Mount Vernon Letter: Unconscionable Lack of Communication
Letter to the Editor
Recently the Virginia Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability, Inc. (CCPA), a Virginia nonprofit corporation, proposed that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appoint a Citizen Complaint Oversight Board, comprised of Fairfax County citizens who would accept and investigate citizen allegations of police abuse or misconduct and report its findings and recommendations to the Chief of Police or the Board of Supervisors.
Mount Vernon Column: Regional Gas Tax, Digital Divide, and Identity Protection
Commentary
The fifth week of the General Assembly Session brought some long days and nights as we rushed to complete work on bills before our mid-session deadline called “Crossover.”
Mount Vernon Column: About the Potomac Oil Spill
Commentary
Over the last several weeks, our area has been subjected to an oil spill fouling the Roaches Run waterfowl sanctuary and the Potomac River. Dominion Power claimed responsibility for a 13,500-gallon spill of mineral oil from the Crystal City substation, of which about 500 gallons contaminated the Potomac River. It is working with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and US Coast Guard to clean up the remaining oil.
Fairfax County: Parents, Community Supporters Rally to ‘Invest in Kids’
Emotional independent outbursts and communal chants of “Fund our schools” and “Invest in kids” echoed through the grand amphitheater just beyond the entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center.
Editorial: Freedom of Information on Life Support in General Assembly?
Last week, the Assembly passed SB 202, which undid a major push eight years ago to ensure that all of our public spending was ‘online’ and searchable by ordinary citizens. This, of course, meant disclosing the salaries of public employees over a certain income level.
Editorial: Fairfax Presses Ahead with Diversion First
When police encounter someone in mental health crisis, they can transport them to Merrifield Crisis Response Center instead of jail.
Natasha McKenna died a little more than a year ago on Feb. 7, 2015.
Diversion First Program Launched
Fairfax County officials announce Diversion First program designed to help individuals get treatment not jail time.
Kevin Earley said he’s living proof that Diversion First works. Earley has been living with bipolar disorder and had his last episode in 2007.
Uncovering the Roots of Slavery
Local student creates slave index to help descendants trace family history.
A local college student is spending much of her senior year scouring the last wills and testaments of residents of Northern Virginia.
ServiceSource Helps People with Disabilities
Nonprofit ServiceSource helps people with disabilities.
In one section of the ServiceSource Chantilly Center, music therapist Myra Goodrich leads a group of budding musicians playing a cheerful song.
Touching Many Hearts
Minecraft for a Mission – Touching Heart and their “Kids on a Mission” raise funds for children in foster care.
They say that charity begins at home. Helen Yi and Taylor, the mother and daughter co-founders of Touching Heart, a nonprofit aimed at educating and inspiring children to empathize with the needs of others and to take action to assist them, have no argument with that statement.
‘Star Wars’ Fans Flock to Local Classes
Movie's popularity leaves fans wanting to feel "The Force."
Beams of neon light flash around a dark room. Young Star Wars fans from a galaxy not so far away wield light sabers and move with carefully choreographed steps.
Time To Plan for Kids’ Summer Camp Adventures
Local camp fair offers sampling of summer programs.
Under a blanket of February frost, summer might seem light years away, but it’s closer than one might think.
West Potomac Dominates Early in Win Over South County
Wolverines improve to 9-1 in last 10 games, sit in 2nd place.
The West Potomac boys' basketball team defeated South County 59-45 on Friday.
Mount Vernon Letter: Legalized Extortion
Letter to the Editor
Thank goodness we have the Dillon Rule in Virginia. That rule precludes localities such as cities and counties from taking any actions not specifically authorized by the state legislature. The House of Delegates and State Senate have both passed Bills (HB 770 and SB 549, respectively) the intention of which is to place limitations on the ability of localities to extract unreasonable proffers from property developers.
Mount Vernon Letter: Beware of Scam Artists
Letter to the Editor
Beware of IRS impersonation scammers. I received a telephone call in mid January 2016 that IRS was filing a suit against me and to call a call back number provided for more details.
Mount Vernon Column: Coal Ash Bill Fails, Other Bills Move Forward
Commentary
As we move towards the midpoint of the General Assembly Session called “Crossover,” we are required to finish work on all bills in our respective chambers. Things are picking up in Richmond.
Mount Vernon Column: State Should Pursue Education Initiatives
Commentary
Having grown up in the Fairfax County Public School system and with a daughter at West Potomac High School, ensuring Fairfax County students receive the highest quality education is a top priority of mine. Education is an investment that we make in our children to ensure that they are given the tools and opportunities to live up to their potential. We are fortunate to live in an area with a school system that is recognized for its excellence.
Mount Vernon Brief: ‘Stuff the Bus’ Benefits Koinonia Foundation
Fairfax County is promoting its annual "Stuff the Bus: Helping Fairfax Families" program through Feb. 15.
Mount Vernon Brief: Dental Office To Give Away Free Smile Makeover
Doctors Jimani Mwendo and Mike Nguyen and the team at Neibauer Dental Care – Fort Belvoir, 8626 Richmond Highway, are giving away one free smile makeover as part of My Free Smile.
Mount Vernon: Clinton, Kaine Win Straw Poll
Fresh off her victory in the Iowa caucuses, Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton scored another win for the party’s nomination at the first northern Virginia Democratic Straw Poll of 2016, held Feb. 6 at Don Beyer Volvo on Richmond Highway.