Editorial: Not the First or Only Time
Secrecy around police shootings has been a problem for at least a decade.
The official position of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the need for changes in policy after the shooting of John Geer by police in Springfield in August of 2013 appears to be that this is the first time police policies have been a problem: “Policies for handling police-involved incidents, which served us well for decades, were inadequate in this complicated situation.”
Freezin' for a Reason at Lake Anne
Some flipped. Some jumped. Some flopped. Many yawped. Most shivered. And all 400 jumpers braved Lake Anne's 33 degree icy water Saturday, Feb. 7, to raise money for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for families with children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Celebrating Valentine’s with Classical Ballet
On Feb. 13, at the Reston Community Center, Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) will be presenting “An Evening with Classical Ballet Theatre.” For the last 25 years, CBT has been educating and inspiring children through the art of classical ballet in Northern Virginia, thanks to the vision, commitment, and dedication of its founder and Executive Director, Cynthia Donavin.
Hand & Stone Opens in Reston
Affordable spa offers facials, massage, waxings with five-star service.
A new Hand & Stone Spa opened in the South Lakes Village Shopping Center in Reston off South Lakes Drive on Sunday, Feb. 1. Owned by Darielle Danver, 25, and her father Eric Danver, 52, of Medford, N.J., the franchise spa decorated in warm earth tones and ambient lighting in nine rooms specializes in facials, hot stone massages, skin peels, waxing, eyebrows, hand therapy, and hot towel foot treatments with scrubs and lotions, and more.
Column: At the Half
The General Assembly has reached “crossover,” the point on the legislative calendar when each house must have completed work on bills introduced into its respective chamber. That point was Tuesday for all bills except for adjustments to the budget that will be considered on Thursday.
Column: ‘Scantsy’
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to characterize the feelings I regularly experience during the final few weeks leading up to my every-three-month CT Scan, and even more so the feelings I experience waiting the following week or so to see my oncologist to discuss the results.
Nominations Open for Citizen of the Year
Reston Citizens Association has opened nominations for the 2014 Reston Citizen of the Year Award. The tradition of honoring the Reston Citizen of the Year began in 1976, and was reintroduced in 2008 as a way to spotlight the work of dedicated citizen volunteers and civic activists who work tirelessly behind the scenes, providing them the recognition and appreciation they have earned through their hard work and dedication to the Reston community.
Herndon Gymnast Bradley Wins Conference 5 All-Around Title
Sophomore leads Hornets to second-place finish, regional berth.
The Herndon gymnastics team earned a berth in the 6A North region championship meet.
Reston International Center Changes Hands
Reston International Center Acquired by American Real Estate Partners
American Real Estate Partners and Square Mile Capital Management LLC announced on Feb. 2 they acquired the Reston International Center, a 15-story building from JBG Companies.
South Lakes Wins Conference Championship
Both boys and girls win indoor track and field Liberty Conference championship.
Multiple event victories by sophomore Devyn Jones and domination of the relays, led the South Lakes High School indoor track teams to Liberty Conference championships in both the boys and girls divisions Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex Landover, Md.
Fairfax County Goes Public with Geer Documents
FCPD report confirms John Geer was shot while unarmed, hands raised.
Of the seven eyewitness accounts of the shooting death of John Geer, only one describes Geer quickly bringing his hands down to his waist. That was the perspective of PFC Adam Torres, the officer who shot Geer in the chest, killing him in the doorway of his home on Aug. 29, 2013.
Letter: An Open Letter to Virginia Delegates
Letter to the Editor
Many of you know our story well. We are the parents of Morgan Harrington. Morgan, a student at Virginia Tech, went to a rock concert in Charlottesville in 2009 and never came home. Her remains were found 100 days later.
Citizens to the Rescue
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy accepting applications.
The Fairfax County Citizens Fire and Rescue Academy, a free nine-week program to learn about the work of firefighters and paramedics, will begin its next session March 12, with the deadline for online applications closing on Feb. 16.
Free and Low-Cost Dental Care for Children
Special programs available as part of National Children's Dental Health Month.
Dental hygiene should start even before a baby’s first tooth emerges. That is one of the messages that dental professionals are hoping to convey this month.
Mental Health First Aid
County program offers insight into mental illness and teaches strategies for intervention.
Leslie Roberts recalls hearing a mother talk about getting her stepson admitted to a psychiatric hospital. “Her stepson was angry and acting out,” said Roberts. “She didn’t understand what her stepson was doing.”
Editorial: No Justification for Secrecy, Delay on Geer Shooting
Everything about this case erodes public trust and demonstrates police departments should not be allowed to apply “blanket” exemptions to release of information.
After waiting 17 months for any information about the investigation into the shooting death of John Geer, the information released last week is deeply troubling.
Column: Supervisors Priority No. 1- Pay Hike
Last Tuesday I drove to the Fairfax County Government Center (the Taj Mahal to friends) to attend a well-advertised Board of Supervisors hearing on the agreement for Crescent Apartments and Lake Anne redevelopment. I was prepared to testify in support of the plan if needed. Instead, it turned out to be a brief, pro forma hearing.
GMU Students Rally to Lower Student Debt
Members of GMU Student Power Travel to Richmond to voice concern over rising debt.
Twelve students from George Mason University traveled to Richmond with the Virginia Student Power Network, rallying and calling for debt-free education, and for increased educational opportunities for undocumented students. Rodrigo Velasquez, a junior at Mason from Springfield and GMU Student Power’s organizer, was one of the 12 from Mason who also went to Richmond.
Lake Anne Proposal Deferred
New public hearing for apartment redevelopment set for Feb. 17.
The county Board of Supervisors hearing on the zoning for the future Lake Anne Crescent Apartments was deferred last week. Because of a problem with Lake Anne Development Partners LLC’s affidavit, the public hearing was moved to Feb. 17. “We will have a public hearing on the case,” said Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. “I hope we have had enough thoroughness with the plan.”
Referendum for Land Purchase
A referendum for a parcel of land north of the Dulles Toll Road is being put forth by Reston Association. The parcel, owned by Tetra Properties, will be sold to Reston Association after a voting process that ends in May. “It seems to be a good way to get control of a property that, over time, can be subjected to a lot of pressure as the surrounding areas around it develop,” said Lake Anne-Tall Oaks Director Eve Thompson.