Alexandria: Dodson, Sparks to Wed
Engagement
Lisa Houston Dodson and Jerry Wayne Dodson, of Holly Springs, Miss., announce the marriage of their daughter, Emily Gray, to Grant Adair Sparks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lee Sparks of Alexandria.
Alexandria Obituary: Dr. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette
Dr. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette, known for her ground-breaking work in treating Sickle Cell Anemia, died in Alexandria on the afternoon of March 28, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. She was weeks from her 90th birthday.
Alexandria Letter: Let Bygones Be Bygones
Letter to the Editor
Perhaps the biggest argument for changing a street name would be the one named after Jefferson Davis. As the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis had a major impact on history from believing in the superiority of the white race (also Abraham Lincoln’s stance) to leading the horrific war against the North.
Alexandria Letter: Remembering History, not Hate
Letter to the Editor
I would like to add something to a letter by Ellen Latane Tabb, “Unnecessary Expense” [Gazette Packet, April 7].
Alexandria Letter: Help a Princess Be a Princess
Letter to the Editor
The Princess For a Night (PFAN) project is collecting dry-cleaned tuxedos, dresses, shoes, handbags, jewelry, unused make-up (for example, sample cosmetics), and "nice" shopping bags through April 28. Donations can be dropped off at the T.C. Williams Main Office, 3330 King St., Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mount Vernon: Neighborhood Gala To Benefit Hollin Meadows STEM
With the sizeable rift between the Fairfax County Public Schools adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2017 and the advertised transfer from the Board of Supervisors still looming, parents and community supporters of Hollin Meadows Elementary hope to protect their school’s highly valued STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and outdoor garden programs.
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.
Mount Vernon Grad, Mclean Resident Opens Tropical Fruit Smoothie Café in Dunn Loring
McLean resident Trung Tang has worked in food service since starting as a busboy for East Wind in Alexandria at age 14. The 1996 Mount Vernon High School graduate made a career out of serving in and managing restaurants.
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.
Alexandria: McAuliffe Visits City Hall for Veto
Mayor and Domestic Violence specialists back Governor’s stance.
On paper, giving domestic violence victims under protective orders access to concealed weapons without permits or training may have appeared sound, but with his veto of a series of bills out of the Virginia legislature, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and others argued that adding more guns would only put more lives at risk.
Inside Alexandria Police Department: Use of Force
An occasional series, drawn from the Alexandria Citizen’s Police Academy.
The Alexandria Citizens’ Police Academy is a 10-week course hosted by the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to offer citizens a better understanding of how the department works. Throughout the course, participants sit in on emergency calls and ride along with police officers on patrol.
Alexandria People at Work: Learning to Eat Healthy
Two women arrive 15 minutes early and are sitting at the table chatting about menus. They are waiting for the third class on April 6 in the six-week series on Eating Healthy, Be Active sponsored by the County Extension Service. Van Do, Family and Consumer Sciences SNAP-Ed Agent, for Virginia Cooperative Extension says, "Today's program focuses on eating healthy on a budget. “
Alexandria: Council Hears Ethics Recommendation
A pledge for city’s elected and appointed officials.
The ethics pledge makes no changes to the law, increases no reporting qualifications, and includes no complaint process, but after months of City Council fights over its necessity and implications, the draft presented by the Code of Conduct Review Committee at the April 12 City Council meeting was received with relatively little fanfare.
Alexandria: Civil War Still Reverberates
Indecision and conflict continues over Confederate street names and statues.
After four tumultuous meetings, the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Confederate Memorials and Street Names has not managed to settle the 150-year-old conflict over the legacy of the Confederacy in Alexandria.
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.
Alexandria Letter: Debacle at Patrick Henry
Letter to the Editor
After years of negligence in school maintenance, the city is now faced with the daunting task of renovating and rebuilding 12 of our schools at a staggering cost of $1.5-plus billion.
Alexandria: Ireton Girls’ Lax Falls Short Against Elite Competition
Nationally-ranked Cardinals suffer first losses of season.
The Bishop Ireton girls' lacrosse team lost to Good Counsel and McDonogh.