Fairfax County Police Release Updated In-Car Video Program Guidelines
In a January 2015 informational video, Fairfax County Police said around 600 of the department’s cruisers, spread across all eight law enforcement districts, were equipped with in-car video recording devices.

Burke, Fairfax, Lorton and Springfield: Synchronized Swimmers Compete in North Carolina
Lake Braddock graduate and Springfield resident Connie Polnow has been doing synchronized swimming since she was 9 years old. Her teammate and rising West Springfield freshman Angie Borkowski has only been at it for a year. But together, they were among 29 members of the Northern Virginia Nereids squad who participated in the United States Synchronized Swimming Junior Olympics between June 29 and July 4.
Rabid Fox Found Near South Run RECenter
Less than a month after a woman was injured by a rabid raccoon, police responded to reports of a fox “acting abnormally” in the same area: the South Run/Burke Lake Trail near the South Run RECenter.
Springfield Area Roundup
Eighteen-year Fairfax County Police Department veteran MPO Damien Cichocki has been cleared of any “criminal liability” in a September 2014 incident in which he shot a charging pit bull, police announced in a July 2 statement.

Fairfax County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program Returns
Although young readers may have put down the books since leaving classrooms last month, the Fairfax County Public Library has kicked off its Summer Reading Program to nurture a love of pleasure reading during the vacation months.

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.

The Week in Springfield
Dead man found in Kingstowne pond, Torch caused house fire, 95 Express Lanes holiday schedule.
Fairfax County Police continue to investigate the death of Kenneth Duane Bernhardt, 36, of Falls Church, who was found Saturday, June 27 in a pond on South Van Dorn Street near Kingstowne Village Parkway.

Local Farms Supply Alexandria Wegmans
Five Virginia farms are currently supplying the recently opened Wegmans grocery store in Alexandria with fresh produce.

TJ Grad Hits Bulls Eye Against Lyme Disease
As a Thomas Jefferson High School student in 2010, Temple Douglas recognized the possibility for a better Lyme Disease test. Several members of her family had Lyme disease and “I recognized the need,” she said.

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Honors First Responders
Honoring first responders for their actions off-the-clock is the focus of the the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Above & Beyond Luncheon. More than 50 community members attended the luncheon on Monday to honor four service members who went above and beyond in their service to the community.
Fairfax County: Deferring to Noise
New standards will wait until after the November election.
The Board of Supervisors wants to spend more time with noise. Last Tuesday, June 23, the Board deferred action on the proposed changes to the county’s noise ordinance until Nov. 17, 2015.
Health Curriculum To More Closely Align with State
School Board approves recommendations from advisers, with amendments.
Though it was the second packed house in as many months, it may be early yet to call crowded Fairfax County School Board meetings a trend.

Fairfax County: Police Release Use of Force Review
Review explained at latest Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission meeting.
Nearly a year ago, Fairfax County sought an outside opinion on its police department’s use of force. That July 2014 assignment went to the Washington, D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum.

Springfield: West Springfield Holds 48th Commencement
First-year principal Michael Mukai commented that after his brief time with West Springfield’s graduating seniors, he wasn’t ready for them to go yet. “And your parents, after 18 years, aren’t ready for you to go yet either,” Mukai said, to a mix of applause and laughter from the audience at George Mason University’s Patriot Center.

Springfield: Edison High School Graduation held June 22
Lofty eagle imagery permeated the Thomas A. Edison High School commencement exercises. Principal Pamela Brumfield challenged graduates “to lead and soar as an eagle.” Class vice president Sara Meyer explained “Eagle Pride” as the intangibles related to working your hardest.