area League of Women Voters will host an informational public forum to discuss the topic at Pohick Regional Library in Burke on March 22.
Public Commission To Review Police Policy
Over some objections, Bulova launches ad hoc commission in wake of police shooting and obfuscation.
Supervisor Michael Frey did not mince words when voicing opposition to Chairman Sharon Bulova’s establishment of an ad hoc police commission on Tuesday, March 3.
Rising Hope Mission Church in Mount Vernon Hosts Nightly Shelters
At 7 p.m. doors to Rising Hope Mission Church open for guests to sign in. Promptly at 7:10, volunteers begin serving dinner. On a chilly, rainy, mid-December night, the volunteers from Aldersgate United Methodist Church prepare beef steak with gravy, beans and corn for about 20 homeless individuals.
Fairfax County hosts first Inmate Resource Fair.
They’re hoping the third time will be a charm: 34-year-old Demeterius Spann of the Richmond Highway area of Alexandria and 29-year-old Nydale Sheppard of Reston have each been incarcerated three times.
Swimmers From Around Fairfax County Raise $23,000 for Breast Cancer Research
In the last five years, young swimmers on the Shark Tank Racing Squad have seen one family lose a mother from breast cancer and another’s grandmother diagnosed.
Burke Racquet & Swim Club Celebrates 30 Years with Fitness Fair
Lynnda Gendron of Burke has worked at the Burke Racquet & Swim Club for 27 of its 30 years of operation.
2015 General Assembly Session Draws to a Close
The 45-day 2015 session of the Virginia General Assembly came to a close last week, one which Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) described as “pretty calm, mainly because guys on either side have stayed away from divisive social issues they’ve pushed in the past,” and Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) assessed, “For the most part, I think they did accomplish some good things.”
New Packaging Brewing Company Opens in Lorton
With the capacity to churn out over 4,000 barrels annually, Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton can claim the title of Fairfax County’s largest packaging brewery.
“Oliver!” To Open at Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke
Springfield resident Nancy Lavallee is an attorney by day, but has done theater all her life. And for the last three years, in her free time, she’s traded the courtroom for the director’s chair, leading the Good Shepherd Players in productions of “The Sound of Music” and “Godspell.”
1965 Luther Jackson graduates from Springfield and Alexandria remember the county’s only African American high school.
Florence King was pretty impressed with her school bus driver. The Alexandria resident grew up on Old Telegraph Road and rode the bus to both Drew Smith Elementary School in Gum Springs and Luther Jackson High School, prior to desegregation. King graduated from Luther Jackson in 1965.
Dates Set for Trial Of Jesse Matthew in Murder Case of West Potomac Alumna Hannah Graham
Jesse Matthew, the man charged with abducting and murdering West Potomac High School alumna Hannah Graham, will have his day in court.
Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce to Install New Chairman
Sean O’Connell looks to expand and increase dialogue among membership.
In his 30 years as a certified public accountant with the firm PBMares, Sean O’Connell has worked in Harrisonburg, Fredericksburg and spent close to the last decade in northern Virginia.
Fairfax County Swimmers Shine at States
Swimmers from 36 high schools from around Virginia competed in the Virginia High School League 6A state championship held in Richmond on Feb. 20.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova Bulova to Create Transparency Review Commission
Group would include citizens, legal community and other organizations.
When Alexandria resident Natasha McKenna was removed from life support and died on Feb. 8, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office posted a release on the county website.
Fairfax County Park Authority Passes on Commercial Proposal for Burke Lake Golf Park
Burke resident Meg Hanrahan likes Topgolf in Alexandria. “To go out on a date with my husband,” she said, “but it’s not some place I want to go when I want to mentally prepare to go out on a course and play 18 holes.”
Community Reviews Plans for Silas Burke Property
Members of the Burke and West Springfield communities were invited to review the plans of Sunrise Development, LLC to build an assisted living facility on the property of the Silas Burke House.
Fairfax Station Woman Raises Support for Orphaned Ole Miss Student
At first, Fairfax Station resident Julia Ross only knew Alex Shields, a junior at the University of Mississippi, as the boy who dated her daughter Emma and friend to other students she knows.
Fairfax County School Board Discusses New AAP Center at Poplar Tree
Board seeks more community feedback before taking action.
Greenbriar West Elementary School is far from the only Fairfax County Public School with an overcrowding problem.
Dead or Alive: Virginia General Assembly Lawmakers Pick Their Legislative Highlights at the Crossover
HB1872: Would have required the Board of Education to arrange a special training program for principals working with struggling schools.
Virginia General Assembly Reaches Crossover
Bills live, die or fold into other legislation before review by the opposite chamber.
As the current meeting of the Virginia General Assembly neared the one-month mark, legislators in the House of Delegates and Senate had to finalize work on bills they would send to their counterparts for consideration.
New Civil War Marker Honors African-American Woodcutters in Burke
Centreville resident Debbie Robison hasn’t chopped a cord of lumber or laid a railroad trestle. But for more than a year she’s done hard labor at the National Archives and Records Administration, researching Civil War-era railroad workers in Northern Virginia.