Former Army soldier Stephan Smerk was given the maximum sentence — 70 years in prison — today (Friday) for the murder of West Springfield woman Robin Lawrence in 1994.
Smerk, 53, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Oct. 4 for stabbing and killing Lawrence in her home in an act of random violence.
Metro leaders are taking steps that could permit the transit agency to ban people from its property if they commit crimes or otherwise demonstrate what is deemed improper behavior.
The measure was first discussed publicly at a Jan. 30 meeting of the Metro Board of Directors’ safety and operations committee. An agency spokesman told FFXnow on Monday (March 3) that the discussion “remains ongoing.”
A man from Bailey’s Crossroads has been convicted of hate crimes for plotting a potential mass shooting at a church in Prince William County.
Following a four-day trial, a federal jury in Alexandria found Rui Jiang guilty yesterday (Thursday) of attempting to obstruct congregants of Park Valley Church in Haymarket from exercising their religious beliefs, using a firearm in connection to a violent crime, and sending online threats.
Fairfax County has purchased land in the Dogue Creek watershed near Fort Belvoir for $2.8 million in a bid to prevent future development, remove an “eyesore” and restore the creek.
In a release, Fairfax County said the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services purchased three parcels of land, around 7.9 acres in total.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed on Tuesday (March 4) to expedite the planning and zoning process for construction of a new Fire Station #29 at 8300 Jones Branch Drive in Tysons.
Acting unanimously, supervisors directed county staff to concurrently process a site plan and building plans for the facility while a proffer condition amendment is also being processed.
Seventeen government buildings around Fairfax County, including the U.S. Geological Survey headquarters, could be going up for sale amid federal spending cuts.
Buildings in Reston, and Springfield were among 443 federal properties listed by the General Services Administration (GSA) as “not core to government operations” on Tuesday (March 4) before that list was taken down just one day later.
CIA and Other Intelligence Agencies Ramp Up Layoffs — “The CIA also has started to dismiss some probationary workers, a spokeswoman said. About 80 people have been let go, said one former officer, who like other current and former officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they feared reprisals for speaking out or because they work in sensitive jobs.” [Washington Post]
Childcare Center Planned for Hybla Valley — “A new early learning center for 86 children up to age 5 has been funded by Fairfax County with $10 million in 2024 carryover funds and is tentatively slated to open in winter 2028 at the Hybla Valley Community Center … Additional carryover funding of $500,000 was designated for a feasibility study of other possible childcare sites in the county.” [On the MoVe]
GMU Baseball Team Breaks Scoring Record — “The George Mason University baseball team scored 23 runs in an inning against Holy Cross on Tuesday to break an NCAA Division I record that has stood for 42 years. The Patriots (8-4) sent 28 batters to the plate in the second inning of a 26-6 victory against the visiting Crusaders (5-5) in Fairfax, Virginia.” [ESPN]
County Offers Funding to Local Startups — “Fairfax County announced the next application round for the Fairfax Founders Fund (FFF), a program designed to fuel innovation and business growth, will be open from March 17 through April 21, 2025. FFF provides selected early-stage startups with up to $50,000 in funding capital.” [Department of Economic Initiatives]
School Prom Dress Shop Opens Today — “Prom season has officially begun. Students from Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program will open their annual Prom Dress Shop, which aims to help economically challenged students celebrate in style, on Friday, March 7.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Bill Would Allow Localities to Require Solar Over Parking Lots — “There is, though, another way, one that could indeed turn parts of Northern Virginia (and other developed areas) into utility-scale solar projects without giving up farmland or rural viewsheds. That way was what was over Bulova’s head that summer day in Las Vegas: solar panels over top of parking lots.” [Cardinal News]
Man Gives 700th Blood Donation to Inova — “Richard Martin started donating whole blood with the Red Cross and then switched to Inova when he was asked to consider a different type of donation in 1982 … On Wednesday afternoon, squeezing a red, heart-shaped stress ball, Martin watched bags fill up and reflected on what would become his 700th donation.” [WTOP]
Feedback Wanted on Park Near Kingstowne — “The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to a public meeting to discuss the Olander and Margaret Banks Neighborhood Park. The meeting will take place on Thursday, March 20, from 1-2 p.m. at Richard Byrd Library (7250 Commerce St., Springfield).” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies today and a high temperature of around 57 degrees. The west wind will reach speeds of 11 to 18 mph, gusting up to 31 mph. Tonight, there is a 20% chance of showers before 1am, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low temperature near 40 degrees. [NWS]
A petition campaign to save a local beaver at Kingstowne Lake won property management over: Wally will live.
According to residents, Wally moved to the man-made stormwater management pond known as Kingstowne Lake sometime in September last year. Whether it’s just one beaver or a couple is unclear — a licensed wildlife expert said over 60 trees had been damaged by the beaver, indicating there could be more than one.
A former independent contractor who worked in Fairfax County Public Schools admitted to perpetrating multiple sex crimes this week.
Arturo Elmore-Adon, 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday (March 4) to two counts of possessing child pornography, four counts of unlawful videotaping of a minor and one count of sexual battery.
Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard was quietly placed on administrative leave last month, and it’s unclear when — or if — she’s expected to return.
DeBoard, who became the town’s first female police chief when she was appointed in 2012, was put on administrative leave on Feb. 12, a town spokesperson says, confirming a Feb. 28 report by WUSA9.
