Thursday, June 30
Fairfax County: Former Police Officer Torres sentenced to 12 months for killing John Geer
Torres released five days following sentencing due to time already served
For the first time in its three-quarters of a century in existence, a Fairfax County Police officer has been convicted and sentenced after an officer-involved shooting death.
Wednesday, June 29
Fairfax County Public Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program
The Fairfax County Public Library began its Summer Reading Challenge on June 23, with this year’s theme being “Read for the Win.”
Fairfax County: Torres Walks Free
Former police officer released five days after sentencing for killing John Geer
Former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres walked free Wednesday morning, June 29.
Tuesday, June 28
Weekend Events: June 30 to July 4
Weekend events
Obituary: Bill Russo, of Great Falls, Dies
On Friday, June 24, 2016, William (Bill) F. Russo died suddenly at his home in Great Falls following a valiant fight with a brain tumor.
Letter: Gross Misreading of the Second Amendment
To the Editor
This is in response to U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly's opinion piece titled "Stem Gun Violence Epidemic" (The Connection, June 22-28).
Connection Families and Pet Connection
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish on July 27, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by July 17.
Editorial: Getting Home Safely on Independence Day
Independence Day is a national celebration, and for many, that celebration includes alcohol. The summer overall and July 4 in particular are times of greater risk for drinking and driving.
Hope in the Fight Against Drug Dependency
Meeting highlights battles in every neighborhood.
Fairfax County experiences heroin overdoses every day, according to county officials. To help raise awareness, a second county-wide Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Town Hall was held June 14 at Centreville High School.
Monday, June 27
Week in Great Falls
Weekly happenings in Great Falls.
Celebrate Great Falls Foundation Supports Local Schools
After efforts from parents, teachers, students and community sponsors, the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation was able to present a check donation of $28,000 to be distributed between Great Falls Elementary, Colvin Run Elementary and Forestville Elementary.
Letter: Celebrating July Fourth in Great Falls
To the Editor
Great Falls residents are lucky to have lots of home-grown things to do on Independence Day.
Great Falls Library Launches Adult Summer Reading Program
“Why let kids have all the fun?” said James Cullen, assistant branch manager of the Great Falls Library.
Great Falls: Delays Pave Path for Approval
After months of revisions, tweaks, negotiations, proffer and planning changes, commission approves 19 houses on Brooks Farm.
Cooling Off at Great Falls Creamery
Family-owned and family-run shop features 22 different ice cream flavors.
Online Classes Offer Flexible Options for Earning Credentials Outside the Classroom
Interested in learning to landscape your yard using sustainable practices?
Tips for Memorable Family Vacations
As summer gets underway, vacation-bound families are packing their bags and heading out of town. Vacations often fly by — months of planning and anticipating can be over in the blink of an eye. With a little advanced planning and forethought, however, even a quick weekend trip or a visit to relatives can become meaningful and memorable.
Friday, June 24
Weekend Fun in the Area: June 24-26
Weekend fun in the area.
Wednesday, June 22
Supervisors Endorse Police ‘Re-engineering’
Action items approved include use of force and communications recommendations from Ad Hoc commission.
The possibility of body cameras being worn by Fairfax County Police officers and the release of officers’ names involved with critical use of force incidents dominated discussion during two action items in the Board of Supervisors June 21 meeting.
Tuesday, June 21
McLean and Great Falls: Thank You, 2016 Graduates
Langley High School seniors matriculate at DAR Constitution Hall on Monday, June 20.
Neil Mehta and Riddhima Gandhi Celebrate Wedding in India, Great Falls
Raksha and Dinesh Mehta of Great Falls have announced the marriage of their son, Neil Mehta, to Riddhima Gandhi, the daughter of Shabnam and Gaurang Gandhi of Mumbai, India.
Great Falls: Shepard Smith Named as Next Director of Coast Survey
President Barack Obama has approved the promotion of Shepard Smith, from captain to rear admiral (lower half), a prerequisite for Smith to become director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, after his selection by Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. S
Obituary: Prolific Author, Robert F. Dorr, Dies
A source of energy, inspiration and courage to the Great Falls creative community.
When author Robert F. Dorr took his last breath on Sunday, June 12, 2016, not only the writing world but the entire, larger community whispered a final farewell and breathed a sigh of sadness right along with him.
Commentary: Congress Must Act to Stem Gun Violence Epidemic
Last week, America woke to what has become an all-too-common nightmare. A man driven by hate and armed with assault weapons carried out our nation’s worst mass shooting.
George Washington's Great Falls: A Tour of Local Historic Sites
The Great Falls Historical Society conducted its very first bus tour around sites that George Washington frequented during his lifetime in Great Falls
Free Independence Day Cab Rides Offered
Preparing to combat that U.S. holiday when, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 41 percent of all U.S. traffic deaths involve drunk drivers, free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area on Independence Day, July 4.
