Column: Staying Ahead of the Feds
The federal government is not always wrong. At the same time, the state government is not always right.
The Virginia House and the Senate have penned similar but competing mid-point versions to the 2014-2016 biennial budget.
Black History Month Celebrations
Local students learn about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans.
Fourth grade student Eli West crafted a poem this month that was modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.
Stalled Labor Market Slows County Budget
Proposed budget calls for no real estate tax rate increase, but average homeowner would pay $184 more.
Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed out an irony in County Executive Ed Long’s proposed $3.8 billion budget. Three planning positions would be eliminated from the budget even though Long suggested the county needs more efforts to raise revenue from commercial and industrial venues.
Researching Alexandria’s African-American Ancestors
Two genealogists help African-Americans in Alexandria trace their families’ roots.
Tracing genealogies is not only impossibly frustrating for many African-American families, but many of the results they find are predictable and grim. But for two genealogists who hosted events at Alexandria’s Black History Museum, that idea obscures the powerful histories and proud legacies of many families.
Column: Real-Time, Really Late
I’m not a night owl. More of an early bird, worms notwithstanding. But given the contents of last week’s column, “Scantsy,” I find it difficult to write about anything else while waiting for the results of my CT Scan.
Matthew Charged In West Potomac Alumna Hannah Graham Murder
Suspect faces life in prison.
Nearly five months after the disappearance of University of Virginia sophomore and West Potomac High School alumna Hannah Graham, the primary suspect in her death investigation has been indicted by a grand jury in Albemarle County.
Fairfax County Judge Orders More John Geer Materials Released
Family’s lawyer’s motions supported.
Though extensive, the thousands of pages of documents, dozens of audio files and handful of videos released last month by Fairfax County, documenting the shooting death of Springfield resident John Geer, aren’t exhaustive.
Letter: Failing in Their Duties
Letter to the Editor
I applaud your editorial on the Geer murder (“No Justification for Secrecy, Delay on Geer Shooting,” Connection, February 4-10, 2015). The Connection has done yeoman’s work in keeping this tragedy in front of the public, unlike other newspapers which are johnnie-come-latelies.
Editorial: Not the First or Only Time
Secrecy around police shootings has been a problem for at least a decade.
The official position of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the need for changes in policy after the shooting of John Geer by police in Springfield in August of 2013 appears to be that this is the first time police policies have been a problem: “Policies for handling police-involved incidents, which served us well for decades, were inadequate in this complicated situation.”
MidAtlantic Erg Sprints Yields New World Record
1,700 athletes compete.
A new world record in the half marathon by Olympic gold medalist Esther Lofgren capped the competition at the 2015 MidAtlantic Erg Sprints, hosted by T.C. Williams High School on Jan. 31.
Legacies of Two Presidents
Our February celebration’s official name is the George Washington Birthday Holiday, not Presidents Day. Although some people include both Washington and Lincoln among our best Presidents, Washington’s contributions are far more admirable. Sadly, even here in his hometown, many know relatively little about his achievements and are mistaken about Lincoln’s.
Addressing Health, Crime
This year I am proud to have sponsored several bi-partisan initiatives to make Virginia safer for our communities and families. I serve on the Virginia State Crime Commission, the House Courts of Justice Committee, and the Governor’s Taskforce on Heroin and Prescription Drugs.
Herring Named Finalist For National Award
Del. Charniele Herring has been named as one of six finalists for the EMILY’s List Gabrielle Gifford Rising Star Award. Nominees came in from the public and around the country. Herring is the only nominee in the South or Mid-Atlantic regions.
Letter: What Do Seniors Need?
Letter to the Editor
In the debate over the proposed Woodbine expansion, I have heard some say that Alexandria “needs” a proposed memory care facility to be located on a small lot adjacent to the current Woodbine Nursing Home in the 2800 block of King Street. If by “need,” we are referring to a necessity or something we can’t live without, I respectfully disagree.
Letter: Opposition Based on Zoning
Letter to the Editor
There have been various views presented recently about the proposed memory care facility on the property that sits between Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Thousands of Books Later
Couple owns Already Read Books.
Sweetie Pie, the black cat of unidentified origin, pads across the green- and beige-tiled floor to the Romance Section in the last aisle.
Letter: School Board Irresponsibility
Letter to the Editor
Our City of Alexandria possesses an inferiority complex, no matter what the city does, it just can't measure up to the National Harbor and Clarendon.
Column: ‘Scantsy’
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to characterize the feelings I regularly experience during the final few weeks leading up to my every-three-month CT Scan, and even more so the feelings I experience waiting the following week or so to see my oncologist to discuss the results.
Arlington Atheletes Participating in 30th Annual Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints
More than 1,700 rowers from 13 states and the District of Columbia participated in the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints on Saturday, Jan. 31 at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria.
Separate But Equal Amenities for Alexandria
Class-segregated pool at proposed housing complex dampens council enthusiasm for affordable housing project.
A proposal for a mixed-use housing complex in Alexandria swiftly became an argument on classism when the developer revealed the pool would be off-limits to residents of the affordable housing section.