Fairfax County: Shining a Light on Addiction and Overdose
Herrity’s Town Hall addresses heroin and prescription drug abuse in Fairfax County.
South Lakes High School and George Mason University graduate Ginny Lovitt lost her brother Chris to a heroin overdose. He was 21 and had been discharged from the Sagebrush Treatment Center of Northern Virginia just a week before, in January of 2013. His tolerance was down.
Fairfax County Fire Chief Moves to Address Department Cyberbullying
After the suicide of Fairfax County firefighter-paramedic Nicole Mittendorff and suspected cyberbullying of the 31-year-old that came to light after her death, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue is cracking down on workplace harassment, bullying and discrimination.
Fairfax County 2017-2018 School Year to Begin Before Labor Day
Fairfax County Public Schools delaying their start date until after Labor Day will be a thing of the past. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the School Board decided classes will begin one week before Labor Day, rather than immediately following it, as has been the tradition.
Springfield: April Neighborhood Development Outlook Update
The Bonefish Grille parking lot area has been approved by the Lee District land use committee and Fairfax County planning commission for construction of several new mixed use structures: Ground level would be retail with residential above.
Fairfax Station: Fourth annual Fragile X walk raises $55,000 for molecular bank for research
Jimi Grande of Fairfax Station may never get to teach his ten-year-old son Jimmo to throw a baseball. Jimmo was born with effects from an inherited genetic mutation called Fragile X that can cause moderate to severe mental impairment and learning disabilities, and is linked to autism spectrum disorder.
Fairfax County: Chief Investigating Cyberbullying of Dead Female Firefighter
Search for Nicole Mittendorff called off after police “preliminarily identify” female remains, find suicide note found in her abandoned vehicle.
The search for Nicole Mittendorff, a paramedic-firefighter based at Fire Station 32 in Fairfax Station, has been suspended, a release from Virginia State Police said on Thursday, April 21.
Mount Vernon: Embark Richmond Highway Community Meeting Set for May 9
“Embark Richmond Highway” is the long-term project for expanding and diversifying transportation and development along the Richmond Highway Corridor. It resulted from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) study of Route 1 transportation needs, the recommendations from which Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed 11 months ago.
Fairfax Station: Fourth Fragile X Walk Scheduled for April 24
Since their first fundraising walk, the Northern Virginia Fragile X Family group has raised more than $130,000 for research into Fragile X, an inherited genetic mutation that can cause mental impairment ranging from moderate to severe learning disabilities and linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Alexandria: Cancer Survivor Hosts Karaoke Fundraising Event
Lisa Gray of the Hayfield Farms area of Alexandria, a 16-year cancer survivor, hosted her second “Karaoke for the Cure” fundraising event at Lucky’s Sports Theatre & Grill on April 12.
Fairfax County: Supervisors Approve 4-Cent Tax Rate Increase
The gap between the Fairfax County School Board and total county budgets is a formality away from being the smallest since before Jan. 7 when FCPS Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza announced she wouldn’t be making any additional cuts in her $2.67 billion Fiscal Year 2017 budget.
Fairfax County: Torres Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter of John Geer
Former Police officer faced murder charges for 2013 shooting
It was over before it began. Neither prosecution nor defense gave opening statements in former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres’ trial for the August 2013 murder of Springfield resident John Geer. Instead on Monday, April 18, Torres pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter for the August 2013 incident.
Springfield: Summer STEM Academy at NOVA
High school juniors and seniors are invited to apply for a weeklong summer STEM academy at Northern Virginia Community College. Selected students will unravel a forensics mystery by conducting various STEM experiments in a college setting.
Investigation Continuing in Fatal Springfield Pedestrian Crash
In an April 8 release, Fairfax County Police said two-year veteran officer Salino was the driver involved with the April 2 collision that killed Jeffrey Ponce Aguilar, 26, of Alexandria. Police declined to release Salino’s first name or age.
Fairfax County Police Hold Assessment Public Hearing
As part of an on-site assessment by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., Fairfax County Police held a public forum on April 11 at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Lorton’s Fair Winds Named Best Local Brewery
On a glimmering spring Sunday afternoon, the occasion might call for a light, effervescent beverage: a saison or farmhouse ale, a session IPA. But at Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton, customers lined up on April 10 to taste of something much darker, the second “Brewer’s Reserve” limited release beer: a barrel-aged imperial stout called “Ghost of the Mariner.”
Police Cruiser Collides with Loaded School Bus in Springfield
A Fairfax County Police patrol cruiser struck the side of a Fairfax County Public Schools bus carrying around 40 students and five adults around 12:44 p.m. on April 7, a police release said.
