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Challenges of a Lean Economy

Could a meals tax be the answer to fund the schools?

The school budget, roads and money were the main topics Monday night, Jan. 20, when Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) gave his annual, “State of Sully” address.

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Crafting Mental Health Legislation

Across political divide, students find common ground.

Two University of Virginia students, Jarrod Nagurka and Rachel Deitch, both of Arlington, helped craft a bipartisan mental health bill that Del. Patrick Hope (D-47) and Del. Joseph R. Yost (R-12) have introduced to the Virginia House of Delegates. The legislation, officially called HB 206, will require Virginia institutions of higher education to dedicate a portion of their websites to mental health resources available to students on campus.

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Rare Arctic Snowy Owl Brings Birders to Arlington

Every afternoon for the last two weeks, for about an hour or so before dusk, the area between the parking lot at Gravelly Point in Arlington and National Airport fills up with folks carrying tripods, cameras, spotting telescopes, and binoculars.

Brief: Name Own Adoption Fee This Month

Through Jan. 31, the Montgomery County Humane Society, located at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, 14645 Rothgeb Drive, is allowing adopters to name their own adoption fee for the shelter’s cats, dogs and other animals.

Brief: Advice on Weathering Freezing Temperatures

With below-freezing temperatures in the forecast this week, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue offers a few simple steps to keep your family safe and your home’s pipes from freezing.

Brief: Libraries Launch New Online Services

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has kicked off the New Year by launching three new online services — Zinio for Libraries, 3M Cloud Library e-book lending system and Learn4Life.

Brief: Board Seeks Nominees for Service Awards

The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 17th Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education.

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Rescued Owl Released

Great Horned Owl takes flight back into her territory after rescue.

A group of curious well-wishers looked on as a Great Horned Owl spread her formidable wings and lifted off from the arms of her rescuer back into the Potomac forest. It was a happy ending to a brief saga that could have ended much differently.

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Democratic Women of Clifton Learn about Foster Care and Adoption

Children need permanent families in Fairfax County.

In Fairfax County, there are 265 children in Foster Care. That number may sound like a lot, said Nannette Bowler, director of Fairfax County Department of Family services, but that number was at over 3,000 children 10 years ago.

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Don’t Take Safe Drinking Water for Granted

In the wake of the chemical spill in West Virginia, weighing the threats to local drinking water.

Most of the 5 million residents in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area have no idea that their drinking water comes from the Potomac River, said Hedrick Belin, president of the Potomac Conservancy. “Until last week, the same could have probably been said for 300,000 residents in Charleston, W. Va.,” Belin added.

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New Leadership for the Workhouse Arts Center

Board of Supervisors continue to debate future success of the center.

Laura McKie, a volunteer at the Prison Museum at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, said she doesn’t expect the museum’s everyday operations to change too much as Fairfax County takes greater control over the center.

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Saving the Environment, One Cafeteria at a Time

Silverbrook Elementary School runs effective recycling program.

Students at Silverbrook Elementary School in Fairfax Station are learning the value of recycling and helping the environment, thanks to school media specialist Valerie Finney, other teachers, and volunteers who are assisting in the effort to reduce waste.

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Volunteers Spend Day Off Cleaning Up Park

Girl Scouts and their friends volunteer at Mason Neck State Park on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

After volunteering at Mason Neck State Park during the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Laura Douglas, who leads Cadet Girl Scout Troop 340 in Lorton, had such a great time that she decided it needed to happen again in 2014.

Officer Involved in Shooting Cleared

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh has informed Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., chief of the Fairfax County Police Department, that he finds no basis for criminal liability on the part of the officer who discharged his weapon in the fatal shooting of James Bryant on Oct. 30, 2013 at 9155 Richmond Highway.

Investigating Crime Scenes

Police detective discusses the job of the Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Fairfax County Police Det. Josh David minored in physics at GMU, and it’s come in handy in his job. A 13-year member of the Police Department, he’s been with the Crash Reconstruction Unit for five years now. And, he said, “I realized how much math, physics and science is involved in what I do.”