Stories for June 2016

Stories for June 2016

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Thursday, June 30

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Lorton: Fireworks Set to Explode over Workhouse Arts Center Again July 2

A fireworks display will once again be the highlight of a Fourth of July weekend evening program at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

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Fairfax County: Former Police Officer Torres sentenced to 12 months for killing John Geer

Torres released five days following sentencing due to time already served

For the first time in its three-quarters of a century in existence, a Fairfax County Police officer has been convicted and sentenced after an officer-involved shooting death.

Wednesday, June 29

Week in Fairfax

Weekly happenings in Fairfax

Fairfax: Children’s Science Center Celebrates One Year Since Opening

The Children’s Science Center has announced a summer-long celebration of the first year of operations at the Children’s Science Center Lab at Fair Oaks Mall.

Obituary: Carol J. Cofey, Formerly of Fairfax, Dies at 94

Carol J. Cofey (nee Johnson), 94, of Arlington,Virginia, formerly of Fairfax, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016, peacefully at her residence at Brookdale Arlington.

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Fairfax: Teaching Children Financial Literacy Basics

On June 17, approximately 80 volunteers from PwC worked with 1,024 children from grades K-6 at Mosby Woods Elementary School. This is PwC’s fourth year at Mosby Woods, one of their “adopted” schools.

Letter: Reading Begins At Home

To the Editor

As a current teacher, I observe children who develop literacy skills at home achieve in school.

Fairfax: Sanitary Sewer Lines, Manholes Inspection to Start This Week

In order to proactively address aging infrastructure and improve sanitary sewer service, the City of Fairfax will be performing a condition inspection of sanitary sewer lines and the associated manholes in the community.

Three Generations of Fairfax High School Grads

When Claire Higginbotham graduated June 15 from Fairfax High, she became the third generation in her family to graduate from that school.

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Fairfax: Giving Thanks for One More Miracle

Anonymous couple pays off the Lamb Center’s mortgage.

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The Lamb Center Celebrates Its New Fairfax Home

It took hard work, hope, planning, fundraising, faith and dedication; but at long last, the Lamb Center is in its new home.

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Fairfax City: Celebrating Half a Century of July 4 Festivities

Fairfax Fourth of July features parade, music, superheroes and fireworks.

Area Roundups

Area happenings

Fairfax County Public Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program

The Fairfax County Public Library began its Summer Reading Challenge on June 23, with this year’s theme being “Read for the Win.”

Fairfax County: Torres Walks Free

Former police officer released five days after sentencing for killing John Geer

Former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres walked free Wednesday morning, June 29.

Tuesday, June 28

Letter: Gross Misreading of the Second Amendment

To the Editor

This is in response to U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly's opinion piece titled "Stem Gun Violence Epidemic" (The Connection, June 22-28).

Pet Connection and Connection Families

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 27, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 17.

Editorial: Getting Home Safely on Independence Day

Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.

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Hope in the Fight Against Drug Dependency

Meeting highlights battles in every neighborhood.

Fairfax County experiences heroin overdoses every day, according to county officials. To help raise awareness, a second county-wide Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Town Hall was held June 14 at Centreville High School.

Monday, June 27

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Online Classes Offer Flexible Options for Earning Credentials Outside the Classroom

Interested in learning to landscape your yard using sustainable practices?

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Tips for Memorable Family Vacations

As summer gets underway, vacation-bound families are packing their bags and heading out of town. Vacations often fly by — months of planning and anticipating can be over in the blink of an eye. With a little advanced planning and forethought, however, even a quick weekend trip or a visit to relatives can become meaningful and memorable.

Friday, June 24

Weekend Fun: June 24-26

Weekend fun in the area.

Thursday, June 23

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Burke, Fairfax Station: Robinson Holds Graduation June 15

The students may have been graduating, but their principal assigned one more book for them to read. Robinson Secondary’s Matt Eline sent each 2016 graduate on their way with a copy of Brian Tracy’s “Achieve Any Goal.” He made goals the theme of his address to the young adults on June 15 at George Mason’s Eagle Bank Arena.

Wednesday, June 22

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Celebrating the Fourth of July

Fourth of July celebrations in the area

Fairfax: Integrating Computer Science and Biology

Prathik Naidu, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, organized the first Youth Bioinformatics Symposium at George Mason University in collaboration with the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB)

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Fairfax: A Wily Look at Relationships

“Redder Blood” at Hub Theatre.

