COVID Can’t Stop the Spirit in Herndon
Historic Haunted Herndon House staged for the season
Bob Mathews and Colleen Delawder are the perfect couple, at least when it comes to their customized Herndon Halloween House on Spring Street.
In-Person Early Voting Locations Open in Fairfax County
Voters cite ballot controversy and deep divide in the country.
The need to drop their ballot into a secure drop-off box or slide it into a voting machine, spurred thousands of voters to wait in long lines on the first day of in-person early voting at satellite locations in Fairfax County on Oct. 14.
Mobilizing Voters in Herndon
Locals gather for Women's March on Herndon, sister event of the D.C. Women's March 2020.
Demonstrators gathered Saturday, Oct, 17, shortly before 3 p.m, for the Women's March on Herndon, a grassroots event held in the community and part of the nationwide, socially distanced marches held in union with the Women's March 2020 in Washington, D.C.
Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Through Changes in TJ Admissions
Newest proposed merit lottery admissions policy fuels concern.
Top-level discussions concerning proposals by Fairfax County Public Schools leaders and School Board members to increase the population of underrepresented students of color at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) have flown fast and furious the last four weeks.
Activist and Herndon Leader Lester (Les) Zidel Dies
Lester (Les) Zidel, 74, of Herndon died on Oct. 9, 2020.
Improving the Lives of Children in Herndon
Local charity shares love of the ride.
The Green Lizard Foundation, the charitable arm of Green Lizard Cycling in the Town of Herndon, gave away bicycles to disadvantaged children Thursday evening, Oct. 1.
Fairfax County Public Schools Staff Uncomfortable With In-Person School Plan
Fairfax County Federation of Teachers releases survey results.
Staff at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are overwhelmingly uncomfortable with returning for in-person instruction, given the incomplete information about the implementation that has been currently shared, according to a report released by the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT) on Oct. 6 during a press conference.
Life Hangs in the Box Checked in Fairfax County
HR for County Schools tells staff to make a decision.
Tia Williams is an instructional assistant with diabetes and severe asthma at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Things They Love About Herndon
The Connection asked Town of Herndon residents to name the greatest things about living in the area.
Downtown Herndon Becomes Reality
Mayor Lisa Merkel previews development underway in the Town of Herndon.
During the pandemic, traditions have given way to new experiences as individuals, businesses and nonprofits morphed, reinventing themselves to succeed.
Mobilizing for the Biden-Harris Ticket
Virginia's former Governor, House of Delegate Speaker and Senate Majority Leader at Fairfax County Government Center.
The second and third day of early voting at Fairfax County Government Center brought enthusiastic voters exercising their rights to vote and more.
Why to Vote in the Town of Herndon Elections
Candidates let voters know their message.
With forty-four days until the November 3 Town of Herndon elections for Mayor and Members of Town Council, councilmember candidate and incumbent Cesar A. del Aguila and candidate Naila Alam walked door-to-door, the weekend of Sept. 1.
Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees Revisits July Controversy
Trustee Rosenthal apologies for ‘wrong words’ and retains board seat.
Fran Millhouser, Chair of Fairfax County Library Board, said she received "many emails voicing public concern" for statements made by Trustees Phil Rosenthal (Springfield District) and Darren Ewing (Dranesville District) during the previous board meeting in late July.
Kamala Harris Speaks at Fairfax 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony
At Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, County Fire Chief John S. Butler stepped to the podium at the 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony to commemorate lives lost on September 11, 2001.
Downtown Herndon Real Estate Focus of Closed Door Session
Possible sign of pending land sale for Downtown Redevelopment Project.
After the Herndon Town Council adopted its Continuity of Government Ordinance on March 24 which allowed it to operate during the state of emergency due to COVID-19 and do so in a streamlined manner, Council could not discuss and act on matters such as zoning, planning, development and the Heritage Preservation Review Board Handbook.
As Federal Benefits Drop, Food Insecurity Escalates in Herndon Area
Rotarians, People of Action, hold food drive.
For more than a month, like other unemployed workers across the United States, those in the Herndon area struggle to afford food and housing on state benefits alone when work remains scarce.
‘Movies Under the Stars’ by Woodland Park Crossing Herndon
Catch a free, family-friendly flick.
With the summer of 2020 coming to a close and the pandemic a fixture of life, local families search for ways to pass the time outdoors.
