Editorial: Freedom of Information on Life Support in General Assembly?
Last week, the Assembly passed SB 202, which undid a major push eight years ago to ensure that all of our public spending was ‘online’ and searchable by ordinary citizens. This, of course, meant disclosing the salaries of public employees over a certain income level.
Editorial: Fairfax Presses Ahead with Diversion First
When police encounter someone in mental health crisis, they can transport them to Merrifield Crisis Response Center instead of jail.
Natasha McKenna died a little more than a year ago on Feb. 7, 2015.
Diversion First Program Launched
Fairfax County officials announce Diversion First program designed to help individuals get treatment not jail time.
Kevin Earley said he’s living proof that Diversion First works. Earley has been living with bipolar disorder and had his last episode in 2007.
Uncovering the Roots of Slavery
Local student creates slave index to help descendants trace family history.
A local college student is spending much of her senior year scouring the last wills and testaments of residents of Northern Virginia.
ServiceSource Helps People with Disabilities
Nonprofit ServiceSource helps people with disabilities.
In one section of the ServiceSource Chantilly Center, music therapist Myra Goodrich leads a group of budding musicians playing a cheerful song.
Touching Many Hearts
Minecraft for a Mission – Touching Heart and their “Kids on a Mission” raise funds for children in foster care.
They say that charity begins at home. Helen Yi and Taylor, the mother and daughter co-founders of Touching Heart, a nonprofit aimed at educating and inspiring children to empathize with the needs of others and to take action to assist them, have no argument with that statement.
‘Star Wars’ Fans Flock to Local Classes
Movie's popularity leaves fans wanting to feel "The Force."
Beams of neon light flash around a dark room. Young Star Wars fans from a galaxy not so far away wield light sabers and move with carefully choreographed steps.
Time To Plan for Kids’ Summer Camp Adventures
Local camp fair offers sampling of summer programs.
Under a blanket of February frost, summer might seem light years away, but it’s closer than one might think.
Fairfax County: Public Safety Committee meets to discuss Ad Hoc Police Review recommendations and the Diversion First initiative
Just over a year since Natasha McKenna died following multiple shocks from a taser, while in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention center, her name was never raised during the Feb. 9 meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee meeting. Two audience members stood on one side of the Government Center conference room, holding posters bearing a picture of McKenna’s face and text including “Black Lives Matter.”
Fairfax County: Training Center Residents Relocated
They’re all gone. As of August 2015, there were still 55 residents with mental or physical disabilities receiving services at the state-owned and operated Northern Virginia Training Center on Braddock Road.
Week in Reston
Weekly happenings in Reston
Reston: Heading for State
The South Lakes girls 400 freestyle relay qualified for states with a time of 3:38.43 Saturday night, Jan. 30.
Reston: Virginia Polar Dip at Lake Anne
Event draws 204 jumpers and raises $95,000 for Camp Sunshine charity.
With air temperatures at 48 degrees, and water temperature at 36 degrees, some 204 jumpers took part in the ninth annual Virginia Polar Dip on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, raising $95,000 for the Camp Sunshine charity.
Reston Robotics Proves Resistance is Futile
On a crackling crisp morning Miranda and JohnAngelo stand waiting for a door minder to let them into Nova Labs in Reston.
Reston Crime Reports
Notable incidents from the Fairfax County Police blotter from Feb. 1-4.
Reston: Grand Opening
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage affiliated agents and staff, their friends, family and clients as well as members of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce attended the grand opening of the Coldwell Banker’s new location in Reston Town Center.
Reston Lions Honor Bland Contest Winners
Winners of the James A. Bland Music Competition, co-sponsored by the Reston Lions Club and the Reston Community Center, held on Tuesday, Feb. 2
Reston: Bob Simon’s Post Office
More than 50 people showed up with letters and packages to send out from the new Post Office at Lake Anne.
Reston: Mary Poppins, the Musical’ Arriving at CenterStage
With magical playfulness and practical common sense all charged up with about 30 unforgettable musical numbers, such as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” be ready to welcome the next Reston Community Players production, “Mary Poppins, the Musical.”
Commentary: A Debatable Deal
Opponents of legislation to prevent gun violence have said for years that current laws on the books should be enforced before new laws were passed, but they quickly changed their minds when Attorney General Mark Herring moved to enforce Virginia’s law on recognizing concealed weapon permits from other states.