Tim Peterson

Fairfax County: School Board Receives New Transgender Regulations

Discussion moves to a work session

Friday afternoon, July 1, Fairfax County School Board members each received an email containing new operating regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.

Fairfax County: School Board Renews Superintendent Garza’s Contract

Fairfax County Public Schools has secured four more years with Dr. Karen Garza at the helm as superintendent. The School Board members voted unanimously to extend her contract through June 30, 2020 at their June 30 meeting.

Mount Vernon: Update on North Hill Rezoning Plan

Proposal includes multifamily rental and town homes.

After decades of meetings and stalled redevelopment, the most recent plan for making over North Hill’s 33-acre vacant site at the intersection of Route 1 and Dart Drive has gone the furthest.

Alexandria and Mount Vernon: Hundreds Pack Airplane Noise Meeting

Flight changes have caused deafening conditions at homes

At a meeting convened for community members to discuss airplane noise complaints, the irony of some struggling to hear over the sound of planes taxiing just outside the packed lounge at Reagan Washington National Airport’s historic Terminal A wasn’t lost on the audience of more than 300.

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.

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.

Mount Vernon: West Potomac High School Holds Commencement June 20

“La decisión están en tus manos,” West Potomac High School graduating senior Alexandra Susano-Jarjuri said, sharing advice her father has given her over the years. “There will be repercussions, you can’t blame others,” she translated.

Mount Vernon: Bryant Sends Off More than 60 Seniors

More than 60 students walked down the aisle with cap, gown and golden tassel during the June 16 commencement ceremony at Bryant Alternative High School.

Mount Vernon High School Holds Commencement Exercises June 17

Though he’s only been with them for three months, new Mount Vernon High School Principal Dr. Anthony Terrell said he quickly came to admire the senior class of 2016.

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.

Mount Vernon: One Dead after Shuttle Bus Flips

17 injured in collision on the George Washington Parkway.

One person is dead and 17 are injured after a shuttle bus collided with another vehicle on the George Washington Parkway around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.

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.

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.

Mount Vernon: Quander Road School graduates took different paths, reached the same goal

Quander Road School Principal Joe Thompson is actually fond of the iPhone intelligence Siri chirping “re-routing” during route guidance. In his remarks to the 12 graduating seniors at the school for students with mental health and behavioral challenges, Thompson used Siri to congratulate them on reaching their goal.

Mount Vernon, Springfield: McAuliffe Announces Site for New Puller Veterans Care Center

120-bed facility to be built in Fauquier County.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said he’s working on making Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in America. Though the Commonwealth, he said, is the first and only one to have “functionally ended veteran homelessness,” it still has one of the lowest ratios of available care centers to number of veterans in the country.

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.

Police Apply Crisis Intervention Training with Distressed Lifeguard

On Memorial Day, Fairfax County Police used Crisis Intervention Training techniques to try communicating with a distressed 20-year-old lifeguard at the Riverside Park Swimming Pool.

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.

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.

Mount Vernon: Police Investigating Shooting Death of FCPS Employee

Tarreece John Sampson, 24, of Alexandria was found unresponsive around 2:20 a.m. the morning of May 20.

Fairfax County shares plan for mitigating effects of Safe Track maintenance

Bracing for shutdown "surges" in face of Metro crisis

If you use Metrorail from Vienna or Reston or Tysons, be on notice: The Orange and Silver lines will be the first affected.

Fairfax County: Supervisors Review Use of Force Guidelines

Public Safety Committee meets before June 21 vote: gun carry positions, release of information, body cameras discussed.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is standing by its Chief of Police and his department.

Fairfax County: Kaine Requests Funding for School Drinking Water Testing

FCPS developing testing plan; last test was 2004.

In response to the lead contamination of drinking water of Flint, Michigan, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine joined 24 other senators asking Congress for funding to have school drinking water tested for lead and other toxins.

Fairfax County: Female Firefighters Share Experiences

Offering to bring balance into gender issue.

For five-year veteran firefighter-paramedic Alisha Reakoff, her “gender has been a non-issue” in her experience with the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department.

Fairfax Station, Lorton, Springfield, Mount Vernon: Lawmakers Report on 2016 General Assembly

Diversifying the economy, expanding Medicaid and school funding discussed.

Del. Dave Albo (R-42) introduced himself as a rare breed, an elected official in Virginia who happens to also be a Republican.

Fairfax County School Board members respond to Obama transgender bathroom guidance

When a student in Fairfax County Public Schools identifies as transgender and they bring it to the attention of their school staff, the school brings in the student’s parents and together they work out a tailored bathroom plan: where to use single-stall facilities on campus that will make the student feel most comfortable.

Mount Vernon: Browne Academy Turns 75

One of Virginia’s first racially integrated schools celebrates with arts, picnic and assembly.

Independent school Browne Academy didn’t begin its daylong celebration of the institution’s 75th anniversary trumpeting the fact it was founded as one of the first racially integrated schools in Virginia.

Fairfax County: Hispanic Leadership Alliance awards scholarships to 14 seniors

West Springfield High School senior Fernanda Justiniano-Rivero fought back tears as she thanked her mother for everything. “She worked three jobs, barely raised me, would come home and be so tired,” Justiniano-Rivero said. “But she still would bring me gifts, ask me if I did my homework. I used to pretend we would travel the world and it be just us, I would live in a fairy tale.”

