Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Virginia Progressive Prosecutors Call for Criminal Justice Reforms
Reforms advocated for by the group include expungement of criminal records, an end to mandatory minimum sentences, an end to cash bail, abolition of the death penalty, and an end to “three strikes” felony enhancement for larceny offenses.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Heroes of Our Time
In 1940, when the British Royal Air Force (RAF) was fighting the air war in the skies over England, Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister at the time made the following statement referring to the RAF pilots:
Local Hospitals Roll Out First COVID-19 Vaccines
Communities keep lights up for healthcare heroes
December 2020 held the darkest days yet during the pandemic but also lights of hope.
Essential Leave
Advocates for paid sick days try to build support among Virginia Senate Democrats
Before the pandemic hit, Senate Democrats stopped a proposal requiring businesses to offer paid sick days. During the pandemic, they rejected it again during a special session. Now as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming General Assembly session, advocates are hoping they've finally got a strategy to persuade reluctant Senate Democrats to approve a new law increasing the number of workers in Virginia who have access to paid sick days.
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
Herndon Wreaths Across America Site Remembers, Honors, Teaches
Veterans did not give up and neither did Herndon Woman's Club: 863 remembrance wreaths remain in place
Herndon Woman's Club (VA0143P) found a different way to carry out and join Wreaths Across America on National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 19, 2020.
Bird's Eye View in Herndon
By Emely Recinos-Monjaras, Grade 7, Herndon Middle School, Teacher: Jordan Citron.
Two Million Lights in a Dark Winter
An Insider’s View on the Bull Run Festival of Lights; open through Jan. 10, and maybe more
The Bull Run Festival of Lights is the largest light show in the Washington Metropolitan area, and this winter it is more popular than ever before.
Opinion: Column: Trip, and Hopefully Not a Fall
Having recently returned from a driving sojourn through the South, with stops and stays in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, visiting four sets of friends in those three states, I can say with certainty that wearing masks, social distancing and common sense consideration for your fellow citizen were not nearly so accepted as we had hoped.
Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude
Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday
While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Cutting Pollution for Our Health
Ella Kissi-Debrah had severe asthma, frequently visiting the ER with cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Opinion: Editorial: Merry Christmas
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The pages of the Connection (including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the Potomac Almanac and the Centre View) are usually full of holiday spirit, beginning before Thanksgiving.
Appealing Bad Rulings
Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges.
Virginia is the only state in the country that does not guarantee a right to appeal, allowing circuit court judges to make decisions with little oversight or scrutiny. Critics have been calling for reform ever since the Court of Appeals was first created in 1985. The Supreme Court of Virginia recommended an appeal of right as a "long term goal" in 2018. Now, Gov. Ralph Northam says he wants lawmakers to add four judges and support staff "to ensure the court can hear more appeals cases in a timely manner under an increasing workload."
Opinion: Column: Three Strikes...
...and now I'm out – of the Handel's Messiah sweepstakes.
Herndon High Runner Captures First at Cross Country League 5k Race
Gillian Bushée flies through school's cross county record
The most challenging distance to go for Herndon High School freshman and cross country runner Gillian Bushée of Reston was the distance from her bed to the front door each morning.
Virginia Master Naturalist Program Graduates Spring Class
The 2020 Spring class of Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) graduated, finally, in a Zoom ceremony on Dec. 14.
A Holiday Season Reimagined
The pandemic leads to altered and new traditions.
When schools adjourn for winter break, the anticipation of a COVID-19 pandemic holiday season will become a reality.
Sheila Olem Sworn in as Town of Herndon Mayor
Councilmembers sworn in during COVID-19 restricted ceremonies
Mayor Sheila A. Olem was administered the oath of office and sworn in as the duly elected Mayor of the Town of Herndon for a term commencing Jan. 1, 2021, and ending Dec. 31, 2022, by Town Clerk Viki Wellerhaus on Wed., Dec. 10.
Absurd Leverage
Lawmakers to reconsider mandatory minimum for assaulting law enforcement
Earlier this year, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have ditched the mandatory minimum sentence for assaulting a law-enforcement officer. Now the General Assembly is about to consider the issue again.
What Does It Cost to Buy a Dog?
Virginia observes Puppy Mill Awareness Month
Second article in series.