Stories for June 2023

Wednesday, June 28

‘A Living Legacy that Springs from the Dirt’

Bishop Fuller encourages unity and reconciliation.

Juneteenth ceremony

Herndon Town Council Reverses Historic District Review Board

Code allows for appeal.

725 Elden Street positioned for demolition.

StarKist, Cornerstones, and Feed the Children Join to Meet the Needs

Truck delivers $100,000 in food and other necessities.

Cornerstones/Starkist feed the children

In 1775, a Church Where Black & White Could Worship Together

Bull Run Regional Park’s emancipation history is honored.

On Juneteenth, No Man Should Own Another

A Few Restaurants to See the Fireworks

Restaurants to see the Fireworks on the River

Timed Entry for Freedom House Museum

On Recent Incidents of Hate Speech

Juneteenth

City commemorates the end of slavery.

“We want people to know and really understand that Juneteenth is an important thing to celebrate.” — Tamara Williams, Washington Revels Executive Director

Anchors Aweigh

John Warner honored with Maritime Center dedication.

“We found a perfect namesake for this center in John Warner.” — Mayor Justin Wilson

Anchors Aweigh

John Warner honored with Maritime Center dedication.

“We found a perfect namesake for this center in John Warner.” — Mayor Justin Wilson

Election Results for GFCA Officers and Directors

GFCA Election Results

My name is John Franklin and life sometimes throws you a curve ball. Since Mental Health Awareness Month finished recently and now that baseball season is in full swing, I thought this would be a good time to introduce myself since both of these have affected my life.

Colorful Planter Beds Planned for Town of Vienna

Residents can view and discuss plans on June 29.

New flowers for Vienna

Third Annual Liberty Amendments Month Begins June 17

Third Annual Liberty Amendments Month

Historic Contract for Arlington Firefighters

Tuesday, June 27

PERF: FCPD Lacked Crisis, Decision Making Training

5 of 7 police shooting incidents involved mental health crises, but training for such situations has been lacking for years.

Police training

Basic Rules of Flag Etiquette

Flag etiquette

Wednesday, June 21

Less Lethal Shotguns: They Shoot Beanbags

Police

18 New Police Officers; 15 New Sheriff’s Deputies

City of Alexandria Police Department and Sheriff’s Office announce the graduation of 18 police officers and 15 sheriff’s deputies from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy on Friday, June 16, 2023.

Eviction Nears Crisis Levels in City of Alexandria

Relief funds have run out, and legal protections are slim.

Passion to Help People in Need

Sen. Mark Warner visits WFCM’s food pantry in Chantilly.

Nonprofit Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) serves 4,500 residents in nine western Fairfax County ZIP codes. With the community’s support, in FY 22 it provided nearly 1 million pounds of food, equal to more than 458,745 meals.

Election Outcomes Do Matter

The outcomes of the many party primaries from yesterday are not known as I write this column. Without any vote counts known to me, I can state with certainty that the Virginia General Assembly will not be the same. With retirements of many of the most senior members including myself and with challengers taking on many more incumbents than I can ever remember before, there will be a new cast of citizens running in the general election this November to become our citizen legislators.

Women's Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund Breaks Fundraising Records

All-volunteer organization raises $100,000; learn how.

The Women's Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund reached new fundraising heights last month. The organization's spring fundraiser, Miami Vice, raised over $100,000, shattering previous records. As the board and the event committee put in many hours of preparation. They raised $53,000 more than they did the year before.

Action Deferred on Reston Comp Plan Study

Public hearing testimony fraught with details, one-offs and major issues.

When the Fairfax County Planning Commission convened for its meeting on Wednesday, June 14, it granted unanimous approval to defer action on the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study application PA 2020-III-UP1 Hunter Mill, until June 28. Additionally, the commission approved keeping the record open for written comments through June 28.

Roundups

Chantilly Receive Cappies Awards Sully Governmental Center Celebrates 20 Years

Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Reston

A 37-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash in the evening of Friday, June 16 in Reston.

Early Voting

Voters at West Springfield Government Center

Police: Driver Going Over 100 mph Prior to Fatal Crash

The driver of the 2016 Honda Accord involved in a two-vehicle fatal crash on April 21 has turned himself in and is now facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

3 Displaced in Belle Haven Fire, 2 Pets Deceased

On Friday, June 9, at 8:31 p.m., units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched for a house ﬁre in the 2300 blk of Windsor Road in the Belle Haven area of Fairfax County.

Racial Equity Toolkit for School Board

To the Editor: Our city government has hailed the recent introduction of the Racial Equity Toolkit to “promote racial equity” and “enhance marginalized communities” in our city.

More Plant-based Food Products

Local family owned establishments in Alexandria are listening to consumer demand for plant-based food products.

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial lights up the sky over Alexandria in recognition of Juneteenth

Build Your Own Rain Barrel

The City of Alexandria Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) Stormwater Management Division will host a Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street) on Saturday, July 8, from 2 – 4 p.m.

Throwing Shade in Virginia

Va. Forestry urges gardeners to give native trees a try.

Trees

And the Winner Is …

23rd gala for Cappies of the National Capital Area

Cappies

Significant Uptick in FCPD Officer-Involved Shootings

PERF review of FCPD policy and shooting incidents

Police Shootings

Rockets Red Glare, Bombs Bursting in Air

Lots of states sell fireworks that are illegal in Virginia.

Illegal fireworks

Wednesday, June 14

Rabid Skunk on Bull Run Occoquan Trail Saturday, June 10

Arrest in Attempted Rape and Abduction

Crime

Roundups

Last Minute Concerns Erupt Over Reston Comprehensive Plan

Planning commissioner hosts event one week before public hearing.

Why the urgency? The Planning Commission Public Hearing is June 14, Planning Commission Action is June 28, and the Public Hearing and Final Approval by the Board of Supervisors is July 25.

Temple Expansion Proposed in Chantilly

Rajdhani Mandir wants to enlarge its temple in Chantilly.

‘You Deserve Success’

Class of 2023 graduates from Mountain View High.

Behind the Dust Screen

Opinion

Youth Awards from Great Falls Garden Club

The Great Falls Garden Club awarded two $150 grants as a result of its 2023 Youth competition to establish a Native Habitat Garden.

Herndon Festival Returns After Four Years

Final attendance expected to break 30,000.

6th Annual Reston Pride Festival

Members and allies of the local LGBTQ community gathered on June 3 to celebrate pride month.

Reston Pride

Final Visioning Presentation for Lake Anne

Streetsense and county staff conduct community meeting; Phase 2 in the works

Prioritizing Preservation

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust gala at Meadowlark

Arrest in Gun Store Burglary

Crime

The New Potomac Yard Metro Station

Smart and special

“The Coalition for Smarter Growth advocates passionately for projects like Potomac Yard because they create sustainable, livable urban communities with dedicated affordable housing close to jobs and opportunity.” — Bill Pugh