
Melissa Belote Ripley Went From Summer League Standout to Olympian
Melissa Belote Ripley’s former swimming coach Ed Solotar had two requirements: “You’ve got to want to win and want to get better,” said Belote Ripley, who was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Springfield. “To have to have that burning desire to always be the best, a fire in your belly to really want to win, to work -- that was easy for me, that’s just how I was.”
Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust Completes Purchase of Springfield Town Center
The Philadelphia-based firm Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced April 1 it had closed on acquiring Springfield Town Center from the previous owners at Vornado Realty Trust, based in New York.
Springfield Holds Budget Meeting
Education, Superintendent salary, retirement dominate heated debate.
Fairfax County Executive Ed Long and Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) met with Springfield residents at the lobby of the West Springfield District Police Station on Wednesday, March 18 to discuss the county’s proposed budget. About 25 people gathered at the impromptu meeting place due to a scheduling conflict with another group for the meeting room.

Virginia Housing Expo Draws Crowds
Home-ownership, rental opportunities and related services dominate the event at Herndon High.
“Those most in need of these services and resources benefit the most when we can bring so many providers and organizations together in this one-stop shop format.”
Letter: A Cornerstone in Danger
Letter to the Editor:
We are a community that values education. We’re known nationwide for our world-class education system. And for good reason: with outstanding teachers, motivated students, and active leadership, we have every right to take pride in the top-tier education that our community has asked for.

Herrity To Run Again for Springfield Supervisor
Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) chose to align himself with the luck of the Irish, using his annual St. Patrick’s Day get together at the Springfield Golf and Country Club to announce his bid to seek re-election to represent the Springfield District.

Hunting for Talent in Springfield
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Fairfax County Chapter held it’s annual Talent Hunt at Robert E. Lee High School. Fifteen contestants from Northern Virginia and Maryland showcased their talents through song, dance, oratory and expressive arts for evaluation by four judges. The Talent Hunt program of Omega Psi Phi is one of several national programs designed to identify and support youth.

Springfield Hosts Empty Bowls Event
Described as a grassroots initiative to help end hunger, Empty Bowls brought together local artists, restaurants and individuals concerned about hunger, in Springfield’s first ever Empty Bowls event on March 12.

Keene Mill Elementary School Hosts Take Your Family to School Week
Keene Mill Elementary School hosted this year’s Take Your Family to School Week to support student success. National PTA's Take Your Family to School Week is a program encouraging strong family engagement and the importance of partnerships among parents, teachers and school administrators.

Lynbrook wins Healthy School Award
Students are awarded with $1,000 and a show.
“Oorah!” shouted the students from Lynbrook Elementary as the banner displaying their Health School Award was raised to its display height on the gymnasium wall.

1965 Luther Jackson graduates from Springfield and Alexandria remember the county’s only African American high school.
Florence King was pretty impressed with her school bus driver. The Alexandria resident grew up on Old Telegraph Road and rode the bus to both Drew Smith Elementary School in Gum Springs and Luther Jackson High School, prior to desegregation. King graduated from Luther Jackson in 1965.

Play Monopoly and Help Others
Annual tournament raises close to $8,000 for Lorton Community Action Center.
On a cold, snow-approaching Saturday, nearly 100 men, women and children hunkered down to play three rounds at the 8th Annual Ron K.’s Monopoly Tournament hosted at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

Winner, Runner-up of Local Spelling Bee
Kaia Liese Lehenbauer won Local Scripps Spelling Bee for home schooled students held at Harvester Teaching Services in Springfield on Feb. 9 and will advance to the Fairfax County Spelling Bee to be held at Lanier Middle School on March 22.

School’s 10th Anniversary Includes Alumni Reunion
The Howard Gardner School hosted an Alumni Reunion on Jan. 9 as part of its 10th anniversary celebration. Founded in 2004, HGS is an independent school with graduating classes that average 12 students. One quarter of HGS alumni attended the event to see each other and their former teachers.
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.”
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- FCPS Budget 3 comments