
Ceremonial Swearing-in of Fairfax County Police Chief Davis
On Monday, May 10, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) tweeted, "This morning, Chief Davis was surrounded by family, senior staff, and members of the Board of Supervisors for his ceremonial swearing-in as Chief of Police."

Fairfax County Community Presses New Police Chief and Chairman for Answers
Citizens call for starting over on police chief, not being part of Davis' “redemptive” career journey.
On day four in his new position as Chief of Police Fairfax County, the ghosts of Kevin Davis' law enforcement past clung heavily in the County's public arena of the May 6 virtual Community Input Session hosted by Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay (D-At-large), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Supervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Lee).

It’s Freshest and Tastiest at Herndon and Reston Farmers Markets
Local Fairfax County Park Authority Markets open.
The 2021 Fairfax County Park Authority Reston Farmers Market and Herndon Farmers Market recently opened under COVID-19 guidelines.

Fairfax County Police Chief Begins Job with Trust Deficit
Faith leaders question 'flawed' selection process and Supervisors' values during prayer vigil.
Approximately thirty interfaith leaders from across Fairfax County gathered in the "First Amendment" area outside the Fairfax County Government Center at noon, Tuesday, May 4.

Davis Promises ‘Blue Waters Ahead’ for Fairfax County Police
Advocate ACLU People Power Fairfax joins the Fairfax County NAACP and others calling for new search
County To Hold “Community Meeting with Chief” Thursday, May 6.

Fairfax Supervisors Didn’t Know About Davis History
Community organizations call for Chairman McKay to rescind Davis' appointment.
Police Chief

Fairfax County Dems Cancel April 23 (HD-36) Candidates Debate
Incumbent perplexed as challenger 'is stepping back' from campaign.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee canceled its Friday, April 23, 7- 8 p.m. public debate to be held virtually between incumbent Kenneth "Ken" Plum and challenger Mary K. "Red" Barthelson.

Kevin Davis Appointed Fairfax County Chief of Police
Supervisors respond to a new era of policing.
Coming out of a closed-door session on Friday, April 23, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors prepared, as Supervisor Penny Gross (D-Mason) said, “to select one of the most important hires it undertakes.”
Fairfax County Supervisors Validate Hire of New Police Chief
Aware of concerns, comments provided
Media reports concerning former Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, appointed last week as the new Fairfax County Chief of Police, raise concerns about his employment history, including allegations of excessive force and violations of civil rights in 1993 and 1999.
A Primary Race to Watch: VA House District 86
Early Voting for Democratic Party Primary begins April 23 in Fairfax County
Early Voting at the Fairfax County Government Center for the Democratic Party Primary Election begins April 23.

Reston Author Releases Patriotic Activity Book
'Misleading view of what patriotism is' fuels guidebook.
"Patriotic Activity Book for ALL Americans" (Adair, 2021) is the newly released interactive content book co-authored by Reston composer and former teacher Audrey J. Adair.

Results of Arlington and Montgomery County Collaboration on Airplane Noise
Contractor proposes randomizing approaching flight path to share the noise of disturbing DCA flight tracks; testing underway
Local officials in Arlington and Montgomery counties continue their collaborative efforts following upticks in their communities' airplane noise complaints as aircraft approach and depart Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, DCA, located in Arlington County.

Fairfax County Public Schools to Offer Four Days a Week In-school
Phased plan to start April 20 for most vulnerable students
Some students in the Fairfax County Public Schools system could be poised to clean off the family dining room table by April 20.

Two Lawsuits Threaten Virginia Public Schools
Appellants ask courts to halt implementation of Student Transgender Policies; local FCPS Pride reacts
The outcome of two lawsuits filed in Circuit Courts the last week in March threatens the treatment of transgender students in all Virginia school divisions, including Fairfax County Public Schools.
Public Input Sought on Fairfax County Police Chief Selection
Increased expectations of public involvement and transparency drive forum
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking public involvement as its nationwide search for the next Fairfax County Police Chief gets underway.

The Lure of Kids’ Trout Fishing Day in Reston
Finding trout and family
Reston Association moved forward with its ever-popular Kids’ Trout Fishing Day, Saturday, March 20.

A Lawsuit Challenges TJ Admission Changes
Parents sue to stop TJ’s admission policy changes, alleging anti-Asian race discrimination.
The Fairfax County School Board and Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand face a new lawsuit filed against them last week in United States District Court in Alexandria.
County Highlights
Actions and words by Fairfax County leadership and citizens
In our new series, County Highlights, the Connection spotlights actions and comments by Fairfax County officials, public servants, and local citizens who call the County's 406 square miles home.

Heritage Lost Reclaimed in Chapter Book Series
Interview with author Terry Catasús Jennings of Reston
Terry Catasús Jennings of Reston is the author of the newly released children’s chapter book series, “Definitely Dominguita,” published by Simon & Schuster.
Fairfax County Planning Commission Recommends Denial of Flag Limitations
It's not a done deal.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted 11-0 to recommend denial to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to replace the current zoning ordinance establishing specific regulations for flags and flagpoles in the New and Modernized Zoning Ordinance (zMOD Updates) countywide.

Two Giraffes Die in Reston Blaze
Two giraffes at Roer's Zoofari at 1228 Hunter Mill Road in Reston died in a barn fire Monday evening.

Fairfax County Readies for Public Employee Collective Bargaining
Holds collaborative meetings with union reps to write rules
Most Fairfax County public employees who provide vital services in education, safety, healthcare, and sanitation like others in counties, cities, and towns across the Commonwealth, will gain a new right on May 1, 2021.

The In-Person and At-Home Class is One Community in Reston
Lake Anne ES Welcomes Kindergarteners, Pre-K, and Special Ed Students in the Building.
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Fairfax County Public Schools continued to welcome additional grade levels and groups to school buildings for in-person learning as part of its Return to School plan.

