Thursday, June 30
Lorton: No Suspects Named as Police Investigate River Drive Homicide
In a June 20 update release, Fairfax County Police said detectives are continuing to investigate the March 11, 2016 murder of Johan De Leede.
Lorton: Fireworks Set to Explode over Workhouse Arts Center Again July 2
A fireworks display will once again be the highlight of a Fourth of July weekend evening program at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.
Fairfax County: Former Police Officer Torres sentenced to 12 months for killing John Geer
Torres released five days following sentencing due to time already served
For the first time in its three-quarters of a century in existence, a Fairfax County Police officer has been convicted and sentenced after an officer-involved shooting death.
Wednesday, June 29
Lorton and Springfield: Metropolitan School of Arts Honors First Graduating Class
Metropolitan School of Arts Honors First Graduating Class
“We’re overjoyed to see these successful graduates go on to some of the most elite college programs, as well as achieving academic scholarships,” said Melissa Dobbs, founder and president of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria.
Area Roundups
Area happenings
Fairfax County Public Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program
The Fairfax County Public Library began its Summer Reading Challenge on June 23, with this year’s theme being “Read for the Win.”
Fairfax County: Torres Walks Free
Former police officer released five days after sentencing for killing John Geer
Former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres walked free Wednesday morning, June 29.
Tuesday, June 28
Letter: Gross Misreading of the Second Amendment
To the Editor
This is in response to U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly's opinion piece titled "Stem Gun Violence Epidemic" (The Connection, June 22-28).
Pet Connection and Connection Families
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 27, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 17.
Editorial: Getting Home Safely on Independence Day
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Hope in the Fight Against Drug Dependency
Meeting highlights battles in every neighborhood.
Fairfax County experiences heroin overdoses every day, according to county officials. To help raise awareness, a second county-wide Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Town Hall was held June 14 at Centreville High School.
Monday, June 27
Online Classes Offer Flexible Options for Earning Credentials Outside the Classroom
Interested in learning to landscape your yard using sustainable practices?
Tips for Memorable Family Vacations
As summer gets underway, vacation-bound families are packing their bags and heading out of town. Vacations often fly by — months of planning and anticipating can be over in the blink of an eye. With a little advanced planning and forethought, however, even a quick weekend trip or a visit to relatives can become meaningful and memorable.
Friday, June 24
Weekend Fun: June 24-26
Weekend fun in the area.
Thursday, June 23
Fairfax Station, Lorton: More than 500 graduate from South County High School on June 21
South County High School senior class president Taylor Berry lamented in her commencement address that little did she and her classmates know their secondary education would go by so quickly.
Burke, Fairfax Station: Robinson Holds Graduation June 15
The students may have been graduating, but their principal assigned one more book for them to read. Robinson Secondary’s Matt Eline sent each 2016 graduate on their way with a copy of Brian Tracy’s “Achieve Any Goal.” He made goals the theme of his address to the young adults on June 15 at George Mason’s Eagle Bank Arena.
Wednesday, June 22
Supervisors Endorse Police ‘Re-engineering’
Action items approved include use of force and communications recommendations from Ad Hoc commission.
The possibility of body cameras being worn by Fairfax County Police officers and the release of officers’ names involved with critical use of force incidents dominated discussion during two action items in the Board of Supervisors June 21 meeting.
Tuesday, June 21
Commentary: Congress Must Act to Stem Gun Violence Epidemic
Last week, America woke to what has become an all-too-common nightmare. A man driven by hate and armed with assault weapons carried out our nation’s worst mass shooting.
Free Independence Day Cab Rides Offered
Preparing to combat that U.S. holiday when, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 41 percent of all U.S. traffic deaths involve drunk drivers, free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area on Independence Day, July 4.
Friday, June 17
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: May, 2016
In May, 2016, 87 homes sold between $1,217,500-$132,000 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.
Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: May, 2016
Thursday, June 16
Natasha McKenna’s Mother Files $15 Million Wrongful Death Suit
Woman with mental illness died after being tased while in Sheriff’s custody.
Natasha McKenna’s mother is seeking more than $15 million in a wrongful death and gross negligence suit filed against Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and five deputies.
Fairfax County Retired Educators award scholarships to aspiring teachers
Springfield resident Paul Naanou is determined to be in front of a classroom. The rising senior at the College of William and Mary and 2013 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has been a math and science instructor for Fairfax Collegiate over the last two summers.
Ten U.S. Air Force Band Conductors Assemble for 75th Anniversary Reunion Concert in Fairfax
The U.S. Air Force Band celebrated its 75th anniversary with a reunion concert on June 11 at the George Mason Center for the Arts.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Added to Fairfax County Student Handbook
School Board members debate whether students should be held accountable.
Students in Fairfax County Public Schools started the 2015-2016 school year without the words “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” as part of the nondiscrimination guide within their student handbook.
