Game On
George Mason University students develop video games aimed at curtailing gang recruitment in Virginia.
Law enforcement officials now have two unlikely weapons in the fight against gang activity in Virginia: video games and college students.
Grassroots Government 101
First Braddock ‘Citizen Governance Conference’ draws future decision-makers.
Sitting in a conference room discussing issues such as land use, aging and transportation may not seem like the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon. But the opportunity to have a voice in the future of the Braddock district drew nearly 75 residents to the first Citizen Governance Conference, hosted by Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) at Frost Achievement Finance Park on May 5.
County Launches Project To Combat Lyme Disease
After an unseasonably warm winter, Fairfax County health officials are bracing for a proliferation of tick infestations as well as a potential surge in new cases of Lyme disease.
Northern Virginia Bill Signing Puts Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in Spotlight
A rare moment of bipartisanship between Republican governor and Democratic legislators.
Strangulation will be punished more aggressively to combat violence against women. Campus police will work with other police agencies to crack down on domestic violence of unmarried couples. And the telephone number for a human trafficking hotline will be placed in the restrooms at strip clubs across Virginia.
Housing Discrimination Alert
Officials step up education, outreach efforts to reach immigrant communities about "fair housing" rights.
Housing discrimination cases have been on the rise in Fairfax County in the past few years. And the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), the agency that enforces fair housing laws in the county, is shining a spotlight on the problem through seminars for housing providers, realtors, community groups and other interested parties. "Sadly, housing discrimination is alive and well and we’ve seen an uptick in complaints during the past six years," said Kenneth Saunders, executive director of OHREP.
Chick-fil-A Opens in Springfield
One hundred people camped outside of Chick-fil-A's newest store in Springfield for 24 hours before its opening, starting from 6 a.m. on April 25 through 6 a.m. on April 26, to receive a year's worth of free food (52 coupons) as part of Chick-fil-A's "First 100 Celebration."
Community Champions
Julie Clemente founded Friends of Clemyjontri Inc. in 2006 to raise money for park improvements. In 2011, Clemente organized and headed the effort to create the Friends of Clemyjontri website; worked with CapitalOne to create a credit card with a photo of Clemyjontri on the front to help raise funds for the park, and has created opportunities to raise additional funds.
Displaying Strength and Flexibility
Twenty competitors — 14 amateurs and six professional pole dancers — participated in the Ms. Virginia Pole Dance Fitness Competition held Saturday, April 28 at the Hilton Crystal City.
Area Students Win Top Honors in Virginia History Day Competition
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students from Springfield Estates Elementary School and West Springfield High School won top honors in their respective groups in the 2012 Virginia History Day competition, held recently in Williamsburg.
Three Years Probation For Marriage Fraud
Centreville resident Yong Hyon Kim, 50, was sentenced in federal court to probation following his conviction for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements to federal agents.
Local Safety Net Clinics Seek a Few Good Doctors
Specialty care physicians and other medical professionals needed to serve low income, uninsured patients.
When Marie Markey of Alexandria retired from U.S. Air Force as a physical therapist, she rolled up her sleeves and went to work helping those in need. Markey works as a volunteer twice each week at the Arlington Free Clinic, offering physical therapy to the clinic’s low income and uninsured patients.
Explosives Ordinance Unit Presented in Fairfax
The robot, unofficially known in the Fairfax EOD unit as "Charlotte," is the most common robotic platform used by police departments in the Unite States and has been used by the Fairfax County Police Department since 2002.
Value of Volunteer Hours: $4.5 million
Legacy of Community Service? Priceless.
"Volunteers aren't paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous sentiment was echoed by numerous community and civic leaders who gathered at the Waterford in Springfield Friday, April 27, to celebrate 118 Fairfax County volunteers during the 20th annual Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax.
Volunteers Honored for Efforts
Four locals receive Community Champions Awards for Health Care and Social Services to the Community.
Four Northern Virginia volunteers were honored for their charitable efforts recently. Edward Shahin of McLean, Marie Markey of Alexandria and Mattie Palmore and Kari Warren of Mt. Vernon received the Molina Healthcare Community Champions Award during a ceremony at the at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax.
Volunteer Police Officers Saluted at Ceremony
West Springfield, Franconia volunteers receive awards.
"We need a big golden arch, like McDonald's, and a sign that says more than one million served." Fairfax County Police Chief, Col. David Rohrer, was referring to the milestone achieved by the county’s Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) during a recent ceremony honoring FCPD volunteers.