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1 week ago | 
fairfaxconnection.com | Mercia Hobson
Michelle Sie Whitten, president and CEO of the non-profit organization Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL), fears the impact of two impending financial blows to the foundation. Their annual AcceptAbility Gala on Wednesday, May 21, is seeing a decrease in gala table and ticket sales this year, as well as donations. There is a reported drop in philanthropy in part due to eliminating thousands of positions in the federal government and economic uncertainty. "We want people to support the gala.
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1 week ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
Early voting started Friday, May 2, at some locations in Fairfax County for the June 17 Democratic primary. Fairfax County is one of the 133 Virginia counties and cities with Democratic primaries this year. A party primary occurs only if two or more candidates of the same party qualify. According to the Virginia Department of Elections, the last day for primary candidates to file for statewide and House of Delegates offices was April 3.
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2 weeks ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department opened a press conference at a media staging area late Wednesday afternoon, April 23, in the 4000 block of Majestic near Greenbriar, reporting on two officers shot and wounded, and a suspect shot and killed. Davis says, "Number one, policing remains a dangerous profession in America.
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2 weeks ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
The Fairfax County Park Authority's farmers markets are opening. On Wednesday, April 16, the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market launched the 2025 farmers market season. The Burke market followed on Saturday, April 19, and the Reston market on Saturday, April 26. The Fairfax County Park Authority operates ten farmers markets in the region. Mount Vernon, Annandale, Lorton, Reston, and Wakefield are the five markets that accept SNAP. Remember to bring your bags and receptacles this year.
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2 weeks ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, who was recently elected to his ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives for Virginia's 11th District, which encompasses much of Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax, released an updated letter to his constituents on social media late this morning, Monday, April 28, addressing "Dear Friends."Connolly says that “the sun is setting” on his time in public service. He disclosed that this will be his "last term in Congress." In 2026, he will not seek reelection.
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2 weeks ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
Fairfax County residents testified passionately during the Tuesday, April 22 public hearings. Those who attended the hearings live or tuned into the video broadcast learned that the board has announced plans to cut life-saving programs — ambulance service in some parts of the county — as it considers how best to address a prospective $300 million budget deficit. The budget shortfall is due to rising costs, particularly employee pay and benefits, which outpace revenue growth.
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3 weeks ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
April 24, 10:01 a.m.Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department joined Superintendent Michelle Reid of Fairfax County Public Schools at a press conference early yesterday afternoon to address a stabbing that occurred at about 9:40 a.m. that morning inside West Potomac High School in Mount Vernon. Three students got into a physical fight, police say, which resulted in a 16-year-old student stabbed and being transported to the hospital in a life-threatening condition.
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3 weeks ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
Fairfax County is considering reductions in the FY26 budget. Ambulance 441 at Fire Station 441 (Crosspointe) is threatened with elimination, as is Medic 439, North Point’s lifeline. Ambulance 420 (Gunston) is on the chopping block, as is Clifton Ambulance 416. “Seconds can be the difference between life and death,” posts Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics.
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3 weeks ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
The 2026 Fairfax County Advertised Budget underfunds the public schools by $150 million, according to FCPS. Dr. Michelle Reid, superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools says she cannot manage the $150 million gap in the division’s $4 billion district budget. Over 96 percent of FCPS’ budget is funded. The shortfall of $150 million is 3.75 percent of the $4 billion budget. On April 9, Chantilly High School's Advik Sood, student journalist, asked Reid what happens if the FCPS is not fully funded.
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1 month ago | 
connectionnewspapers.com | Mercia Hobson
Medicaid is a massive federal and state-funded program that provides health and long term care coverage to low-income people. It covers one in five people nationwide. Democratic members of Congress are sounding the alarm about the impact of Medicaid cuts on Virginia and the nation. Republicans are saying there is no need for alarm. Both parties are clashing verbally after the U.S. The House agreed to H.Con.Res.14, on Feb.
