Stories for September 2015

Editorial: Changing Perspective on Death Penalty

Evolving standards will eclipse the death penalty entirely at some point in the future.

It’s sad to see senseless death as a response to senseless death. Alfred R. Prieto is not a sympathetic figure, a serial killer who was on death row in California when DNA connected him to murders and rapes in Reston and Arlington that took place in 1988. He is scheduled for execution this week, at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Herndon Police Helps with Pope’s Security

Latest from the Herndon Police Department.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of National Drug Take-Back Day, 186 pounds of unwanted and expired prescription drugs were dropped off at the Herndon Police Department station on Herndon Parkway.

The Pride of Herndon Marches On

Kathleen Jacoby, Herndon High School's band director, had her work cut out for her when marching band camp began on Aug. 10.

Commercial Buildings Shot: People Inside

Fairfax County police arrested a 29-year-old Herndon man Friday, Sept. 24 after a detailed investigation of incidents in which commercial buildings in the Town of Herndon, Fairfax County and Leesburg were struck by bullets, according to police reports.

Oakton: Best Friends Dog Park

Oakton sophomore builds outdoor dog park at Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

Benjamin Yusman has always adopted his “best friends” from animal shelters.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Oak Hill and Herndon Home Sales: August, 2015

In August, 2015, 92 homes sold between $1,070,000-$162,500 in the Oak Hill and Herndon area.

Oak Hill and Herndon Home Sales: August, 2015

Fairfax County NAACP hosts 70th Freedom Fund Awards

‘Your Vote, Your Power’

J.E.B. Stuart High School seniors Anna Rowan, Cassie Marcotty, Marley Finley, Abby Conde and Lidia Amanuel were bothered by the Confederate legacy of their school. Inspired by a history class with teacher Keith Bropst on the Massive Resistance anti-segregation policy, the girls set out to change Stuart’s name, mascot and colors.

Fairfax NAACP To Host Rally Seeking ‘Justice for Natasha McKenna’

Fairfax County NCAAP president Shirley Ginwright announced a rally will be held Sept. 27 to demand justice for Natasha McKenna, a 37-year-old woman with mental illness who died in February after she had been held in the Adult Detention Center.

Vienna: Oakton Volleyball Beats Flint Hill

Oakton's Yang finishes with 21 kills, Heier totals 20.

The Oakton volleyball team improved to 13-2 with a win over Flint Hill on Monday.

Herndon: Family Fun Day at Woody's Golf Range

Community honors three 2014 Herndon High bandmates who died in car accident.

About 100 people attended a Family Fun Day at Woody's Golf Range in Herndon on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Herndon: Teacher Honored

Beloved Herndon High School Latin teacher Christine Sleeper, who died Feb. 15, 2015 at 98, kept a Trojan Horse in her Herndon High School classroom and the Latin word “gaude” on her license plate.

Column: Treatment Denied Syndrome

Natasha McKenna’s blood is on all of our hands.

Natasha McKenna did not die from excited delirium. She died from Treatment Denied Syndrome.*

Herndon Field Hockey Extends Win Streak to Seven Games

Mainor produces hat trick in 7-0 win over South Lakes.

The Herndon field hockey team is off to an 8-2 start.

Ending Bullying

Back to School: Local educators offer advice for parents on how to deal with bullying as school resumes.

When Carol Baker cried, no one heard her. She and a classmate were alone in the girls locker room, and as Baker, then an eighth grade student, tried to leave, her classmate grabbed her gym shirt and pushed her into a locker. They weren’t fighting over anything in particular and Baker didn’t sustain any physical injuries.

Help for Long-Term Caregivers

AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor event next week.

Those embarking on a long-term caregiving journey will have an opportunity to receive support and learn about the services available to them in Northern Virginia. AARP Virginia and the Organization of Chinese American Women will sponsor an event called, “Caregiving Wisdom from an Ancient Sage,” on Sept. 22, 7 p.m., at the Shirlington Library in Arlington and again on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7.p.m., at the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 18-27

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Herndon: Remembering Christine Sleeper

Sunday, gathering in memory of Herndon Latin teacher.

Beloved Herndon High School Latin teacher Christine Sleeper, who died Feb. 15, 2015 at 98, kept a Trojan horse in her classroom and a Latin word on her license plate.

Fairfax County: ‘Reports and Tears Are Not Enough’

Protesters demonstrate for Natasha McKenna, social justice and improved mental health services at ad hoc police review commission public hearing.

Cayce Utley of Centreville said Natasha McKenna, the 37-year-old African American woman with mental illness who died in the Sheriff’s Office custody in February, must be “more than just a mistake, more than an accident. Black women aren’t your ‘Oops,’ they aren’t your teachable moments.”

Fairfax County School Board Reflects on First Day of Later Start Times

James Madison High School senior Ben Press provided firsthand testimony for the positive effect of new later start times for Fairfax County high school students. “Your investment in our health paid off, as can be seen in the better-rested faces of thousands of high school students across the county,” said Press, addressing the Fairfax County School Board in his new role as student representative at their Sept. 10 meeting.

Chantilly: Business Owner Seeks To Share Life-Changing Fitness

Anytime Fitness to open in Chantilly.

