USDA’s Free Summer Meal Services Ending
Where to turn? New USDA program SUN Bucks and local help available.
Where to turn? New USDA program SUN Bucks and local help available.
Virginia’s Tax-Free Sales Holiday August 2-4
Hurricane preparedness, school supply and certain energy saving products and more eligible.
Hurricane preparedness, school supply and certain energy saving products and more eligible.
Fairfax County Awarded $50.5 Million for New Low-Emission Buses
Federal grant paves the way.
Federal grant paves the way.
12.5 Percent Fare Hike Hits Fairfax Connector Riders July 29
Not small change, given increased consumer costs and decreased dollar buying power.
Not small change, given increased consumer costs and decreased dollar buying power.
Supervisors Defer Decision on Data Center Zoning
Public hearing confirms, ‘The devil is in the details.’
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 10-0 to defer their decision on a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment regarding data centers until their July 30 regular meeting. This unexpected move occurred late Tuesday evening, July 16, after a staff presentation, Q&A between the board and staff, and four-and-a-half hours of public testimony. The record would still be open for written testimony.
School Board Changes Boundary Policy
Changes to boundary policy emphasize capacity, removes concern for impact on students.
Poised to observe its annual summer recess from July 19 to Aug. 19, 2024, during its meeting on the evening of July 18, the Fairfax School Board voted 9 to 2 on the main motion that the School Board amend Policy 8130 on Local School Boundaries, Program Assignments, and School Closings, as amended and detailed in the agenda item attachment.
National eCYBERMISSION Competition Winners Hail from Fairfax County
Status update local STEM-In-Action Grant recipient team, the biodegradable and affordable diaper.
Status update local STEM-In-Action Grant recipient team, the biodegradable and affordable diaper.
Good Shepherd Housing School Supply Drive Underway
Monetary donations are also crucial.
The Good Shepherd Housing School Supply Drive is underway, a crucial initiative that will directly impact the lives of children in need. The nonprofit organization is collecting backpacks and school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year and would like to receive all donations by Aug. 1.
Low-flow Level on Potomac River Kicks off Monitoring.
Low-flow Level on Potomac River Kicks off Monitoring.
Virginia League of Conservation Voters 2024 General Assembly Conservation Scorecard Released
Fairfax’s state legislators sweep the Scorecard’s honor roll.
Of the 22 elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly who represent all, or a portion of, the citizens of Fairfax County, 19 achieved a perfect score of 100 percent, earning the honorary title of "Legislative Hero” from the Virginia LCV. The remaining three achieved a near-perfect score of 95 percent, earning them the title of "2024 Legislative Leader."
Highlights of Virginia LCV’s Scored Legislation Patroned by Lawmakers of the Fairfax County Delegation to the General Assembly
LCV’s positions and governor’s actions.
Gov. Youngkin vetoed 201 bills in 2024, including bipartisan environmental protection legislation. Virginia LCV classified scored legislation into five categories: energy and climate, good government, land conservation, land use and transportation, and water quality. Virginia LCV provided its position, whether supporting or opposing the bills, and compared such against Gov. Youngkin’s actions, whether he signed the bills into law or vetoed them.
Sheriff’s Office, ICE Square Off
Springfield rapist of Herndon child sentenced; found to possess child sexual abuse material says U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A June 27 press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia, reported that a “Honduran national who raped a 13-year-old victim was sentenced to five years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and assaulting a federal officer.”
Community News at a Glance
News Briefs
Schools: Community News at a Glance
School Board To Update School Boundary Policy Later This Month
Schools
Winners of A. Heath Onthank Award
Three employees receive the county’s highest government honor award.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Tajweer Beaufort, Leila Gordon, and Kim Young with the A. Heath Onthank Award, the highest government employee honor.
School Board To Update School Boundary Policy Later This Month
The Fairfax County School Board scheduled action to amend Policy 8130 on adjusting school boundaries at its meeting on July 18, 2024. The revised draft policy, Policy 8130.8, is subject to updates. Updated policy will focus more on capacity, staff discussions indicate.
COMMUNITY NEWS AT A GLANCE
County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.
County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.
