Leaders Gather in Opposition to Trump Immigration Policies
Condemning ICE activity at Rising Hope Church in search of criminals in the country illegally.
In response to executive orders from President Donald Trump that expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ criteria for detaining and deporting people in the United States illegally, elected officials are speaking out against the action, as well as condemning recent activity by ICE officials to round up known immigrant criminals.
Week in Springfield
Springfield Man Sentenced for Cocaine Distribution
Springfield resident Cristan Taylor, 48, has received a three-year prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Rise to the Occasion
Great Harvest Bread Co. Burke and Lorton owners ready for new adventure.
Harvest Bread in Burke
Gathering in Opposition to Trump Immigration Policies
Leaders condemn ICE activity outside Rising Hope Church.
Speaking out against Trump immigration policies
Standing Together Against Hate
Lawmakers, faith leaders respond to Feb. 27 bomb threat at Gesher Jewish School.
Students at Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax started their week with a bomb threat.
Chief Releases Name of Officer in Shooting Death
Officer used deadly force in two prior cases, both determined to be lawfully justified.
Fairfax County Chief of Police Edwin Roessler has named 16-year veteran Master Police Officer Lance Guckenberger as the officer who used deadly force, killing Mohammad Azim Doudzai at his home in Herndon, the scene of a double shooting and barricade incident on Jan. 16.
West Springfield Rotary Honors Sheriff’s Deputy, State Troopers
Members of the West Springfield Rotary Club honored three public servants with awards of recognition.
Rising Hope Minister Invited to Joint Congressional Session
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner critical of ICE activity.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D) invited the Rev. Dr. Keary Kincannon of Rising Hope Mission Church to be his guest for President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 28.
West Potomac's Case Resigns, Assistant Lyttle Still on Leave
After announcing West Potomac High School principal Alex Case and assistant principal Michelle Lyttle were on administrative leave Feb. 13, Region 3 assistant superintendent Terry Dade sent a letter to the West Potomac community Feb. 24 informing them of Case’s resignation.
Community Urged to Get Involved at NAACP Gathering in Burke
Fairfax chapter hosted meeting at Kings Park library.
Mohib Ullah and Saquib Raheem of Sterling didn’t bring their boys to Burke’s Kings Park Library on Saturday morning to check out books.
McAuliffe Helps Open Veterans Services Office in Springfield
Gov. Terry McAuliffe was on hand to open the new Virginia Department of Veterans Services Benefits office in Springfield on Feb. 22.
Lorton House Fire Leaves Child Dead
Fire declared accidental, started with a lighter in garage
A 5-year-old child is dead after a fire Feb. 21 in the 8100 block of Arcade Street in Lorton; the cause of the fire was the child playing with a lighter in the garage, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue said.
Burke Centre VRE Connector Project Meeting Scheduled
The fourth phase of the Burke Centre VRE Connector project will link neighborhoods west of Oak Leather Drive to the Burke VRE station for pedestrians and bikers.
Fairfax County Board Appoints Police Civilian Review Panel
Residents can submit complaints concerning allegations of abuse of authority or misconduct by Fairfax County police through the panel.
The ongoing goal of increased transparency and accountability for the Fairfax County Police Department now has nine fresh faces. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the Board of Supervisors announced its appointees to the inaugural Civilian Review Panel, one of the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Pioneering Change For Autism
University of Virginia seminar studies tension between “The Science & Lived Experience of Autism.”
Despite a recent surge in attention and research over the past decade about autism, controversy exists.
Prayer Vigil at ICE Office
Rising Hope pastor speaks about arrests outside church.
On the morning of Feb. 8, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers showed up across the street from Rising Hope Mission Church on Russell Road in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria.
Chief to Release Name of Officer in Herndon Shooting
Risk assessment is complete.
The risk assessment of the officer involved in the fatal Jan. 16 shooting of Mohammad Azim Doudzai is now finished, according to a Feb. 24 release from Fairfax County Police.
Area Roundups
House Fire Leads to Death Investigation in Lorton
Five Suspects Charged with Gang-Related Murder
Roessler calls killing “savage and brutal.”
Fifteen-year-old Damaris Reyes Rivas’ death was caused by multiple forms of trauma to the upper body, the medical examiner reports.
Koinonia Donates iPads to Key Center
At the Key Center school for students with severe intellectual disabilities, Apple iPads are a game-changer.
Hugo’s Opioid Prescription Limit Bill Passes
Deaths from prescription opioids have more than quadrupled since 1999.
Rob Anderson was prescribed 30 days-worth of hydrocodone for pain, after he had four wisdom teeth removed in 10th grade.
Filler-Corn’s HB 2404 Passes with Amendments
Bill would create PANDAS advisory council.
Overnight, Alexandria resident Carol Quick’s 9-year-old son developed an eating disorder — an obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety.
Wreath at President's Tomb
Wreath laying at Washington's tomb
Prayer Vigil at ICE Office
Rising Hope pastor speaks about arrests outside church.
Rising Hope Mission Church holds vigil at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Officers Rescue Bald Eagle
Bald eagle is rescued
County Names Police Auditor
New Fairfax County police auditor
Fairfax County NAACP Hosting Community Gathering
The NAACP of Fairfax County is hosting a community and Black History Month commemoration on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Springfield: Bodily Remains Discovered Near Industrial Park, Death Ruled Homicide
Fairfax County Police Major Crimes detectives were assisting another jurisdiction in looking for a missing teenage girl when they discovered human remains on Feb. 11 in the 7100 block of Wimsatt Road in Springfield.
