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.

Chantilly Volleyball Holds Off Langley in Five Sets

Chargers’ Molina totals 19 kills, Recto has 14.

The Chantilly volleyball team beat Langley on Monday.

Gasoline Leak in Centreville

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department units responded to a strong odor of gasoline near the 6300 block of Multiplex Drive, at approximately 12:05 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21.

Chantilly Brief: Seven Trucks Found Unsafe

Officers from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit conducted a commercial vehicle safety inspection in the parking lot of the Greenbriar Shopping Center.

Chantilly Snapshot: Family Hearing Services Opens

Family Hearing Services held its grand opening on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and is now open for business.

Centreville/Chantilly: ‘I’ll See You in the Community’

Flanking Supervisor Frey are his staff members Kathy Buckley and Mike Coyle.

Overwhelmed after hearing the lavish praised bestowed on him by the community Friday night for his 24 years of service, Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) stepped to the podium to respond.

Chantilly Home Sales: August, 2015

In August, 2015, 28 homes sold between $1,285,000-$48,000 in the Chantilly area.

Chantilly Home Sales: August, 2015

Centreville Home Sales: August, 2015

In August, 2015, 90 Centreville homes sold between $819,000-$169,800.

Centreville 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.

Chantilly: Westfield Defense Delivers Victory Against T.C. Williams

Short-handed Bulldogs win eight days after losing to South County.

The Westfield football team defeated T.C. Williams 21-6 on Sept. 19.

Centreville/Chantilly: ‘The Epitome of a Leader’

Michael Frey honored as Sully’s longtime supervisor.

Heartfelt accolades, fond memories and good-natured ribbing marked Friday night’s Roast and Boast for Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully).

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.*

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.

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.

Mountain View High School: Helping Students Reach Their Goals

Gary Morris takes the reins at Mountain View High.

Gary Morris is Mountain View High School’s new principal. But before he became an educator, he was a professional football player.

Chantilly's Sully Historical Site: Where History Is ‘Touchable’

Celebrating 40th anniversary of Sully Historic Site’s restoration.

The Sully Historic Site in Chantilly provides a window into late 18th-century life in Northern Virginia. And on Sunday, Sept. 6, volunteers, visitors and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its restoration.

Chantilly's Recto Tallies 21 Kills in Victory over Lake Braddock

Chargers improve to 4-0 with win over Bruins.

The Chantilly volleyball team defeated Lake Braddock 3-1 on Thursday.

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.

Centreville Snapshots: First Day of School

Kindergartner Gavin Reeder reacts to his first day of Kindergarten at Bull Run Elementary.

Centreville: Troop Completes Wilderness Hike

Ten Troop 30 Scouts of Centreville completed a back-country wilderness hike at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Clifton Brief: Addressing Amendments Convention

C. Mitchell Shaw will be the keynote speaker for the Republican Women of Clifton’s September meeting. The event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Fairview Elementary School, 5815 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. The social half-hour will begin at 7 p.m., presentation to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Centreville Brief: Dryer Causes House Fire

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department units responded to a house fire Friday, Sept. 4, at approximately 6:20 p.m., at 15213 Dumas Court in Centreville.

Centreville/Chantilly: The Sweet Sounds of Summer

Franklin Middle holds annual band and orchestra camp.

Each summer, students flock to Franklin Middle School’s Band & Orchestra Camp to fine-tune their musical skills and learn new ones. And Camp Director Lawrence Walker bases one of his philosophies for it on a simple proverb.

Centreville/Chantilly: Students Improve Music Skills, Make New Friends at Orchestra Camp

Learning’s fun at band and orchestra camp.

Whatever their reasons were for attending Franklin Middle School’s Band & Orchestra Camp, the results for the students were the same — knowledge, improvement and fun. Rocky Run Middle seventh-grader Alexander Alvarez and his sister Christina, a Poplar Tree Elementary sixth-grader, attended for the first time. Both play clarinet and had a great time there.

‘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.

Alexandria Resident Writes Children's Book

“Polly Peacock and the Pink Flamingos” explores self-acceptance.

Alexandria resident and account executive Emilie Bair’s new children’s book “Polly Peacock and the Pink Flamingos,” teaching children about self-acceptance, was released nationwide in August.

Centreville Field Hockey Goes 4-0 at Blast ALS Tourney

Wildcats outscore opponents 7-0 at Lake Braddock SS.

The Centreville field hockey team went 4-0 at the Blast ALS tournament.

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.

Centreville/Chantilly: How To Vote; It Matters

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.

Chantilly Brief: Woman Dies From Car Crash

A 85-year-old woman who was injured in an Aug. 12 crash died on Sunday, Aug. 16. She has been identified as Nancy Schade, of the Fairfax area.

Letter: Join the Other America

Letter to the Editor

This summer, we have seen a groundswell movement to disrupt the course of our history of racism in America.

Letter: A Path Toward Peace

Letter to the Editor

On June 2012 in a speech at Capitol Hill, the Khalifa of Islam Mirza Masroor Ahmad, worldwide spiritual leader of millions of Ahmadi Muslims stated, “The United States, as the world’s largest power, should play its role in acting with true justice and with such good intentions, as I have described. If it does so then the world will always remember with great admiration your great efforts.”

Money: How Much Have County Board Supervisor Candidates Raised?

The most recent financial filings for candidates in the 2015 race for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors were filed on July 15 for the period from Jan. 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015.

Centreville: ‘He Fought with Honor, Dignity’

Sully Police Sgt. Ryan Lindenbaum loses battle with cancer.

Friends, family and the Fairfax County Police Department said goodbye to one of their own this week when Sgt. Ryan Matthew Lindenbaum was laid to rest.

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.