Politics

‘Sextortion’ Victims Are Mostly Men

Photos, video used to demand money from victims.

Detectives of the Major Crimes Division of Fairfax County Police report a trend in an unsavory type of financial scam. Sexual extortion scams, commonly referred to as “sextortion,” involve meeting someone the victim believes is a real person online who coaxes him or her into feeling a sense of connection and intimacy, and then sending risque photos or video.

First Lady Comes to GMU, Campaigns for Clinton

Speaks on Hillary Clintons 'lifelong record of public service.'

Excitement filled the air when First Lady Michelle Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd, last Friday, Sept. 16, at GMU’s Johnson Center. Speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she urged everyone to vote and called Clinton the only qualified candidate in the race.

Mount Vernon: Giles Overlook Developing

75 percent of land to remain open space.

Lorton Valley III calls its development Giles Overlook: 52 singles family detached dwellings on 38.37 acres on Sanger Street in Mount Vernon. Fairfax County Planning Commission voted Wednesday, Sept. 14, to recommend approval of plans that will permit development less than 200 feet from the required distance between residential buildings and I-95 and to allow for increased height of a noise barrier to be located 15 feet from I-95 right-of-way.

Alexandria: Paving the Way for Stormwater Fee

New fee for residential and commercial properties to be based on permeability.

It might be time to plant some more trees and green up the home. A new stormwater service fee proposed by city staff could be directly tied to the permeability of residential and commercial properties. The fee is the proposed solution to an unfunded mandate by the state requiring one quarter of the city retrofitted for stormwater treatment by 2028.

Alexandria Snapshot: Protest

Ray Deakins protests Sept. 21 the decision of Alexandria City Council to petition the Virginia General Assembly for permission to remove the Appomattox Statue from the intersection of Prince and Washington streets.

McLean: Mount Daniel Elementary Expansion Approved

Fairfax County Planning Commission wants to be good neighbors and so does Falls Church City County Public Schools.

Forum To Chew on Meals Tax

The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) will sponsor a Meals Tax Forum at the auditorium of Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. The forum will feature panelists on both sides of the issue. The panel will also take written questions from the audience. Questions may also be submitted in advance by writing to league@lwv-fairfax.org.

Basics of Arlington Affordable Housing

A look Arlington County’s efforts to preserve its affordable housing.

Since 2000, Arlington County has lost more market-rate affordable housing than it currently has.

Alexandria: 37 Years Later, Chief Cook Retires

Chief of Police Cook reflects on his service to his city.

For as long as he can remember, Chief of Police Earl Cook wanted to be a police officer. At the end of September, Cook will retire and go back to being a civilian for the first time in 37 years.

Alexandria Snapshot: Constitution Week

Mayor Allison Silberberg celebrated Constitution Week on Monday, Sept. 12, with students from Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, Samuel W. Tucker, Mt. Vernon Community School and Jefferson-Houston.

Alexandria Police Body Camera Timeline Slips

More police officers is budget priority.

Police in Arlington started wearing body cameras on Aug. 29, and in June the Fairfax County Board voted to approve an 18-month research period for concerns about privacy with regards to body cameras. In D.C. police have been using body cameras for a year. But while Alexandria’s neighbors move forward with body camera usage and related policies, the city has pushed the body camera pilot program back until the fiscal year 2018-19.

Chantilly: Fast-Food Restaurant Proposed

Chantilly Place Shopping Center needs county’s OK for drive-through window.

A new, fast-food restaurant is planned for the Chantilly Place Shopping Center on Willard Road, east of Route 28. It just needs Fairfax County’s approval for a drive-through use associated with it.

Albright Visits Alexandria

Albright visits Alexandria Democratic headquarters.

After a few minutes of greeting Democratic supporters and talking about her experiences with Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright walked into a secluded side room.

Comstock Faces Challenge from Bennett in Congressional Race

Voter turnout, presidential politics and “Trump Effect” considered key factors in once solidly red district.

In Virginia's 10th Congressional District, freshman lawmaker Barbara Comstock remains confident that she will win her first re-election bid.

Alexandria: What’s Shaking Old Town?

Neighbors rattled by Robinson Terminal South demolition.

Robinson Terminal South is going through demolition, and neighbors say they can feel it. While developer EYA proved that the vibrations from construction work falls within the standard set by City Council, local residents argued that a stricter standard be put in place.

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