Police find Springfield Man Dead after Responding to Domestic Violence Call
A 67-year-old Springfield man is dead after Fairfax County Police spent two hours outside a residence in the 7000 block of Leewood Forest Drive trying to make contact with him.
Fairfax County: 24th annual Service Awards recognizes community champions, hundreds of volunteers
Kathy Hertz, a longtime volunteer in Clifton, spent more than a week in Lesvos, Greece just after Christmas with her cousin. The two of them volunteered in and around a refugee camp for individuals being funnelled to Athens and hopefully back to Germany or other European havens.
Mount Vernon: Las Vegas-themed Friends of UCM Spring Gala raises $185,000.
The sparkling red sequins and crown of spindly feathers moved gracefully with the long-limbed Vegas showgirl around supporters of the Mount Vernon area social services organization United Community Ministries as they play-gambled and silently bid on auction items at the casino-themed Friends of UCM 2016 Spring Gala.
Alexandria Man Dies after Collision with Fairfax County Police Cruiser
Jeffrey Ponce Aguilar of Alexandria, 26, was struck by a Fairfax County Police Department marked cruiser around 11 p.m. Saturday night, April 2.
‘Shark Tank’ for Seniors
High school students design and present tech products to improve lives of older adults.
Chantilly High School freshman Aru Rajpurohit remembers seeing her great-grandfather struggle to drink his morning tea and other beverages, his hands shaking from Parkinson’s disease.
Woman Robbed and Sexually Assaulted on Morning Walk in Springfield
Just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30, a 40-year-old woman was robbed and sexually assaulted as she was walking alone around 6 a.m. behind the shopping center on the 7000 block of Commerce Street in Springfield.
Burke and Fairfax: New Bike Lanes Proposed for 7 Braddock District Roadways
New bicycle lanes are being proposed for Ravensworth Road, Coffer Woods Road, Burke Road, Patriot Drive, Guinea Road, Queensberry Avenue and Heritage Drive in Braddock District. The improvements would come as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation 2016 summer road repaving program.
First Responders Honored at 38th Annual Valor Awards
‘Ready for All Emergencies’
Technician Ryland Chapman and Lieutenant Lawrence Mullin with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were preparing to return home from a deployment with Virginia Task Force 1 to earthquake-rocked Kathmandu, Nepal when another quake sent them back out for duty.
Lawmakers Wrap-up Richmond Legislative Session
Unspent TANF grant money, prisoner rights among social issues discussed.
On average, low income families in Virginia who are eligible and sign up for funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant receive $269 monthly and are cut off after five years. But lawmakers say there’s a lot more unexpended money available in the federal grant that, if it remains unused, could one day be taken back.
Mount Vernon and Springfield: Detectives Investigate Possible Stabbing Homicide
William G. Martines-Palma, 29, of Alexandria died after sustaining what Fairfax County Police said appeared to be a stabbing wound to his leg.
New decision-making training meant to alter how Fairfax County police officers approach use of force
Making decisions can be instinctual, from the gut. It can also be practical and informed, coming to the best judgement considering all variables. For police officers responding to calls where there might be a threat of violence to civilians and or themselves, their decision whether to use force and which type to neutralize the situation quickly must be a hybrid.
Students at William Halley and Newington Forest Elementary schools raise thousands during sports-based Boosterthon program.
Earlier in March, students at William Halley Elementary School in Lorton and Newington Forest Elementary School in Springfield participated in the nationwide fundraising program Boosterthon Fun Run by raising money and learning life skills through physical activity.
Two Injured in Accidental Shooting on Tralee Woods Court
Two men were injured Wednesday night, March 23, when the gun a third man was showing them went off unintentionally inside a residence on the 7500 block of Tralee Woods Court in Springfield.
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Awards $380,000 in Local Grants
Five of 36 grant awardees speak at “Cocktails & Conversation” event.
When Lorton residents Marcy Mager and husband David Lunter’s daughter Michell Merhige was killed in 2009, they wanted to establish a scholarship in her honor but knew handling the financial logistics would be tricky.
Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Springfield: Brain Injury Services honors volunteers and community partners
Maya Simbulan of Fairfax is thankful for being normal. The Lake Braddock Secondary School freshman would like to pursue work with computer graphics and plays electric wheelchair soccer.
Burke, Bairfax Station, Springfield: Shark Tank Racing Squad sets new record in sixth year of swimming marathon fundraiser
For the sixth year, swimmers piled on miles of laps in the pool, raising money to support their coach and the Avon Walk to End Breast Cancer.
Fairfax County Public Schools to Seek FEMA Relief Funds
Winter Storm Jonas, Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse 2.0 — no matter what it’s called, the county-crippling January 2016 blizzard cost Fairfax County Public Schools $7.2 million to pay for employee overtime compensation, additional contractors and equipment rental.
