‘I Have to Protect Society from You’
Requejo sentenced to five years in prison.
Even if Eduardo Requejo was sexually molested himself, as a child, that didn’t give him the right to do it to anyone else. That was the message Judge Brett Kassabian gave him last Friday in Fairfax County Circuit Court. He then sentenced Requejo, 23, of Fairfax, to five years in prison for sexually molesting an 8-year-old girl.
Work Beginning on Ashby Pond Trail
It’s full speed ahead for the construction of the Ashby Pond Park Trail. Work was set to begin Monday, March 3, with construction expected to last approximately 90 days, until May 31. The park will be closed during construction and, weather permitting, should be open again in June.
Fairfax City Budget Proposal Unveiled
Includes no increase in property-tax rate.
The City of Fairfax is on firm financial footing and the real-estate tax rate is not proposed to increase in the coming fiscal year. That was the message City Manager Bob Sisson brought to the City Council last Tuesday, Feb. 25, when he unveiled his proposed FY 2015 budget.
Message To Teenagers: Things Do Get Better
Catie Warren is a 2009 Woodson High grad and her brother is a freshman there. Now a writer, after last week’s tragedies she wrote the following about high-school life in general on TotalSororityMove.com: Yesterday, a student from my former high school died tragically. He was 15. Just a baby in the grand scheme of things; a young boy with his whole life ahead of him. A life filled with graduations and relationships and jobs and little ones. A life filled with happiness and joy and precious moments, laughter that makes your belly roar, silliness that makes your cheeks hurt, and love that makes your heart skip beats. He had his whole life waiting for him. Instead, he chose to end it. His death marked the fifth suicide at this school in four years. And. It. Has. Got. To. Stop.
Trying to Stay Strong Through the Grief
Woodson High community mourns two students.
Tears, sad faces, hugs, stunned silences, churning emotions and unanswered questions – all are part of the reaction of the Woodson High students in the wake of last week’s tragedies: Two of their classmates have died.
Editorial: Take the Money
No downside to gaining health care for 200,000 or more; 30,000 jobs and millions of dollars for hospitals from expansion of Medicaid.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is right to make expansion of health coverage part of the budget process.
Petersen Report: Senate Addresses Health Care
Last Thursday, Feb. 20, we rolled out "Marketplace Virginia," an idea conceived by Sen. John Watkins (R-Powhatan). "Marketplace" takes the $2 billion in taxes paid by Virginians under the Affordable Care Act and keeps it in Virginia, where it can provide insurance for the 400,000 Virginians not currently covered.
Clifton Resident in Skiing Competition
Keeler Lambertson and mother Jacquie share perspectives on skiing.
Keeler Lambertson, an 11-year-old Clifton resident, competed in the Pennsylvania Alpine Racing Association U12 (under 12) Derby from Feb. 28-March 2 at the Silver Springs Ski Resort in Pennsylvania. Keeler is part of the Liberty Mount Racing Team, located outside of Gettysburg, Pa.
Sex Trafficking in Our Backyard
Fairfax County detective, trafficking victim testify at Congressional hearing.
Since its creation in October 2013, the human trafficking unit of the Fairfax County Police Department has received over 70 tips and leads about human trafficking in Northern Virginia.
Pets Receive Luxury Treatment
Olde Towne Pet Resort provides fun and relaxation.
Olde Towne Pet Resort is no ordinary boarding service. Dogs and cats at this resort, with locations in Springfield and Dulles, receive walks, time in a lap pool, spa treatments, massages, and more.
Honored for Promoting Peace
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County honors 22 students.
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, presented by the Herndon Friends Meeting, honored a group of 22 juniors and seniors who were nominated for their dedication to peace and conflict resolution on March 2.
Debate Over Lorton Landfill Continues at Public Hearing
Decision on application deferred until March 13.
The debate over the future of the Lorton landfill continued as community members commented before the Fairfax County Planning Commission at a public hearing on Feb. 27.
Shark Tank Racing Squad Swims for Cancer Awareness
The team raised $18,900 for breast cancer research.
Patty Friedman, a coach and co-founder of the Shark Tank Racing Squad, shared some alarming statistics at the beginning of the team’s breast cancer marathon on March 2 at the South Run Rec Center in Springfield.
Woodson Boys’ Basketball Wins Back-to-Back Region Titles
Cavaliers overcome adversity, beat Lake Braddock.
The Woodson boys' basketball team will face Landstown in the state semifinals.
Classified Advertising March 5, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Creating a Harmonious Family Life
Local experts offer tips for keeping your family happy.
As Elizabeth Rees drove her daughter and two of her daughter’s friends to a library reading group recently, the Alexandria mother of three admits that she felt like a chauffeur at first. But she had a change of heart after hearing sounds of laughter.
Not Yet, Really
While we’re exchanging pleasantries here, in semi real time – although this column will not be most read until March 6th (I need to submit it on Monday, March 3rd as we go to press on Tuesday, March 5th), I feel the obligation, given how last week’s column ended, to update you on the results from my February 26th CT Scan. Presumably, by the title you all have determined that as of this writing, Saturday, March 1st, I have not heard back from my oncologist. Typically, I would have already heard from him, electronically. But so far, not a peep, electronic or otherwise and believe me, I’ve been checking, as you might imagine.
Board Advertises Higher Tax Rate
Rate gives board flexibility, options in determining final budget.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher real estate tax rate that could add about $100 to annual tax bills, which will be on top of the $332 county homeowners will see this year as a result of higher real estate assessments. Setting the advertised tax rate formally begins the two-month public process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and the rate represents the maximum potential tax rate for FY2015.
Preventing Teen Suicides
Recent deaths shine light on FCPS suicide prevention programs.
Every 15 seconds, a teen in the United States tries to commit suicide. Every 90 minutes, one succeeds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that the number of attempted suicides among teenagers increased from 6.3 percent in 2009 to 7.8 percent in 2011.
Cox Charities Virginia Awards Area Nonprofits
Cox Communications awarded $160,000 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations in Virginia through Cox Charities grants programs. The grants presented Feb. 21 are part of the nearly $8 million Cox contributes annually through cash and in-kind support to the communities where they do business.