Fairfax County’s FY 2022 Budget Plan
Focuses resources in targeted areas
“What a difference a year makes” said Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill.
Trust and Transparency Enhance Public Safety in Reston
Supervisor Alcorn hosts Hunter Mill Town Hall With FCPD
Leadership at the Fairfax County Police Department, Reston District Station are "very proud" of their work but acknowledge there is more work to come.

Nothing But the Best for Family: Pets of Reston and Herndon
For us lucky ones, pets are part of our lives.

The Madness of Trust and Betrayal in Reston
Months of no hot water for mixed-use Reston condo
It's a losing game in the long run for any condo association to postpone needed maintenance on their buildings or make band-aid fixes.

Keeping Hunter Mill Residents Warm This Winter
No one needs to go without a coat.
The Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet that Cornerstones ran in partnership with the Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s office continues to be a much-needed resource for the community.

See Reston’s Historic Sites
Online map recalls ‘Yes, in my backyard.’
Reston Historic Trust & Museum recently released its online interactive Reston History Map that highlights critical historical sites throughout the community.

Heightened Needs Demand One-Stop Mobilizations in Reston
Drive-through supports three resources.
“It was quite a day,” said Roberta Gosling of Reston, co-founder of South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry.
A Bike for Bamilak
Good things happen when groups partner.
Herndon-based personal injury attorney Doug Landau of Abrams Landau Law Firm recently met Bamilak Robi, 11, of Reston after he and his family were involved in an automobile crash.

Fairfax County Severs Cooperation with ICE
Board adopts Trust Policy barring voluntarily sharing residents' immigrant status
Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors approved in a vote of 9-to1, the Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy (Trust Policy) introduced as a Board Matter on Jan. 26 by Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay and co-sponsored by Supervisors Dalia A. Palchik (D-Providence) and John W. Foust (D-Dranesville).

Fairfax County School Board Votes for In-Person Learning
Students who opt-in would be due back by March 16.
Fairfax County Public School students, whose parents or guardians opt for in-person learning for their children, are headed back to the classroom at least two days a week by March 16.
Fighting Hunger in Reston Neighborhoods
Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus rolls into action.
“The Wheels on the Bus” is a classic children's song that tells the story of a little bus going "All 'round the town."

Tightening Criteria for Entering into Gang Database
Gang Task Force use of DataWalk under scrutiny
On Oct. 2, 2018, Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force selected DataWalk as their analytical platform to support its fight against gangs according to a headline on BUSINESS WIRE.

Questioning Racially-Biased Gang Database
Activists: Residents can be entered into GangNet merely for living in neighborhoods where gang activity takes place.
With no recourse for review, a nebulous definition of gang membership led an activist, an immigration advocate, and a Virginia legislator to fight for change.

The First Shots to Knock Out COVID-19 in Reston
Fellowship Square’s seniors inoculated
Lake Anne Fellowship House residents Steve McAvoy, 71, and Jin Liu, 84, of Reston were among the first of seven hundred anxious older adults at one of the three senior affordable housing communities operated by Fellowship House in Reston and Woodbridge who were inoculated last week against COVID-19.
Friends of Reston Introduce New Executive Director
Kia Cole-Hines of Reston has been tapped as the new Executive Director of Friends of Reston (FOR), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for Reston Association (RA).

COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Headaches in Fairfax County
IT and supply problems worry residents.
“I want to assure you that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be,” said Jeffrey McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Reston Celebrates Dr. King’s Day
In cooperation with supporters, Reston Community Center (RCC) pivoted amidst the coronavirus pandemic to present, for the 36th year, the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.

CORE Foundation Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Nonprofit recognizes community partners, volunteers
CORE Foundation in Reston, "Helping Others Be the Change for 15 Years," held its MASKerade and Community Hero Awards Saturday evening, Jan. 16.
Fairfax County Residents List Assembly Expectations
County General Assembly Delegation holds pre-2021 Session Public Hearing
The Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation held a Pre-2021 Session Public Hearing on Saturday, Jan. 9.

Local College Student Launches Tutoring Company
Education is his passion.
In the wake of the coronavirus and its impact on students' learning in Fairfax County Public Schools, a 2019 alumnus of South Lakes High School in Reston and second-year engineering student at Georgia Institute of Engineering recently founded S4S Tutoring.

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.

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.

Reston Association State of the Environment Report 2020
Highlights bring to life what is good, fair and poor environmentally; The Greatest Zoom on Reston Thursday, Dec. 17.
Anyone who has met Doug Britt of Reston knows he has a wealth of information on the creepy, crawly, slimy, majestic, utterly beautiful creatures, insects, and flora that call Reston home.

One Board, Two Sycamores, Three Concerns in Reston
Possible removal of Heron House trees brought to light.
Two Reston sycamore trees at Lake Anne Village Center appear to be a concern to certain people, but for three different reasons.
HOPE for the Holidays at Reston Hospital
Quilt installation unexpectedly concurrent with FDA vaccine authorization; Fairfax County cases four times they were in May
Since March, healthcare workers at Reston Hospital Center, like their counterparts elsewhere at county, state and national levels, as well as globally, have fought relentlessly, risking their own lives to treat and save their coronavirus patients.

A Catch of Wishes at Lake Anne
Better than any greeting card for the season
Anyone taking a walk on the plaza at Lake Anne Village Center is drawn to it, unsure at first what it is.

A Look Inside the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting Dec. 1, 2020
Highlights of discussion and actions that impact all who live, work and play in the diverse county
Dec. 1 marked the final Fairfax County Full Board of Supervisors Meeting with Public Comment of 2020.