Fairfax Dispatches: Chantilly House Explodes, Virginia Growth Doesn't

Chantilly house explodes

A single-family house in Chantilly was destroyed due to a fire and natural gas leak.  The investigation for the origin of the leak is still ongoing.  Thankfully, the family was not home at the time and there were no injuries reported.  The Red Cross was assisting the family, but information on their status still hasn't been received.

Are you prepared?

The Chantilly incident serves as a reminder to natural gas users about learning what to do in the event of a leak.

Kristine Luken, the American missionary who was stabbed to death in Israel on Saturday, had roots in Northern Virginia. Luken. 44, and her twin sister, Kate, were members of  class of 1984. The Class of '84's Facebook page features many class members expressing their sadness at the news.

McLean board disregards open government law

The McLean Community Center Board apparently has violated Virginia open government laws, thus putting into question the validity of a $100,000 contract.

Census: Virginia's growth slows

Virginia's rapid growth slowed this decade, according to the first figures unveiled yesterday from the historic  2010 Census.

More Census: What McLean, Falls Church and Vienna have in common

All three have an overabundance of college graduates, expensive houses, high incomes and older people. But they are white enclaves in a Fairfax County that is rapidly becoming a majority-minority county. McLean and its neighbors are more than 70 percent white not Hispanic. The county as a whole is 58 percent white not Hispanic. 

Meredith Murray had spent years searching for artistic inspiration. She found it nine years ago in Australia and hasn't stopped drawing since

Real estate has two schools of thought on listing a home for sale on the holidays.

Anyone who has ever attended a football game at Centreville High School has heard Bill Shackelford's signature call, "How about it Wildcats fans- are you ready for some football?" A chance encounter 22 years ago led to Shackelford's volunteer gig as the only announcer Centreville High School has ever had.

Local police districts are conducting the Fairfax County Police Department's annual "Safe December" campaign. Officers are making extra efforts this month to watch out for drunk drivers amidst all the holiday revelry.

The ever-congested Fairfax County and Fair Lakes parkways intersection is getting a new look, with much of the construction proceeding through the holidays.

A Virginia law meant to tell drivers to stop at a school bus was missing one important word - 'at.' Now Del. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) has pre-filed a bill that would close the 40-year-old loophole, which allowed one driver to avoid a reckless driving charge. 



Virginia has adopted a new law that aims to decrease the damage caused by concussions incurred by student athletes.