Transurban Begins Grant Program for Express Lanes Corridor Nonprofits
Transurban, the company that operates the 95 and 495 Express lanes, announced earlier this month the launch of a community grant program for non-profit organizations working in or benefiting the Express Lanes corridor.
Community Rallies Behind Fire Victims
After a Mount Vernon High School student and family lost their home in a fire on April 14, principal Nardos King sent an email the following Friday morning to school staff and the Mount Vernon “Keep In Touch” contact list asking for donations to help the family start over.
Thomas Jefferson Class of 2019: 70% Asian, 1.6% Black
Some say unbalanced admissions demographics at Northern Virginia’s top high school speaks to system-wide equity problems.
Consider: 70.2 percent Asian, 20.7 percent White, 5.1 percent Multiracial/Other, 2.4 percent Hispanic, 1.6 percent Black: This is the ethnic breakdown of the 493 students admitted to the 2019 class of the Fairfax County Public Schools magnet institution Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Fairfax County Pays $2.95 Million to Settle John Geer Wrongful Death Suit
More than seven months after the Geer family lawyer Michael Lieberman filed a $12 million wrongful death civil suit in Circuit Court against Fairfax County Police, the two sides reached a $2.95 million settlement, announced Tuesday, April 21.
Democrats Debate for District Supervisor
South County Federation hosts supervisor candidates’ forum.
Members of the South County Federation civic association welcomed the four Democratic candidates to replace Gerry Hyland as Mount Vernon District supervisor for a debate during their April 14 meeting in the South County High School Library.
‘Blue Sky’ Projects: Build or Renovate?
Fairfax County Public Schools hosts Region 3 community meeting.
Mount Vernon residents Cathy Hosek and Shelly Good-Cook spent their Wednesday night in the Hayfield Secondary School cafeteria, engaging in discussion about how to improve their area schools and community.
Mount Vernon: Foreman Drives Senate District
GOP candidate spends day seeing the 36th top to bottom.
By 2:30 p.m. on April 2, Dumfries Mayor Jerry Foreman had already attended meet-and-greets in Stafford, Quantico and Montclair. His fourth stop was the home of Susan Valentine in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria. A fifth event, an ice cream social called “Get the Scoop on Jerry,” awaited him at the finish line in Dumfries.
Mount Vernon: Surovell, Krizek Deliver Petition on Route 1 Widening
Following a public meeting held March 31 at the South County Government Center to discuss the different projects the Northern Virginia Transit Authority is considering, Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) and 44th District House of Delegates candidate Paul Krizek submitted a petition to the Transit Authority demanding the widening of Route 1 be made a higher priority.
Prisoner Escapes from Fairfax Hospital, Gets Recaptured
Social media aids manhunt
Around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, Wossen Assaye overpowered the female member of his two-guard private security detail while the male was out of his hospital room. Assaye was reportedly in shackles on a hospital gurney before the struggle.
Springfield: Getting into Marian Homes
Remodeling project to provide for residents with intellectual and or physical disabilities.
When the new residents of Marian Homes’ latest remodeling project move in to the Gresham Street house in north Springfield, Fairfax resident and Marian volunteer John Germain hopes they feel at home.
Northern Virginia Training Center in Fairfax to Close by March 2016
From institution to community, finding homes for those hard to place.
Joseph McHugh has lived at the Northern Virginia Training Center for 35 years, moving in when he was a teenager. McHugh has cerebral palsy and colostomy and severe spasticity issues. At the training center, McHugh works with a speech pathologist, nurse, on-campus dietician and is close to an X-ray machine, dental facility and clinic on the grounds.
Sargeant Kicks Off Mount Vernon Supervisor Campaign
Of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors district seats, all of which are up for election this fall, the Mount Vernon spot is already being contested by four candidates.
South County Federation to Host Mount Vernon Supervisor Debate
All four candidates vying for the seat of retiring Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon) will square off in a debate hosted by the South County Federation at its monthly meeting on April 14.
Mount Vernon: Police Searching for Suspects in Huntington-area Homicide.
Fairfax County Police found 64-year-old Santos Rafael Zelaya inside a residence with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a department release.
Fairfax County School Board Votes Down Veterans Day School Holiday
Fairfax Station resident Steven Hunt, retired U.S. Navy, put it bluntly: “Votes count, words don’t.” That was following a vote in which all but two members of the Fairfax County School Board voted against an amendment to the 2015-2016 calendar that would have made Veterans Day a school holiday.
