Springfield: Community Outlook 2017
Springfield Area Ongoing Developments
The Connection keeps a running list of land use projects being planned, under construction and nearing completion in the community. The list is updated quarterly.
Lorton: Community Outlook 2017
Ongoing Area Developments
The Connection keeps a running list of land use projects being planned, under construction and nearing completion in the community. The list is updated quarterly.
Residents Go to Richmond
Virginia News
With the Virginia General Assembly underway, many individuals and groups are traveling to the capital of the Commonwealth to lobby lawmakers.
Burke Community Outlook 2017
Developments Underway in Burke Area
The Connection keeps a running list of land use projects being planned, under construction and nearing completion in the community. The list is updated quarterly.
Kitchen Fire Damages Center
Fire damages Huntington Community Center.
Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield: Reducing Braddock Road congestion to be discussed Feb. 6
Is Wider Better?
Next month, residents will hear an update on the status of the Braddock Road Multimodal Study. The purpose of the study is to examine ways to relieve traffic congestion along the major corridor from Guinea Road to the Beltway. Those could include intersection improvements, lane additions, pedestrian improvements, “and the issue of whether or not to do a transit center,” said supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock).
Burke: Friends of Sadie Blood Drive Returns Feb. 12
The eighth annual Friends of Sadie Blood Drive is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Reshaping the Region
Commercial, residential and historic projects are changing the landscape.
The Richmond Highway corridor is the sight of many upgrades.
Residents Meet with Legislators in Richmond
With the Virginia General Assembly underway, many individuals and groups are traveling to the capital of the Commonwealth to lobby lawmakers.
Burke, Fairfax Station: ‘Carousel’ Coming to Lake Braddock
Musical Theatre department revives a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic.
After having done family-friendly and modern shows in recent years, Lake Braddock Secondary School musical theatre director Mary DeMarco of Clifton decided “it was time to do a classic.”
Burke: Serving Others on MLK Day at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church
More than 50 volunteers spent time on Jan. 16 putting together 20 buckets of cleaning supplies for Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter residents who are transitioning to independent housing.
Fairfax County: Public hearing on yard waste bags follows premature administrative change
North Springfield resident Asher Grady has his leaf collecting down to a science. And with the mature trees around his quarter-acre lot, he needs to. Each fall, he said, he goes through between 60 and 80 bags of leaves, spending between eight and 12 hours to rake and bag them.
Fairfax Station: Cash Registers Stolen from Village Shops
Cash registers were stolen from the Crosspointe Market and Steak ’n Things businesses early Saturday morning, Jan. 14, Fairfax County Police said.
Walt Whitman Principal Roger Vanderhye Dies
Previously spent 12 years as principal at Spring Hill Elementary in McLean.
Walt Whitman Middle School principal Roger Vanderhye, 60, died last week following complications from a recent surgery.
Lockard Channels Garza, Proposes $2.8 Billion FCPS Budget
FY2018 focuses on employee compensation and classroom resources.
Fairfax County Public Schools interim superintendent Steve Lockard is asking for $130.4 million more for the school system’s FY2018 operating budget than the previous year, a 4.9 percent increase, to a total of $2.8 billion.
Police Still Investigating Linked Homicides
Police are continuing to chase “all possible leads” in connection with a pair of murders in Burke and Springfield that took place just before Christmas.
No Injuries after VRE Train Hits Car in Clifton
No one was injured after a Virginia Railway Express train struck a car that had become stuck on the tracks in Clifton on Jan. 5, according to Fairfax County Fire & Rescue.
A Son Recalls Frank Medico’s ‘Good Heart’
A Mount Vernon resident for more than 50 years, former representative to the Virginia House of Delegates Frank Medico died Dec. 30, 2016 at the age of 92.
Partnering to Reduce Northern Virginia Congestion
Legislators tour past, present and future transportation projects.
The blessing of traffic, Martin Nohe said, is that “there’s lots of great transportation projects to choose from.”