Fairfax: Uniting for a Good Cause

Community comes together to pack meals for hungry, local children.

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Fairfax: ‘Find Your Own Meaning’

More than 600 students graduate from Fairfax High.

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Fairfax: Encouraged to ‘Make the World Smile’

W.T. Woodson High School Class of 2016 celebrates graduation.

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Supervisors Endorse Police ‘Re-engineering’

Action items approved include use of force and communications recommendations from Ad Hoc commission.

The possibility of body cameras being worn by Fairfax County Police officers and the release of officers’ names involved with critical use of force incidents dominated discussion during two action items in the Board of Supervisors June 21 meeting.

Tuesday, June 21

Commentary: Congress Must Act to Stem Gun Violence Epidemic

Last week, America woke to what has become an all-too-common nightmare. A man driven by hate and armed with assault weapons carried out our nation’s worst mass shooting.

Free Independence Day Cab Rides Offered

Preparing to combat that U.S. holiday when, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 41 percent of all U.S. traffic deaths involve drunk drivers, free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area on Independence Day, July 4.

Friday, June 17

Fairfax Home Sales: May, 2016

In May, 2016, 99 Fairfax homes sold between $1,384,845-$168,575.

Fairfax Home Sales: May, 2016

Thursday, June 16

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Natasha McKenna’s Mother Files $15 Million Wrongful Death Suit

Woman with mental illness died after being tased while in Sheriff’s custody.

Natasha McKenna’s mother is seeking more than $15 million in a wrongful death and gross negligence suit filed against Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and five deputies.

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Ten U.S. Air Force Band Conductors Assemble for 75th Anniversary Reunion Concert in Fairfax

The U.S. Air Force Band celebrated its 75th anniversary with a reunion concert on June 11 at the George Mason Center for the Arts.

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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Added to Fairfax County Student Handbook

School Board members debate whether students should be held accountable.

Students in Fairfax County Public Schools started the 2015-2016 school year without the words “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” as part of the nondiscrimination guide within their student handbook.

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Area Residents Celebrate Fairfax!

A three-day event draws more than 70,000 visitors.

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Fairfax City: Van Dyck Park’s field is named in honor of Armistice Turtora.

‘What a Remarkable Record of Service’

Fairfax City: Greenfield Declared Winner in Historic Vote Recount

City Council race is finally decided.

Apartment Fire Kills Beloved Fairfax Resident

Community mourns Bill Patton, 74.

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Fairfax Academy’s Annual Awards: A Showcase of Accomplishment

Area residents and alumni of Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts gathered for its annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 8, at Fairfax High School.

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Parkwood Baptist Church Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Parkwood Baptist Church in Annandale celebrated their 50th anniversary with a memorial picnic and outdoor service on Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12.

Area Roundups

Weekly happenings in your area.

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Burke: Robinson Girls' Lax Repeats as State Champion

Rams finish undefeated season with victory over Woodson.

The Robinson girls' lacrosse team finished an undefeated season with a state championship.

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Burke: Robinson Boys' Lax Wins Third Straight State Championship

Rams beat James River in 6A state final.

The Robinson boys' lacrosse team beat James River in the 6A state championship game.

Wednesday, June 15

Classified Advertising June 15, 2016

Read the lastest ads here!

Editorial: Support for Police in Reforms

Police commission recommendations come to Board of Supervisors for approval, implementation.

In some ways, the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, brainchild of Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, was a bit of a miracle.

Tuesday, June 14

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Leadership Fairfax Honors 2016 Graduates

The Pavilion at Reston Town Center was a most fitting venue for the graduation ceremony of the 2016 classes of the non-profit Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI).

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Considering Private School?

Small steps this summer can minimize stress of application process.

The school year has just come to an end … which means it’s the ideal time to prepare to apply to leading independent schools.

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The Gap Year Trend

The pros and cons of taking a break in academic studies before college.

2016 Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees Selected

Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. named the 2016 Lords and Ladies Fairfax at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 7 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Saturday, June 11

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State Tournament Roundup

W-L boys' soccer, Robinson girls', boys' lax among teams competing for titles.

The 6A state championships are being held today at Robinson and Lake Braddock.

Thursday, June 9

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Burke: Shocked by Kidney Disease

Family searching, waiting in line for living donor.

