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Good Weather for a Car Wash

Boy Scout Troop #1509 held a car wash fundraiser at St. Luke’s Church on Saturday, May 26 to benefit the Scout troop and contribute funds for a summer Maine adventure trip. Adult leaders are, left in uniform, John Dacey and, far right not in uniform, Sylvain Richard.

Police Shoot Resident Brandishing Knife

Fairfax County Police shot a 61-year-old man who confronted them with a knife during the process of attempting to serve him with an arrest warrant for destruction of property. The wounded subject was “noncompliant,” according to the information provided by the police department. The shooting occurred at an apartment in the 5700 block of Old Mill Court on Monday, May 28. Four officers were involved in the incident.

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Need for Police Oversight Continues

Coalition reaffirms effort to establish Police Citizens Oversight Board.

Nicholas Beltrante’s effort to gain the support of the Board of Supervisors to create a Police Citizen Oversight Board would be, if his proposal is accepted, similar to the ones formed in other cities and counties in the U.S.

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A Commitment to Social Justice

Walker discusses her faith as a Unitarian Universalist.

“I consider myself a mystical humanist,” said the Rev. Kate Walker of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, where she has preached for almost four years. “I put a great deal of faith in the human spirit, intellect and heart, but I am also very open to the depths of mystery and all that I can’t explain. There is a sense of divinity and sacredness in this world that I engage with on a daily basis.”

Open House for Retiring Teachers

Waynewood Elementary School is having an open house on Monday, June 11, 4-7 p.m., in the gym, for retiring teachers Mary Wilson and Eileen Deaver. Friends, parents, and students (former and current) are invited to help celebrate Wilson’s and Deaver’s years of service to Waynewood School and the community.

Accidental Townhouse Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a townhouse fire Sunday, May 27, at approximately 10 p.m. in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County. The townhouse is located at 4311 Gypsy Court.

York, Rees Named District Lord and Lady

Diana York and James Rees have been nominated as Lord and Lady for the Mount Vernon District.

Cell Tower Proposal Rejected

Heritage Presbyterian Church has rejected a proposal from Milestone Communications to erect a tree monopole cell tower on its property in the Waynewood/Fort Hunt neighborhood. Heritage’s Session, its governing body which is comprised of 12 elders, met on May 23 to finalize its deliberations and vote on the issue. The proposal was voted down by a 10-2 margin.

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Daily Patrols Take to the Water

Memorial Day weekend launches boating season.

The warm holiday weekend brought the opening of boating season on the Potomac watershed and Fairfax County’s inland lakes and waterways.

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Horse Stable Could Be Closed to Protect Cemetery and Historic Plantation

Widening debate on Richmond Highway creates dilemma for Federal Highway Administration.

The hill where Woodlawn Baptist Church graveyard is located offers a commanding view of an area in the midst of drastic change.

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Community Services Budget Under Scrutiny

$8 Million budget hole threatens programs, public review underway.

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, which provides social services to thousands of the county’s most vulnerable residents and has come under fire for an $8 million budget shortfall, was given a temporary reprieve by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

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Greeting New ‘Fellow Americans’

Fairfax County hosts fourth annual naturalization ceremony.

"My fellow Americans," U.S. Rep Gerry Connolly (D-11) said with gravitas, pausing to let the meaning sink in. And when it did, 75 immigrants - from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan - who had just raised their right hand and taken the Oath of Allegiance to become American citizens, erupted with applause and tears, waving American flags and hugging family members. They were gathered at the Fairfax County Government Center Friday, May 25, for the county’s fourth annual naturalization ceremony.

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At Home At River Farm

Supporters of Mout Vernon At Home gathered Thursday, May 17 at George Washington’s River Farm.

Effort for Off-leash Dog Park Advances

Planning Commission to vote on issue May 31.

The majority of residents who testified on May 17 before the Planning Commission supported the designation of Westgrove Park as the site of an Off Leash Dog Park (OLDA), according to county staff.

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Foundation Dedicates Fisher House at Fort Belvoir

Facility serves families of wounded warriors.

Fisher House, a temporary home for families of those wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan, and others was gifted to the U.S. Army in a dedication ceremony Tuesday morning, May 22, and attended by active and retired military, hospital staff, Pentagon leadership, and several military and civilian notables, including Medal of Honor recipient Retired Colonel Harry C. Barnum, Jr., U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Lloyd Austin, III, and Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital Commander Colonel Susan Annicelli.