Fairfax County: Tour de Mount Vernon
Supervisor Storck leads inaugural cross-district bike ride
“I wanted to get a ride in this year,” Storck told a group of 20 to 30 riders, himself bundled up in several layers and a neon green high-visibility jacket. The objective, Storck said, was to tour some of the trails and roadways running through Mount Vernon District, and along the way discuss some of the near to distant development plans for the area.
Fairfax: Police Auditor and Civilian Review Panel to Become Reality in 2017
Body cameras, mental health part of public safety focus
This year will see two historic firsts for Fairfax County, its police department and citizens: the beginning work of an Office of Police Auditor and Civilian Review Panel. “It’s very important people picked deal with facts, demand facts and make decisions based on facts,” Sayles said, “and communicate those in a way that’s not divisive." said Randy Sayles of Oak Hill who was a member of the Use of Force subcommittee of the Ad Hoc Commission.
Fairfax County: New Year, New Superintendent for County Schools
Budget shortfall, equity and nondiscrimination storylines for 2017
“What does equity really mean,” Corbett Sanders continued. “We’re going to have some healthful discussions about it. Everything from early education on.” The budget will once again be a major storyline for the school system, as Hynes said the board is currently looking at about a $90 million shortfall for FY 2018.
Tour de Mount Vernon
Supervisor Storck leads inaugural cross-district bike ride.
When Carlos Alfaro of the Woodlawn area of Mount Vernon showed up New Year’s Eve morning at the Belle Haven Marina parking lot with his road bike, he didn’t know what to expect.
For Schools: New Year, New Superintendent
New Year, New Superintendent for FCPS
New School Superintendent
Police Release Security Footage of Gomez Shooting
Law enforcement invites media to view and break-down sequence of events
Video Footage of Shooting
Police Auditor, Civilian Review Panel to Become Reality in 2017
Body cameras, mental health part of public safety focus.
Police Auditor, Civilian Review Panel to Become Reality in 2017
Police Say Burke and Springfield Homicides Appear to be Linked
Victims both 22, found with “upper body trauma”
On Dec. 22, Fairfax County Police responded to a call around 8:15 p.m. that Henok G. Yohannes, 22, had been found dead in his home in the 6400 block of Blarney Stone Ct. in Springfield.
Burke CARES Receives Toy Donation from Pack 1346
On Dec. 13, members of the Cub Scout Pack 1346 donated toys to the non-profit organization Burke CARES, that will then distribute them to children in need around the Burke Community. In addition to the annual gift drive, Burke CARES (Community Action Resources for Empowerment and Support) also partners with St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax each year to provide donated backpacks and school supplies to between 35 and 45 children in Burke.
Burke United Methodist Church hosts hypothermia prevention shelter.
Just before five p.m. on Dec. 14, the Burke United Methodist Church kitchen is bustling with volunteers. They’re preparing soup, snacks and dinner meals for between 25 and 30 homeless guests who will spend the night at the church.
Fairfax Station: LCAC distributes donated food and toys to 525 families.
As Shareada Murray of Fairfax shepherded her four sons Ja’lil, Zion, Angelo and Avery around the Moose Family Center in Lorton, she could feel Christmas was coming.
Fairfax Station: Temple B’nai Shalom Students Build Canned Food Menorah
Hebrew School students at Temple B’Nai Shalom in Fairfax Station prepared for Chanukah by building a menorah from cans of food.
Springfield: Civic Association brings back holiday lights judging
For two and a half hours last week, north Springfield residents Tricia Barnes and Nancy Moore drove around their community judging people. Or, rather, judging their holiday decorations. “We had no idea this neighborhood was that big,” Moore said.
The Journey Beyond ‘Three Hots and a Cot’ in Mount Vernon
Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter helping homeless for 30 years.
In late August, Mount Vernon resident “Maria” was released from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center after being incarcerated for one year.
Fairfax County Police Release Security Footage of Gomez Shooting Outside Inova
Law enforcement invites media to view and break-down sequence of events
Members
Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy Cleared in Fatal Shooting
Commonwealth’s Attorney: homicide was justified self-defense.