StarKist, Cornerstones and Feed the Children Partner to End Hunger
2024 Summer Food and Resource Rally
On June 6, Cornerstones, StarKist, and Feed the Children gathered for the third annual summer food and resource rally at Cornerstones Food Rescue Empowerment Enterprise in Sterling. Three Fairfax County nonprofits — LINK Against Hunger, South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry, and Fellowship Square — and two in the Dulles corridor, Dulles South Food Pantry and Community Lodgings, participated.
Governor Says Virginia Is Exiting Clean Car Commitment
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has no interest in a roadmap to a zero-emission future for vehicles in Virginia. Youngkin cites Attorney General Jason Miyares’ official opinion, which "confirms that Virginians are no longer legally bound to follow the emission standards of California.”
Unremitting Data Center Demand Pushes County to Act
Balancing an economy that can’t happen without data centers with homeowners’ rights and quality of life.
The relentless march of data center growth in Northern Virginia has reached a reported 70 percent of the total number of data centers on our planet.
Team Storck Volunteers at Food Pantry & Two Local Students Compete in Scripps Spelling Bee 2024
Team Storck Volunteers at Food Pantry.
Police Reform Recommendations Sit on a Shelf
Inaction by Supervisors compounded by FCPD stalling on life-saving measures.
Police reform
Are Supervisors Leaving Police Reform Efforts to Languish?
Stymied by FCPD, ‘We need the board to act.”
Police Reform
National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil
National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil
Homelessness Point-in-Time Count 2024
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee's regional point-in-time counts are a "limited and imperfect perspective."
Pay Increase Goes from 6% to 3% for All FCPS Staff
Last-ditch attempt for 5% raises for teachers, support staff.
On Thursday, May 23, Mateo Dunne, the Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board, launched an effort to amend the superintendent’s proposed FY 2025 Approved Budget.
School Board Hearing on Budget Poorly Attended
Why didn’t more people testify?
Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District representative) welcomed the six people who testified Tuesday evening, May 14, at the Fairfax County School Board Public Hearing on the budget. The time between the first speaker, Nancy Trainer, starting her testimony, and Arthur Purves, the sixth speaker, ending his testimony was approximately sixteen minutes.
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
‘Addictive Cell Phone Usage’
Fairfax County School Board spurred to action on student cell phone use
Cell phones
Stop for Pedestrians in Fairfax County Crosswalks
Supervisors adopt ordinance amending county code to stop, not just yield.
Yield
Honoring Fairfax County Retiree Charles Smith
In January of 2024, Charles Smith retired as Watershed Project Implementation Branch Chief. In this role, he led a team responsible for designing, constructing, and monitoring water quality improvement projects.
Supervisors Adopt Budget Plan: Tax Rate Increase.
Challenges, needs, and the reality that the county cannot do it alone.
Tax increase
Seven Years Later, Still No Herndon Downtown Redevelopment
Comstock’s 2-year construction pause expired on April 30.
On April 24, a town spokesperson told The Connection that Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton would update the Town Council during its April 30 Work Session on how “the town and Comstock are working together to determine next steps.”
No Hold Comments by Chairman and Supervisors
Budget, lack of state funding; Animal Protection Police or Animal Control Officers?
Budget
Valor Awards Honor 230 First Responders
On Thursday, April 11, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce honored first responders at the 46th Annual Fairfax County Valor Awards.
It’s Going to Cost More To Do More
Public Hearings on the tax rate and sewer rate.
Due to rising service demands and challenges in funding them, Fairfax County faces significant challenges addressing its FY 2025 advertised budget of $3.8 billion
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Johnson v. Grants Pass. on April 22, 2024 with consequences for people experiencing homelessness.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
Many Needs in Schools, County
Testimony will highlight priorities for spending.
On Thursday, April 18, home care workers, public service workers, allies, and community members planned to join airport workers, elected officials, and candidates for Congress for a march and rally at Dulles Airport in support of access to affordable health care and paid sick leave for airport service workers.
Inova Schar Cancer Institute Reaches 5th Anniversary
Interview with John Deeken, MD, institute president
Inova Schar Institute
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Problems with data; police Encounters; shelter and housing.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
Community News at a Glance
Partial solar eclipse to a deflating tennis bubble.
Community News at a Glance
FCPS Explains Opt-Out Notification for Holocaust Speaker
FCPS and Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington share insights.
FCPS opt-out
FCPS Pride Rally Mobilizes Leaders Against Lawsuit
Will FCPS continue to be safe for LGBTQIA+ students?
Pride
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