Area Roundups
Weekly happenings in your area.
Burke: Robinson Girls' Lax Repeats as State Champion
Rams finish undefeated season with victory over Woodson.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team finished an undefeated season with a state championship.
Burke: Robinson Boys' Lax Wins Third Straight State Championship
Rams beat James River in 6A state final.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team beat James River in the 6A state championship game.
Wednesday, June 15
Classified Advertising June 15, 2016
Read the lastest ads here!
Editorial: Support for Police in Reforms
Police commission recommendations come to Board of Supervisors for approval, implementation.
In some ways, the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, brainchild of Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, was a bit of a miracle.
Tuesday, June 14
Leadership Fairfax Honors 2016 Graduates
The Pavilion at Reston Town Center was a most fitting venue for the graduation ceremony of the 2016 classes of the non-profit Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI).
Considering Private School?
Small steps this summer can minimize stress of application process.
The school year has just come to an end … which means it’s the ideal time to prepare to apply to leading independent schools.
2016 Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees Selected
Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. named the 2016 Lords and Ladies Fairfax at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 7 at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Saturday, June 11
State Tournament Roundup
W-L boys' soccer, Robinson girls', boys' lax among teams competing for titles.
The 6A state championships are being held today at Robinson and Lake Braddock.
Thursday, June 9
Mount Vernon, Springfield: McAuliffe Announces Site for New Puller Veterans Care Center
120-bed facility to be built in Fauquier County.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said he’s working on making Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in America. Though the Commonwealth, he said, is the first and only one to have “functionally ended veteran homelessness,” it still has one of the lowest ratios of available care centers to number of veterans in the country.
Springfield Days' Petfest 2016 at South Run RECenter in Fairfax Station
Diane Roadcap of Springfield wants people to understand that animals are spiritual beings. Ever since she was a girl of five and felt drawn to a box at the local dump in Luray that contained a dog duct-taped to the inside, doomed to be incinerated, she says she’s had the gift of being able to translate for animals.
Relay for Life Brings Community Together
Participants walked laps at Workhouse Arts Center in support of a cure for cancer.
Wednesday, June 8
Area Crime Reports
Area crime reports
Octagonal Dream Home on the Market
Home's shape and large windows make it a sun-drenched space.
It was during a trip to California almost 20 years that McLean resident Susan Jordano first laid eyes on her dream home.
Burke: Frosh Connolly Helps Robinson Boys’ Lax Reach State Final
Rams beat Colonial Forge, will try for third straight state title.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Colonial Forge on Friday in the state semifinals.
Burke: Defense Key as Robinson Girls’ Lax Clinches Trip to State Final
Skrzypczak, Kluegel lead Rams back to state title game.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team is headed back to the state final.
Classified Advertising June 8, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, June 2
Fairfax County: High School Senior Addresses School Board on LGBT Issues
Board conducting community review of Family Life Education curriculum recommendations.
Bennett Shoop remembers first being bullied in second grade. He liked to dress all in black, wear weird shirts, be alternative in his outward expression.
Fairfax and Fairfax Station: VFW 8469 and American Legion 177 hold Memorial Day ceremony
Aaron Coffin of Fairfax is proud to say “Happy Memorial Day.” Some people say the national holiday to honor fallen soldiers should be sullen, reflective affair. But the ten-year Army veteran said he wouldn’t want it that way. Nor would anyone he’s served with.
Fairfax Station: Saint Mary of Sorrows Honors Dead American and Irish Veterans
Perched on a hill, the stately white St. Mary’s church overlooks Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Highlighting the cemetery’s 400 or so graves, some dating back to the time of the Roman Catholic church’s first mass in 1860, are American and Irish national flags placed on Memorial Day.
Fairfax County: School Board Adopts $2.7 Billion Budget
FY 2017 budget aims to raise teacher salaries, lower class sizes.
The Fairfax County School Board has made good on Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza’s promise when she introduced a FY 2017 budget for the school system.
Wednesday, June 1
Vienna: Joel’s Story
After foster care experience: Architecting his own path.
Joel was taken into foster care when he was a high school junior, after reporting to a coach what was going on at home. Schools are “mandatory reporters,” and, as such, they are legally compelled to call social services in a case like Joel’s.
Classified Advertising June 1 , 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Burke: Robinson Boys’ Lax Wins Region Championship
Rams come from behind twice to beat Woodson.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Woodson 15-14 in overtime on Tuesday to win the 6A North region title.
Dan, Katie Checkosky Make Best of Awkward Situation
Robinson girls’ lax beats Woodson to win region title.
Woodson Director of Student Activities supported the Cavaliers and his daughter --- Robinson junior Katie Checkosky --- on Tuesday.
Staying Safe This Summer
Tips and precautions for avoiding warm-weather hazards.
The start of summer means pools and backyard grilling. It also means an increased risk of accidents and injuries.