Mount Vernon Brief: McKenna Administrative Investigation Ongoing

The administrative investigation of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputies involved with the Feb. 8, 2015 in-custody death of 37-year-old Natasha McKenna is still ongoing, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Captain Steve Elbert said.

Police to Continue Improving Transparency

Public Safety Committee reviews recommendations for police use of force and communications; vote scheduled for June 21.

Fairfax County Supervisors and the Public Safety Committee met Tuesday May 10 to review police use of force and communications policy recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

Fairfax County: Training to Reverse an Overdose

In 30 to 45 seconds, a single dose of the drug Naloxone can be the difference in whether someone experiencing an opiate overdose lives or dies.

Fairfax County: Shining a Light on Addiction and Overdose

Herrity’s Town Hall addresses heroin and prescription drug abuse in Fairfax County.

South Lakes High School and George Mason University graduate Ginny Lovitt lost her brother Chris to a heroin overdose. He was 21 and had been discharged from the Sagebrush Treatment Center of Northern Virginia just a week before, in January of 2013. His tolerance was down.

Mount Vernon: Fort Hunt Little League hosts first Challenger game

Children with mental and physical disabilities were able to take the field April 30 as the Fort Hunt Little League hosted its first “Challenger” baseball game at Hollin Hall fields.

Fairfax County Fire Chief Moves to Address Department Cyberbullying

After the suicide of Fairfax County firefighter-paramedic Nicole Mittendorff and suspected cyberbullying of the 31-year-old that came to light after her death, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue is cracking down on workplace harassment, bullying and discrimination.

Fairfax County 2017-2018 School Year to Begin Before Labor Day

Fairfax County Public Schools delaying their start date until after Labor Day will be a thing of the past. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the School Board decided classes will begin one week before Labor Day, rather than immediately following it, as has been the tradition.

Mount Vernon: Projects Reshaping the Area

Include commercial, residential and historic.

The Huntington Club Condominium Association is reviewing developer bids for a new mixed-use project that would include 1,200 to 1,800 housing units, 600,000 to 1 million square-feet of office space and 127,000 square-feet of retail space.

Mount Vernon: Burgundy School Celebrates 70th Anniversary on Earth Day

Sickles and Burgundy alum Krizek read proclamation.

Clumps of students, from kindergarteners to eighth-graders, gradually emerged from the woods to fill up a scenic outdoor amphitheater that serves as the Burgundy Farm Country Day School’s assembly hall. They gathered on April 22 to celebrate Earth Day and the school’s 70th anniversary.

Mount Vernon: Woman Charged with Murder

Fairfax County Police have charged Jessica R. Deneal-Whalen, 27, of Alexandria with second-degree murder of 51-year-old Raymond A. White, of no fixed address.

Fairfax Station: Fourth annual Fragile X walk raises $55,000 for molecular bank for research

Jimi Grande of Fairfax Station may never get to teach his ten-year-old son Jimmo to throw a baseball. Jimmo was born with effects from an inherited genetic mutation called Fragile X that can cause moderate to severe mental impairment and learning disabilities, and is linked to autism spectrum disorder.

Fairfax County: Chief Investigating Cyberbullying of Dead Female Firefighter

Search for Nicole Mittendorff called off after police “preliminarily identify” female remains, find suicide note found in her abandoned vehicle.

The search for Nicole Mittendorff, a paramedic-firefighter based at Fire Station 32 in Fairfax Station, has been suspended, a release from Virginia State Police said on Thursday, April 21.

Mount Vernon: Embark Richmond Highway Community Meeting Set for May 9

“Embark Richmond Highway” is the long-term project for expanding and diversifying transportation and development along the Richmond Highway Corridor. It resulted from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) study of Route 1 transportation needs, the recommendations from which Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed 11 months ago.

Clifton and Fairfax Station: Garden Club Member Receives Award of Honor

At a recent award ceremony at George Washington’s River Farm in Alexandria, Dominion Valley Garden Club member Millicent “Millie” Rever of Fairfax Station received the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Award of Honor.

Fairfax County: Supervisors Approve 4-Cent Tax Rate Increase

The gap between the Fairfax County School Board and total county budgets is a formality away from being the smallest since before Jan. 7 when FCPS Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza announced she wouldn’t be making any additional cuts in her $2.67 billion Fiscal Year 2017 budget.

Mount Vernon: Marking Placement of Final Beam

Inova Mount Vernon Hospital CEO Deborah Addo joined other guests, donors, hospital employees and community members April 19 to sign the final steel beam going into the new Veatch Family Emergency Department.

Fairfax County: Torres Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter of John Geer

Former Police officer faced murder charges for 2013 shooting

It was over before it began. Neither prosecution nor defense gave opening statements in former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres’ trial for the August 2013 murder of Springfield resident John Geer. Instead on Monday, April 18, Torres pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter for the August 2013 incident.

Mount Vernon Gala: Neighborhood Gala To Benefit Hollin Meadows STEM

With the sizeable rift between the Fairfax County Public Schools adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2017 and the advertised transfer from the Board of Supervisors still looming, parents and community supporters of Hollin Meadows Elementary hope to protect their school’s highly valued STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and outdoor garden programs.

Mount Vernon: Neighborhood Gala To Benefit Hollin Meadows STEM