Mike Salmon

Paving and Warm Weather are in Tandem This Year in Northern Virginia

There is a map and system to where the paving goes.

August is hot, and the drivers trying to get back to a normal routine have probably hit a pothole or two out on the roads, but VDOT is out there with the paving crews, putting down pavement on 1,145 lane miles throughout the paving season, which goes until November.

Streams Get a Lift from a County Program

‘Operation Stream Shield’ is called a win-win-win.

Operation Stream Shield

Scooters Now Another Mode of Transportation in Fairfax County

County okays 600 of these “shared mobility devices.”

Fairfax Co Scooters

Inova Awards $240K in Community Health Funds to Local Nonprofits

Annual grant doubled in amount this year due to the pandemic impacts.

Inova fund

Body of Emily Lu Found and Man Charged

Body found

‘Strategic Underground’ Throughout Fairfax County

Dominion Power is undergrounding wires.

During the frequent thunderstorms that are forecasted throughout the summer, flashlights and candles may have been the short-term answer in the past, but Dominion Energy has another option with a program they are offering called ”Strategic Underground,” so the lines won’t be exposed when lightning strikes and other mishaps.

Fairfax County Police Armed with a High-Tech Dog Nose

New K-9 can sniff out thumb drives and cell phones that may be evidence.

The Fairfax County Police Department has a new tool to fight cyber crimes and it’s a black Labrador retriever named Browser, that specializes in sniffing out computer-related evidence like thumb drives, cell phones or laptop computers that may have been used by criminals, particularly in child exploitation.

Ripe Red Tomatoes, Juicy Peaches Highlight Area’s Farmers Markets

County’s markets are hopping as they go into National Farmers Market Week in early August.

National Farmers Market Week

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities Rise in the Fairfax County Area

Road design, speeds, lighting and negligence are factors.

This spring has seen several fatal pedestrian accidents, possibly signaling a warning to drivers, pedestrians and transportation engineers that more could be done to lessen these fatalities in Fairfax County.

Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton Names New President and CEO

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton moved forward in the main office by hiring Leon Scioscia as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, bringing years of art center experience to the Workhouse.

Two Men Arrested After Husband and Wife Fatally Shot in Springfield

Workplace in Lorton played a role.

Shooting in Springfield

Local Bridge Repair Signals Need for Infrastructure Investments

In the bigger picture, roads and bridges need help on a larger scale.

Infrastructure needs attention

The Weather, Tee Shirts and Fresh Air Made Bike To Work Day a Success

Nearly 10,000 riders reaped the benefits negotiating area bike paths.

Bike to Work Day is a success

Bikeway Will Link Newington to the Metro Station

The wooded trail is being linked and extended for commuters and hikers.

Cinder Bed Bikeway

Biking and Trail Use Continues to Grow in Northern Virginia

Pit Stop gathering is out, but Bike to Work Day is still on for May 21.

It’s been 20 years since Bike to Work Day began, and it grows each year, showing that there is another side to commuting that uses no gas, has health benefits and is fun, even if it’s only one day a year for many.

Workhouse Arts Center is Opening to Commercial Entities as Attractions

A restaurant and brewery were among the desired occupants they are seeking.

Workhouse additions

June Graduation Concludes the Year of Uncertainty

School system has all the graduation ceremonies lined up for early June.

Spring graduations

There’s More Than Meets the Eye at Traffic Signal Intersections

This technology dates back to an invention by the son of a former slave.

Traffic signals

Bicycling in Fairfax County Looking to Expand

Meetings planned this month to develop the ‘Active Fairfax Plan’

With the warm weather approaching, Fairfax County is holding a series of meetings to hear thoughts about active transportation in the county, and this input will be used in their Active Fairfax Transportation Plan to integrate the existing Bicycle Master and Trails Plans.

County Dog License Fee Acts as Tracker for Vaccinations

Dog License

Go Ape Course at South Run Puts Adventure in the Treetops

Nationwide adventure course uses ropes and pulleys to challenge participants.

Go Ape

Murder Victim in Southern Fairfax County Never Identified

Body found in Giles Run creek remains a mystery since 1972 as does the exact location of his burial plot in a Mount Vernon graveyard.

Murder mystery

Detectives Learn of New Information from 2016 Murder

Shopping trip before the murder may hold clues.

Murder

Conversation Started to Rename Lee District in Fairfax County

Supervisor Lusk opened the floor to constituents who had a few suggestions.

Seemingly, everyone in Lee District knows the district is named after Robert E. Lee, the head of the Confederacy in the Civil War that ultimately ended the practice of slavery when the southern states lost and the Union won the war.

Housing Values Increase and This Will Soon Be Felt in Tax Bills

The county juggles the tax rate, but higher tax bills are on the horizon.

Home Assessments Increase

At Dog Parks, the Clean-Up Bag is a Must

Walks are important for the family dog, but so is scooping the poop.

Scooping the Poop

Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Wins Eight Awards

The Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control wastewater treatment plant was recently recognized for their “Tertiary Filters Rehabilitation Project,” and “Rehabilitation of Three Equalization Basin and Ancillary Facilities,” by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) in its annual Mid-Atlantic Region awards.

New Police Station and Animal Shelter Planned for Lorton

As the South County area grows, facilities are needed to meet the demand.

New Police Station

Roof is Raised on Jean and Ric Edelman Indoor Riding Arena

The indoor facility will expand the success for the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program.

Riding Arena

Mount Vernon’s Virtual Town Hall Meeting Hits All Levels

Pandemic in the area was looked at, along with other issues

The common thread for all the speakers at Supervisor Dan Storck’s (D-Mount Vernon) town hall meeting was the need to defeat the coronavirus, and rebuild the economy as the virus impact is lessened in Virginia.

High School Football and Other School Sports Start Soon, Masks and All

Winter tryouts and practices in snow are not the only change this year.

Football Starts Soon

Grocery Store at Liberty Market is Another Asset for Laurel Hill

Must-have amenity enhances community appeal.

Lidl in Lorton

National Coach of the Year

South County Coach Gerry Pannoni recognized for undefeated season in 2019-2020.

South County Coach

West Springfield Moms Moving Forward to Grad Party

Optimism flows despite the dark cloud of covid.

WSHS Grad Party Fundraiser

Stairway to Heaven, the Song Everyone Loves to Hate

50th Anniversary of the Song is Upon Us.

Stairway to Heaven turns 50

County’s Incident Alert System Helps Nab a Robbery Suspect

Phone calls and social media enable Fort Hunt residents to help in this case.

Incident alert

Local Breakfast Oats Company Catapulted by Reality Show

Shark Tank Success pays off for GoOats in Burke.

GoOats

South County Scenes from 2020

With the pandemic dominating headlines, the community strived for normalcy.

Scenes from 2020

Fairfax County Police Patrol on Bikes to Enhance Community Relations

Neighborhood Patrol Units are in every district.

The boots on the ground for the Fairfax County Police Department include the numerous bicycle squads cruising throughout the county, keeping communities safe while interacting with the public on a daily basis.

Artifacts Tell the Nation’s Story at the New Army Museum

The display cases, first-hand accounts and newsreel footage showcased in the museum.

In 1861, when the Civil War was just starting, Capt. Josiah Sawell was attacked by a pro-secession mob while passing through Baltimore with the 6th Massachusetts Volunteer infantry.