Stories for July 2020

At the Crossroads

Lawmakers to slash the state budget and consider criminal-justice reforms.

The threadbare Franklin and Armfield office on Duke Street stands at the crossroads between racial injustice and economic crisis. It’s a ramshackle building now, but it was once the headquarters for the largest domestic slave trading firm in the United States, present at the creation of the systemic racism that plagues Virginia cops and courts. It’s also the city’s latest acquisition, and the state budget was to include $2.5 million to help transform it into the Freedom House Museum. But then the pandemic hit, and the governor hit the pause button on that line item as well as all the other spending priorities of the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

Fairfax County Pivots Back to Virtual Learning

Superintendent sought Board consensus.

Members of the Fairfax County School Board reached a consensus during its July 21 Work Session and accepted Superintendent Scott Brabrand's recommendation to begin the 2020-21 school year 100 percent virtually.

Terraced Garden Becomes a Natural Escape

Springfield backyard brings batches of beans, cucumbers and science lessons.

Garden Classroom

Virginia Adopts First-in-the-Nation Workplace Safety Standards for COVID-19 Pandemic

Gov. Ralph Northam announced statewide emergency workplace safety standards in response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Fairfax County Teachers Push for Virtual Start to School Year

Union says it is unrealistic to open school with a hybrid plan.

Two days after the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) July 15, 11:59 p.m. deadline passed for students, teachers and school based technology specialists (SBTS) to respond to two Instruction Options for the 2020-21 school year, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT, AFT 2401) sent a letter to FCPS officials urging them to switch to 100 percent virtual learning.

Opinion: Column: Growing Pains

After more than six months away from the infusion center, due to the treatment for my papillary thyroid cancer stage II, I make my return on Wednesday, July 22.

Discarded Electronic Equipment Helps Seniors in Need

Handheld devices keep the elderly in contact with healthcare providers, family and friends.

On a recent summer morning, a group of college students gathered in Chantilly to sort and sanitize handheld devices ranging from smartphones to tablets.

Fun Things to Do this Summer in Northern Virginia

.

National Artifact Loaned to Suffragist Memorial

Women’s Suffrage reaches Centennial in August.

Last month, the National Park Service (NPS) announced the planned loan of a historic section of iron fence, once used to protect the White House, to memorialize the first group of protestors to stand before it.

Fairfax House Fire Causes $90,000 Damage

Fire officials say an early morning fire last Saturday displaced six people and caused approximately $90,000 damage to a Fairfax home.

Monetary Donations Needed for Fairfax County Students’ School Supplies

More than 30 percent of all children in Fairfax County Public Schools are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Farmers Market Reopens in Burke

Vendors, customers look forward to Saturdays.

The sweltering Saturday of July 11 was the first of the weekly Burke Farmers Markets since December, where farmers, bakers and chefs came from all over Maryland and Virginia to sell their products.

Discarded PPE Litters Neighborhoods

Disposal of this essential equipment has not found its way into the trash cans in some cases.

PPE litter

Opinion: Commentary: Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys Voicing Support for Criminal Justice Reform

We are a group of Commonwealth’s Attorneys who represent and are responsible for the safety of over 40 percent of the population of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Opinion: Column: It's a Twofer

And not just Tuesday, either. All week in fact, I'll be waiting to hear the music.

Five Fairfax County Graduates Named 2020 National Merit Scholarship Winners

Five Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) graduates from the class of 2020 have been named winners of college-sponsored scholarships by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

Revolutionary Measures in Police Reform in Fairfax County

Calls to 911 could be dispatched differently from the start.

Only 40% of Fairfax County Police officers are currently trained in crisis intervention techniques.

Opinion: Commentary: A Teacher’s Take on the Reopening of Schools

I teach high school English in Fairfax County Public Schools. A number of teachers from across the county suggested I share the following concerns with the community about the plan for reopening schools next month.

Coalition Pleads for Removal of Fairfax County SROs

NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition proposes redirecting of funding to hire counselors.

"While schools' primary role is to serve as an institution for learning, it must also remain a suitable place for young people to mature and sometimes err, without being subjected to the unquestionably perilous path of the criminal justice system," wrote members of the NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition in a July 6 letter to Fairfax County Public Schools Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Randolph-Macon Academy Fully Opening for Fall 2020 Semester

Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia will open for on-campus operations for all students and staff for the Fall 2020 semester. All classes will be held in-person with full course schedules and teacher instruction.

A COVID-19 Summer Gives Time for Reading

From current events to mysteries, books can fill time and lead to lively family conversations.

During a recent 12-hour car ride to their summer home in Michigan, the Leland family finished two books, “Bridge To Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson and Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Enjoying the Weekend in Burke Lake Park

Over the Fourth of July weekend, many area residents visited Burke Lake Park to relax, have fun and celebrate Independence Day with friends and family.

Viewpoints: Should the Redskins change their name and do you have any suggestions for a new name if they do?

Viewpoints

Q&A on Back to School for Fairfax County

Superintendent takes questions at Virtual Town Hall.

FCPS hosted a virtual Town Hall Meeting on July 6, to answer questions about its two Return to School Plans: Full-time Online Instruction or In-Person Instruction with Social Distancing.

Send Photos for the Pet Connection

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish the last week of July, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by Thursday, July 23.

Data Proves Black People Treated Differently in Fairfax County

Arrests of Black people disproportional in every police district in the county.

Of all arrests made by police officers in the county, Black people are arrested 38.54 percent of the time. Black people are targets of police use of force 45.63 percent of the time in the county. Black people make up less than 10 percent of the population.

Opinion: Column: Questions and “Canswers”

"Very interesting," to quote Artie Johnson from "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," that "crazy-kooky" comedy show from the 70s.

A Summer Oasis

Pool house evolved into a space that incorporates the beauty of the outdoors into the interior design.

Transforming the expansive backyard into a summer oasis by designing a pool and adjacent pool house.

Opinion: Commentary: Preventing the Callous in Young Black America

Growing up in Birmingham, AL, I recall playing in the basement of 16th Street Baptist Church. The same church that was bombed in 1963 by the KKK, killing four young Black girls and injuring dozens.

Opinion: Commentary: Virginia State Legislature Will Vote on Policing Reforms

The events of the last 60 days have been troubling for America and our community.

Northern Virginia Parks Lure Vacation Campers

Low risk campgrounds open.

Though making safe vacation choices during the Covid-19 pandemic is challenging, area parks are ready to welcome vacationers with fresh air and de-stressing camping opportunities.

Hiking, Running, Walking

What are the young people doing in pandemic time?

During the months of isolation, many young adults have altered their lifestyles and picked up new hobbies.

Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus Police Reform and Criminal Justice Equity Plan

The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor has awoken Americans and Virginians to long standing problems in policing in America.

The Work of Bees, Birds and Butterflies Officially Recognized

National Pollinator Week notes the importance of pollination to the food chain.

Pollinator week