Lorton: Fire Extinguished at Waste Facility
Covanta spokesperson James Regan said one Fairfax County Fire engine remained at the Covanta Fairfax Waste to Energy Facility on Furnace Road in Lorton to assist with the process of removing waste from the refuse pit and tipping floor, to ensure all the hot spots are doused. A two-alarm blaze began there Thursday evening, Feb. 2.
Fairfax County Names First Independent Police Auditor
Richard G. Schott, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to be Fairfax County’s first-ever independent police auditor.
New Acting Principal at West Potomac High School
West Potomac High School principal Alex Case and assistant principal Michelle Lyttle are both on administrative leave.
Storck Holds Back Bock Farm Decision
Supervisor Dan Storck (D-Mount Vernon) has asked to again postpone Board of Supervisors action on development for the Bock, or Hinson, Farm property in Mount Vernon.
Fear Follows ICE Enforcement
Men said to be detained after leaving Mount Vernon shelter.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Mount Vernon.
FCPS Adopts $2.8 Billion Budget for FY2018
5.1 percent increase from 2017 prioritizes compensation and classroom resources.
The Fairfax County School Board formally adopted interim Superintendent Steve Lockard’s proposed $2.8 billion operating budget at its Feb. 9 meeting, following several work sessions and public hearings on the matter.
Chief Still Withholding Officer’s Name in Fatal Herndon Shooting
Temporary restraining order to not release name vacated by judge.
Fairfax County chief of police Edwin Roessler has yet to release the name of the 16-year veteran officer who fatally shot Mohammad Azim Doudzai, 32, at his Herndon-area home on Jan. 16 this year.
Fairfax Area Roundups
Bulova, Petersen to Host Town Hall Feb. 11
Del. David Bulova (D-37) and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) are planning to host a legislative Town Hall meeting on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the City of Fairfax City Hall.
Lorton: Trash Burned at Covanta Waste Facility
Fire lasted through the weekend.
A fire started within the Covanta Fairfax Waste to Energy Facility in the 9800 block of Furnace Road in Lorton Thursday evening Feb. 2 and smoldered through the weekend.
Burke, Fairfax, Springfield: Bicycle Improvements Proposed for Braddock and Springfield Districts
Howard Albers of Springfield was encouraged by what he saw at the community meeting discussing proposed road striping changes in Braddock and Springfield Districts on Jan. 24.
Lorton: Detectives Ask Again for Public’s Help in 2016 Mason Neck Murder Investigation
Johan De Leede, 83, was shot inside his home in the 6000 block of River Drive in the Mason Neck area. Shots were fired from outside the residence before dawn on March 11, 2016, police reported.
Lee District Leaders Hold Legislative Town Hall
Elected officials Del. Mark Sickles (D-43), Sen. George Barker (D-39) and Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) hosted a Lee District town meeting Jan. 28 at Island Creek Elementary School near the Kingstowne area of Alexandria.
Mount Vernon Town Meeting Features 3D Flying Tour
Bulova and Storck dismiss creating Muslim registry.
The 30th annual Mount Vernon town meeting on Feb. 4.
A Look Inside Fairfax County Police Diversity Training
Commanders hear speeches on openness, forgiveness, professionalism.
West Springfield District Police Commander Cpt. Gervais T. Reed said when police officers leave the profession, some are in good shape, others are bitter.
Passenger Killed in Car Crash on Clifton Road
Estrada Izaguirre, 21, of Springfield was pronounced dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash in the 7600 block of Clifton Road in Fairfax Station on Thursday, Jan. 26.
Fairfax County: Body-Worn Cameras for Police Coming Closer
Policy addressing privacy, mental health, metrics needed before pilot begins.
Fairfax County Police could have a body-worn camera program for officers up and running as early as the fall. That’s what Police Chief Edwin Roessler and the Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee discussed at the committee’s first meeting of 2017 on Jan. 31.
Fairfax County: Deadline Reached for Civilian Review Panel Nominations
Supervisors to review applications before Feb. 14 meeting.
Jan. 31 was the final day for applications and nominations for Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel, one of two new forms of independent oversight for the police department.
Three Options Presented for Bock Farm Development
Reduced condo height and unit number for seniors; townhomes with no age restriction.
Three Options Presented for Bock Farm Development
Chief Withholding Name of Officer in Herndon Fatal Shooting
Officer files temporary restraining order for Roessler to not release name.
Fairfax County chief of police Edwin Roessler has yet to release the name of the 16-year veteran officer who fatally shot Mohammad Azim Doudzai, 32, at his Herndon-area home on Jan. 16 this year. On Feb. 7, FCPD said the unnamed officer has filed a temporary restraining order to keep the name from being released.
Arrest Made in Shooting at Police Car in Great Falls
Suspect first apprehended in Herndon for waiving a gun.
Just before midnight on Jan. 22, several shots were fired at a marked police cruiser from another vehicle in the Great Falls area, Fairfax County police said.
Fairfax: Board Approves 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Program
Five-year plan includes three new elementary schools and one new high school.
This year, Fairfax County Public Schools experienced one of the smallest annual enrollment increases in nearly a decade: 1,368 students, compared to the average of 2,400 since the 2008-09 school year, bringing the total to 187,202.
Anti-Immigration Ban Rallies Held at Dulles
Demonstrators, volunteer attorneys and elected officials welcome travelers, extend help detainees.
Demonstrations sprang up at airports around the United States over the weekend, following an Executive Order by President Donald Trump that blocks travelers from seven largely Muslim countries — Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia — in the interests of more significant vetting and preventing would-be terrorists from entering the country.