Fairfax Dispatches: A Push for a New Law, a Run to Honor a Young Athlete

Cindy Colasanto, the mother of a schoolteacher killed in a 2008 crash, seeks to push through a new law in honor of her daughter. The daughter died after a collision with a police cruiser, and the new law would change the rules for when police officers must use their sirens.

Joan Darrah has received both local and national publicity because of her work to help end a law, which required discharge of American servicemen and women who admitted to being gay. Darrah says that the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell is "a great step forward for the military and the country. The sky won't fall. We'll be better for it, and prouder of our country."

Four men were arrested after allegedly attacking three other men in a shopping center parking lot in Lorton. All four were apprehended after a police chase involving a helicopter.  

Bench dedicated in murder victim's honor

Vanessa Pham, 19, a 2009 graduate of James Madison High School, was home from her first year at the Savannah College of Art and Design when she was found, stabbed, in her car on June 27 in a ditch off Route 50 near Williams Drive. On Dec. 27, friends and family gathered on the Vienna Town Green on the six month anniversary of her death to dedicate a bench in her honor. Her death continues to be investigated.  

Friends and family of Adam Seymour gathered at Bull Run Regional Park New Year's Eve to run a 5K in memory of the young soccer player and aspiring potter who died this summer after a sudden cardiac arrest. Proceeds from the race, held by the Bull Run Runners, will go to the Adam P. Seymour Foundation, established by Adam's parents with the intent of providing a yearly scholarship to an athlete, artist or civic-minded person.

Another decade on the books and with it have gone several health and fitness trends. Some were short lived and others look like they're here to stay. Let's take a look at what become popular during the last 10 years. 

Restonians having an effect a continent away

Reston lawyer and longtime summer camp owner Phil Lilienthal has been bringing since 2003 the fun — and life  lessons — of summer camp to kids in South Africa whose lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS. Along the way, he has inspired other locals to get involved with Global Camps Africa.

Falls Church undecided on refunds

City of Falls Church officials are undecided on whether to refund  a portion of water charges to McLean residents and the Fairfax County government.

An Alexandria-based lawyer filed a lawsuit this week to try and get back money he said the City of Falls Church overcharged them for water use. The city is responsible for supplying Fairfax County residents water. The lawsuit alleges the city used the overcharged funds to fund other departments and projects.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is urging motorists to avoid the Route 50 and Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100) interchange area from late Friday, Jan. 7, through Sunday, Jan. 9, as lane closures for construction-related pile driving will cause major delays.  Alternate routes to avoid this area are provided.

Oakton Women's Club looks to future

A hint of the hustle and bustle of the holidays could be found in Jackie Fischer's home Dec. 15, as members of the Oakton Women's Club celebrated their annual holiday party.

Another side to a joyous season

The holidays are supposed to be filled, according to Christmas cards and cheerful carolers, with peace, love, and joy. McLean's Domestic Abuse Detective: Allison Smuck, Detective in the McLean District Police Station's Domestic Violence Unit, sees another side to this season. Thanksgiving through New Year's, Det. Smuck and her colleagues field a very noticeable increase in domestic violence related incidents.

As cell phone carriers increasingly look to residential areas like Mount Vernon for antenna installation, local residents are considering alternatives to cell phone towers or monopoles that might preserve the aesthetics of the neighborhood.