StarKist, Cornerstones and Feed the Children Partner to End Hunger
2024 Summer Food and Resource Rally
On June 6, Cornerstones, StarKist, and Feed the Children gathered for the third annual summer food and resource rally at Cornerstones Food Rescue Empowerment Enterprise in Sterling. Three Fairfax County nonprofits — LINK Against Hunger, South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry, and Fellowship Square — and two in the Dulles corridor, Dulles South Food Pantry and Community Lodgings, participated.
Unremitting Data Center Demand Pushes County to Act
Balancing an economy that can’t happen without data centers with homeowners’ rights and quality of life.
The relentless march of data center growth in Northern Virginia has reached a reported 70 percent of the total number of data centers on our planet.
Governor Says Virginia Is Exiting Clean Car Commitment
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has no interest in a roadmap to a zero-emission future for vehicles in Virginia. Youngkin cites Attorney General Jason Miyares’ official opinion, which "confirms that Virginians are no longer legally bound to follow the emission standards of California.”
Police Reform Recommendations Sit on a Shelf
Inaction by Supervisors compounded by FCPD stalling on life-saving measures.
Police reform
Homelessness Point-in-Time Count 2024
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee's regional point-in-time counts are a "limited and imperfect perspective."
Pay Increase Goes from 6% to 3% for All FCPS Staff
Last-ditch attempt for 5% raises for teachers, support staff.
On Thursday, May 23, Mateo Dunne, the Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board, launched an effort to amend the superintendent’s proposed FY 2025 Approved Budget.
School Board Hearing on Budget Poorly Attended
Why didn’t more people testify?
Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District representative) welcomed the six people who testified Tuesday evening, May 14, at the Fairfax County School Board Public Hearing on the budget. The time between the first speaker, Nancy Trainer, starting her testimony, and Arthur Purves, the sixth speaker, ending his testimony was approximately sixteen minutes.
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
‘Addictive Cell Phone Usage’
Fairfax County School Board spurred to action on student cell phone use
Cell phones
Honoring Fairfax County Retiree Charles Smith
In January of 2024, Charles Smith retired as Watershed Project Implementation Branch Chief. In this role, he led a team responsible for designing, constructing, and monitoring water quality improvement projects.
Seven Years Later, Still No Herndon Downtown Redevelopment
Comstock’s 2-year construction pause expired on April 30.
On April 24, a town spokesperson told The Connection that Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton would update the Town Council during its April 30 Work Session on how “the town and Comstock are working together to determine next steps.”
No Hold Comments by Chairman and Supervisors
Budget, lack of state funding; Animal Protection Police or Animal Control Officers?
Budget
Many Needs in Schools, County
Testimony will highlight priorities for spending.
On Thursday, April 18, home care workers, public service workers, allies, and community members planned to join airport workers, elected officials, and candidates for Congress for a march and rally at Dulles Airport in support of access to affordable health care and paid sick leave for airport service workers.
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Johnson v. Grants Pass. on April 22, 2024 with consequences for people experiencing homelessness.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
Valor Awards Honor 230 First Responders
On Thursday, April 11, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce honored first responders at the 46th Annual Fairfax County Valor Awards.
It’s Going to Cost More To Do More
Public Hearings on the tax rate and sewer rate.
Due to rising service demands and challenges in funding them, Fairfax County faces significant challenges addressing its FY 2025 advertised budget of $3.8 billion
Inova Schar Cancer Institute Reaches 5th Anniversary
Interview with John Deeken, MD, institute president
Inova Schar Institute
In Tents Not by Choice, But Lack of Choices
Problems with data; police Encounters; shelter and housing.
People experiencing homelessness opt to sleep in areas ‘not designated for human habitation’ because of a lack of affordable housing, especially for those earning below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
County’s Real Estate Tax Rate Advertised at 4 Cent Increase
Fairfax County Supervisors at its March 5 meeting approved advertising a 4-cent FY 2025 real estate tax rate increase for the County Executive's FY 2025 Fairfax County Advertised Budget. The advertised rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed valuation.
Tentative Agreement Between ATU Local 689, Transdev
Fairfax County Connector Bus service expected to restart Friday, March 8.
After a daylong negotiation session on Tuesday, March 5, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, representing striking Fairfax County Connector bus drivers and mechanics, reached a tentative agreement with Transdev.
Broken Pipe Part of Larger Project
‘No evidence that the pipe's failure had compromised the water quality of those homes.’
On Tuesday, March 5, John Lisle, vice president of marketing and communications at DC Water, said Fairfax County's Feb. 27 presentation at the Great Falls Community meeting was comparable to DC Water's previous community meetings held the week before.
