Thursday, June 30
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.
Lorton: Fireworks Set to Explode over Workhouse Arts Center Again July 2
A fireworks display will once again be the highlight of a Fourth of July weekend evening program at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.
Burke Resident to Open New Exhibition at Torpedo Factory in Alexandria
Kathleen Best Gillmann of Burke is set to open an exhibition of her paintings depicting coastal landscapes titled “Vision at Water’s Edge” beginning July 6 at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria.
Fairfax County: Former Police Officer Torres sentenced to 12 months for killing John Geer
Torres released five days following sentencing due to time already served
For the first time in its three-quarters of a century in existence, a Fairfax County Police officer has been convicted and sentenced after an officer-involved shooting death.
Wednesday, June 29
Area Roundups
Area happenings
Burke Presbyterian Hosts Ramadan Dinner
Burke Presbyterian Church hosted members of the Ezher Bloom Mosque for a Ramadan fast-breaking meal at sundown on Thursday, June 23.
Fairfax County Public Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program
The Fairfax County Public Library began its Summer Reading Challenge on June 23, with this year’s theme being “Read for the Win.”
Fairfax County: Torres Walks Free
Former police officer released five days after sentencing for killing John Geer
Former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres walked free Wednesday morning, June 29.
Tuesday, June 28
Letter: Gross Misreading of the Second Amendment
To the Editor
This is in response to U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly's opinion piece titled "Stem Gun Violence Epidemic" (The Connection, June 22-28).
Pet Connection and Connection Families
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 27, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 17.
Editorial: Getting Home Safely on Independence Day
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Hope in the Fight Against Drug Dependency
Meeting highlights battles in every neighborhood.
Fairfax County experiences heroin overdoses every day, according to county officials. To help raise awareness, a second county-wide Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Town Hall was held June 14 at Centreville High School.
Monday, June 27
Online Classes Offer Flexible Options for Earning Credentials Outside the Classroom
Interested in learning to landscape your yard using sustainable practices?
Tips for Memorable Family Vacations
As summer gets underway, vacation-bound families are packing their bags and heading out of town. Vacations often fly by — months of planning and anticipating can be over in the blink of an eye. With a little advanced planning and forethought, however, even a quick weekend trip or a visit to relatives can become meaningful and memorable.
Friday, June 24
Weekend Fun: June 24-26
Weekend fun in the area.
Thursday, June 23
Burke, Fairfax Station: Robinson Holds Graduation June 15
The students may have been graduating, but their principal assigned one more book for them to read. Robinson Secondary’s Matt Eline sent each 2016 graduate on their way with a copy of Brian Tracy’s “Achieve Any Goal.” He made goals the theme of his address to the young adults on June 15 at George Mason’s Eagle Bank Arena.
Wednesday, June 22
Burke and Springfield: McAuliffe Signs High School Curriculum Bill Into Law
On Monday, June 13, Governor Terry McAuliffe signed Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s (D-41) bill, HB 659 in the State Capitol in Richmond. HB 659 will require high-school family-life curricula to include awareness, understanding and prevention of dating violence, domestic abuse, sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Commentary: Finding Shortcuts in Richmond
Solving problems through state agencies instead of the legislature can save time and money.
Burke: Four Tips for Bruins Graduates
Lake Braddock Secondary School 2016 graduates ‘made a name for themselves.’
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.
Tuesday, June 21
Commentary: Congress Must Act to Stem Gun Violence Epidemic
Last week, America woke to what has become an all-too-common nightmare. A man driven by hate and armed with assault weapons carried out our nation’s worst mass shooting.
Free Independence Day Cab Rides Offered
Preparing to combat that U.S. holiday when, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 41 percent of all U.S. traffic deaths involve drunk drivers, free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area on Independence Day, July 4.
Friday, June 17
Burke Home Sales: May, 2016
In May, 2016, 79 Burke homes sold between $849,500-$200,000.
Burke Home Sales: May, 2016
Thursday, June 16
Natasha McKenna’s Mother Files $15 Million Wrongful Death Suit
Woman with mental illness died after being tased while in Sheriff’s custody.
Natasha McKenna’s mother is seeking more than $15 million in a wrongful death and gross negligence suit filed against Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and five deputies.
Fairfax County Retired Educators award scholarships to aspiring teachers
Springfield resident Paul Naanou is determined to be in front of a classroom. The rising senior at the College of William and Mary and 2013 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has been a math and science instructor for Fairfax Collegiate over the last two summers.
Ten U.S. Air Force Band Conductors Assemble for 75th Anniversary Reunion Concert in Fairfax
The U.S. Air Force Band celebrated its 75th anniversary with a reunion concert on June 11 at the George Mason Center for the Arts.
