News Briefs
As Democratic delegates fight to keep firearms further from school property, Republican Bob Marshall (D-13) is pushing legislation to bring more guns in. Marshall is the chief patron of HB 1557, which would require every school board in the state to designate one volunteer to carry a concealed weapon on school property. Training for selected volunteers would be provided by either the Virginia Center for School Safety or the NRA, of which he is a member.
Four Northern Virginia Senators Targeted
Redistricting effort puts Fairfax County seats in the spotlight.
Four Northern Virginia state Senators are targets of a Republican-led effort to draw new districts — Sen. George Barker (D-39), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37), Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34). Democrats say the redistricting effort is a cynical attempt to take advantage of the absence of Sen. Henry Marsh (D-16), a prominent civil rights veteran, who was in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration on Monday. But state Sen. John Watkins (R-10) of Powhatan defended the effort as a way to create a sixth majority black Senate district in Southside. It passed the Senate on a 20-to-19 vote.
Making Schools Safer
Two Northern Virginia Democrats take part in panel to consider school security.
Do Virginia schools need more guns? That question is at the heart of a debate that’s now reaching a fever pitch in the commonwealth, especially after a man with a Bushmaster assault rifle blasted his way into a Connecticut elementary school and killed 20 children and six adults before killing himself. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell responded to the tragedy by creating a School Safety Task Force, which is considering a proposal for every school in Virginia to have an armed school resource officer.
Searching for ‘The New Virginia Way’
Need to change the way Virginia supports people with disabilities.
In light of Virginia’s settlement with the Department of Justice over Virginia’s state institutions for people with disabilities, also known as training centers, it is time for us to enter “The New Virginia Way.”
Greenspring Welcomes Eric Whitson as Director of Sales
Eric Whitson recently joined Greenspring, an Erickson Living retirement community in Springfield, as the new director of sales.
Springfield-based Band Returns to Chantilly Festival
Potomac Jazz Project, based in Springfield, is participating for a third straight year at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Chantilly, performing four jazz shows daily for visitors and exhibitors.
Fairfax Families4Kids
Fostering bonds with children.
Nationwide, more than 463,000 children live in foster care. In many states, including Virginia, the number of foster youth has tripled in the last 25 years. As of Sept. 30, 2011, nearly 5,000 youth were in foster care in Virginia, according to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. Physical abuse is the most common reason children enter foster, but it’s not the only reason. Often there’s emotional abuse, sexual abuse and the parent or caretaker’s inability to provide a safe environment due to substance abuse.
A Family Made Whole
After a tragic loss, Reston couple creates a family through adoption.
The Granvilles look like a made-for-TV family. On a bright October afternoon, Chris, a computer engineer, is teasing his teenage son, Kenny, about what kind of pet to adopt, while Tiffany sits on a sofa, cradling Elijah, Kenny’s baby brother, who has just woken up from an afternoon nap. “Fish? No way,” Kenny, 15, says. “They just go ‘round and ‘round in a bowl.” Kenny is lobbying hard for a dog or—at the very least—a guinea pig or hamster.
West Springfield Police and Green Hills Join Forces
Supervisor Lt. James Tanler of the Neighborhood Patrol Unit, Crime Prevention Officer J.T. Frey and the Green Hills Estate Property Manager Claudia Lazo decided it was time to bring a little cheer to the Green Hills community in West Springfield after a year that held a shooting in an occupied home and other drug related activity in the neighborhood. The force and the Green Hills community celebrated their efforts and progress towards making the neighborhood safer with a visit from Santa.
Becky’s Pet Care Wins ‘Business of the Year’
The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters honors Springfield businesses.
Becky's Pet Care won the Business of the Year title from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. The Business of the Year award is a national award presented to a member, who has demonstrated outstanding business practices and vision in maintaining and growing their business. The rigorous application process includes a comprehensive evaluation of the member's commitment to the profession, management philosophy, community involvement and client satisfaction.
Military Building Named After Walter Hollis of Springfield
Military buildings are typically named after persons deceased who have made significant contributions to an organization, but recently the Hon. John McHugh, secretary of the Army and Springfield resident, granted an exception to that rule.
The Washington Gas Project Building Receives Award
The Washington Gas project received an Award of Excellence from the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP) in the category of Best Building, Non-Institutional Facility on Nov. 14 at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner at a banquet hosted by NAIOP’s Northern Virginia chapter.
Springfield Resident Publishes New Book
“Cold War: Murder in the Heartland” is written by Robert Tecklenburg, a resident of Springfield. Published by Penumbra Publishing and distributed by Baker and Taylor and Ingram, the book tells the story of “a peculiar death in a small rural community . . . rumors of Soviet spies . . . strange goings-on and suspicious character everywhere.
Springfield Youth Earns Eagle Scout Rank
Gerry Souser, 17, recognized at Immanuel Bible Church ceremony for earning 134 merit badges.
“Because of all of these and so many more adventures and experiences, I feel that I am having the best scouting experience that anyone could ever imagine or ask for, and Merit Badges were just a part of it…”
Springfield Neighbors Recall Truman Inauguration in 1949
As Washington prepares for Presidential Inauguration, Jim Upp, Scott Shipe, and Gray Parks recount their experiences of 64 years ago.
The inauguration of President Truman in 1949 produced many firsts—first to be nationally televised, first to be openly integrated, first to debut the current presidential seal.