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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.
Mount Vernon: Arcadia Farms Offers Veterans More Purpose in Life
Beads of sweat on Laron Murrell’s forehead glisten under his grey wool beanie as he digs his hoe into the live earth. On one side, the Woodlawn Plantation mansion stands, a relic from 1800. The plantation overlooks Fort Belvoir, situated across Route 1 bustling on a gleaming Monday morning in November.
Mount Vernon: UCM Adjusting How To Elevate People Out of Poverty
Nichelle Mitchem has always been interested in poverty issues. “In the high school yearbook, other people’s future interests were roller-skating and disco dancing,” she said. “Mine said ‘poverty lawyer.’”
Fairfax Station: Saving the Whitehall Family Farm
Growing responsibly and benefitting veterans
As Fairfax resident Jeff Waters guided his nimble four-wheeling cart over a bumpy dirt path through the woods on his family’s 200-plus-acre farm, he said confidently, “It’s a lot closer to being done than it looks.”
Fairfax County: School Board Receives New Transgender Regulations
Discussion moves to a work session
Friday afternoon, July 1, Fairfax County School Board members each received an email containing new operating regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.
Mount Vernon: Alice’s Kids Donates Items to Enhance Student Self-Esteem
As a seventh grader growing up in Long Island, current Mount Vernon resident Ron Fitzsimmons missed 60 days of school because he was too embarrassed to go. After his father abandoned them, Fitzsimmons’ family survived on welfare, but only just.
Leaders Gather in Opposition to Trump Immigration Policies
Condemning ICE activity at Rising Hope Church in search of criminals in the country illegally.
In response to executive orders from President Donald Trump that expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ criteria for detaining and deporting people in the United States illegally, elected officials are speaking out against the action, as well as condemning recent activity by ICE officials to round up known immigrant criminals.
Crashing the Parties
Marc Harrold, Libertarian; Joe Galdo, Green, run for Congress.
Marc Harrold is a self-professed creature of habit. He’s been going to the same bars and restaurants near his Fairfax home for years, where the close friends he’s made there say his great sense of humor and diverse intelligence help him “hold court” and converse easily with anyone, on any subject.
Up to Speed Tutors Puts Focus on Special Education
Lake Braddock graduate Brian Katkin started the company last spring.
When JS Tutoring folded in 2012, one of Arlington resident Brian Katkin’s students with a learning disability wanted to keep having sessions with him. They worked out an arrangement to continue working together, and soon Katkin decided to take on other students as well. Then on the first day of Spring Break the same year, he launched the company Up to Speed Tutors, with himself as the sole instructor.
Springfield: January 2016 Neighborhood Development Outlook Update
Here is a survey of new and ongoing changes and projects in Springfield.
Centreville: A Beginning, Not an End
School Board approves “Ignite” Strategic Plan, new chairman and vice chairman.
Citizen Michael Ducharme has lived with dyslexia since he was a student. His two daughters both have dyslexia. The father, representing the parents’ movement Decoding Dyslexia, spoke at the July 9 school board meeting in support of the proposed Fairfax County Public Schools Strategic Plan that specifically addresses challenges in the schools facing students with dyslexia. “We’re now faced with the fact tomorrow is today, the fierce urgency of now,” Ducharme said. “It’s time for vigorous and positive action in this plan.”
Tougher Tests, Tough Results
Local schools receive warnings from the state.
“Test scores do not define our schools. They never have and never will,” said Mount Vernon District School Board member Dan Storck. Earlier this month the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation results based on student performance in the 2013-2014 school year. The ratio of Fairfax County Public schools receiving full accreditation to those not making the grade dropped from 94 percent a year ago to 89 percent.
‘Great Performances’ at Mason
Featured acts include the Joffrey Ballet, Sir James Galway, and four productions from the Virginia Opera.
Though not exactly suffering from a surplus, it’s clear from their new lineup that the staff behind the George Mason University Center for the Arts is driving forward, sequester or not.
Fairfax County Releases Statement on Shooting of Springfield Man
It’s been more than 16 months since John Geer of Springfield was shot and killed by a Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officer. And since the Aug. 29, 2013 shooting, scant information on the incident has been provided by the FCPD or the county Board of Supervisors, such as an explanation of what transpired up to and following the shooting, and the identities of the officers involved. They’ve kept this information from the media, the public and the Geer family, citing an ongoing federal investigation into the death.
State Accreditation Status a ‘Snapshot’
Schools in Mount Vernon and Lee districts receive warnings from VDOE.
“Test scores do not define our schools. They never have and never will,” said Mount Vernon school board member Dan Storck. Earlier this month the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation results based on student performance in the 2013-2014 school year. The ratio of Fairfax County Public schools receiving full accreditation to those not making the grade dropped from 94 percent a year ago to 89 percent.
Supervisors to Vote on Civilian Review Panel Dec. 6.
Draft item discussed at Oct. 25 Public Safety Committee.
By its Dec. 6 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors should have the opportunity to vote on creating a Civilian Review Panel for police oversight, a first in Fairfax. The independent panel was one of the more controversial of the 142 recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission created by board chairman Sharon Bulova in 2015. The civilian review panel would “review completed police internal administrative investigations of civilian complaints concerning allegations of abuse of authority and serious misconduct,” according to the draft action item.
The Journey Beyond ‘Three Hots and a Cot’ in Mount Vernon
Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter helping homeless for 30 years.
In late August, Mount Vernon resident “Maria” was released from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center after being incarcerated for one year.
Coming Home to Queen of Peace in Springfield
Residents with disabilities move into new group house on Gresham Street.
Ten months ago, the unassuming single-level house on Gresham Street in north Springfield was a private residence. Today it’s the permanent home of four individuals with disabilities, and a fifth is on the way.
Anti-Immigration Ban Rallies Held at Dulles
Demonstrators, volunteer attorneys and elected officials welcome travelers, extend help detainees.
Demonstrations sprang up at airports around the United States over the weekend, following an Executive Order by President Donald Trump that blocks travelers from seven largely Muslim countries — Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia — in the interests of more significant vetting and preventing would-be terrorists from entering the country.
Supervisors Establish Fairfax County’s First Police Civilian Review Panel
As complement to police auditor, panel will review abuse and misconduct complaints.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to establish a Civilian Review Panel to provide oversight of Fairfax County Police and to hear complaints of police misconduct or abuse of authority.