Lawmakers Wrap-up Richmond Legislative Session
Unspent TANF grant money, prisoner rights among social issues discussed.
On average, low income families in Virginia who are eligible and sign up for funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant receive $269 monthly and are cut off after five years. But lawmakers say there’s a lot more unexpended money available in the federal grant that, if it remains unused, could one day be taken back.
‘Share Your Hair’ at Westfield High School
Allie Bush, an 11th grader at Westfield High School, working with other Class of 2017 officers, will be holding a hair-cutting opportunity at school so that classmates and teachers can donate hair for Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths Program.
Clifton Snapshot: Autism Awareness
Students at Union Mill Elementary School participate in the Autism Awareness Program. The program includes six stations in the gym that are designed to create awareness of some challenges children with autism may experience.
Oak Hill Letter: Outrageous Budget Requests
Letter to the Editor
The following statement was addressed to the Board of Supervisors and the Board of Education.
Centreville Letter: Countering Terrorism With Interfaith Prayer
Letter to the Editor
We often see Muslims in the media creating terrorism, but the Muslims of the Ahmadiyya Community are fighting against it.
After 15 Years, Wolfe Admits Guilt
Writes confession saying he killed Danny Petrole.
After 15 years of denying that he ordered the killing of Danny Petrole, Justin Wolfe reversed himself last week in a handwritten confession. In it, he admitted giving the go-ahead to the man who carried out the hit.
Centreville: ‘He and Erin Are Together’
Grafton Peterson, Virginia Tech victim’s father, dies at 57.
Like most people, Grafton Peterson experienced both great joy and great sadness in his life. He had a long and happy marriage and two children he adored. But he outlived both his daughters and, on March 18, succumbed to a heart attack at age 57.
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.