Mount Vernon: The Magic of Giving Back
Friends of UCM hosts annual Spring Gala for United Community Ministries.
United Community Ministries executive director Nichelle Mitchem wasted no time addressing the challenges she and the multi-faceted service organization are facing. Heavy on her mind is the Healthy Families program, aimed at preventing child abuse through intensive home visits to first-time parents, that’s slated to be eliminated in FY2016.
News Briefs for the Week of March 25
News Briefs
Mt. Vernon: NOVA's Scholarships Provide Security Net
In 2011, Mount Vernon resident Dr. Glenn B. Fatzinger and his daughter Jennifer created a pair of scholarships to memorialize their wife and mother Harriet H. Fatzinger. Harriet was an elder and chair of the Congregational Care Council at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, where she helped co-founded a regular Friday-night fellowship program called Agape Reservoir that continues to serve individuals with special needs in the Mount Vernon Area.
Emotional Beginning for Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission
While several other members of the recently created Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission stated their general intent to listen and learn and help, Salvatore Culosi had a more specific request.
Hannah Graham remembered at West Potomac Softball home opener in Mount Vernon
Ruddy cheeks glistened with sweat and tears following a home opener for the West Potomac softball team.
Students From Around Fairfax County Recognized for Promoting Peace
After a friend of South County High School senior Sakira Coleman was sexually assaulted while running on a local public path, Coleman decided to take action and started the “Fight for Your Right to Run at Night” program.
Nova nursing students awarded Harriet H. Fatzinger Memorial Scholarships at Fort Belvoir
In 2011, Mount Vernon resident Dr. Glenn B. Fatzinger and his daughter Jennifer created a pair of scholarships to memorialize their wife and mother Harriet H. Fatzinger.
Homeowner Shoots Burglary Suspect in Mount Vernon area of Alexandria
Charges are pending an investigation for a 27-year-old northern Virginia man who was shot while allegedly attempting to enter a private residence on the 5700 block of Lenore Lane in Alexandria, according to Fairfax County Police.
First Meeting Set for Fairfax County Police Commission
With endorsement, albeit non-unanimous, from the Board of Supervisors, the ad hoc commission organized by board chairman Sharon Bulova to review Fairfax County Police Department practices will hold its first meeting March 23.
Surovell Kicks Off Senate Campaign
Mount Vernon residents Lyn Snodgrass, Alan Edelstein and Jim Seeley engaged Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) in a banquet room of The Landing restaurant in Woodbridge.
News Brief: Matthew Trial Date Postponed
At a March 4 hearing in Albemarle County Circuit Court, Judge Cheryl Higgins granted the man charged with abducting and murdering Hannah Graham a continuance.
Democrats Hold Mardi Gras Straw Poll in Alexandria
Surovell, Sargeant lead.
As the saying goes: In Virginia, every year is an election year. And every election year is replete with straw polls. The first such event leading up to the June 9 Democratic primary was a Mardi Gras-themed dinner party held March 7 at Don Beyer Volvo in Alexandria.
Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability Adds Leaders at Mount Vernon Meeting
Michelle Evans, the new public affairs director for the Virginia Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability, explained to group members how important it is to like and share and Tweet stories online, related to their goal of increased transparency and accountability.
Telegraph Road Widening Completed in Alexandria
Though the morning of the ribbon-cutting was damp and chilly, Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) said he was thankful the ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday rather than Thursday.
Rising Hope Mission Church in Mount Vernon Hosts Nightly Shelters
At 7 p.m. doors to Rising Hope Mission Church open for guests to sign in. Promptly at 7:10, volunteers begin serving dinner. On a chilly, rainy, mid-December night, the volunteers from Aldersgate United Methodist Church prepare beef steak with gravy, beans and corn for about 20 homeless individuals.
Fairfax County hosts first Inmate Resource Fair.
They’re hoping the third time will be a charm: 34-year-old Demeterius Spann of the Richmond Highway area of Alexandria and 29-year-old Nydale Sheppard of Reston have each been incarcerated three times.
2015 General Assembly Session Draws to a Close
The 45-day 2015 session of the Virginia General Assembly came to a close last week, one which Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) described as “pretty calm, mainly because guys on either side have stayed away from divisive social issues they’ve pushed in the past,” and Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) assessed, “For the most part, I think they did accomplish some good things.”
