Stories for March 2016

New decision-making training meant to alter how Fairfax County police officers approach use of force

Making decisions can be instinctual, from the gut. It can also be practical and informed, coming to the best judgement considering all variables. For police officers responding to calls where there might be a threat of violence to civilians and or themselves, their decision whether to use force and which type to neutralize the situation quickly must be a hybrid.

Editorial: Money to Treat Addiction, Mental Health Issues

Affordable Care Act could pay for help, better health for 100,000 uninsured people in Virginia with mental illness or addiction issues.

Poor people without health insurance in Virginia are being unnecessarily tortured, in some cases to death, by a General Assembly that refuses to expand Medicaid.

Commentary: Congress Must Act on the Growing Opioid Epidemic

Our nation is in the midst of an exploding opioid epidemic.

Commentary: Progress on Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations

Thoughtfulness and deliberation should not be construed as resistance or foot dragging.

A tremendous amount of progress has already taken place to implement many of these recommendations.

Fairfax Connector Considering Service Changes, Seeks Public Input

Fairfax Connector is proposing service changes for implementation in June 2016.

Sex Trafficking Young Victims in Northern Virginia

Federal funds for gang task force expire April 1.

The first article in an occasional series on human sexual trafficking in Northern Virginia.

Centreville Letter: Work in Harmony

Letter to the Editor

The Centreville Immigration Forum Board of Directors mourns the loss of life through violent acts in cities and towns around the world, and we particularly condemn violence aimed at religious and ethnic groups. The CIF mission calls us to "build strong community" and to "build community recognition of the strength in our diversity."

Centreville Letter: A Gift to Acknowledge Veterans

Letter to the Editor

I remember him walking through the front door with his dark blue uniform, adorned with medals and his perfectly formed hat, an imposing figure to a 6 year old. My father was part of the greatest generation of WWII vets that served their country with honor and with unyielding patriotism inherent in them from a very early age. I have that patriotism, too, because of him.

Clifton: Region's Best Kitchen Design Over $150k

Tops-in-category “COTY” winner in Clifton opens for tour April 9.

An expansive Clifton kitchen recently named the Washington area's “Best for over $150,000” will be opened to the public Saturday April 9 from 12-4 p.m.

Profile: Jean Janssen, Force Behind Area’s Smart Markets

Food shoppers should take their collective hats off to Jean Janssen. She is the motivating spirit behind the area’s Smart Markets, a collection of farmers’ markets that showcase locally grown and raised produce and meats, plus a few temptations, such as hand-made sausages, popcorn, and baked goods (as in divine French pastries).

Chantilly Snapshot: Living Stations of the Cross

It has been a long-held tradition during Lent at Saint Timothy Catholic School, in Chantilly, that the 8th graders in the National Junior Honor Society (above) create and perform the Living Stations of the Cross: Jesus' final steps before he was crucified on Good Friday. This performance for the entire school reminds each person how much Christ loved them to the point of dying a public and painful death on the cross for them. Jesus was played by Zach Janus. Approximately 1,500 people came to watch this performance.

Chantilly Snapshot: Spelling Bee Winner

Nimal Muthukumar, winner of Brookfield Elementary’s Spelling Bee, is with (from left) Reading Teacher Jenna Campbell, Principal Mary Miller, and Reading Teacher Jamie Stratford. Nimal, a third grader, spelled “nationalism” to win the 15 round Bee and best 41 other third to sixth grade contestants.

Chantilly Snapshot: Visiting Engineer

Shon Isenhour, an engineer with GPAllied, spoke to students at Chantilly High School about the growing field of reliability engineering as part of the USA Science & Engineering Festival's Nifty Fifty program that brings top scientists to local schools to inspire students about STEM in advance of the April 16-17 USA Science & Engineering Festival in D.C.

Chantilly Letter: Against Terrorism

Letter to the Editor

On Feb. 22, two coordinated attacks in Belgium's capital took the lives of nearly 30 individuals.

