During the new school year, which kicks off Monday (Aug. 19), students at select Fairfax County middle and high schools will be required to hand in their phones in order to turn up their focus.
Starting Sept. 3, Fairfax County Public Schools will begin rolling out a new phone-free pilot program, requiring middle and high school students to secure their cell phones in magnetically sealed pouches or lockers during class to reduce distractions.
How Mars Sealed Deal for Pringles Maker — Interviews detail how McLean-based Mars Inc. “decided to place its biggest ever bet on expansion — the $36 billion acquisition of snack and cereal maker Kellanova…The deal is the culmination of a flurry of Mars’ dealmaking over the last three decades, totaling at least 185 transactions collectively worth $81 billion.” [Reuters]
GMU Board Member Scrutinized for Project 2025 Role — “Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) recently called for the ouster of a member of the George Mason University Board of Visitors over what he called ‘alarming’ and ‘extreme’ views. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) refused, citing the appointee’s extensive set of academic credentials.” [Washington Post]
Dulles Airport Ticks Up in Passenger Rankings — “Two local airports moved up from 2022 to 2023 in the national passenger-total rankings, while another fell, according to new federal data…Reagan Washington National Airport fell from 23rd to 24th while Washington Dulles International Airport rose from 26th to 28th in the rankings.” [Gazette Leader]
Nearby: Arlington to Add Speed Cameras — Following Fairfax’s lead, Arlington County will soon install speed cameras in school zones “next month, more than two years after officials approved their installation. The 10 cameras will begin operating on Sept. 25, with the owners of speeding vehicles receiving a $100 fine per infraction.” [ARLnow]
Grants Awarded to Local Arts Groups — ArtsFairfax, the county’s nonprofit arts agency, will award $591,900 to 58 community arts organizations under its fiscal year 2025 Operating Support Grants program. “While ArtsFairfax saw a 20% increase in total requested funds, the available funding for this grant category remained flat from FY24 to FY25.” [ArtsFairfax]
County Library Celebrates Summer Reading — “Come one, come all, to our annual FREE event to kick-off Fairfax County Public Library’s summer reading program! Our 2nd Annual Children’s Summer Reading Celebration is designed to encourage young readers to continue their enthusiasm for reading straight into summer vacation.” [Eventbrite]
Timing of VRE Saturday Service to D.C. Unclear — A Virginia Railway Express spokesperson says implementation of passenger rail service on Saturdays into D.C. “is being held up by contract negotiations with CSX, which owns the tracks on the Fredericksburg line, and Norfolk Southern Railroad which owns the tracks on the Manassas line.” [FXBG Advance/Inside NoVA]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with temperatures reaching up to 90°F. At night, there’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am-5am, changing to possible showers after 5am. It’ll be mostly cloudy with temperatures around 71°F. [NWS]
Fairfax County is on the lookout for a contractor to conduct a planned panhandling survey.
The county issued a solicitation to identify a vendor this May, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority spokesperson Allyson Pearce told FFXnow.
The illness popularly known as “whooping cough” is on the rise in Fairfax County, according to local health officials.
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) shared yesterday (Wednesday) that it’s seeing an increase in pertussis throughout the Fairfax Health District, which also includes the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Cases are also up statewide and nationally.
Written By: Synergy Design & Construction
In today’s world, maximizing small spaces has become a necessity. With the housing shortage and higher interest rates, many of us find ourselves in apartments, condos, or homes where space is at a premium. But limited space doesn’t mean limited potential!
By understanding what you’re working with, choosing the right furniture, and employing clever solutions, you can transform even the tiniest of areas into functional, stylish havens.
Understanding Your Space
Evaluate the layout: Stand at the entrance of the room and really take in the layout. Look past existing furniture and decor that may influence you and determine if there are any awkward corners or underutilized nooks that could be optimized.
Define your needs: Think about what elements are essential for your lifestyle and prioritize what you need most. Is it a home office, mudroom, or space to exercise (or both)? Once you know your needs, planning becomes much easier.
Space Saving Furniture
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq
Our lawyers represent federal employees, government contractors, and military personnel in security clearance cases. One of the most frequent questions they ask is when they should hire a security clearance lawyer.
The usual answer that we give is that clearance holders and applicants should consult with a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as they anticipate having security clearance issues. It is generally easier to fix security clearance problems (or avoid them) as early in the process as possible.
Most individuals have a good sense as to whether or not they may have a security concern (e.g., drug use, financial issues, accurate completion of forms) as they apply for positions or when they fill out security clearance forms like the e-QIP, SF-86 and/or different versions of the SF-85. Sometimes, individuals don’t consider how much a potential security issue can affect their ability to obtain or retain a security clearance. Having a security clearance attorney advise a person about the process can be invaluable.
Some areas where a security clearance lawyer can help include:
Getting Advice Before Completing Security Clearance Forms
When there is a potential security concern, consulting with a security clearance lawyer can help get ahead of potential security clearance concerns. One of the major problems that we see in the clearance process is when a person comes to us too late for advice to potentially correct a security issue. Getting advice prior to submitting security clearance forms, where there are potential issues, is the best advice.
A security clearance lawyer can go over the risks of applying for a security clearance. They can also help review an individual’s security clearance forms to ensure that they are accurate and responsive. It is critical, if you apply, to disclose all information accurately on these forms. Not doing so can form the basis for a denial based on a lack of candor or honesty.
