Former CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty To Transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information
Former CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty

Flu Season and Winter Preparedness
Flu season poses its own challenges, with the risk of catching the influenza virus.

Vienna Delays Vote on Meals Tax Again
At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Vienna Town Council voted to temporarily defer the proposal to raise the meals tax from 3 to 4 percent.

Casino Bill for Tysons Advances
Opponents make repeated trips to Richmond to testify against the bill.
The subcommittee pushed SB982, introduced by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. The bill proposes to allow Fairfax County residents to vote in a referendum on a casino in Tysons.

$4 Billion for School Budget
State shortfall in funding for local schools creates expanding needs.
Division Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented what she called the “needs-based” Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget at the Fairfax County School Board meeting on Thursday evening, Jan. 23.

ASC Honors Student-Athletes
High school basketball coaches featured in roundtable.
Student-athletes from across the city were honored as Athletes of the Month by the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club on Jan. 15 at the Old Dominion Boat Club.

Dr. F.J. Pepper
Memorial service set for Jan. 26.
Pepper died Jan. 6 at his West End home following a long illness. He was 89.

Nancy Van Gulick Cooper Dies at 78
Celebration of life set for Jan. 25.
Nancy Van Gulick Cooper, a longtime Alexandria resident and community humanitarian, died Dec. 14, 2024, at her home in Oxford, Md., following a year-long battle with cancer.

Obituary: Gerald “Gerry” W. Hyland, 88
Gerald “Gerry” W. Hyland (Colonel, USAF, Ret.), 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Senior Living: Flourishing After 55
55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.

My 2025 Legislative Updates
Our first full week in session started off with a flurry of snowflakes and bills. The Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee reported out my Marriage Equality Constitutional Amendment with bipartisan support (SJ 249).
Two Men Drown After Vehicle Driven into Pond
Two Men Drown After Vehicle Driven into Pond
Fairfax City Celebrates 31 Years of Chocolate Festival
Three-day extravaganza runs Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
Three-day extravaganza runs Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

Local Marine Veteran Receives Quilt of Valor
Jim Wescoat, 103, is honored before friends and family.
Jim Wescoat, 103, is honored before friends and family.

Fairfax City Council and Mayor Are Sworn In
Former government leader urges them to work together.
Former government leader urges them to work together.

Commanders Watch Parties Planned for the NFC Championship on Sunday
Football fans can still cheer in unison at spots around the area.
Football fans can still cheer in unison at spots around the area.

Supervisors: Casino Bill Muddies Waters
Real issue is state underfunding of schools, they say.
A senator's comments Monday to the Virginia Senate Subcommittee on Gaming regarding SB982 (Casino Gaming; eligible host localities) led the chair of the No Fairfax Casino coalition, Lynn Mulston, to email the senators a letter titled "URGENT: SB982 Reaction to Chief Patron's Comments."