Chantilly Brief: Success at State Chess Tourney

Students from four Fairfax County public schools won team championships in all four K-12 divisions at the Virginia Scholastic Chess Championships held recently in Ashburn. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) student Siddhant Nair also won the individual championship in the K-5 division.

Lidl Grocery for Chantilly?

Potential traffic problems have to be ironed out.

If all goes well, a little bit of Europe may someday come to Chantilly. It would do so in the form of a Lidl grocery store in the Chantilly Crossing Shopping Center.

Supporting Fairfax Salvation Army

Fundraiser for Fairfax Salvation Army set for the Waterford.

The hot looks for spring, live entertainment, a luncheon and a silent auction are all in store for attendees of the 36th annual fashion show benefiting the Fairfax Salvation Army. It will be held Friday, April 15, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (off the ring road across from Fair Oaks Mall).

Eating Smart

Profile: Jean Janssen, force behind area’s Smart Markets.

Food shoppers should take their collective hats off to Jean Janssen. She is the motivating spirit behind the area’s Smart Markets

Letter: Where is Civilian review Panel?

To the Editor

Last October, the 40 strong Ad Hoc Commission to Review Police Procedures, set up by Chairman Bulova and her Board of Supervisors (BOS), unanimously adopted a large number of recommendations, which they submitted to the BOS.

Meehan’s OT Goal Lifts Chantilly Boys’ Lax Over Woodson

Chargers come from behind late to avoid 0-2 start.

The Chantilly boys' lacrosse team overcame a three-goal deficit against Woodson.

Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Awards $380,000 in Local Grants

Five of 36 grant awardees speak at “Cocktails & Conversation” event.

When Lorton residents Marcy Mager and husband David Lunter’s daughter Michell Merhige was killed in 2009, they wanted to establish a scholarship in her honor but knew handling the financial logistics would be tricky.

Editorial: Purple State

Nonpartisan redistricting could support the best interests of the population, not the politicians.

Classified Advertising March 23, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

‘Small Candle of Hope in a Troubled World’

Ahmadiyya Muslim Women hold interfaith peace dialogue.

Sometimes it takes a woman to lead the way — or, at least, to plant the seeds of a good idea. And that’s what happened when the Women’s Association of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosted an interfaith dialogue on peace.

Chantilly Snapshot: Annual Sixth Grade Basketball Game

The girls and boys from Oak Hill and Lees Corner Elementary Schools competed in the annual sixth grade basketball game at Chantilly High School on Friday, March 11. The Lees Corner Polar Bears scored first, but the Oak Hill Wolves tied it at the end of the first period. The Polar Bears regained the lead and managed to hold it through the remaining periods to end the game with a 68 to 52 victory over Oak Hill.

Stewart Honored as Officer of Month

Nabbed two people suspected of auto thefts.

Each month, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Sully District Police Station honors one of the station’s officers for his or her outstanding service to the police and to the community.

Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Springfield: Brain Injury Services honors volunteers and community partners

Maya Simbulan of Fairfax is thankful for being normal. The Lake Braddock Secondary School freshman would like to pursue work with computer graphics and plays electric wheelchair soccer.

Fairfax County Public Schools to Seek FEMA Relief Funds

Winter Storm Jonas, Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse 2.0 — no matter what it’s called, the county-crippling January 2016 blizzard cost Fairfax County Public Schools $7.2 million to pay for employee overtime compensation, additional contractors and equipment rental.

Chantilly Home Sales: February, 2016

In February, 2016, 12 homes sold between $925,000-$135,810 in the Chantilly area.

Chantilly Home Sales: February, 2016

Centreville Home Sales: February, 2016

In February, 2016, 57 Centreville homes sold between $1,400,000-$189,000.

Centreville Home Sales: February, 2016

Letter: Gerrymandering Promotes Partisanship and Polarization

To the Editor

Everywhere we turn today, the media is bombarding us with antics of the current presidential campaign.