New Packaging Brewing Company Opens in Lorton
With the capacity to churn out over 4,000 barrels annually, Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton can claim the title of Fairfax County’s largest packaging brewery.
Dates Set for Trial Of Jesse Matthew in Murder Case of West Potomac Alumna Hannah Graham
Jesse Matthew, the man charged with abducting and murdering West Potomac High School alumna Hannah Graham, will have his day in court.
Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce to Install New Chairman
Sean O’Connell looks to expand and increase dialogue among membership.
In his 30 years as a certified public accountant with the firm PBMares, Sean O’Connell has worked in Harrisonburg, Fredericksburg and spent close to the last decade in northern Virginia.
Fairfax County Swimmers Shine at States
Swimmers from 36 high schools from around Virginia competed in the Virginia High School League 6A state championship held in Richmond on Feb. 20.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova Bulova to Create Transparency Review Commission
Group would include citizens, legal community and other organizations.
When Alexandria resident Natasha McKenna was removed from life support and died on Feb. 8, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office posted a release on the county website.
Fairfax County School Board Discusses New AAP Center at Poplar Tree
Board seeks more community feedback before taking action.
Greenbriar West Elementary School is far from the only Fairfax County Public School with an overcrowding problem.
Dead or Alive: Virginia General Assembly Lawmakers Pick Their Legislative Highlights at the Crossover
HB1872: Would have required the Board of Education to arrange a special training program for principals working with struggling schools.
Virginia General Assembly Reaches Crossover
Bills live, die or fold into other legislation before review by the opposite chamber.
As the current meeting of the Virginia General Assembly neared the one-month mark, legislators in the House of Delegates and Senate had to finalize work on bills they would send to their counterparts for consideration.
Faces of Gum Springs, Alexandria
Residents reflect on their historic community.
Of the current residents of Gum Springs, several hundred are descendants of the original families who bought land and settled in one of northern Virginia’s oldest and historically black communities.
Police Investigating Body Found in Ditch in Mount Vernon
Fairfax County Police are investigating the death of a man found in a drainage ditch in a wooded area near the 7500 block of Vernon Square Drive.
Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield and Mount Vernon: Describe your ideal Valentine's Day Date
Sev Kerat, senior at South County High School, Springfield resident: “We’d go ice skating, or something else active to move about and set the mood. Doing an activity makes me feel relieved instead of uptight.”
Fort Hunt Elementary School in Mount Vernon celebrates diverse student body.
Fort Hunt sixth grader Elizabeth Hutchison was looking forward to principal Thomas Fitzpatrick’s soda bread. With her family also representing Ireland, she planned to bring some herself, as well as some shamrock decorations, to the elementary school’s second annual Dance Around the World winter festival.
Matthew Charged In West Potomac Alumna Hannah Graham Murder
Suspect faces life in prison.
Nearly five months after the disappearance of University of Virginia sophomore and West Potomac High School alumna Hannah Graham, the primary suspect in her death investigation has been indicted by a grand jury in Albemarle County.
Mount Vernon and West Potomac High School Students Attend Amundson Institute
Earlier this month, six students from West Potomac and Mount Vernon High Schools traveled to Richmond to experience state government first-hand.
Fairfax County Judge Orders More John Geer Materials Released
Family’s lawyer’s motions supported.
Though extensive, the thousands of pages of documents, dozens of audio files and handful of videos released last month by Fairfax County, documenting the shooting death of Springfield resident John Geer, aren’t exhaustive.
Construction Nearing for New Bridge at Woodlawn Park in Alexandria
Fairfax County expects the contractor Accubid Construction Services, Inc. to be moving forward soon with replacing the pedestrian bridge at Woodlawn Park.
Storck Talks Schools at Mount Vernon Town Hall
These things Dan Storck knows: Elementary school students are now in class the full day on Monday and older students will start later beginning next school year. The Mount Vernon school board member lead with these recent accomplishments in his presentation at the Mount Vernon Town Hall Meeting on Saturday Jan. 31.
Fairfax County Goes Public with Geer Documents
FCPD report confirms John Geer was shot while unarmed, hands raised.
Of the seven eyewitness accounts of the shooting death of John Geer, only one describes Geer quickly bringing his hands down to his waist. That was the perspective of PFC Adam Torres, the officer who shot Geer in the chest, killing him in the doorway of his home on Aug. 29, 2013.