Heather Zwicker

Chantilly

Editor at Fairfax County Times

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Articles

Meals tax added in the budget markup

1 week ago | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Fairfax County residents must open their wallets wider when paying restaurant checks and purchasing prepared foods at local grocery stores. During the FY 2026 Budget markup session, the Board of Supervisors implemented a 4% meals tax, despite residents voting against it in two separate referendums. Combined with the 6% state sales tax, this will add an extra 10% to the bill for those dining out.
Youngkin commutes former police officer’s sentence

2 months ago | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

Just two days after sentencing, Governor Glenn Youngkin commuted the sentence of a former Fairfax County Police officer convicted of reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 6 felony. Former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was acquitted last fall of the more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Timothy McCree Johnson, a man who was fleeing from officers after shoplifting at Tysons Corner Center in February 2023.
AG asks Descano to prosecute sex offender or step aside

Feb 14, 2025 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares sent a letter to Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano on Tuesday urging him to take “swift and deliberate action” regarding sex offender Richard Kenneth Cox. Cox, a registered Tier III sex offender, has most recently been reported as allegedly exposing himself in pool locker rooms in Arlington County, but also at Oakmont Recreation Center in Fairfax County. Tier III is the most serious level of sexual offenders.
Alleged rape and undocumented immigrant crimes raise concern

Nov 27, 2024 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker |Asra Nomani

The topic of undocumented immigrant criminals is at the forefront in Fairfax County after the alleged rape of a woman in Herndon last week and a new Department of Homeland Security bulletin about criminal gangs from Venezuela operating in the state. In the rape case, Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard said at a press conference that police responded to the WO&D Trail between Ferndale Avenue and Gray Street at 8:51 p.m. on Nov.
More early-voting locations are open

Oct 18, 2024 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

Thirteen additional voting locations opened on Thursday. They will be open for early voting for Fairfax County registered voters to vote in the general and special elections through Nov. 2. According to Fairfax County Election officials, as of Wednesday, 90,224 people had already cast a ballot at three early voting locations that opened on Sept. 20: Fairfax County Government Center and Mount Vernon and North County government centers.
Local shelter adoption events have waived fees

Oct 3, 2024 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is collaborating with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for the Empty the Shelters fall national adoption event. According to Animal Shelter officials, all pets will have waived fee adoptions from Oct. 4 to Oct. 6 thanks to the BISSELL Pet Foundation. Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event. Since its inception in 2016, nearly 283,000 pets have found loving homes across the country and in Canada.
Number of people experiencing hunger up from last year

Sep 20, 2024 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

Despite positive economic headlines in the news over the past year, the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB)-National Opinion Research Center (NORC) annual report on food insecurity released last week shows that the number of people in the Washington, D.C. metro area experiencing hunger is increasing.
Early voting locations open

Sep 20, 2024 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

There are about 45 days until election day, and in-person early voting starts this weekend. Three locations will open to accommodate Fairfax County residents, and an additional 13 locations will open on Oct. 17. The Fairfax County Government Center, the Mount Vernon Government Center, and the North County Government Center are the three locations opening this weekend.
Governor signs bills supporting Building Blocks for VA Families

Aug 23, 2024 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

A Fairfax County businesswoman knows all too well how access to childcare can impact attracting experienced employees. But, she is hopeful the 10 bipartisan bills signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin last week will improve the situation. “Lack of affordable access to child care is one of the most significant challenges businesses like mine face today.
County executive recommends plans for carryover funds

Aug 16, 2024 | fairfaxtimes.com | Heather Zwicker

County Executive Bryan Hill sent a memorandum to the Board of Supervisors late last month to recommend ways to spend more than $260 million in carryover funds from the 2024 fiscal year. Hill said the funds come from increased revenues, decreased spending, and leftover funds from the American Rescue Act. Hill suggests spending the carryover on roads, parks, schools, public safety, and other community services, among other priorities.