Dedicated to the Notion of Every Child by Name and By Need
Successful virtual start planned for FCPS’ special education children.
Fairfax County Public Schools held a Special Education Town Hall on Aug. 16, part of its Back to School Countdown.
Ewing Resigns from Fairfax County Library Board
Trustee Rosenthal apologizes for disruption.
Two members of the Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees, Phil Rosenthal, Springfield District Representative and Darren Ewing, Dranesville District Representative, made statements during the July 29 public meeting of the Fairfax County Library Board Trustees that caused the public, organizations, and top County leaders to voice concern.
County Democrats Endorse Town of Herndon Candidates
Town voters participate in unassembled caucus.
The Democratic Sample Ballot for Town of Herndon Elections this fall will show candidates endorsed by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC).
Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble in Reston
Car Rally for Justice shines a light on conscious and unconscious biases.
With armed security guards patrolling the grounds, faith leaders of nine partnering churches in the Reston-Herndon area joined organizers from Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church Reston for their Faith and Justice Car Rally.
Outrage Over Comments by Trustee on Fairfax County Library Board
Local organizations, unions and faith-based groups call for his removal.
In the aftermath of public concern following comments made by appointed Trustee Phillip Rosenthal (Springfield District) during the July 29 public meeting of the Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees, NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition sent a letter on Aug. 20 to Jeffrey McKay, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Fran Millhouser, Chair of the Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees.
The Need for Food Knows No Boundaries in Herndon
Neither does the need for a Herndon Labor Support Center
Alex Rodriguez is Organizing Chair of the Herndon Labor Support Center.
Threatening Snag on Herndon Arts Build
Large group of investors pull out
The proposed Floris Conservatory for Fine Arts & Music, a $40M, 48,000 square foot Scimores Academy LLC project for children 4-18 years of age planned for 8.06 acres at the intersection of West Ox and Centreville Roads in Herndon, might not come to fruition.
Doulas Launch Arrow Birth
Virtual education and consultations.
As mothers of seven children between them and long-time practicing doulas, Mari Stutzman Smith and Tara Campbell Lussier, two Herndon High School alumnae, ultimately knew what was missing for families on the path of parenthood to feel supported and successful.
Twelve Candidates Run in Town of Herndon Election
Candidates Discuss Their Priorities
As of Aug. 10, 2020, twelve candidates qualified to run in the Nov. 3, Fairfax County, Town of Herndon, General Election for Member Town Council – Herndon, and Mayor – Herndon, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
Herndon Harbor House Seniors Embrace the New Norm
Masked, socially distanced and loving the life they make.
Seniors at Herndon Harbor House in the Town of Herndon pursue active lifestyles even though they have quarantined since March, according to resident Janice Watson.
EagleForce Warrior Foundation Donates $30K
Funds launch Capital Caring Health's ‘So No One Dies Alone Program.’
The local nonprofit provider of elder health, hospice and advanced illness care, Capital Caring Health, received a $30K donation from EagleForce Warrior Foundation to launch the provider's 'So No One Dies Alone Program' for Veterans from Northern Virginia and nearby areas and their families.
Moving Fairfax County Schools to Dismantle Systemic Racism
NAACP holds virtual Town Hall.
Fairfax County NAACP held a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Community Needs in NOVA Spike
As nonprofits lose funding resources, the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce acts.
After it became clear that local Northern Virginia counties and towns could not provide nonprofits with resources at the level they did before COVID-19, business leaders in The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce stepped up.
Fairfax County Democratic Committee Calls Virtual Unassembled Caucus
Party partisan endorsements in local nonpartisan election.
The issue of partisan party endorsements in a nonpartisan election appears to be one of the pending topics for discussion by candidates in the November 3 Town Council General Election in Herndon this fall.
Fairfax County Pivots Back to Virtual Learning
Superintendent sought Board consensus.
Members of the Fairfax County School Board reached a consensus during its July 21 Work Session and accepted Superintendent Scott Brabrand's recommendation to begin the 2020-21 school year 100 percent virtually.
Fairfax County Teachers Push for Virtual Start to School Year
Union says it is unrealistic to open school with a hybrid plan.
Two days after the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) July 15, 11:59 p.m. deadline passed for students, teachers and school based technology specialists (SBTS) to respond to two Instruction Options for the 2020-21 school year, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT, AFT 2401) sent a letter to FCPS officials urging them to switch to 100 percent virtual learning.
