Commentary: Initiatives in the Legislature
Several of my bills are moving quickly in the General Assembly’s “short,” 45-day.
Commentary: On Krizek’s Agenda
The 2017 General Assembly is underway. This year is a “short session” and runs only 45 days, from Jan. 11 to Feb. 25.
Planning Affirms Murraygate Village in Mount Vernon
Five more units to stay.
Fairfax County’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority requested five more units for planned Murraygate Village, garden style apartments immediately west of the Mount Vernon Crossroads shopping center in the Hybla Valley area near Richmond Highway.
Fairfax County: Public hearing on yard waste bags follows premature administrative change
North Springfield resident Asher Grady has his leaf collecting down to a science. And with the mature trees around his quarter-acre lot, he needs to. Each fall, he said, he goes through between 60 and 80 bags of leaves, spending between eight and 12 hours to rake and bag them.
Mount Vernon Home Sales: December, 2016
In December, 2016, 95 homes sold between $1,695,000-$115,000 in the Mount Vernon area.
Mount Vernon Home Sales: December, 2016
Walt Whitman Principal Roger Vanderhye Dies
Previously spent 12 years as principal at Spring Hill Elementary in McLean.
Walt Whitman Middle School principal Roger Vanderhye, 60, died last week following complications from a recent surgery.
Senate Panel Kills Effort to Allow Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
Supporters say they’ll continue to press the issue, citing concerns over safety.
Undocumented immigrants in Virginia will not be getting a driver’s license anytime soon, although advocates for the idea say they will keep pressing lawmakers on the issue.
Online Virginia Lottery Sales? Don't Bet On It
House panel rejects bill that would allow for sale of lottery tickets over the internet.
A coalition of convenience store owners and religious conservatives worked to till an effort from the Virginia Lottery to allow for online gambling, thwarting an effort aimed at increasing sales among millennial gamblers. The bill, introduced by Del. Roxann Robinson (R-27), was defeated with an overwhelming vote by a House General Laws subcommittee Tuesday afternoon.
Fabric Place Basement Alexandria Grand Opening
Sponsored
Fabric Place Basement Alexandria celebrates their Grand Opening Saturday, January 21.
Let Horses Play Piano, Too
Horse Riding Lessons Allowed
Great Falls resident Kim Karanik navigated a three-and-a-half-year obstacle course to make riding activities and equestrian lessons more accessible and available to county children.
Lockard Channels Garza, Proposes $2.8 Billion FCPS Budget
FY2018 focuses on employee compensation and classroom resources.
Fairfax County Public Schools interim superintendent Steve Lockard is asking for $130.4 million more for the school system’s FY2018 operating budget than the previous year, a 4.9 percent increase, to a total of $2.8 billion.
Bicycle Advocacy Workshop in Springfield Feb. 4
Are you interested in making Fairfax County more bike-friendly?
Brewery Changes on Tap
Planning drafts zoning amendment.
There is increasing interest in Fairfax County in opening breweries for craft beer that might also serve beer and food.
Senate Panel Approves Crackdown on Internet Lenders in Virginia
Bill would subject unregulated loans to rules that apply to consumer-finance loans.
The Wild West of online lending is about to become a little tamer. That’s because a state Senate panel narrowly approved a bill that would subject internet loans to the same restrictions that currently exist for consumer finance loans, a move that would cramp the anything-goes culture of online loans in Virginia.
Planning for Summer Camp
Local camp fairs help families navigate the maze of summer camp offerings.
In an effort to confront religious intolerance, a group of local middle school students will attend a camp aimed at bringing together children from different religions and giving them the chance to come together, make new friendships, visit houses of worship, learn about other traditions and practice dialogue to confront Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism.
Opioid Treatment Service Jan. 17
Addiction Help
As you are well aware, the heroin and opioid dependency problem is growing across the nation, the Commonwealth, and our community is not being spared. The CSB has adjusted resources to help meet this critical demand for people seeking treatment; a new program begins soon. We need your help spreading the word about it. The CSB is holding an open forum for anyone who is seeking help for a loved one or knows of someone who might need help.
‘Elf, Jr.:’ A Story of Transformation at Aldersgate Church Community Theater
Family-friendly children's story is based on a movie and a Broadway show.
With a cast of 42 children, the Aldersgate Church Community Theater (ACCT) is staging "Elf, Jr.," based on the New Line Cinema hit, from Jan. 13 to Jan. 22.
Senators to Alexandria: Clean Up Your Act by 2020 or Lose State Funding
Lawmakers poo poo city efforts to flush raw sewage.
Members of the Virginia state Senate say they’re tired of hearing excuses about sewage from city officials in Alexandria, and they’re pushing ahead with a plan that one senator calls “the nuclear option.” This afternoon, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee approved a bill that sets a firm deadline for Alexandria to clean up its act — 2020. If city officials are unable to stop dumping more than 10 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River every year, Alexandria would lose all state appropriations until the problem is fixed.
Predatory Lenders Work Behind the Scenes to Avoid Regulation and Evade the Law
Campaign contributions and political connections used to sidestep crackdown.
Predatory Loans in the Crossfire: Lawmakers conflicted about how to handle high-interest loans.
A Son Recalls Frank Medico’s ‘Good Heart’
A Mount Vernon resident for more than 50 years, former representative to the Virginia House of Delegates Frank Medico died Dec. 30, 2016 at the age of 92.