Finding the time to exercise is a struggle for many, but it is about to get easier for area residents thanks to Dino Garcia, a Herndon resident, who is in the process of launching an Anytime Fitness gym in Chantilly. Garcia’s goal for the grand opening is late fall.

Elected Officials Discuss Ways to Support Fairfax County’s Residents in Need

“We can’t do enough to spread the word that in the midst of affluent Fairfax County there is another, ‘hidden Fairfax’ that needs our urgent attention.” T

Herndon’s First Craft Beer Brewery Opens Sept. 19

Herndon’s first nanobrewery Aslin Beer opens in September.

On Sept. 19, Aslin Beer will open at 257 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, and will be Herndon’s first small-batch brewery or nanobrewery.

Herndon High Latin’s Certamen Team Wins National Championship

Eight Herndon High School Latin students won the National Certamen championship in the National Junior Classical League Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Herndon: Ribbon, Scissors and 100 Bowls of Soup

Mayor Lisa Merkel, vice mayor Jennifer Baker, Dranesville Supervisor John Foust and others celebrated the official ribbon cutting of 100 Bowls of Soup this past Saturday, Sept. 12.

Fairfax County: More Open Space

Survey about parks shows more households using the parks, lower satisfaction.

Fairfax County residents say preservation of open space is the most important service that the Park Authority can provide.

NOVA’s New President Celebrates First Week in New Role

Dr. Scott Ralls officially took the helm, on Sept. 8, as the fifth president of Northern Virginia Community College. Ralls joins one of the largest community colleges in the nation after seven years as president of the 58-campus North Carolina Community College System.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 11-20

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Mount Vernon: No Criminal Charges In McKenna Death

Tasers did not directly cause Natasha McKenna’s death, nor are any of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved with the case being charged with a crime. Those are the positions announced Tuesday, Sept. 8 by Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh.

Reston: Wicket Club Aims to Make Cricket the New Baseball

Popularity of cricket soaring in Northern Virginia.

Wicket Club in Sterling is a magnet for young cricket players from Northern Virginia. It’s one of the few indoor cricket facilities on the east coast and immediately found an audience with the Southeast Asian cricket community when it opened in 2012.

Herndon Celebrates Labor Day Festival

Formerly known as the Wine and Jazz Festival, the Herndon Labor Day Festival on Monday, Sept. 7 featured fine wines and craft beers from several wineries and breweries, including Cardamon Family Vineyards, Chateau O’Brien, Mattaponi Winery, Rebec Vineyards, Brothers Craft Brewing, Forge Brew Works and Mad Fox Brewery.

Bicyclist Fatality in Herndon

Bicycle Master Plan adopted in 2014 attempts to continue to increase safety of bicyclists on roadways.

A 38-year-old bicyclist died after being hit by a vehicle on Sunrise Valley Drive in Herndon on Monday, Aug. 31 just after 8 p.m. The bicyclist has been identified as Andrew Greff Gooden, 38, of St. James, Jamaica.

Herdon Town Blunder: Town Correction

Herndon Town Manager issues apology to Town citizens with Sept. 3, 2015 letter.

Dear Town Citizens: As many of you are aware, the vehicle decal bills sent via U.S. mail to citizens last week were incorrect, with many of you receiving bills containing information about vehicles you do not own. These incorrect bills should be disregarded.

Herndon Grows at Midnight Hour

Town’s western boundary adjustment made with cooperation of Loudoun County.

Herndon grew at the stroke of midnight on Aug. 31, 2015.

Herndon: Comic and Heartfelt

One woman’s journey to motherhood at NextStop Theatre.

With plenty of wide-eyed sparkle based upon her own journey to motherhood, Ginna Hoben will be featured in the world premiere of “No Spring Chicken.”

‘Remodeled Home Tour’

A 3,700-square-foot, four-bedroom center hall Colonial renovated in phases over nearly two decades will be featured in a “Remodeled Home Tour” sponsored by Sun Design Remodeling.

Thinking of Downsizing?

Free seminar will focus on moving to a smaller place without sacrificing style.

Homeowners considering a move from a large home to a smaller dwelling will have an opportunity to receive expert advice on their transition later this month.

Editorial: Focusing on Suicide Prevention

Help is a phone call away.

This week is Suicide Prevention Week. Preventing suicide means paying attention to mental health and treating depression, and there is no better time to focus on that than the first week of school.

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - Sept. 4-13

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

Workplace Fitness

Employer-based health and wellness programs are good for business.

It’s Wednesday afternoon and a cohort of George Mason University staff, students and faculty hit the pavement. Clad in attire ranging from running shorts and brightly colored sneakers to neutral walking shoes and business suits, the group takes part in “Who’s Walking Wednesdays,” part of an initiative to get moving for health and wellness.

Editorial: How to Vote; It Matters

Voting begins in two weeks, Sept. 18.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and on that day, virtually every state and local office is on the ballot. In-person absentee voting begins Sept. 18, barely two weeks from now.

Fairfax County: Historic Sites - Resident Curators?

In exchange for rehabilitating the property, the curator gains use of the property and pays no rent.

The Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation in January 2011 to ensure that local jurisdictions establish a Resident Curator Project.