Letter: Time to Speak Out for Quality of Life in Fairfax County

To the Editor

Fairfax County is a composite of many things that make the quality of life rich for people living here.

Caregiving

Workshops and seminars for seniors and caregivers.

Centreville: Westfield Boys’ Basketball Wins State Championship

Bulldogs first Fairfax County team to win states since 1981.

The Westfield boys' basketball team won the state championship.

Centreville Letter: Everyone’s Job

Letter to the Editor

I am a Boy Scout from unit 1826 and I am writing to express my opinion on an article I have recently read [“State of the Station,” March 2]. You wrote that the Sully district is a safe place to live.

Column: End of Session Report

Commentary

The 2016 General Assembly session concluded in Richmond on Friday evening. We will reconvene for a single day session on April 20 to consider any vetoes or amendments proposed by Governor McAuliffe.

Snapshot: In Performance

First grade students in Robin Hottle’s class at Union Mill Elementary School perform the “3 Piggy Opera.”

Snapshot: Tournament Raises $6,000

The Dunkin’ for Dollars Charity basketball tournament, organized by Nathan Reed, Spencer Schwartz and Zachary Levine — three seventh graders at Franklin Middle School — raised $6,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Peace Players International/Middle East program. The event was held on Sunday, March 13 at Worldgate Sport & Health and was sponsored by Orthodontics By Crutchfield.

Real Food for Kids' Culinary Challenge

11 teams of middle and high school students compete in school food competition.

Eleven teams of middle and high school students competed in the fourth annual Real Food for Kids' Culinary Challenge on Saturday, March 12 at Robinson Secondary School.

Wish Comes True

Centreville’s Liam Bruen gets a companion dog.

Like most little boys, Liam Bruen loves superheroes and playing with his dog and his friends — he just does it from a wheelchair. Born with muscular dystrophy, he was officially diagnosed one-and-a-half years ago.

Snapshot: First Signs of Spring

Trees are covered with pink blossoms while yellow daffodils push through the ground outside the Fairfax Towne Center, off West Ox Road.

Mission: Promoting Peace

22 students or student groups receive the Student Peace Award, for their efforts to promote peace.

With causes ranging from anti-bullying efforts to human trafficking awareness to interfaith dialogue, students in Fairfax County were recognized for their peacemaking efforts at the 11th Annual Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County on March 13.

Encouraging STEM-curious Youth

Third Annual STEM Symposium draws a crowd at the Nysmith School.

“We need people in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields today, tomorrow and as far as we can envision.”

No E-Z Answers on I-66

VDOT’s Transform I-66 Inside the Beltway meeting leaves public waiting for answers.

There were also questions and comments of a financial nature.

And the Winner Is...

Wakefield Forest Elementary School student to compete at Scripps’ National Spelling Bee.

After 11 rounds of competitive play, fourth grade student Eric Kim, from Wakefield Forest Elementary School, was declared the champion for correctly spelling every word thrown at him.

Private Schools: When Leaving Unexpectedly

Spring is time to commit to one’s school of choice.

When Ashley and Clark Leonard enrolled their son in a local independent school, they were excited about the prospect of him thriving in a new, smaller academic environment.

Editorial: Homelessness on Its Way Out in Fairfax

Homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring; 776 fewer homeless individuals in 2016 than in 2008.

Homelessness is down in Fairfax County in every major category, a fact confirmed on Jan. 28, 2016, the annual Point in Time Count.

Legislative Wrap-Up Forum

Learn what your area legislator did during the Virginia General Assembly.

FCPL to Hold Community Forum

Fairfax County Public Libraries will hold community forums to see public opinion on what is needed in the community.

‘Do You Keep a Gun in Your Home?’

Starting conversations about gun safety can help prevent play date tragedies.

Starting the conversation felt awkward. After all, she didn’t want to offend another parent.

It Takes a Village

Campaign designed to end homelessness in Fairfax County.

When speaking with Kathy Albarado, one might not guess that she’d experienced periods of homelessness as an adolescent.

