
Uniting to Help ‘Those Needing It the Most’
Britepaths in Fairfax opens a period pantry.
It’s 2025 but, sadly, the needs of American females overall still come in second to those of males, and the federal government is trying to demonize the word, “equity.” But in Virginia, and especially Fairfax County, women are doing their best to change things.
Real-Estate Tax Hike; Meals Tax Is Stable
Suspense, but Fairfax City adopts its FY 26 budget.
There’s good news and bad news in Fairfax City’s FY 26 budget, adopted May 6, along with the City’s CIP (Capital Improvement Program) for FY 2026-2030.

Difficult Budget Adoption Raises Serious Questions
Can Fairfax City Councilmembers work together?
It’s pretty straightforward: When it’s time to adopt a government’s budget, those tasked with doing so are supposed to follow through. But during the May 6 Fairfax City Council meeting – after several weeks of meetings, work sessions, discussions, public hearings, budget scrutiny, and questions to City staff – some on the dais wanted to delay any action by a week.
Enjoying Nature and Learning about History
Combining local history with Earth Day activities, Fairfax City’s HisTree Day was April 26 at Historic Blenheim.
Fairfax City’s HisTree Day

The History and Significance of Hickory Forest Park
Sign dedication honors land donation that created it.
Sign dedication honors land donation that created it.

Springtime, Cool Band Concert and Food Trucks
‘A Night of Toons:’ Centreville High presents its annual ‘Bandemonium!’
Springtime and warm weather mean it’s time for Centreville High’s band concert under the stars. The Wildcat Band’s Fourth Annual “Bandemonium!” is set for Friday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m., in the school’s bus loop.

‘The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music’
Classic musical is Westfield High’s Cappies show.
A beloved, Academy-Award-winning musical, “The Sound of Music,” will soon burst upon the Westfield High stage as its 2025 Cappies show.

Saving Humanity via Pop Culture after Apocalypse
Chantilly High presents ‘Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play’
It’s the apocalypse meets “The Simpsons.” In Chantilly High’s upcoming show, “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” a plucky group of survivors uses acting to keep their pop culture – symbolized by “The Simpsons” – alive in an apocalypse-devastated world.
Jackson Russell: Sully Police Officer of the Year
Honored for strong work ethic, dedication to the job.
PFC Jackson Russell is the Sully District Police Station’s 2024 Officer of the Year.
What’s Planned for the George Snyder Trail
Named after a former Fairfax City mayor, the George Snyder Trail is planned to be a shared-use trail connecting Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) to the Wilcoxon Trail at Draper Drive, south of Fairfax Boulevard (Route 50). It’s also intended to be ADA-compliant, with some sections porous asphalt and others, concrete boardwalk.

‘Listen to the Citizens; Preserve the Woods’
Fairfax residents have their say about Snyder Trail.
They’re now considering only building half the trail or even canceling the project outright.

City Council to Reconsider Controversial Project
Fairfax’s George Snyder Trail is now in jeopardy.
Fairfax’s George Snyder Trail is now in jeopardy.

Chanukah Celebration Is Planned in Fairfax City
A Chanukah celebration is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Old Town Square. Rabbi Sholom Deitsch of Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia will light the menorah.

Glebe View Townhouse Project at a Glance
Fairfax Presbyterian Church, at 10723 Main St. and Presbyterian Way in Fairfax City, has donated some 1.6 acres of its land for affordable homes, called Glebe View Townhouses, to be built there. Habitat for Humanity NOVA is the developer, and nonprofit Homestretch/Sacred Homes will own two of the houses. HomeAid will provide building materials and tradesman expertise at reduced prices.

People Coming Together for Good in Time of Need
Fairfax’s American Legion Post 177 helps hurricane victims.
After Hurricane Helene dealt a devastating blow to Western North Carolina – washing away homes and livelihoods and leaving many residents and businesses without drinkable water or electricity – American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax City just had to do something. So it began collecting items for the victims and then delivering them.

‘What Women Do Is Figure Out How to Make It All Work’
Advice for success given at Economic Empowerment Luncheon.
More than 120 people attended the Sept. 25 Women’s Economic Empowerment Luncheon at the Sherwood Center in Fairfax.

Music, Children’s Activities, Parade, Pets and Awards
32nd annual Centreville Day is Saturday, Oct. 19.
Come one, come all – the 32nd annual Centreville Day is Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in Historic Centreville Park. The free event is at 5714 Mount Gilead Road (off Braddock Road, across Route 29 from the IHOP) and offers fun activities for the entire family.

Fairfax City Looks Toward the Future
More multifamily homes and retail uses are planned.
While proud of its historic heritage, Fairfax City is continually modernizing and warmly welcoming new residents, businesses and commercial development.

Chantilly Man Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Pham was charged with attacking Connolly’s staffers.
Chantilly Man Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Second-Degree Murder Yields 28 Years in Prison
Robertson is sentenced for violent killing of Fairfax man.
Although Aaron Robertson was sentenced last week to 28 years in prison for the brutal killing of Fairfax City’s Luis Barahona Reyes, the victim’s family and the prosecutor were hoping for more.

Musical Comes to Life in a New York Apartment
Westfield Summer Stage presents ‘The Drowsy Chaperone.’
Each year, Westfield Summer Stage gives audiences the chance to see some of the most talented high-school thespians from throughout Fairfax County.

Police Charge Special Ed Teacher with Assault
A Fairfax woman who worked as a special-education teacher has been charged with assaulting three students at White Oaks Elementary in Burke.