Friday, June 17
Great Falls Home Sales: May, 2016
In May, 2016, 23 Great Falls homes sold between $1,900,000-$495,000.
Great Falls Home Sales: May, 2016
Thursday, June 16
Natasha McKenna’s Mother Files $15 Million Wrongful Death Suit
Woman with mental illness died after being tased while in Sheriff’s custody.
Natasha McKenna’s mother is seeking more than $15 million in a wrongful death and gross negligence suit filed against Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and five deputies.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Added to Fairfax County Student Handbook
School Board members debate whether students should be held accountable.
Students in Fairfax County Public Schools started the 2015-2016 school year without the words “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” as part of the nondiscrimination guide within their student handbook.
Wednesday, June 15
Classified Advertising June 15, 2016
Read the lastest ads here!
Editorial: Support for Police in Reforms
Police commission recommendations come to Board of Supervisors for approval, implementation.
In some ways, the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, brainchild of Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, was a bit of a miracle.
Tuesday, June 14
Leadership Fairfax Honors 2016 Graduates
The Pavilion at Reston Town Center was a most fitting venue for the graduation ceremony of the 2016 classes of the non-profit Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI).
Considering Private School?
Small steps this summer can minimize stress of application process.
The school year has just come to an end … which means it’s the ideal time to prepare to apply to leading independent schools.
2016 Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees Selected
Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. named the 2016 Lords and Ladies Fairfax at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 7 at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Week in Great Falls
Weekly happenings in Great Falls
Great Falls: Summer Concerts Return to Village Green
Great Falls singer-songwriter Mary Ann Redmond kicks off 2016 series.
Families, neighbors, and groups of friends gathered on the Village Green, and as the hot summer day drifted into a cooler evening last Sunday, it really began to feel like summer in Great Falls.
Great Falls Teen to Compete in Miss Teen America
Skye Jannery-Barney, a Great Falls resident and rising junior at The Madeira School, will compete for the title of Miss Teen America 2016 this July.
Stretching from Great Falls to La Jolla
Delivering yoga class close to home on Great Falls Green.
Victoria Weseley’s mother lives in La Jolla, California.
Saturday, June 11
State Tournament Roundup
W-L boys' soccer, Robinson girls', boys' lax among teams competing for titles.
The 6A state championships are being held today at Robinson and Lake Braddock.
Wednesday, June 8
Metro SafeTrack Surge Begins on Orange and Silver Lines
Metro's first SafeTrack work on the Orange and Silver line trains began on Sunday, June 4 and will last until June 16.
Theater with Punch
1st Stage’s “Floyd Collins”; Original, stunning musical.
A daring musical awaits patrons at 1st Stage Theater. It is the award-winning, rarely produced, “Floyd Collins.”
Week in Great Falls
Week in Great Falls
Great Falls Art Fest on the Green
About 20 artists in booths under tents join three indoor artist's studios to show their wares.
Letter: Costly Alternatives
To the Editor
I was disappointed to read that the Colvin Run Septic Sewage Receiving Plant will be "temporarily" closing on June 27 due to the "Difficult Run Pump Station Project" (“Sewage Hauled Elsewhere,” Great Falls Connection, June 1-7, 2016).
Great Falls: Final Chance for Brooks Farm?
Planning Commission defers Brooks Farm decision one more time; Supervisor Foust expects no more delays.
Great Falls: Barn Dance Goes Out with a Bang and Optimism
Annual event benefited the Optimist Club youth fund.
The seven horses that live on Linda Thompson’s White Pines Farm property on Walker Road have shared their barn with the Great Falls Optimist Club for about once a year for the past 10 years.
Octagonal Dream Home on the Market
Home's shape and large windows make it a sun-drenched space.
It was during a trip to California almost 20 years that McLean resident Susan Jordano first laid eyes on her dream home.
Classified Advertising June 8, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Thursday, June 2
Fairfax County: High School Senior Addresses School Board on LGBT Issues
Board conducting community review of Family Life Education curriculum recommendations.
Bennett Shoop remembers first being bullied in second grade. He liked to dress all in black, wear weird shirts, be alternative in his outward expression.
Fairfax County: School Board Adopts $2.7 Billion Budget
FY 2017 budget aims to raise teacher salaries, lower class sizes.
The Fairfax County School Board has made good on Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza’s promise when she introduced a FY 2017 budget for the school system.
Wednesday, June 1
Vienna: Joel’s Story
After foster care experience: Architecting his own path.
Joel was taken into foster care when he was a high school junior, after reporting to a coach what was going on at home. Schools are “mandatory reporters,” and, as such, they are legally compelled to call social services in a case like Joel’s.
Tysons’ 1st Stage Wins Major Theater Honor
Lolita Marie received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play.
Classified Advertising June 1 , 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Staying Safe This Summer
Tips and precautions for avoiding warm-weather hazards.
The start of summer means pools and backyard grilling. It also means an increased risk of accidents and injuries.