Great Falls Town Hall Debates $57 Million Gap in School Budget
Where to cut?
The Fairfax County Public Schools projected a $57 million shortfall in its budget for next school year, which will impact the more than 188,000 students that are projected to be educated in the system next school year.
Hub Touted as Future Herndon Economic Driver
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, Feb. 22, for the opening of Innovation Avenue and the Innovation Avenue interchange, which will connect Route 28 and the future site of the Hub, a mixed-use development planned near the Innovation Center Metro station in Loudoun County.
Pioneering Change For Autism
University of Virginia seminar studies tension between “The Science & Lived Experience of Autism.”
Despite a recent surge in attention and research over the past decade about autism, controversy exists.
Homeowners Oppose Proposed Transit Area Tax
Lack of notification also criticized.
Homeowners voiced concern about paying a proposed service district tax that is being proposed in Reston and outside the Town of Herndon.
Facing Challenges of a ‘Dream Job’ at Herndon Elementary
New principal is ready to face new and familiar hurdles.
Herndon Elementary School Principal Teresa Fennessy wants her school to be the place that everybody wants to send their children.
Police Apprehend Suspects In Herndon House Shooting
The Fairfax County Police Department apprehended four suspects who shot at a home on Poener Place in the Herndon area on Sunday, Feb. 12, around 10 p.m.
Dads Take Daughters to Dance in Herndon
More than 60 father-daughter pairings made their way to the gymnasium at the Herndon Community Center for the town’s annual Father Daughter Dance on Saturday night, Feb. 4.
Faith Communities Come Together to Feed and Protect Homeless From Hypothermia
The county’s Hypothermia Prevention Program is now offering homeless individuals refuge from the winter cold.
Reston: Lake House Review Gets More Expensive
Price tag for independent review goes from $1 to up to $45K.
The Reston Association Board of Directors hired StoneTurn Group, LLC to independently review the processes it used to purchase and renovate the Lake House property. The decision was made in executive session during the board’s regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 26.
RA Divided On Lake Anne Dock Revitalization
Lake Anne Dock Revitalization Debated
The Reston Association needs to replace its aging dock at Lake Anne Village Center, but its Board of Directors were divided on how to move forward with the work during its last meeting on Thursday, Jan. 26.
Neighbors Rehash Shooting Death
Herndon neighborhood recovers from shooting incident.
“No purse, no phone, no nothing,” she says. “I could not contact my daughter to come and pick me up. I could not call my son … It was very scary,” she says. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Neighbors Rehash Shooting Death
Herndon neighborhood recovers from shooting incident.
“No purse, no phone, no nothing,” she says. “I could not contact my daughter to come and pick me up. I could not call my son … It was very scary,” she says. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Herndon Begins Debate Over Capital Improvement Projects
Community Outlook 2017
Herndon has begun discussing which projects should be included in the town’s $54 million Capital Improvement Program.
Road Fund and Service District Proposed For Reston and Herndon Property Owners Near Metrorail Stations
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is seeking permission from the Board of Supervisors to establish a 40-year road fund and a special service district to raise $350 million from people who own residential and commercial property near metrorail stations.
New Silver Line Stations On Track In Herndon and Reston
New metrorail stations are slowly rising up in Reston and Herndon.
Public Silent During Public Hearing on Widening of East Elden Street
The Herndon Town Council held its final public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 10, for the proposed $43.4 million project to widen East Elden Street from four to six lanes between Herndon Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway.
Communities Practice Disaster Recovery in Hunter Mill
Volunteer group forming to help area recover from potential disaster.
More than 185 people registered to learn about forming a Community Resiliency Group for the Hunter Mill District, which would be activated to aid in the local area’s recovery after a disaster.
Recognized for Excellence, Lopez Studios participates in Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, Ga.
Students from the Lopez Studios, Inc. Performing Arts School in Reston competed in the 2017 iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival this weekend, Jan. 13-15, in Atlanta, Ga.
Herndon Hostage Situation, House Fire, Suspect Killed
Hostage situation results in house fire and officer-involved shooting death of suspect.
The Fairfax County police shot and killed Mohammad Azim Doudzai, 32, just outside his home in Herndon on Monday afternoon after a domestic argument spiraled out of control.