Man Charged with Killing Fairfax Resident
Fairfax County police have arrested a Washington, D.C., man in connection with the May 21 murder of a Fairfax resident.
Police Arrest Suspect in Centreville Carjacking
Safety tips offered for exchanging merchandise with strangers.
Police detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Bureau have charged a 25-year-old Maryland man in connection with a recent carjacking and abduction in Centreville.
Man Arrested, Charged with Sexual Assaults
Police say DNA testing reportedly tied him to three cold cases.
A man police believe committed multiple, unsolved sexual assaults – dating as far back as 1998 – is now in custody in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. He is Edward Eugene Pottmyer, 58 and, although he has a Chantilly address, he actually lives in Loudoun County.
Class of 2024 graduates from Mountain View High
Words of wisdom are shared, students receive awards.
Words of wisdom are shared, students receive awards.

‘We Remember Those Who Sacrificed Their Tomorrows’
Fairfax City pays tribute to the fallen on Memorial Day.
VFW Post 8469 Chaplain Marcus Kuiper gave the opening prayer at Fairfax City’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, last Monday, May 27. Held at American Legion Post 177, it was jointly hosted by both posts and attended by more than 100 people. “We pray for those who gave their last, full measure of devotion – those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom,” said Kuiper. “Hear our prayers for those who put the welfare of others above their own and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Poignant Stories of Wartime Bravery and Heart
Fairfax Councilmembers talk about America’s heroes.
During Fairfax City’s Memorial Day ceremony, last Monday, May 27, two of the most poignant stories about America’s fallen veterans were told by Councilmembers Kate Doyle Feingold and Tom Ross:
Westfield Pyramid Art Show Highlights Students’ Work
Westfield High’s Pyramid Art Show was April 18.

Singers, Dancers, Musicians, Actors, Artists and More
Fairfax City’s Spotlight on the Arts is April 25-28.
Music, dance, theater and art will all be featured during Fairfax City’s 39th annual Spotlight on the Arts festival. It runs for four days, April 25-28, at various venues throughout the City and has a spectacular lineup of entertainment for all tastes and ages.

America’s Founding Fathers as Ordinary Humans
Woodson High presents its Cappies musical, ‘1776.’
Featuring a cast and crew of 90, plus a 25-person pit orchestra, Woodson High’s upcoming musical, “1776,” is also its Cappies entry.
Fairfax Hosts Shoestring Theatre’s Newest Production
See ‘Dispatches from Appalachia – an Evening of One Acts.’
Theater

Honoring Fairfax City Women Making a Difference
Kelly O’Brien and Lorraine Koury are ‘Women of Influence.’
Women

A Musical Fairytale Featuring Actors and Puppets
Centreville High presents ‘Cinderella: Enchanted Edition.’
Cinderella

Land-Use Group Holds Supervisor’s Feet to the Fire
Committee and MWAA explain their opposition to Agape plan.
It’s one thing to deliberately misrepresent a group’s opinion about a project and another to use that opinion to help sway a vote.
Senior Living: Helping Seniors Age Safely and Successfully
Home for Life 2024 Expo is slated for April 12.
Senior living

Mason Is Praised for Regional Leadership
Friends, colleagues recall his governance and consensus-building.
Besides all he did for the City of Fairfax, former Mayor John Mason also played an important part in the county and region.

Officer of the Quarter: PFC Jackson Russell
PFC Jackson Russell is the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Quarter for October, November and December 2023. He was honored at the Jan. 10 meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

Learning about Police Animal Protection Unit
Officers deal with everything from dogs to bats to snakes.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Animal Protection Unit has some 30 officers, and Sgt. D.L. Cook, a field supervisor with that unit, recently spoke about its responsibilities.
Supervisors to Decide on Chantilly Data Center
Public hearing is set for next Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Penzance wants to build a 402,000-square-foot data center off Route 50, Stonecroft Boulevard and Auto Park Circle in Chantilly.
Don’t Leave Keys, Valuables in Your Car
Auto Crimes detective discusses vehicle thefts.
With auto crimes a continual problem in Fairfax County, Police Chief Kevin Davis established the Auto Crimes Enforcement (ACE) unit in March 2022. And in its first year, its officers charged more than 175 people with felonies and seized 20 guns.
Detectives Investigating Fatal Car Crash in Centreville
An early morning car crash last week in Centreville killed a 30-year-old man and sent another to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Fundraiser for Earp’s Ordinary this Weekend
Fairfax City comes together to support new music venue.
More than 20 musicians will perform Friday night, 5 p.m. start; Saturday, noon and 5 p.m. starts; and Sunday, noon start.

Former Centreville High Teacher Writes Children’s Book
Partial proceeds will aid Maui wildfire relief.
Falling snow can be a magical thing – beautiful, exciting and ethereal – especially to a child. But for 5-year-old Kiki, who lives in Hawaii, it’s only a dream.
Smith Reelected as Sully Supervisor
In last week’s election for Sully District supervisor, Democratic incumbent Kathy Smith beat Republican challenger Keith Elliott.
Joyful Ribbon Cutting on a Cold, Brisk Day
Route 28 widening in Centreville is nearly done.
Area motorists may now rejoice because the road has been widened from four to six lanes between the bridge over Bull Run (south of Compton Road), at the Prince William County line, and the Route 29 Interchange in Centreville.
Residents, Scouts Fill WFCM’S Food Pantry
On Saturday, Nov. 4, Boy Scouts in the Sully District collected 50,416 pounds of food for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry in Chantilly.
Fairfax High Presents ‘Romeo and Juliet’
A fresh, new take on a classic love story.
Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 60, Fairfax High is presenting “Romeo and Juliet.” But this version is set in a different time period than the original and has a surprising amount of humor.
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