Major Sewage Line Fails Near Potomac River in Great Falls
Fairfax tests wells, positive results for coliform and E. coli
The DC Water and Sewer Authority's Potomac Interceptor sewer line at Manhole #31, approximately 400 feet (just more than a football field) from the Potomac River, and varying proximity to 18 private wells in Great Falls, 158 feet to 2,755 feet, failed on or before Feb. 12.
School Board Approves $3.8 Billion Budget
Mateo Dunne proposal not to increase pay for top division leadership rejected by Board; Supervisors will influence budget.
On Thursday, Feb. 22, the twelve-member Fairfax County School Board approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Advertised Budget 11–0 with one abstention.
County Executive Presents FY 2025 Advertised Budget
Tax increase proposed; jobs cut; state underfunds schools; supervisors will make changes.
Budget
House of Delegates Considering SB 280, Medical Aid in Dying
Death with dignity bill passed in Virginia Senate.
Death with Dignity
DOJ Releases Uvalde Review in mid-January
Where are comments by Fairfax County and Virginia on recommendations?
Review
Casino Bill SB 675 Carries Over in 13 to 2 Vote
VA Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee ends consideration of a Tysons casino for this session; likely to be back in 2025
Casino bill
Casino Bill is Dead for 2024
Carried it over until 2025.
Sen. Marsden’s SB 675 Casino Bill Carried Over: Opponents react; Marsden touts benefits.
FCPS Proposed Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan
Climate change, gerrymandering, and inequitable funding discussed.
Climate change, gerrymandering, and inequitable funding discussed.
January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
Prevention, detection, badge-to-badge support, and data gathering.
Cancer Month
Spotlighting the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate
The Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services facility empowers individuals and families.
The Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate in Reston is a vital, active neighborhood hub. Located at 12125 Pinecrest Road, Dogwood Elementary School, a Fairfax County Title 1 grant program school, anchors the community.
Multiple Rotary Clubs Collaborate for Rise Against Hunger
Volunteers and sponsors needed.
Volunteers and sponsors are sought for the Rise Against Hunger Food Packaging event at Aldrin Elementary School, 11375 Center Harbor Road, Reston, VA, Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; set-up at 8:30 a.m.
Volunteer Fairfax Mobilizes Hundreds for
Weekend of Service 2024 benefits those in need and bolsters volunteerism.
Volunteerism
Reston Community Center’s Annual MLK Celebration
Rev. William J. Barber II calls on us to recommit to the fight for justice and remember the real King.
MLK Day
Herndon Festival ‘Permanently Canceled’
Reasons why may differ from what you think.
The award-winning outdoor Herndon Festival, held yearly and produced by the town’s parks and recreation department, supported by volunteers since 1981 (except for one year during COVID) is permanently canceled.
Angels Soar in Great Falls
Wish List Project 2023 benefits Fairfax County foster care, The Women’s Center, Second Story, Herndon ES and Aldrin ES
As part of the Wish List Project in its 23rd year, donors brought hundreds of gift items they purchased to the Perez family home in Great Falls on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Looking for Miracles- Public Menorah Lighting
Five oil pots lit commencing the 5th day of Chanukah.
One of the traditions that is widespread among people of faith is celebrating the holidays with light.
Supervisors Recognize Outgoing Dranesville District Supervisor John W. Foust
Thank you for years of dedication and service to Fairfax County!
At its Dec. 5 meeting, the Fairfax Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution honoring Dranesville District Supervisor John W. Foust for his community service.
Supervisors Recognize Penny Gross
Thanking outgoing Mason District Supervisor for years of service to Fairfax County.
After serving seven consecutive terms as the Mason District Supervisor and attending more than 700 Board of Supervisors meetings, the Dec. 5, 2023 meeting will forever be etched in the memory of Penny Gross, who currently serves as vice chair. It was her final board meeting with colleagues.
Cornerstones Opens Food Hub
Other nonprofits can supplement their resources.
A challenge existed for Cornerstones: wasted food, tons of it destroyed in the communities the nonprofit organization served, yet people were going home and going to sleep at night hungry.
Vouchers Help Erode Barriers to Affordable Housing
One option to open the door to the county’s lowest income residents.
Vouchers
Supervisors Approve Good Faith Funding for Police & Firefighters
Fiscal Year One Impacts: $33 million for police and $24.7 million for firefighters and paramedics
Funding
Supervisors Approve Good Faith Funding for Police & Firefighters
Fiscal Year One Impacts: $33 million for police and $24.7 million for firefighters and paramedics
“Many of the commitments that are in this, that we are expecting the county executive to include in his budget proposal to us, are things likely we would have done anyway.” — Chairman Jeff McKay (D)
Food Lines Resemble Bread Lines of Great Depression
2,000 people in need show up for help.
“The need was great — at one point, people were lined up around the block waiting to receive canned food, dry goods, fresh produce, and winter clothes.” — Herndon Vice Mayor Clark Hedrick