Column: General Assembly Agrees on Budget

Commentary

The past week has been a busy one in the General Assembly as the House of Delegates passed the 2016-2018 biennial state budget. The Senate also passed a similar budget. During the next two weeks, differences between these two budgets, which are relatively minor, will be negotiated to form a consensus budget that will be forwarded to the governor. The new budget will take effect July 1.

Chantilly Letter: Program on True Islam

Letter to the Editor

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will be holding a program to introduce the True Islam and the Extremists campaign in the Virginia area on Friday, March 11, at 6:30-8 p.m. at the Mubarak Mosque, 4555 Ahmadiyya Drive, Chantilly.

Centreville: Stone Middle Students To Visit United Kingdom

Exchange program began in 2003.

With Spring Break around the corner for Fairfax County Public Schools, 19 students from Centreville’s Ormond Stone Middle School are gearing up for the trip of a lifetime: an eight-day adventure in the United Kingdom.

Heading to Eastern Super Regionals

FTC team 6700, the X-BOTS, a Robotics team of high-school and middle-school students from Northern Virginia, is heading to the FTC Eastern Super-Regional championships in Scranton, Pa., following a successful performance at Virginia State Championship on Feb 13 where they were awarded Inspire Award (3rd place), Won Kamen Division, were Championship finalists, and Nikhil Chintada won Dean’s List finalist award to represent Virginia at World Championships.

Chantilly Snapshot: Taking Their Show on the Road

Rocky Run Show Choir performs at the Sunrise senior living facility in a special Sunday performance.

Chantilly: Meet Westfield Principal Anthony Copeland

Decades of leadership prepared him for the job.

Westfield High Principal Anthony Copeland has a wealth of experience as a leader, both in schools and in the military. Before taking over the reins at Westfield in September 2015, he was an assistant principal at Lake Braddock Secondary and North Stafford High and an Army field artillery officer who served 20 years in the military.

Chantilly Snapshot: Police Honor Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A’s Peter Kim (left) receives a plaque from police 1st Lt. Matt Owens. The restaurant was honored during the Feb. 10 meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee. Owens, the assistant station commander, said Chick-Fil-A donated food to the police officers working on New Year’s Eve and has partnered with the station on various community projects. The plaque recognized Chick-Fil-A for its “continued, outstanding support and dedication to the men and women of the Sully District Police Station.”

Fairfax County: Commonwealth's Attorney Finds No Criminality in Paul Guida In-Custody Death

After a determination from the medical examiner that Falls Church resident Paul Guida, 68, died of natural causes while in the Sheriff’s custody at the Fairfax County Detention Center, Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh concluded there was no evidence of criminality associated with involved law enforcement or staff at the jail.

Baldassari Is Named Officer of Month

Acknowledged for his expertise, enthusiasm and professional demeanor, PFC Kevin Baldassari is the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Month for January. He was honored during the Feb. 10 meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

Commentary: A Step Backwards for Virginia

Virginia New American leaders respond to the nomination of Ken Cuccinelli for the State Supreme Court.

From immigration to contraception to climate change denial to LGBT rights, Ken Cuccinelli has built a career on extreme conservative positions that are out of step with Virginia today.

Centreville: Scanlon's Game-Winner Sends Westfield Back to State Final

Senior scores 26 points in semifinal victory over Woodside.

The Westfield boys' basketball team defeats Woodside in the state semifinals.

Editorial: Making Good Choices on Saint Patrick’s Day

Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), will offer the 2016 St. Patty’s Day SoberRide program, providing free cab rides to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area next Thursday, March 17.

Editorial: Bringing Back the Electric Chair

In a world: Barbaric.

No doubt Virginia and Texas will be the last two states to continue with the death penalty until, inevitably, evolving standards of decency lead the U.S. Supreme Court to declare that the death penalty is unconstitutional.

Nanny Suites Add Value

High-end live-in quarters attract au pairs and can increase property values.

