Community Corner
Look Back, Look Ahead: Fairfax County News to Know
Here are some of the top Patch headlines from the past week from around the county and beyond.
On the first day of the 113th Congress Thursday, Tim Kaine took the oath of office, officially taking the title of Sen. Tim Kaine.
Kaine and his family participated in a re-enactment Thursday afternoon at the U.S. Capitol's Old Senate Chamber with Vice President Joe Biden officiating. Kaine's wife, Anne Holton, held a bible. The vice president swears in new Senators and re-elected Senators at the start of each Congress.
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Police Nab Suspect in New Year's Rape, Robbery at Franconia Hotel
Fairfax County Police have charged a 24-year-old Woodbridge man with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of forcible rape following an incident at a Springfield-area hotel.
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Police responded to the Extended Stay Hotel, 6800 Metropolitan Center Drive, for a report of a man brandishing a gun at around 6 p.m. Tuesday. Officers tracked down the suspect and apprehended him as he attempted to elude them.
George Tabash, 27, of Centreville was killed early Monday morning after the truck he was driving slammed into the back of a tractor-trailer stopped at a red light at Sully Road/Route 28 and Interstate 66, according to a news release from Fairfax County Police.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit today denied prosecutors' request to vacate an order for the release of former death row inmate Justin Wolfe—but granted a stay that blocked Wolfe from leaving prison at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The court will hear arguments from the state later this month.
Richmond Highway HomeGoods Closing
After more than a year in business, the HomeGoods store on Richmond Highway will close its doors Jan. 12.
The store is closing due to a trend of slow sales, according to an employee who wished to remain anonymous.
Loudoun Democrats Respond to Delgaudio Committee Ban
The Loudoun County Democratic Committee issued the following statement Thursday regarding the Loudoun Board of Supervisors’ removal of Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) from standing committees.
The move, which received a response from Delgaudio’s attorney, denies Delgaudio a vote in board committees, but does not bar him from attending meetings.
Burke Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Producing Child Pornography
A Burke man was sentenced last month to 360 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release for producing child pornography.
Jason Laposay, 40, filmed a minor under the age of 12 engaging in sexually explicit activity, according to a news release from the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Laposay pled guilty June 29 to producing child pornography.
Fairfax Officials Disappointed in Fiscal Cliff Bill
Fairfax County officials are disappointed Tuesday’s last-minute “fiscal cliff” bill does not address a solution for sequestration cuts that could endanger Northern Virginia’s economic well being.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova said she was grateful Congress took action and passed the bill, which keeps the Bush-era tax cuts for individuals making less than $400,000 and couples making less that $450,000. It also makes permanent the fixes for the Alternative Minimum Tax and delays government spending cuts for two months.
Understanding the behaviors of past beings and present ones is what drives archeologist Todd Surovell.
Since July, the Mount Vernon native has followed the Dukha nomadic reindeer herders of the Khövsgöl Province of Mongolia near the Siberian border, documenting their daily activities through pictures and notes. Saturday, Surovell will share months of research with people at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church.
The Hooes Road Bridge over Accotink Creek is back. The Virginia Department of Transportation re-opened the three-span, 150-foot-long structure, on Dec. 28.
Weather forecasters called for clear skies over Northern Virginia Wednesday night. If you searched the skies, you had a good look at a meteor shower.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is named for an extinct constellation, but the shooting stars that seem to sprout from it still arrive yearly, and the opening of the 2013 show began overnight Monday into Tuesday.
Fort Hunt McDonald's Gets a New Look
The Fort Hunt McDonald's will soon be getting a new look.
The fast-food restaurant located on Richmond Highway and Fordson Road has been torn down and will be reconstructed. A sign outside the restaurant reads "Rebuilding for You."
FCPS: New Elementary Schools Slated for Route 1
Elementary schools serving the northern portion of Route 1 and Fort Belvoir are expected to see significant overcrowding in the next five years.
A potential solution, according to the recently released draft of the Fairfax County Capital Improvement Plan: two new elementary schools for the Route 1 corridor.
Clifton Wine Shop to Offer Classes
Lucinda Lawson is bringing more than just her taste in wine to The Clifton Wine Shop. Lawson, who bought the store in July and reopened in September, is a former college professor, and decided that the shop needed to start educating customers.
"The first class is on the seven varietals of Bordeaux," Lawson told Patch. "I'm slowly becoming a wine expert because I'm such a nerd. I love researching and reading and finding unique wines that you can't find anywhere else."
General Assembly Likely to Review Gun Laws, School Security
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William Howell (R-Stafford) told WTOP he expects the 2013 General Assembly to review restrictions on gun ownership for the mentally ill and proposals for increased school security.
He also said Connecticut has stricter gun laws than Virginia.
But "it goes way beyond gun control," Howell said, referring to the killings at Sandy Hook.
AMC Hoffman Theater to Host Sneak Peek of 'American Idol' Premiere
The "American Idol" TV show, debuting its 12th season in a two-part premiere Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 on FOX, is hosting a preview screening and Q&A one week early at movie theaters across the country, including the AMC Hoffman 22 in Alexandria.
The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation will ring in 2013 Wednesday with an open house.
Guests will learn more about SFDC’s new office space and logo, the completion of the Beacon of Groveton and Kings Crossing Phase II, and the approval of new revitalization projects on Richmond Highway.
Yogurt City Coming to Route 1 Corridor
The Richmond Highway corridor will finally have a frozen yogurt shop.
Yogurt City is coming to 7615 Fordson Road next to Mamma's Kitchen.
David Ben, Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation marketing and communications manager, tells Patch that Yogurt City is a "great addition" to Route 1.
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