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 and Springfield: Saving ABLE Savings Accounts
Governor McAuliffe signs Del. Eileen Filler-Corn’s Bill exempting ABLE Savings Accounts from means testing.
Parkwood Baptist Church Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Parkwood Baptist Church in Annandale celebrated their 50th anniversary with a memorial picnic and outdoor service on Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12.
Area Roundups
Weekly happenings in your area.
Burke: Robinson Girls' Lax Repeats as State Champion
Rams finish undefeated season with victory over Woodson.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team finished an undefeated season with a state championship.
Burke: Robinson Boys' Lax Wins Third Straight State Championship
Rams beat James River in 6A state final.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team beat James River in the 6A state championship game.
Wednesday, June 15
Classified Advertising June 15, 2016
Read the lastest ads here!
Editorial: Support for Police in Reforms
Police commission recommendations come to Board of Supervisors for approval, implementation.
In some ways, the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, brainchild of Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, was a bit of a miracle.
Tuesday, June 14
Considering Private School?
Small steps this summer can minimize stress of application process.
The school year has just come to an end … which means it’s the ideal time to prepare to apply to leading independent schools.
2016 Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees Selected
Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. named the 2016 Lords and Ladies Fairfax at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 7 at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Saturday, June 11
State Tournament Roundup
W-L boys' soccer, Robinson girls', boys' lax among teams competing for titles.
The 6A state championships are being held today at Robinson and Lake Braddock.
Thursday, June 9
Springfield Days' Petfest 2016 at South Run RECenter in Fairfax Station
Diane Roadcap of Springfield wants people to understand that animals are spiritual beings. Ever since she was a girl of five and felt drawn to a box at the local dump in Luray that contained a dog duct-taped to the inside, doomed to be incinerated, she says she’s had the gift of being able to translate for animals.
Burke: Shocked by Kidney Disease
Family searching, waiting in line for living donor.
Burke resident Hayden Shock graduated from Gallaudet University May 13 on the dean’s list with a marketing degree. That was expected. Fewer than two months before, he was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. For a healthy college senior -- Shock threw javelin and competed for Gallaudet track and field -- the diagnosis was totally unexpected.
Relay for Life Brings Community Together
Participants walked laps at Workhouse Arts Center in support of a cure for cancer.
Burke Centre Library Book Fair Fuels Passion for Reading
The public library held a book fair Thursday to Sunday offering great deals on great books.
Wednesday, June 8
Octagonal Dream Home on the Market
Home's shape and large windows make it a sun-drenched space.
It was during a trip to California almost 20 years that McLean resident Susan Jordano first laid eyes on her dream home.
Burke: Frosh Connolly Helps Robinson Boys’ Lax Reach State Final
Rams beat Colonial Forge, will try for third straight state title.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Colonial Forge on Friday in the state semifinals.
Burke: Defense Key as Robinson Girls’ Lax Clinches Trip to State Final
Skrzypczak, Kluegel lead Rams back to state title game.
The Robinson girls' lacrosse team is headed back to the state final.
Classified Advertising June 8, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, June 2
Fairfax County: High School Senior Addresses School Board on LGBT Issues
Board conducting community review of Family Life Education curriculum recommendations.
Bennett Shoop remembers first being bullied in second grade. He liked to dress all in black, wear weird shirts, be alternative in his outward expression.
Memorial Day 2016 Observed at Burke Centre Conservancy
Piper Matthew Kuldell led the color guard -- members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5412 and Boy Scout Troop 1345 -- into the area of the Burke Centre Conservancy on May 31 to begin the observance of Memorial Day.
Fairfax County: School Board Adopts $2.7 Billion Budget
FY 2017 budget aims to raise teacher salaries, lower class sizes.
The Fairfax County School Board has made good on Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza’s promise when she introduced a FY 2017 budget for the school system.
Wednesday, June 1
Vienna: Joel’s Story
After foster care experience: Architecting his own path.
Joel was taken into foster care when he was a high school junior, after reporting to a coach what was going on at home. Schools are “mandatory reporters,” and, as such, they are legally compelled to call social services in a case like Joel’s.
Classified Advertising June 1 , 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Burke: Robinson Boys’ Lax Wins Region Championship
Rams come from behind twice to beat Woodson.
The Robinson boys' lacrosse team defeated Woodson 15-14 in overtime on Tuesday to win the 6A North region title.
Dan, Katie Checkosky Make Best of Awkward Situation
Robinson girls’ lax beats Woodson to win region title.
Woodson Director of Student Activities supported the Cavaliers and his daughter --- Robinson junior Katie Checkosky --- on Tuesday.
Staying Safe This Summer
Tips and precautions for avoiding warm-weather hazards.
The start of summer means pools and backyard grilling. It also means an increased risk of accidents and injuries.