Connection Newspapers

11/01/2025

Read The Latest Connection Newspapers and Gazettes - https://mailchi.mp/connectionnewspapers/all-8-connection-newspapers-13391438

08/01/2025

To begin 2025, the Connection Newspapers, along with the Mount Vernon Gazette and Alexandria Gazette Packet, are planning to publish on a new schedule, twice a month, first and third weeks of the month in most months.

07/01/2025

How much did you end up with?

At the airports, Reagan National Airport picked up 7.2" of snow yesterday, the most in a single storm since 2019.

Dulles picked up 5.1" (calendar day record)
BWI Marshall 6.6" (calendar day record)

Here's a map of totals created by CWG's Ian Livingston.

Posted 925a Tuesday.

07/01/2025

Around 4:30am this morning responded to a tractor-trailer crash with entrapment on I-395SB near the I-95SB split. Firefighters arrived to find the vehicle blocking multiple lanes of traffic. The cab was pinned between the guardrail and trailer with the driver trapped inside. Crews performed extrication operations and mitigated a substantial diesel fuel leak. The driver was transported with non life-threatening injuries.

06/01/2025

Show us your snow photos, we might print a few!

06/01/2025

Here comes the snow. Local school districts and governments have already closed for Monday, Jan. 6.
While we deal with snow and ice, it's important to use salt products carefully to protect the environment. Watch for Glenda Booth's story in the Connection and the Gazette this week.

Here, the National Park Service sprayed the GW Memorial Parkway on Sunday, Jan. 5, preparing for the anticipated snowstorm. Photo by Glenda Booth

03/01/2025

👷‍♀️ VDOT crews 👷‍♂️ are brining roadways across Virginia before wintry weather arrives. ❄️ Please be alert for our mobile road treatment crews and give the trucks plenty of space to safely work.

03/01/2025

Do you remember? Three years ago on this day, about 6-12 inches of snow fell and traffic came to standstill on I-95 in Northern Virginia for 20 hours. The storm coming up Sunday night and Monday has a chance to be the biggest snow since then.

Photo: Steve Helber/AP

Posted 830a Friday

03/01/2025

Our very own Chief Kevin Davis has been appointed to the University of Virginia's Center for Public Safety and Justice Distinguished Advisory Board. This role will help advance public safety through education, research, and innovation. Congratulations, Chief Davis! 👏

Learn more about the center, here➡️https://www.scps.virginia.edu/center-public-safety-and-justice

03/01/2025

Fairfax County is evaluating potential changes to the Comprehensive Plan's land use recommendations for the area bounded by Franconia Road, Beulah Street, and Grovedale Drive. Join your neighbors and county staff for a presentation about the potential changes, draft Comprehensive Plan text, and the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/ab23r2mm

03/01/2025

Big snowflakes. This is the trial run. Half an inch as the cold front comes in. Then we’re supposed to get 5 inches or more Sunday night into Monday.

03/01/2025

🌨️ Snow is on the way! While you're preparing your snow shovels and winter boots, remember to think about how you de-ice your driveway and sidewalks. ❄️

Excess salt doesn’t just melt ice—it can also seep into our aquifer, contaminating our drinking water. Learn Salt Smart strategies to keep your family safe and our water clean this winter!

👉 Read more on our blog: Salt Smart Strategies to Reduce Aquifer Contamination During Winter (Link in comments).

03/01/2025

Winter Weather and Safety for People with Dementia

Alzheimer’s Association offers safety tips and resources

McLean, VA, January 3, 2025 — Winter weather conditions — such as freezing temperatures, snow, ice and early darkness — can be dangerous, and even life threatening, for people living with Alzheimer's or other dementias. However, by planning ahead and taking necessary precautions, caregivers can make a meaningful difference in keeping their loved ones safe. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to keep people living with dementia safe during the winter months:

• Be prepared. Check weather conditions regularly for winter storms and have emergency plans in place. Tackle to-do lists efficiently in one trip during the cold season and consider rescheduling nonurgent appointments during snowstorms.
• Bundle up. Help the person living with Alzheimer's or dementia dress warmly for winter weather by wearing dry, loose-fitting layers and covering exposed skin with clothing, scarves and mittens. Remove layers as necessary for the environment to prevent overheating.

• Prevent slips. Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Assume all surfaces are slick; assist the person by taking smaller steps and slowing down, so they can match gait and speed to a safer level. Keep walkways clear and use handrails for added stability.

• Take advantage of the daylight. Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Visual perception can be a challenge for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and can cause increased confusion or disorientation in dark or shadowy environments both inside and out. Turn on indoor lights earlier, open curtains during daylight hours, and install motion detector lights for safer navigation.

• Watch for behavior changes. Shorter days during winter months can also increase the risk of “sundowning.” Monitor closely for agitation or restlessness as day transitions into night.

• Prevent wandering. Wandering can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander and become lost at some point, many do so repeatedly. If not found within 24 hours, up to half of wandering individuals will suffer serious injury or death.

MISSING? If the person living with dementia is missing, begin your search immediately. Start by searching the immediate vicinity, including “less-traveled” areas in your home. Outside the home, search the yard and nearby surroundings. Most wanderers are found within a half mile of their homes or starting location.

When looking, consider whether the individual is right- or left-handed — wandering patterns generally follow the direction of the dominant hand.
o If, after 15 minutes, the person is not located, call 911 to file a missing person’s report. Ensure a swift response by alerting the police that the individual has Alzheimer’s disease and is a “vulnerable adult.”

The Alzheimer’s Association has more information on wandering at alz.org/wandering.

• Buddy up. Seek support from family members or others for tasks outside the home, such as errands, grocery shopping or snow/ice removal.

More safety tips can be found by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website at alz.org/safety. The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline also provides free reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call the Helpline toll-free anytime at 800.272.3900.

# # #

About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

Alzheimer's Association national site – information on Alzheimer's disease and dementia symptoms, diagnosis, stages, treatment, care and support resources.

28/12/2024

Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing Jan. 4

The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax with parking available in front of the Government Center Building. Fairfax County is assisting with the logistics of the delegation’s event. Fairfax County residents who want to sign up in advance to speak at the hearing should register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by noon on Thursday, January 2. Additional guidelines for those interested in speaking at the public forum are as follows:

Only Fairfax County residents may register to speak.
Eligible residents requiring assistance will be helped as needed.
Speaking slots will be numbered based on a first come, first served allocation.
Fairfax County residents may register to speak as an individual or on behalf of an organization serving County residents.
Requests for ADA accommodations should be made as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the public hearing.
Organizations are encouraged to limit their presentation to no more than 3 speakers.
Each speaker will be allocated three minutes to address the Delegation.
Speakers must be present when called to the podium, and people who miss their turn will be added to the end of the list of speakers.
Written testimony may also be submitted via email to [email protected].
The Chair reserves the right to modify the guidelines on site for the smooth operation of the public forum.
The hearing will be televised live on Fairfax County Television Channel 16 (Channel 1016 in HD on Cox; Channel 16 on Verizon or Comcast), and can also be viewed on-line through the Channel 16 stream.
Reminder: Weapons Prohibited in County Buildings, Parks, at Special Events
Point of contact for other questions or requests for ADA accommodations: Arielle McAloon (703-324-2649, TTY 711) or Jennifer Van Ee (703-324-2640, TTY 711).
Further information on the public hearing is available from members of the Fairfax County legislative delegation. Contact information for individual delegation members is available on the Virginia General Assembly web page at

24/12/2024

Check out the creative student art from the Springfield-Franconia area

Art

20/12/2024

20/12/2024