
Police Say Burke and Springfield Homicides Appear to be Linked
Victims both 22, found with “upper body trauma”
On Dec. 22, Fairfax County Police responded to a call around 8:15 p.m. that Henok G. Yohannes, 22, had been found dead in his home in the 6400 block of Blarney Stone Ct. in Springfield.

Burke, Fairfax, Springfield: Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) joins ABLEnow in commemorating the opening of the first ABLEnow account in Virginia.
On Monday, December 19th, the 2nd year anniversary of the federal passage of the ABLE Act, Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) joined ABLEnow for a press conference to commemorate the opening of the first ABLEnow account in Virginia. Fittingly, this account was opened for Natalie Beck, whose parents first came up with the idea for ABLE accounts several years ago.

Burke CARES Receives Toy Donation from Pack 1346
On Dec. 13, members of the Cub Scout Pack 1346 donated toys to the non-profit organization Burke CARES, that will then distribute them to children in need around the Burke Community. In addition to the annual gift drive, Burke CARES (Community Action Resources for Empowerment and Support) also partners with St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax each year to provide donated backpacks and school supplies to between 35 and 45 children in Burke.

Burke United Methodist Church hosts hypothermia prevention shelter.
Just before five p.m. on Dec. 14, the Burke United Methodist Church kitchen is bustling with volunteers. They’re preparing soup, snacks and dinner meals for between 25 and 30 homeless guests who will spend the night at the church.

Fairfax Station: Temple B’nai Shalom Students Build Canned Food Menorah
Hebrew School students at Temple B’Nai Shalom in Fairfax Station prepared for Chanukah by building a menorah from cans of food.

Fairfax County: Filling Oversight Positions
Supervisors outline procedures for bringing on police auditor and civilian review panel.
One week after voting to establish Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel for police, Public Safety Committee chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova outlined steps to be taken to fill the nine-member panel, as well as hire an independent police auditor.

Burke: Surviving Brain Injury
New book shares stories of strength and inspiration.
A new resource is available to those who’ve been touched by traumatic brain injury (TBI) called “Surviving Brain Injury: Stories of Strength and Inspiration.” A collection of 90 stories, mostly by TBI survivors, “Surviving Brain Injury” personalizes life’s trajectory after a blast to the head, a fall or stroke.

Burke: Legislative Forum Held at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church
The art of the possible
At the free public forum, Grow, Rhee and Bowers-Lanier stressed the importance for people who are concerned about climate change, immigration and economic justice, health care and other social justice issues to be both active and vigilant as these issues come before state and federal lawmakers in 2017.

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.

Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations: 88 Percent Implemented
Public Safety Committee hears from Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting subcommittee chair.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is well on its way to implementing all recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. At the Dec. 13 meeting of the board’s Public Safety Committee, they announced 88 percent of the commission recommendations have been implemented or are soon to be so.
Burke Home Sales: November, 2016
In November, 2016, 47 Burke homes sold between $799,000-$128,000.
Burke Home Sales: November, 2016

Fairfax County: Filling Oversight Positions
Supervisors outline procedures for bringing on police auditor and civilian review panel.
One week after voting to establish Fairfax County’s first Civilian Review Panel for police, Public Safety Committee chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova outlined steps to be taken to fill the nine-member panel, as well as hire an independent police auditor.

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.”

Burke, Fairfax Station, Springfield: Great Dads Turns 20
Nonprofit celebrates two decades training fathers to be better parents.
“I remember leaving the conference and driving past the exit for my office,” Stafford said, “looking back and seeing my briefcase, thinking about all the things I needed to get done, or thought I did.” But Stafford passed the exit, drove home and surprised his wife. He announced the family would be going to the zoo, “a nice little daycation.”

Updated List of Shelters for the Homeless
Shelter Information
NVRC has updated the list of shelters for the homeless, drop in centers and winter shelters in the region: Visit http://www.novaregion.org/index.aspx?NID=174