Fairfax County: Commonwealth's Attorney Finds No Criminality in Paul Guida In-Custody Death
After a determination from the medical examiner that Falls Church resident Paul Guida, 68, died of natural causes while in the Sheriff’s custody at the Fairfax County Detention Center, Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh concluded there was no evidence of criminality associated with involved law enforcement or staff at the jail.
Burtons allergy-friendly Grill & Bar opens at Hilltop Village Center in Alexandria
The Big 8: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. These represent the vast majority of all food allergies in the United States.
Alexandria Man Charged with Assault after Police Barricade Incident in Franconia
Alexandria resident Sayed Robbie Javid was charged with assaulting a police officer and falsely summoning police after an incident at his home on Larkspur Drive escalated into a barricade situation.
Springfield: Super Tuesday Viewpoints
Who did you vote for, and what are some of the most important issues to you in this election?
Marco Rubio. I like what he stands for, the way he’s handled himself so far.
Burke, Clifton, Fairfax Station and Springfield: Clinton and Trump Take Virginia on Super Tuesday
Rubio controls Fairfax County, Sanders supporters nearly doubled by Clinton voters.
Katie Hugo, daughter of Del. Tim Hugo (R-40), turned 18 at the beginning of February and insisted she cast her first official vote with dad, who she said is the reason she’s involved and interested in politics.
Fairfax County: Commission Recognizes Outstanding Women in Government Work
Edwyna Wingo of the Chantilly area began her career with Fairfax County as a nurse in the Health Department on Sep. 1, 1965 and worked her last full day Oct. 1, 2011.
Three Florida Men Arrested in Springfield, Charged with Credit Card Fraud
Jermaine Butler, 29, Markeem Ho-Sang, 25, and Roderick Norman, 25, all residents of Miami Gardens, Fla., were arrested Thursday, Feb. 25 and charged with multiple counts of credit card fraud and possessing devices to forge credit cards.
Police Arrest 20 for Heroin Use in One Day
Operation Save-a-Life offered low-level offenders the chance at recovery treatment rather than jail time.
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Fairfax County Police served 20 arrest warrants, all for possession and or distribution of heroin.
Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield and Mount Vernon legislators reflect on battles won, lost and tabled after General Assembly “Crossover”
Tuesday, Feb. 16 marked “crossover,” the milestone during the current session of the Virginia General Assembly session in Richmond where bills passed by the House of Delegates move to the Senate for debate and either approval or rejection, and vice versa.
Springfield Veterinary Holistic Center offers extension to conventional medicine
Bettejeanne “BJ” Hammond much prefers the term “body work” to massage. “Open wine and get out the candles, that’s what people think of massage,” she said. “They think it’s to relax, but it’s so much more than that.”
Art of Driving Scholarship Expands Eligibility Outside Fairfax County
After the first few years being open only to Lake Braddock Secondary School Students, the Art of Driving college scholarship in honor of Lake Braddock student Ashley Thompson expanded to all Fairfax County High Schools.
Longtime Springfield Estates Elementary School Teacher Marian Davenport Dies at 87
Marian Brant Davenport of Kingstowne died Feb. 13 at age 87. The Columbus, Ohio native taught kindergarten to third grade at Springfield Estates Elementary School from the early 1970s until she retired in 1985. “She was very committed to her kids,” said Davenport’s son Bill, who now lives in Houston, Texas. “She loved the little kids, loved teaching them to read.”
Fairfax County Schools to Close March 1 for Super Tuesday
Concerns about parking and traffic, as well as new guidance from the Virginia Department of Education caused the Fairfax County School Board to reconsider closing schools for the March 1 Presidential primaries.
Burke and Fairfax: Good Shepherd Players mark 35 years with “Oklahoma!”
Carol St. Germain of Burke has theater in her blood. She and her husband met working on productions at Lynchburg College, she followed him as he pursued a career in theater design and together, they’ve worked to bring shows to life with the Good Shepherd Players for the last three decades.
Springfield Man Charged with Murder in Feb. 10 Stabbing
Though the investigation is ongoing, Fairfax County Police said they have arrested and charged 20-year-old Dilshad Dosky of Springfield with murdering Shaki E. Phillip.
Fairfax County: Parents, Community Supporters Rally to ‘Invest in Kids’
Emotional independent outbursts and communal chants of “Fund our schools” and “Invest in kids” echoed through the grand amphitheater just beyond the entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center.
Diversion First Program Launched
Fairfax County officials announce Diversion First program designed to help individuals get treatment not jail time.
Kevin Earley said he’s living proof that Diversion First works. Earley has been living with bipolar disorder and had his last episode in 2007.