Mount Vernon: West Potomac Earns First Win Over TC Since 2009
Somuah’s two goals lead Wolverines past Titans.
The West Potomac boys' soccer team defeated T.C. Williams 3-1 on Monday.
Send in Mother's Day Photos to the Connection
Mother’s Day is May 8 this year and as usual every year at this time, this newspaper calls for submissions to our Mother’s Day photo gallery.
Editorial: Move Forward with Independent Oversight
While FCPD has embraced many critical changes, supervisors need to move forward with oversight.
Last week, the Fairfax County Police Department posted a list and progress report of 202 recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, each currently labeled as one of: implemented, in progress or under review.
First Responders Honored at 38th Annual Valor Awards
‘Ready for All Emergencies’
Technician Ryland Chapman and Lieutenant Lawrence Mullin with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were preparing to return home from a deployment with Virginia Task Force 1 to earthquake-rocked Kathmandu, Nepal when another quake sent them back out for duty.
Alexandria Appetite: From Sauces to Spices, She Peppers Packs a Punch
Two-woman team of pepper purveyors is expanding its farmer’s market reach — and gaining shelf space in stores.
Many of Alexandria’s gardeners are just beginning to put their spring vegetables in the ground, last-minute frost be darned. But for Stephanie Freeman and Vickie Lucas, the business of peppers is a year-round affair. Instead of waiting until April to till the soil, they’ve been awaiting the beginning of farmer’s market season — and the expansion of their sauce-and-spice business, She Peppers.
Lawmakers Wrap-up Richmond Legislative Session
Unspent TANF grant money, prisoner rights among social issues discussed.
On average, low income families in Virginia who are eligible and sign up for funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant receive $269 monthly and are cut off after five years. But lawmakers say there’s a lot more unexpended money available in the federal grant that, if it remains unused, could one day be taken back.
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: April 1-10
Entertainment
Events in Alexandria and Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon Snapshot: Compassionate
“What would you do with $100?” When asked this question at his Belle View Elementary School, 7-year-old Steve Guch of Alexandria said he would “give all of the money to charity." His father was so impressed by his answer that he gave his son $100 and offered to match the donation. Steve decided to give the money to United Community Ministries (UCM) for families and children in need. Dropping off their donations at UCM on March 4 are (from left) Ian Guch with son Steve, and Herb Lea, UCM director of Business Operations.
Mount Vernon Snapshot: Clearing English Ivy
Thirteen volunteers, including five teenagers, cut English ivy from the large oak trees in McCutcheon Park on March 19.
Mount Vernon: Good Shepherd Housing To Honor Jackson
Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services will honor Alphonso Jackson, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with its inaugural Public Service Award at the annual Transforming Lives Gala on Saturday, April 9. The award honors public officials for outstanding and impactful public service actions that have furthered the mission of Good Shepherd Housing in combating homelessness and improving the lives of people in need.
Mount Vernon Snapshot: Glean Easter Sunday
The Glean girls on Easter Sunday: Lydia, 12; Elizabeth, (10; Sarah Jane, 7; and Hannah Marie, 4.
Mount Vernon: Students Participate in Bank Day
Virginia high school seniors from eight schools across the area spent March 16 at Burke & Herbert Bank as part of Bank Day, a statewide effort sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) Education Foundation and the Virginia Bankers Association Leadership Division.
Mount Vernon Column: Proffer and Firearms Reforms
Commentary
In the past two weeks, I reviewed action on my legislation and the state budget. This column covers some of the major bills to pass the state legislature.
Mount Vernon Column: The Veto Update
Commentary
Rejoice! The season of Governor’s vetoes are upon us. With the Democrats picking up enough seats to sustain Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s vetoes, we are finally able to prevent some poorly-considered legislation from becoming law.
Mount Vernon and Springfield: Detectives Investigate Possible Stabbing Homicide
William G. Martines-Palma, 29, of Alexandria died after sustaining what Fairfax County Police said appeared to be a stabbing wound to his leg.
New decision-making training meant to alter how Fairfax County police officers approach use of force
Making decisions can be instinctual, from the gut. It can also be practical and informed, coming to the best judgement considering all variables. For police officers responding to calls where there might be a threat of violence to civilians and or themselves, their decision whether to use force and which type to neutralize the situation quickly must be a hybrid.
Editorial: Money to Treat Addiction, Mental Health Issues
Affordable Care Act could pay for help, better health for 100,000 uninsured people in Virginia with mental illness or addiction issues.
Poor people without health insurance in Virginia are being unnecessarily tortured, in some cases to death, by a General Assembly that refuses to expand Medicaid.
Commentary: Congress Must Act on the Growing Opioid Epidemic
Our nation is in the midst of an exploding opioid epidemic.
Commentary: Progress on Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations
Thoughtfulness and deliberation should not be construed as resistance or foot dragging.
A tremendous amount of progress has already taken place to implement many of these recommendations.
Fairfax Connector Considering Service Changes, Seeks Public Input
Fairfax Connector is proposing service changes for implementation in June 2016.