Latest stories

Latest stories

Subscribe


Editorial: Backpacks for All

Thousands of students will begin school this fall at a disadvantage; help now so they have the basics.

The first day of school each year is fraught with anticipation and anxiety. Many local students will be concerned about what they wear, who they will see, what it will be like. They’ve already had multiple shopping trips, online and otherwise, to be sure they have the supplies and extras they need.

Tease photo

Backyard Vegetable Gardens Feed Multicultural Cuisines

In Fairfax County, tomatoes are a staple of local gardens along with peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, beans and herbs like mint, oregano and cilantro.

There’s nothing like a juicy red tomato fresh out of the backyard garden to brighten up a summertime salad or a sandwich — or a bittermelon, aronia berries or “paradise apple,” as persimmons are known in Bulgaria. The multi-cultural population in Fairfax County has grown roots in the backyard vegetable garden.

Tease photo

Unscheduling Summer Play

Experts praise the benefits of free play for children.

What was once a time for catching fireflies, swimming and exploring has evolved into a period of elite day camps, academic enrichment classes and top-dollar sports clinics.


Letter: An American Muslim’s Prayer in Honor of Independence Day

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: “Allah has made you brethren one to another, so be not divided. An Arab has no preference over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor is a white one to be preferred to a dark one, nor a dark one to a white one.”

Tease photo

Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - July 10-19, 2015

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.

A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.

Tease photo

Fairfax: City of Fairfax Band Children’s Concert July 16

Each year, the City of Fairfax community band gives its youngest fans a chance to try their hand at the shiny, twisty and just plain loud instruments in the ensemble.


Column: My Manifesto, Sort Of

Being diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer (no, they’re not all “terminal”) is “a heck of a thing,” to extrapolate a bit from Jim Valvano’s memorable 1993 ESPY Awards speech given a few months before he succumbed to his cancer.

Commentary: Legislation Combats Sex Trafficking

On July 1, legislation that I sponsored, HB1964, went into effect. This new law is Virginia’s first stand-alone human trafficking statute and creates stricter penalties for traffickers, greater protections for sex trafficking victims, and provides needed tools for prosecutors and law enforcement to stop human trafficking in Virginia.

Letter: Celebrating Marriage Equality

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: Today, we rejoice in the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the federal right of same sex partners to legal marriage in the cases of Obergefell v. Hodges, Tanco v. Haslam, DeBoer v. Snyder, Bourke v. Beshear.


Herndon Coach Wins Two Medals

Police detective and youth wrestling coach earns two medals in World Police and Fire Games.

Most athletes never get a second chance to live their dreams. Twenty-five years after his last wrestling match Jay LaWalt was able to make that happen in front of his friends, family and a crowd of adoring young fans he’s been coaching for years.

Herndon Takes Part In World Police And Fire Games

Herndon police and residents cheer on 2015 Fairfax Games.

Reston Town Center has been serving as the central location for the 2015 World Police & Fire Games athletes as they arrived. Reston Town Center was selected to host the Athletes Village, and at the Town Center Pavilion, a variety of social activities and entertainment has been planned. Residents of neighboring Herndon have also been excited about the 2015 games.

Suspects Identified and Charged in Recent School Vandalisms in Reston & Herndon

Detectives investigating two school vandalisms identified and charged four suspects – two adults and two juveniles.


Tease photo

A House by the Sea

Design ideas for beach homes.

As the sweaty days of summer slog on, many are dreaming about a home by the sea, a wistful retreat where cares flow as freely as an ocean breeze.

Editorial: Yes to Nonpartisan Redistricting

Politicians shouldn’t be choosing voters.

Virginia’s Congressional map is unconstitutional because African American voters are packed into District 3, according to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The problem will have to be remedied by drawing new boundaries.

Tease photo

Coming Home to Queen of Peace in Springfield

Residents with disabilities move into new group house on Gresham Street.

Ten months ago, the unassuming single-level house on Gresham Street in north Springfield was a private residence. Today it’s the permanent home of four individuals with disabilities, and a fifth is on the way.


Tease photo

Fourth of July Weekend Fun in Fairfax County

A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend: July 3-5, 2015.

A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.

Column: Quality of Life

Throughout my nearly six and a half years of cancer treatment, starting at the initial Team Lourie meeting on February 27, 2009, when my oncologist suggested I take that vacation I’ve always dreamed of (to which I exclaimed “WHAT!?”), my quality of life has always been important to him.

Business Developments in Herndon and Reston

SkyBitz, and a changing economy.

Fairfax County is one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, yet Virginia has been falling from grace on CNBC’s ‘Top States for Business’ ranking, dropping to number 12 on this year’s list.


Tease photo

Herndon Celebrates Completion of Station Street

Ribbon cutting at downtown Herndon street.

On Tuesday, June 16, residents of Herndon celebrated the reopening of the new and improved Station Street. Mayor Merkel, economic development manager Dennis H. Holste, Jr., former mayor Michael O'Reilly, Melissa Jonas and town councilmember Jasbinder Singh were some of the local officials who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the corner of Station and Center Street.

Tease photo

International Songwriters Collective Concert Held In Herndon

Music and calls for art at Hendon art gallery.

On Thursday, June 25, the International Songwriters Collective (I.S.C.) Tour made a stop at ArtSpace Herndon. Three musicians-singer songwriters are on a one-month tour: Jimmy Robinson from New Orleans, Lily Kiara from Holland, and Floatstone (born Brick de Bois) from Antwerp, Belgium.