When Peggy Delinois Hamilton relocated to the Washington, D.C. area and began working full-time after spending eight years as an at-home mother of two children, childcare was one of her top concerns.

Remodeled Home Tour Set for March 12

Home evolves from center hall colonial to open plan with boldly original finishes.

To satisfy a couple's evolving lifestyle requirements, Sun Design Remodeling dramatically reconfigured the home's first level, introducing a “kitchen-centric” plan that better supports everyday uses and entertainment needs.

Buying or Selling?

A primer for doing either and avoiding pitfalls.

Here we are, once again right on the heels of the spring/summer real estate season when it seems like “For Sale” signs become the most common lawn ornament or condo window decoration.

Teen Trafficking Awareness Event in Springfield

West Springfield High School and Just Ask Prevention Project will hold an awareness night to address the issue of sex trafficking in the region on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield.

FCPS Students Named to 2016 Virginia Honors Choir

High school and middle school students named to honors choir.

Centreville: Westfield Boys' Basketball Returns to Winning Ways

Bulldogs beat C.D. Hylton in 6A state quarterfinals.

Westfield defeated C.D. Hylton in the state quarterfinals on Friday.

Fairfax County: Commission Recognizes Outstanding Women in Government Work

Edwyna Wingo of the Chantilly area began her career with Fairfax County as a nurse in the Health Department on Sep. 1, 1965 and worked her last full day Oct. 1, 2011.

Police Arrest 20 for Heroin Use in One Day

Operation Save-a-Life offered low-level offenders the chance at recovery treatment rather than jail time.

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Fairfax County Police served 20 arrest warrants, all for possession and or distribution of heroin.

Small Lifestyle Changes Can Have Big Impact

Researchers found that moderate weight loss improves health.

Dropping as little as five percent of one’s body weight can lead to significant health improvements, according to a new study published in the Cell Metabolism journal.

Managing Medication Can Be Challenging

“Let’s Talk about RxSM” helps seniors avoid prescription drug mishaps.

It was around 2 a.m. on a frigid winter night when Janet Russell was awakened from her sleep by the sound of woman calling for help.

Four-Cent Tax Rate Increase, with Side of Vitriol

Reconsideration hours later gives same result; board will consider putting meals tax to referendum in November.

Tuesday morning, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted for a four-cent tax rate increase, advertising a tax rate of $1.13 per $100 of assessed value.

Classified Advertising March 2, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Snapshot: Centreville Garden Club

The new officers for the Centreville Garden Club are, from left, Sue Glover, vice president; Jennifer Thorpe, secretary; Georgie Evans, treasurer; Donna Heid, president. names in the paper. New members are welcome to learn the art of gardening and support civic projects. Visit centrevillegardenclub.blogspot.com.

Chantilly: Science Fair Project Creates Electricity from Wastewater

What if energy could be generated during the treatment of wastewater so that clean, renewable energy could be captured and used to dramatically reduce costs? This is the basic idea behind a winning science fair project that has earned a pair of Chantilly High School students a trip to the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Centreville/Chantilly: State of the Station

A look at local crime, traffic and community engagement.

Basically, the Sully District is a safe place to live, and the men and women of the Sully District Police Station are doing everything they can to keep it that way. That was the overall message presented by Capt. Bob Blakley, the station commander, and others during the annual State of the Station report to the community.

Rochefort: Officer of the Year

Wrote third-highest number of traffic tickets in the county.

PFC Brian G. Rochefort has been named the Sully District Police Station’s 2015 Officer of the Year. And although he couldn’t be present to receive his award, he was honored during the Feb. 10 meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

Chantilly: Hong Named Officer of Month

Someone who’s hit the ground running and quickly made an impression on his supervisors, Sully District Police Officer John J. Hong was recently recognized as the Officer of the Month. He was honored at the Jan. 13 meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

Centreville: Westfield in Need of ‘Soul Searching’ After Loss

Bulldogs to face Hylton in state quarterfinals Friday at Robinson.

The Westfield boys' basketball team finished region runner-up.