In a decision released Dec. 16, Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh cleared Fairfax County Master Deputy Sheriff Patrick McPartlin of any criminal wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez that took place Aug. 15 outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Mount Vernon: Rotary Chapter Celebrates 40 Years
Mount Vernon Rotarians celebrated their chapter’s 40th anniversary Wednesday Dec. 7 at Cedar Knoll restaurant.
Mount Vernon: Inova's Addo gives update to chamber
At 3 a.m. Nov. 16, the new Veatch Family Emergency Department at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital opened its doors to patients. The time was meant to be a slow one for hospital work, Inova Mount Vernon president and CEO Deborah Addo said — intended essentially to be a “soft open.”
Mount Vernon: Supply Replenished for St. Aidan’s Christmas Tree Sale
After nearly selling out the previous weekend, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church received a fresh shipment of Christmas trees on Dec. 9.
Springfield-Franconia: Nonprofit Koinonia holds holiday shopping program for clients
When Koinonia volunteer Ann Hopke sent a Nativity scene home with someone without the cows, she had no idea they were really meant for someone else.
Fairfax County: Filling Oversight Positions
Supervisors outline procedures for bringing on police auditor and civilian review panel.
One week after voting to establish Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel for police, Public Safety Committee chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova outlined steps to be taken to fill the nine-member panel, as well as hire an independent police auditor.
Lorton: Swim Teams Make Toys for Tots Splash
West Springfield High School varsity Swim & Dive teams
The South County and West Springfield High School varsity Swim & Dive teams donated gifts for the South Run RECenter Toys for Tots campaign prior to their meet against each other on Dec. 10.
Burke: Legislative Forum Held at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church
The art of the possible
At the free public forum, Grow, Rhee and Bowers-Lanier stressed the importance for people who are concerned about climate change, immigration and economic justice, health care and other social justice issues to be both active and vigilant as these issues come before state and federal lawmakers in 2017.
Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations: 88 Percent Implemented
Public Safety Committee hears from Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting subcommittee chair.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is well on its way to implementing all recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. At the Dec. 13 meeting of the board’s Public Safety Committee, they announced 88 percent of the commission recommendations have been implemented or are soon to be so.
Fairfax County: Filling Oversight Positions
Supervisors outline procedures for bringing on police auditor and civilian review panel.
One week after voting to establish Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel for police, Public Safety Committee chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova outlined steps to be taken to fill the nine-member panel, as well as hire an independent police auditor.
Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield: Great Dads Turns 20
Nonprofit celebrates two decades training fathers to be better parents.
“I remember leaving the conference and driving past the exit for my office,” Stafford said, “looking back and seeing my briefcase, thinking about all the things I needed to get done, or thought I did.” But Stafford passed the exit, drove home and surprised his wife. He announced the family would be going to the zoo, “a nice little daycation.”
Clifton Author Publishes Children’s Book Supporting Police
Claire Rolince of Fairfax Station wanted to do something in response to what she sees as a lot of negative stories about police, and violent backlash against them.
Springfield: New York Man Dies in Four-Car Crash on I-495
Sana Maboneza, a 39-year-old man from College Point, N. Y. died at the scene of a four-vehicle crash on the Springfield interchange at mile marker 56.
Combatting Domestic Violence Deaths in Mount Vernon
Bystanders urged to call hotline as well as victims.
In the last month, Fairfax County Police released information on two domestic homicides it was investigating.
Supervisors Establish Fairfax County’s First Police Civilian Review Panel
As complement to police auditor, panel will review abuse and misconduct complaints.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to establish a Civilian Review Panel to provide oversight of Fairfax County Police and to hear complaints of police misconduct or abuse of authority.
Bumped, Bruised, Better
Springfield man recovers from mid-race Ironman 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. But he didn’t know any of that at the time. What he knew was he still had at least 20 miles left to bike and 26.2 miles to run before completing his first Ironman triathlon.