Food Pantry Shelves Near Empty in Herndon
Demand is greater than supply.
The Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Northwest Federal Credit Union, is out to fill empty tummies.
Coalition Pleads for Removal of Fairfax County SROs
NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition proposes redirecting of funding to hire counselors.
"While schools' primary role is to serve as an institution for learning, it must also remain a suitable place for young people to mature and sometimes err, without being subjected to the unquestionably perilous path of the criminal justice system," wrote members of the NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition in a July 6 letter to Fairfax County Public Schools Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Q&A on Back to School for Fairfax County
Superintendent takes questions at Virtual Town Hall.
FCPS hosted a virtual Town Hall Meeting on July 6, to answer questions about its two Return to School Plans: Full-time Online Instruction or In-Person Instruction with Social Distancing.
Love & Unity Prayer Rally Held in Herndon
Not changing the narrative, changing the atmosphere.
In the Town of Herndon, population 23,000, faith-based organizations gathered with the Town's police force.
Ready or Not, Here Comes Phase 3 in Fairfax County
Tracer data sparse; COVID clusters threaten.
Fairfax County, along with the rest of the state, is expected to enter the third phase of reopening on Wednesday, July 1.
Fairfax County Supervisors Approve Paid Family Leave
Helping County employees meet family demands and employment responsibilities.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved Paid Family Leave for County employees during its June 23, 2020 Board meeting.
Remote or In-School Learning in Fairfax County
County families should respond by July 10.
School reopens for Fairfax County Public Schools students in eight weeks. That means that families in the 10th largest school division in the United States have until Friday, July 10, to respond with their enrollment choice for the entire 2020-21 school year.
Contracted Locally, Makers Sew 45,000 Face Masks
New jobs for unemployed and new revenue stream for nonprofit.
Unthinkable scenarios happened in early March. The COVID-19 pandemic hurled itself into Northern Virginia; small and large businesses shuttered and unemployment rates escalated.
Black Lives Matter Banner Stolen from Reston Church
Theft reported Juneteenth 2020.
A large banner reading Black Lives Matter was reported stolen along with its supporting posts on Juneteenth 2020 from church grounds of the Unitarian Universalist Church Reston.
Don't Touch the Veggies in Herndon
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines in place as Herndon Farmers Market reopens.
The 2020 Herndon Farmers Market, operated under Fairfax County Park Authority, opened for the season later than normal, not on the usual third Thursday in April, but on June 18.
Scenario 1, 2 or 3: What Will It Be in Fairfax County?
2020-21 school plans presented to the County School Board.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) presented their preliminary recommendations for the 2020-21 school year to the Fairfax County School Board on Monday, June 15, during its work session.
Change Through Communal Voice
Local high school students join Black Lives Matter movement.
Leaders of Change Coalition held a Black Lives Matter March in front of the Herndon Municipal Center Sunday, June 7.
Obituary: A Life Well-Lived
Robert A. Shawn of Herndon dies shortly after 100th birthday.
Robert A. Shawn passed away at home on Sunday, May 24, 2020. Born May 6, 1920, "Colonel Bob" celebrated his 100th birthday two and half weeks before his passing.
A Series of Fortunate Events in Herndon
Serendipity scores for a print school newspaper.
When Michael Wemyss, Herndon High School Class of 2020, sat down on day one in his junior year journalism class, he assumed that the course focused on the school yearbook.
Herndon, Reston Communities Protest Against Racial Injustice and Police Brutality
Thousands take to local streets and sidewalks in solidarity.
"We need to take this moment and make it our moment. We need to use our breath for those who have no breath," said Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner of Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston.
Fairfax County Police Department Officer Charged with Assault Against Community Member
Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Police Chief: ‘These acts are unacceptable.’
"The body-worn camera video I am releasing shows a Fairfax County police officer deploying force in violation of our use of force policies … They are criminal acts which violate our oath of office, and they ignore the sanctity of human life," said Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Police Chief, the day after one of his officers deployed an "electronic control weapon," multiple times on an African American male who did not appear to be a threat.
A Call to End ‘White Silence’
Demonstrators converge at Public Safety Headquarters in Fairfax.
After seven days of nationwide protests, escalating riots and looting by some in the fallout from the death of African-American George Floyd while being arrested by a white officer in Minneapolis, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Northern Virginia held protests at two northern Virginia police headquarters.