Reston: MLK Keynote: ‘How Did We Get From Barack Obama to Donald Trump?’
Reston Community Center’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
“It was 10:45 p.m. when we heard in our little earpieces that the network was going to call the election for Obama at 11 o’clock.” Reality set in for him. “Looking around the table, I said, ‘Oh dear. When they call the election for Obama, they’re going to go to the black guy, and so I better think of something to say,’” he said, making the audience burst into laughter.
Reston Town Center Retailers, Patrons Wrestle with New Parking Fees
Reston: Viewpoints: What do you think of the new parking fees?
“Oh, I didn’t know they started charging …. I’ll stick to weekends now I guess, since that’s free.”
Reston: Company Quits Negotiations with RA on Lake House Independent Review
The company selected by a special committee of the Reston Association to review the purchase and renovation of the deficit-plagued Lake House property backed out of negotiations.
Herndon: Town Mayor and Councilmembers Sworn-In for 2017-18 Terms
Politics
Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel and town council members were sworn into office for their 2017-18 terms on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Herndon Municipal Center.
Reston: On a Collision Course
Save the golf course?
Reston Association disagrees with County over planned road affecting the Hidden Creek Country Club’s golf course.
Herndon Tinkers with Trains
The railroad station in downtown Herndon was the center of the community in the 1800s. During the holidays, the trains become the center of attention once again.
New Roadway Plan Approved for Herndon Metro Area
A concept plan to extend Worldgate Drive from Van Buren Street to Herndon Parkway was approved by the Herndon Town Council during its last public hearing on Dec. 13.
Viewpoints
What is your New Year’s Fitness Resolution and How Will You Keep It?
What is your New Year’s Fitness Resolution and How Will You Keep It?
Reston Association North Point District Director Resigns
Reston Association Board Director Dannielle LaRosa, who represents the North Point District, gave her notice of resignation on Dec. 15.
Helping Homes Project Team Recognized in Reston
Anna Varone, Reston Association’s director of covenants administration, recognized team members who worked on the RA’s Helping Homes Project this year.
Police Out to Catch Drunken Drivers in Fairfax County
Grant funds new DWI Enforcement Squad.
A new squad of police officers has started patrolling the county and they have only one mission: to combat impaired driving.
Police Chief’s Cruiser Hit by Drunken Driver
News
Fairfax County Police Department Chief Col. Edwin Roessler Jr. was rear-ended by a drunken driver in Centreville on Monday night, Dec. 12.
‘A Simple Gesture’ Goes a Long Way To Fight Hunger
People throughout Northern Virginia are signing up to be a part of the “cool, green bag” movement.
Quarterback Promotes ‘Phones Down. Touchdown.’ Initiative
Redskins’ quarterback urges region to put phones down while behind the wheel.
“If I get sacked in a game, I can get back up and move onto the next play — for the most part,” he said. “But when you text and drive, you might not get back up.”
Reston Chorale Leads Sing-Along to the ‘Messiah’
Holiday
“The Christmas portion to the ‘Messiah’ just speaks to people in a way that really gets to the heart of the holiday,” says Meeks-Versteeg."
Herndon: SPIRIT Equestrian Program Gets a Christmas Miracle
Horseback Riding
“We received the notice to vacate the property exactly one week before Thanksgiving and they wanted us moved out by Dec. 31,” Dada said. “We really need a Christmas miracle to go through this transition and survive it.”
Herndon: Brothers Receive Good Neighbor Award
Service
Neighbors nominated the brothers for the award because they are always willing to help with yard work, shoveling snow and car repairs.
Herndon: Downtown Vision Closer to Reality
Town Council endorses proposal for redevelopment of downtown.
During a special meeting on Nov. 30, the Herndon Town Council adopted a resolution that directs town staff to move forward with negotiations on a proposal for the redevelopment of nearly five acres of downtown Herndon.
McLean: Addiction Is Not 'Somewhere Else'
Former NBA player talks to McLean about countywide drug problem.
Herren believes parents “hover over [their] kids academically, apply pressure athletically and drop the ball socially and emotionally.” He urged parents to play an active role in making sure their kids don’t need substances on a Friday night.
