The Snowquester Hits the Area
Snowstorm’s impact downgraded, but slushy roads still a problem.
The National Weather Service Wednesday downgraded its Snowquester forecast from 8-10 inches to about 4-6 inches in the region. At 3:18 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, the NWS predicted total snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches in Fairfax County before the storm fizzles out later that night, and north winds with gusts up to 45 mph in some areas, making driving hazardous.
Lynbrook Elementary receives Healthy School Award
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) presented Healthy School Awards to the students of Fairfax County Public School Lynbrook Elementary in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb. 20, and Alexandria City Public School James K. Polk Elementary in Alexandria, on Thursday, Feb. 21.
Good Citizenship Honored
Springfield VFW Post 7327 hosts annual award ceremony.
Sunday, Feb. 24, was the long awaited date for a fabulous awards ceremony, but if you are thinking of that other red carpet event, think again. The honorees for the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7327 and its Ladies Auxiliary Annual Awards really stole the show.
Rescued Cats and Dogs Bring Loyalty to Families
Families grow with adopted pets.
The ASPCA estimates that nationwide, somewhere between five and seven million “companion animals” wind up in shelters each year. Of that number, 60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats are euthanized ... each year. The prominent humane organization also figures only about 20 to 30 percent of cat and dog pets were acquired from rescues and shelters.
Area Roundups
The Fairfax County Police Department is looking for vehicles in working condition that people no longer want or need and would be willing to donate. They could help their public safety community and receive a tax deduction at the same time. Every year, the department uses about 20 cars to help train and prepare officers for the rigors of police work. Donated cars could be used as a faux suspect’s get-away car, helping officers with their precision pursuit driving techniques. Later, when the car is no longer in driving condition, it will be cut up (for training on how to cut into crashed cars), blown up (providing training for Explosive Ordinance officers) or shot (used as a prop in an active-shooter scenario).
Putting a Name and Face on Chronically Homeless
At 4 a.m., under a full moon, more than 200 volunteers fanned out across Fairfax County on Monday, Feb. 25, to identify the more than 300 people who are literally homeless, living in cars, on the street or in the woods around the county. Coordinated by the Fairfax-Falls Church Partnership to End Homelessness, the weeklong effort is part of the 100,000 Homes campaign, an intensive approach to identify and find homes for the chronically homeless.
$7 Billion Budget Proposal Unveiled
Typical county household would see real estate tax bill increase by $260 annually.
“We are also forced to recognize the significant yet unknown impact that is expected from federal sequestration and the continuing challenges of a slowly recovering economy.” —Fairfax County Executive Edward L. Long, Jr.
Local Leaders Praise Transportation Funding Bill
State Senator Chap Petersen wants you to curb your enthusiasm.
Politics makes strange bedfellows, and sometimes estranged ones as well. On Saturday, the last day of the Virginia General Assembly, state legislators struck a bipartisan 11th hour deal to pass a comprehensive transportation funding plan—the first long-term plan in 27 years.
MATHCOUNTS Champions
Mark Twain wins regional competition, advances to state level.
It doesn’t take any higher level computations to evaluate the success of Mark Twain Middle School MATHCOUNTS teams, just simple fractions. Like 6/10: the number of times in the last decade the school’s entrants finished first at the regional level; in the remaining 4/10, they were runners-up.
Virginia Lawmakers Strike Down Bike Safety Bills
Local cyclists vow return in 2014.
Virginia may be for lovers, but bicyclists? Not so much. On Monday, the Virginia House of Delegates killed the last bicycle bill to come before the body in a vote of 55-42. The bill, SB1060, would have added bicycles to the list of vehicles that cannot be tailgated.
Fairfax Attracts 8,400 New Jobs
Intelsat U.S. headquarters relocation most prominent announcement of the year.
In 2012, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) worked with 186 businesses adding 8,438 jobs to the Fairfax County economy.
New Approach to Helping Chronic Homeless
County joins "100,000 Homes" effort as chronic homelessness levels rise.
The number of chronically homeless individuals in Fairfax County is on the rise. Currently, nearly 300 individuals are considered chronically homeless, many living in cars or sleeping in tents. In an effort to find permanent homes for these individuals, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness is joining the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to find permanent homes for 100,000 chronically homeless throughout the nation.
Life and Death Online
Virginia lawmakers pass “digital assets” bill to ease parental access to deceased child’s accounts.
In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the Virginia General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill Tuesday that makes it easier for parents and guardians to swiftly access minors online accounts after their death. The digital assets bill—co-sponsored by Delegates David Bulova (D-37) and Tommy Wright (R-Amelia)—is now headed to Governor Robert McDonnell’s desk for signature. Specifically, the bill allows a representative of the minor to obtain access to his or her digital accounts within 30 days of submitting a written request and death certificate to the social media site.
Fourth Annual Running to Remember Josh
Josh Anderson Foundation remembers teen, aims to prevent teenage suicide.
On March 18, 2009, the world lost Joshua Lee Anderson—a beloved son, brother and friend—to suicide. He was 17 years old. The Josh Anderson Foundation (JAF) was formed for two purposes: to keep Josh's memory alive and to collect funds for the education and prevention of teenage suicide. JAF's goal is to promote youth mental health awareness by bringing innovative, creative and effective programs directly into high schools. By the end of the 2012-2013 school year, JAF will have funded programs in eleven schools and impacted over 17,000 students.
A Passion for Dance
Richmond Ballet II to perform and teach master class.
The importance of dance is clear to Stoner Winslett, artistic director of the Richmond Ballet. "Dance is the expression of the human spirit through movement. It is the instinctive language of our hearts and minds," she wrote.