Roundup: Fairfax County News to Know
The week that was in Fairfax County.
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If you didn't have time to catch up on local news around town last week, no worries. We've compiled a round-up of our top stories here:
Romney Promises Defense Spending, 12 Million Jobs
GOP presidential nominee Gov. Mitt Romney told veterans Thursday in a campaign stop in Springfield that as president, he would reverse the military cuts set to take place in the sequestration passed by Congress.
“I will stop it. I will not cut military funding,” he told an invitation-only crowd at American Legion Post 176 in Springfield.
Herndon Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide
The family of four found dead Tuesday inside a home on Point Rider Lane in Herndon was killed in a murder-suicide, police said Wednesday.
A Fairfax County Police Department investigation revealed Albert Peterson, 57, killed his wife, Kathleen Peterson, 52, and their children, Matthew, 16, and Christopher, 13, before taking his own life.
Police: Springfield Fondling Cases May Be Linked
After a 17-year-old girl was grabbed from behind and fondled Thursday in Springfield, Fairfax County Police believe the case may be linked to two similar incidents. In each of these the suspect wore a plain, red baseball cap.
Each of the three incidents have occurred on a weekday during daylight hours.
West Springfield Home Struck by Lightning
Lightning struck a West Springfield home Thursday night catching its attic on fire, a spokesman from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue confirmed.
As thunderstorms rolled through Fairfax County, lightning struck the house at about 9 p.m. Thursday on Adrienne Glen Avenue in West Springfield, leaving behind an attic fire and a damaged chimney, according to the spokesman.
Smithsonian Parking Attendant Pleads Guilty to Stealing Lot Fees
A Maryland man who once worked as a parking lot attendant at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum pleaded guilty Friday to stealing some of $400,000 missing in visitor parking fees at the Smithsonian Institution’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly.
Education Department Investigating Discrimination Complaints Against FCPS
Two months after local advocacy groups filed a discrimination complaint against Fairfax County Public Schools, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights launched a formal investigation into the claims Wednesday.
Fairfax Board Auditor to Look at FY 2014 Park Reductions
The Fairfax County Park Authority has had to tighten the belt on funds since FY 2009, and FY 2014 could likely be no different.
The county’s budgetary outlook for the next few years is grim, prompting County Executive Ed Long’s request for agencies to identify potential cuts that would reduce their FY 2014 General Fund needs by 5 percent.
Personal Property Taxes Due Friday for Fairfax County Residents
Personal property taxes are due Friday, Oct. 5 for all Fairfax County residents. Property taxes can be paid online, by phone or at any Bank of America, SunTrust or Wells Fargo in Fairfax County.
The election is Nov. 6, but if you're not going to be here, don't sweat it. You can vote absentee.
Absentee voting started Sept. 22 for Fairfax County residents. You have the option of showing up in person at the Office of Elections, mailing in your ballot or visiting a satellite voting office around the county (these open Oct. 17).