Consulting/Representation Once the Security Clearance Process Begins
It is also important to have the guidance of a security clearance attorney when the security clearance investigative process begins. At this point, the security clearance forms in such a case have been submitted, and the individual is in the process of being scheduled for an investigative interview. In such a situation, it is important to go over any areas of concern with a client that are likely to come up in the interview. There are often ways of responding during an interview that can clear up any misperceptions by the investigator or perhaps mitigate these concerns in advance.
Again, it is extremely important to be honest and accurate during the clearance interview process and sometimes to even disclose concerns before the interview begins in certain cases. However, getting advice before doing so is crucial.
Representation in Security Clearance Denials or Proposed Denials
An individual will definitely need a security clearance lawyer if they receive a denial or proposed denial of their security clearance. Each federal agency is different, and there are different security clearance processes for each federal agency.
Drafting the Written Response to the Statement of Reasons
The typical first step in the security clearance denial process is to provide a written response to the security concerns (often known as the Statement of Reasons) to the clearance review authority. The first step is to obtain a complete fact set from the individual regarding the security concerns at issue and work to determine the best possible methods of rebutting and/or mitigating them. There is also a whole-person concept evaluation where attorneys can assist individuals in explaining their good character, prior performance, and/or background, which can also help mitigate clearance concerns.
The written response usually takes the form of a written submission by counsel, exhibits, and an affidavit or declaration. It is not uncommon for such responses to be 15 to 70 pages in length, with exhibits. The length of a submission depends on the security concerns at issue and the type of mitigating documents that are available for a case.
Representation During Personal Appearance or Hearing Stage
While it is very important to provide a detailed written response to security clearance issues, it is even more important to present a thorough oral presentation where the opportunity to do so arises. We almost always recommend that an individual elect an administrative judge hearing or personal appearance in security clearance cases. Each federal agency is different and has different procedures for personal appearances and hearings. We have found that personal appearances/hearings have the greatest potential to reverse negative findings.
Contact Us
When an individual is facing concerns about security clearance issues, it is important to obtain legal advice early. Our law firm advises individuals in the security clearance process. We can be contacted at www.berrylegal.com or by telephone at (703) 668-0070.
The Town of Herndon has hired a former top executive from Prince William County as its interim town manager.
Christopher Martino will temporarily assume oversight of the town government’s operations on Sept. 3, taking over from current Town Manager Bill Ashton, who is set to resign effective Sept. 10, the town announced yesterday (Wednesday).
Driver Charged in Fatal Clifton Crash — Fairfax County police have charged a 21-year-old man from Woodbridge with failure to maintain proper control in connection to a July 15 crash that killed a passenger in his car. Police say the man was driving west on Old Yates Ford Road in a 2003 Honda Accord when he veered over the yellow line and collided with a Volkswagen SUV. [FCPD]
Man Convicted for 2022 Fatal Shooting — “Jordan Cochran was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. He was 20 at the time of the shooting. Kebbren Leigh-Gaye, who was just 18 years old, died after the shooting on Jan. 8, 2022, on Richmond Highway (Route 1) at Dart Drive, in the Hybla Valley area.” [NBC4]
Judge Orders Release of Defense Department Engineer — “A Defense Department engineer accused of mishandling highly classified records should be released from jail to home confinement pending trial, a federal magistrate judge ruled Tuesday…[Gokhan] Gun during the hearing agreed to put up a nearly $500,000 home in Fairfax as bond collateral.” [Washington Post]
Vienna Figure Skater Reflects on Journey — “Now a student at George Mason University, [Ilia] Malinin still lives with his family in Vienna and trains under his parents, former Olympic skaters Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina, at SkateQuest in Reston…We recently caught up with Malinin during his off-season to talk about his accomplishments and what to expect next.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Road Closure in Centreville Postponed — A planned closure of Stringfellow Road (Route 645) between Route 29 and Centreville Farms Road has been postponed due to weather. Originally set for Saturday, Aug. 17, the paving work is “part of the Route 29 Widening Project, which is making improvements…between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive.” [VDOT]
Georgetown Pike Bridge Closure Rescheduled — “RESCHEDULED: All lanes of Georgetown Pk Bridge over I-495 in #McLean will shift to new northern portion of bridge 8/23-8/26. Motorists are urged to stay away from the area, as lanes will be reduced, and Beltway ramps closed all weekend for work.” [VDOT/Twitter]
New School Board Student Rep Shares Priorities — “Earlier this year, Megan Sawant — a rising senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology — was elected by the countywide Superintendent’s Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board.” Her goals include ensuring “two-way communication” between students and the board. [Gazette Leader]
Vienna Community Center to Close for Cleaning — “All events and activities at the Vienna Community Center will be paused starting one week from today, next Monday, Aug. 19 through Sept. 2, for an annual deep clean and facility maintenance. The lobby, including the front desk and restrooms, will remain open on a modified schedule.” [Town of Vienna/Facebook]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high near 88, accompanied by a mild north wind at about 5 mph. The evening will transition to partly cloudy skies with a low temperature around 68 and a gentle south breeze. [NWS]
Reston resident Jeanette Pagliuco set a new Guinness world record last week for most live music shows attended in a week with 27 concerts.
From Aug. 2-9, Pagliuco went to 27 live music events across the D.C. region, attending a mariachi performance, symphony orchestra concert and various rock band shows.
A Reston man has been arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a child at a store in the South Lakes Village Shopping Center.
Police officers were dispatched to the 11100 block of South Lakes Drive at 10:30 p.m. last Friday (Aug. 9) for a reported assault, the Fairfax County Police Department says.
