County Budget Markup Passes
Three supervisors still oppose the budget.
Fairfax County is another step closer to having an approved budget for the next fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors approved the 2015 budget markup at its April 22 meeting at the county Government Center. Supervisors Linda Smyth (D-Providence), Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and John Cook (R-Braddock) opposed the markup.
Fairfax County Honors ‘Superheroes’
22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards presented.
Maybe they don’t wear capes and flashy uniforms, but local volunteers are superheroes. That was the theme for the 22nd Annual Fairfax County Service Awards, where more than 100 volunteers were recognized for their work with breakfast Friday, April 25, at The Waterford in Springfield. More specifically, this year’s theme was "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact," which was reflected in the comic book-inspired table decor and introductions by master of ceremonies Jeff Goldberg, Virginia Bureau Chief for ABC7 and News Channel 8.
For Congressional Candidates, No Common Ground on Common Core
Democrats in Virginia's 8th Congressional District divided on national education standards.
Should American schools share national standards? That's a question that divides the 10 Democrats seeking to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8), who is retiring after 24 years in the House of Representatives. During a recent candidates forum, the Democrats were asked if they support the Common Core State Standards Initiative, two candidates said they disagreed and eight candidates said they agreed.
Turbo Tutoring Awards Scholarships
Westfield High Senior receives check, from Turbo-Tutoring, to donate to children living at My Sister's Place in D.C.
‘Mayor Has to Know, Understand the City’
Fairfax’s Scott Silverthorne running for re-election.
Scott Silverthorne was raised in a political family, so it’s no wonder he’s been involved in leading the City of Fairfax for two decades. He served 18 consecutive years on the City Council, is now completing a two-year term as mayor and is running for re-election. His father was a Fairfax planning commissioner, councilman and mayor. Meanwhile, Silverthorne attended City schools, graduated from Fairfax High and obtained a degree in marketing from Radford University. He’s worked in government relations and, most recently, he’s done executive-search consulting. But politics has always been in his blood. “In 1990, at age 24, I was the youngest person ever elected to City Council,” said Silverthorne. “The top six vote-getters win, and I was the top vote-getter in eight of the nine elections I was in. I left in 2008 because I thought it was time for new blood, Mayor Lederer wasn’t leaving and I’d accomplished all I’d wanted on City Council.”
Fairfax City Council Candidates Speak Out
Besides voting for mayor, Fairfax residents will choose six City Council members in the May 6 election. All Council candidates except Cristina Gaines responded to The Connection’s questionnaire.
30 Years in Prison for Three Deaths
One of the victims was a young Fairfax woman.
The man responsible for the heroin deaths of three people in Fairfax County will be spending the next three decades in prison. Eugene Asomani “Shine” Williams, 35, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced last week in federal court for conspiring to distribute heroin and possessing a firearm while doing so. The three victims were Woodson High graduate Kara Schachinger, 22, of Fairfax; Joshua Pearson, 33, of Fairfax County and Timothy Huffman, 23, an active duty soldier who was serving in the Army at Fort Belvoir.
Our Daily Bread Celebrates 30 Years
Fairfax-based nonprofit Our Daily Bread (ODB) invites the public to its 30th anniversary celebration. An evening of art and performances, “Do You See What I See?” will be held Friday, May 2, from 7-10 p.m., at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy. in Fairfax.
Pit Bull Debate Sparked in Springfield
Resident supports breed-specific legislation as animal shelter removes criteria for pit bull adoption.
In Fairfax County, no dog is considered dangerous simply because of their breed. In fact, any dog, regardless of breed, isn’t considered dangerous until it has bitten, attacked, injured, or killed another animal.
Fall Cankerworm Spraying Debated
Some residents believe spraying of fall cankerworm is unnecessary.
Later this month, the Fairfax County Forest Pest Management Branch is scheduled to spray 2,200 acres of the Mason, Lee and Mount Vernon districts with insecticide in order to rid these areas of fall cankerworms, commonly known as inchworms.
Alone on the Road: 7 out of 10 Northern Virginia Workers Use Single-Occupancy Vehicles
Study raises concerns about amount of time drivers spend commuting alone.
Despite the decades-long war against the single-occupancy vehicle, seven out of 10 workers in Northern Virginia drive to work alone every workday.
Celebrating Women’s History
At the March 25 Fairfax City Council meeting, Mayor Scott Silverthorne proclaimed March 2014 as Women’s History Month in Fairfax.
CustomInk Celebrates Grand Opening
On Friday, CustomInk, the "design online" custom T-shirt company, hosted an open house event at its new Fairfax headquarters.
Come, Take a Trip to 19th Century Fairfax
Civil War Day is April 26.
Antebellum Virginia will come to life during Fairfax Civil War Day. Featuring wagon rides, cannon firings, house tours and a soldier encampment, it’s set for Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.
Week in Fairfax
News happening in the Fairfax area.