Herndon: The Giving Circle of HOPE Celebrates Million Dollar Milestone
Philanthropy
The Giving Circle of HOPE celebrated a major milestone this year – more than $1 million raised and granted to support small nonprofit organizations in Northern Virginia.
Reston: Santa Claus Came to Town
The festivities will continue at Reston Town Center throughout December.
“Every year they take a break from telling the elves what to do and what to make to come out here and say a hello,” said Goff. “Santa and Mrs. Claus, we are so glad that you came to help us light our tree once again.”
Reston: Heroic Rescue at Lake Anne
Beth Hoyos, 47, of Reston helps father and daughter escape a sinking car that crashed into Lake Anne.
“I didn’t stop to think about it,” she says. “The guy said his daughter was in the car and he didn’t know how to swim. There was really no conscience choice. The only thing I really remember thinking at the time was, ‘Should I leave my boots on or take my boots off.’ The rest of it was sort of an autopilot: go in, make sure they’re OK and get them out.”
Reston: ‘Wild’ Chinese Lantern Festival Illuminates NoVa
Over 800 hand-made lanterns have been shipped from southern China to northern Virginia for the Chinese Lantern Festival at Roer’s Zoofari, the old Reston Zoo, in Vienna. All the lanterns in the festival are life-sized or oversized animals that stand at heights as tall as 55 feet, says George Zhao, spokesperson for the festival.
Reston: Paying Traffic Tickets with Canned Food Donations?
Reston-based company StandUnited is petitioning the Fairfax County Police Department to allow people to pay their parking tickets with canned food donations for one week during the holidays.
Herndon: Viewpoints A Thanksgiving Tradition Continues Strong at Herndon Elementary
What are you thankful for?
“The police are very supportive of the school and community as a whole,” says Nancy Cassidy, an office assistant in the main office of the elementary school. “I think they’re very good at community outreach.” She says police officers come every Friday to help pack bags for the school’s Weekend Backpack Program, a program that provides children in need with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food at times when school resources are unavailable, such as weekends and during school vacations. “The kids love seeing them,” Cassidy says.
Herndon Receives First Application for ‘Metro’ Area Redevelopment
Stanley Martin Homes wants to build 64 new townhomes at 625 Herndon Parkway.
Stanley Martin Homes wants to build 64 new townhomes at 625 Herndon Parkway. This is the first redevelopment requested for the Herndon Transit-Oriented Core, roughly 38 acres of land immediately north of the new metrorail station that is being constructed in Herndon on the Silver line.
Herndon: Citizen Committee Rejects Cellphone Tower Next to Crossfield Elementary
Committee Denies Cell Tower Application
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee voted 3-2 to deny an application to build a cellphone tower on Crossfield Elementary School property on Fox Mill Road in Herndon. "This is about money, not anything else,” says Griffin, who is a father of a fourth grader who attends the elementary school.Milestone Communications towers on county school properties has generated more than $13 million of income over the last 20 years for the school system, says Forkas. The proposed tower would generate approximately $40,000 of revenue a year for the school system once at least three carriers agree to use the tower, he says.
Reston: Region Races For ‘Team Red, White & Blue’
More than 600 people from all over the greater Washington area braved 30-degree weather on Sunday morning to salute veterans and members of the military by running in Dominion Consulting’s Third Annual Veterans Day 5K. “Just by getting vets out who have issues [post-traumatic stress disorder] gets them involved and gives them two hours or so to not think about those things,” says Lynch, who is a veteran of the Air Force.
Herndon Has High Turnout; Mayor Wins Re-Election
Town Council Elections Held
Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel won re-election last week from an engaged town of voters. “The election was a great experience,” says Merkel. “Seeing so many people out and excited to cast their ballots … the atmosphere was very positive and neighborly at each of the three precincts I visited.”
Herndon: LINK Accepts Donations to Annual Coat Drive
New and gently used winter coats will be distributed to those in need on Nov. 19.
Those wishing to donate can deliver coats to the Sterling United Methodist Church at 304 E. Church Road from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until Friday, Nov. 18. “When my kids started elementary school, I started noticing,” Thomas says. “It broke my heart to see kids who couldn’t help themselves, and had no winter clothing.”