Burke resident Hayden Shock graduated from Gallaudet University May 13 on the dean’s list with a marketing degree. That was expected. Fewer than two months before, he was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. For a healthy college senior -- Shock threw javelin and competed for Gallaudet track and field -- the diagnosis was totally unexpected.

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Herndon Police Officers Train with Fairfax Fire & Rescue

Two menacing Dodge Charger sedans come to a stop, a dark silver one in front of the other, all black with gold lettering that reads Herndon Police. Officers from the cruiser get out, and begin barking commands at the driver of the suspicious car in front.

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Third Lane Opens at Fairfax Boulevard

The City of Fairfax announces the opening of a third westbound lane along Route 50 (Fairfax Boulevard) from Bevan Drive to Jermantown Road.

Fairfax City Council Race Ends up in Court

Judges order a recount to determine winners.

Wednesday, June 8

Week in Fairfax

Area crime reports

Fairfax’s First Fido Fest

City of Fairfax celebrates man's best friend

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Octagonal Dream Home on the Market

Home's shape and large windows make it a sun-drenched space.

It was during a trip to California almost 20 years that McLean resident Susan Jordano first laid eyes on her dream home.

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Burke: Frosh Connolly Helps Robinson Boys’ Lax Reach State Final

Rams beat Colonial Forge, will try for third straight state title.

The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Colonial Forge on Friday in the state semifinals.

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Burke: Defense Key as Robinson Girls’ Lax Clinches Trip to State Final

Skrzypczak, Kluegel lead Rams back to state title game.

The Robinson girls' lacrosse team is headed back to the state final.

Classified Advertising June 8, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Thursday, June 2

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Fairfax: 4,500 Motorcycles in Ride of the Patriots

Group assembles for Rolling Thunder at Patriot Harley-Davidson on Route 29 in Fairfax.

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Fairfax City: In Gratitude and Remembrance

Memorial Day ceremony at Fairfax City Hall honors America’s veterans.

Fairfax: Looking Forward to the Cappies Gala

Fairfax, Paul VI theater directors are proud of their students.

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Fairfax County: High School Senior Addresses School Board on LGBT Issues

Board conducting community review of Family Life Education curriculum recommendations.

Bennett Shoop remembers first being bullied in second grade. He liked to dress all in black, wear weird shirts, be alternative in his outward expression.

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Fairfax and Fairfax Station: VFW 8469 and American Legion 177 hold Memorial Day ceremony

Aaron Coffin of Fairfax is proud to say “Happy Memorial Day.” Some people say the national holiday to honor fallen soldiers should be sullen, reflective affair. But the ten-year Army veteran said he wouldn’t want it that way. Nor would anyone he’s served with.

Fairfax: Fire Chief Bowers Involved in Crash

Fairfax County Police and Deputy County Executive for Public Safety David Rohrer are investigating a collision between Fire and Rescue Department Chief Richard Bowers’ county vehicle and another car.

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Memorial Day 2016 Observed at Burke Centre Conservancy

Piper Matthew Kuldell led the color guard -- members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5412 and Boy Scout Troop 1345 -- into the area of the Burke Centre Conservancy on May 31 to begin the observance of Memorial Day.

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Fairfax County: School Board Adopts $2.7 Billion Budget

FY 2017 budget aims to raise teacher salaries, lower class sizes.

The Fairfax County School Board has made good on Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza’s promise when she introduced a FY 2017 budget for the school system.

Wednesday, June 1

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Vienna: Joel’s Story

After foster care experience: Architecting his own path.

Joel was taken into foster care when he was a high school junior, after reporting to a coach what was going on at home. Schools are “mandatory reporters,” and, as such, they are legally compelled to call social services in a case like Joel’s.

Classified Advertising June 1 , 2016

Read the latest ads here!

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Burke: Robinson Boys’ Lax Wins Region Championship

Rams come from behind twice to beat Woodson.

The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Woodson 15-14 in overtime on Tuesday to win the 6A North region title.

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Dan, Katie Checkosky Make Best of Awkward Situation

Robinson girls’ lax beats Woodson to win region title.

Woodson Director of Student Activities supported the Cavaliers and his daughter --- Robinson junior Katie Checkosky --- on Tuesday.

Staying Safe This Summer

Tips and precautions for avoiding warm-weather hazards.

The start of summer means pools and backyard grilling. It also means an increased risk of accidents and injuries.

Talk to Your Teens

Editorial

So much at stake as teens approach graduation and summer.