Bridging Students’ Digital Divide
WPHS hosts community outreach event.
This past Monday evening, May 19, Fairfax County Public Schools conducted the first of 10 community outreach sessions countywide intended to engage interested parents, community leaders and others in helping the school system to develop a vision and plan for the future of digital learning in the Fairfax county public school system.
Aerial Spraying Program Criticized
County targets canker worm moth.
Despite concerns voiced by residents and the Audubon Society, Fairfax County conducted aerial and ground spraying on Monday, April 22, using the pesticide Bacillus thuringienisis (Bt) to kill the canker worm moth in six areas of the Mount Vernon Magisterial District, including the Hollin Hall and Paul Spring Parkway area in the Fort Hunt neighborhood.
Picking Up 474 Bags of Trash
Friends of Little Hunting Creek help clean up local waterway.
For the 11th year, Friends of Little Hunting Creek, led by its president Betsy Martin, and a group of 191 volunteers, picked up 474 bags of trash and recyclables, 43 tires, 19 shopping carts and other items such as sofas, traffic cones, air conditioner, bed springs, bike, kitchen sink, and more.
Meet New SFDC Executive Director
Edythe Frankel Kelleher appointed last month.
Edythe Frankel Kelleher, recently appointed executive director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, may be the first true “homegrown” executive director in a long line of staff director’s appointed in the past several years by the SFDC. Previous executive directors lived outside of Fairfax County.
Local Author Writes First Novel
Stephen D. Hayes, a Belle Haven resident since 1976, has written a fictionalized story that combines his love of sailing with his wartime experiences gained while serving for two years in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam war.
The Forces That Shape Mount Vernon
Transit study to relieve Route 1 corridor traffic gridlock; boundary studies to relieve overcrowded schools.
The decision several years ago by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) to massively expand the Fort Belvoir military base on Route 1 near Woodlawn Plantation will continue to be felt by the Mount Vernon community in many ways and for years to come.
Community Leaders Outline High Priority Local Issues
Community leaders and elected officials detail the issues they see as important in the Mount Vernon area.
Retiring Manager Honored
The Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society honored Ivy Hill General Manager Tom Bowling on June 6 for 50 years of service to the cemetery.
Planning Delays Vote on Dog Park
The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted May 31 to defer a final vote on the proposed Interim Off Leash Dog Park (OLDA) for Westgrove Park until July 19.
Good Weather for a Car Wash
Boy Scout Troop #1509 held a car wash fundraiser at St. Luke’s Church on Saturday, May 26 to benefit the Scout troop and contribute funds for a summer Maine adventure trip. Adult leaders are, left in uniform, John Dacey and, far right not in uniform, Sylvain Richard.
Police Shoot Resident Brandishing Knife
Fairfax County Police shot a 61-year-old man who confronted them with a knife during the process of attempting to serve him with an arrest warrant for destruction of property. The wounded subject was “noncompliant,” according to the information provided by the police department. The shooting occurred at an apartment in the 5700 block of Old Mill Court on Monday, May 28. Four officers were involved in the incident.
Need for Police Oversight Continues
Coalition reaffirms effort to establish Police Citizens Oversight Board.
Nicholas Beltrante’s effort to gain the support of the Board of Supervisors to create a Police Citizen Oversight Board would be, if his proposal is accepted, similar to the ones formed in other cities and counties in the U.S.
Effort for Off-leash Dog Park Advances
Planning Commission to vote on issue May 31.
The majority of residents who testified on May 17 before the Planning Commission supported the designation of Westgrove Park as the site of an Off Leash Dog Park (OLDA), according to county staff.
Foundation Dedicates Fisher House at Fort Belvoir
Facility serves families of wounded warriors.
Fisher House, a temporary home for families of those wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan, and others was gifted to the U.S. Army in a dedication ceremony Tuesday morning, May 22, and attended by active and retired military, hospital staff, Pentagon leadership, and several military and civilian notables, including Medal of Honor recipient Retired Colonel Harry C. Barnum, Jr., U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Lloyd Austin, III, and Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital Commander Colonel Susan Annicelli.
When a Child Goes Missing
Annually in Virginia over 1,000 children are reported as missing.
What started as a missing child report on April 27 has since been resolved by the Mount Vernon police. On Friday, May 4, the police determined that the 12-year-old girl is in the custody of a family member. The investigation is ongoing but no charges have been placed at this time.