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Delegates, senators and Fairfax County community leaders reflect on priorities for the General Assembly
With the sentencing of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell fresh on their minds, many northern Virginia members of the delegation to the state General Assembly expect ethics reform to be a focal point at the session beginning Jan. 14.
General Assembly Session Approaches
Delegates, senators, community leaders reflect on priorities.
With the sentencing of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell fresh on their minds, many northern Virginia members of the delegation to the state General Assembly expect ethics reform to be a focal point at the session beginning Jan. 14.

Coyotes on the Rise in Fairfax County
Police advise precautions
Over the last several months, Fairfax County Police said wildlife officials have received an increasing number of calls about the presence of coyotes in the area.

Fairfax Station: Saint Mary of Sorrows Honors Dead American and Irish Veterans
Perched on a hill, the stately white St. Mary’s church overlooks Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Highlighting the cemetery’s 400 or so graves, some dating back to the time of the Roman Catholic church’s first mass in 1860, are American and Irish national flags placed on Memorial Day.

Supervisors Endorse Police ‘Re-engineering’
Action items approved include use of force and communications recommendations from Ad Hoc commission.
The possibility of body cameras being worn by Fairfax County Police officers and the release of officers’ names involved with critical use of force incidents dominated discussion during two action items in the Board of Supervisors June 21 meeting.

Burke Resident Unearths Trash, Artifacts at Silas Burke House Construction Site
Twelve inches to Brian Kabat can be worth 150 years, or more. That’s the depth up to which his metal-detector can accurately spot a target down to the size of a small coin.
Herrity Calls for Heroin Problem Update
“Heroin is here, it’s on our doorstep, it’s in our communities and it often goes unnoticed,” said supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). Citing a 163 percent rise in heroin overdoses in Northern Virginia between 2011 and 2013, Herrity proposed a successful motion to the Board of Supervisors last week, asserting the County Executive report back to the board on just how bad the heroin problems in Fairfax County are and how they could be dealt with.
Key Middle Officer Honored
Rudy Coffield is the FCPS 2013 Distinguished School Resource Officer.
n full policeman’s regalia—bus driver hat and all—Master Police Officer (MPO) Rudy Coffield is an imposing figure. The meticulously assembled uniform commands respect: His gleaming badge, crackling radio and holstered firearm immediately convey an unwavering attention to detail, rule, law and purpose.
Area Roundups
House Fire Leads to Death Investigation in Lorton

Springfield: Special Bible Exhibit at First Church of Christ, Scientist
How did the King James Version of the Bible come to be? In a one-day exhibition celebrating International Bible Day on Nov. 23, Springfield resident and historian Bruce Slawter showcased several ancient Bible pages and explained some of the book’s origin story.

Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation Hosts Transportation Summit
Transportation trends like super streets and roundabouts may not be the perfect fit for every roadway and intersection in northern Virginia. But the goal of next week’s Innovations in Transportation Summit, hosted by the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC), is to see how these updates are successful in other states and countries, and how they could be adapted here.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Added to Fairfax County Student Handbook
School Board members debate whether students should be held accountable.
Students in Fairfax County Public Schools started the 2015-2016 school year without the words “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” as part of the nondiscrimination guide within their student handbook.

Burke Author Sherry Harris Launches Mystery Series
Sarah Winston found two bloody shirts in a bag of clothes from a garage sale. She knew one belonged to her ex-husband, the other to the woman he was sleeping with.

Springfield: West Springfield Welcomes Spartans
Unsuspecting underclassmen may have heard rumors of a nonexistent “third floor” at West Springfield High School. Soon enough, principal Michael Mukai pointed out, there will actually be one.

Mount Vernon: Surovell, Krizek Deliver Petition on Route 1 Widening
Following a public meeting held March 31 at the South County Government Center to discuss the different projects the Northern Virginia Transit Authority is considering, Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) and 44th District House of Delegates candidate Paul Krizek submitted a petition to the Transit Authority demanding the widening of Route 1 be made a higher priority.

Mount Vernon School Board Member Dan Storck Addresses Concerns Over CIP
It was standing room only at one point in the Sherwood Regional Library. Parents concerned over the significant boundary changes outlined in Fairfax County Public Schools proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 2016-2020 had gathered on Jan. 10 to hear from School Board Mount Vernon representative Dan Storck.

Burke Centre Festival, World Police and Fire Games, and Neighborhood Enhancements among top events and developments.
The ever-larger two-day festival returned for its 37th year at the beginning of September 2014. Drumming, Japanese dancers, local dance groups, bands and Irish dancers comprised a live performance slate, while free and minimal cost activities including face-painting and a photo booth offered attendees plenty of ways to enjoy the pleasant fall weather.

Glancing Back to 2014, Looking Forward to 2015: Springfield Town Center, World Police and Fire Games, Occoquan
A crowd of eager shoppers gathered Oct. 17, 2014, for the grand opening of the Springfield Town Center, a completely revitalized version of the long dilapidated Springfield Mall.

Lake Accotink Trail Improvements Announced
For anyone who’s been trapped by floodwater while taking a loop of Lake Accotink Trail, or struggled with the steep 30 percent slope down to that crossing of the lake, help is on the way. Eventually.

Springfield: 386 Graduate from Robert E. Lee High School
As one of two “senior marshalls,” Simran Batra was responsible for guiding Robert E. Lee High School seniors to and from their seats with a two-foot wooden mace, engraved lovingly with graduating class dates back to 1987.