Virginia GOP Convention Over Primary: Good Move?

The Virginia Republican Party will nominate its candidates during a convention in two weeks, and some experts have weighed in on the system.

Texting 911: Not in Fairfax County

Trials in other Washington area jurisdictions have residents asking: Why doesn't Fairfax County have text-911 service?

Your Guide to the 2013 Virginia GOP Convention

The GOP's state convention in Richmond is two weeks away. Here's what you need to know.

Officials Consider Meals Tax in Fairfax County

Officials will likely attempt to put a meals tax referendum to voters in future elections, though the proposal has had little success in the past.

$7 Billion Fairfax Budget: Higher Taxes, No Employee Raises

In final FY 2014 spending plan, homeowners will pay $216 more on average; public safety positions will be restored.

Supervisors Want Action on Head Start Wait List

Officials will sit down soon to discuss how to get kids early education -- and fast.

Jobs for Veterans: Kaine's Troop Talent Act Hits Congress

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine's (D-VA) Troop Talent Act of 2013 would help transition between military and civilian employment.

Centreville Girl to Model at Global Down Syndrome Gala Headlined by Aretha Franklin

Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala and Fashion Show in Washington, D.C. will include seven-year-old Canela Bahamonde.

7 Top Centreville Stories: Woman Sexually Assaulted, Cell Tower, Eye Level Learning Center

A look back at this week's most popular stories at Centreville Patch.

Wait Continues for Head Start Program

Fairfax County's pre-kindergarten program will likely go another year without the funding to shorten a wait list with hundreds of kids.

A 25-Year Fight: Ending Homelessness in Fairfax County

Facets has made great strides since 1988, but the vision "is a long way from being realized."

Frank Wolf, Tim Hugo to Host Town Hall on Human Trafficking

The town hall meeting will take place Friday, May 3, in Fairfax County.

Commission Recommends Approval for Expansion of Compton Road Electrical Substation

Dominion Power wants to significantly expand the Harrison Substation on Compton Road.

Could a Plastic Bag Tax Be Coming to Virginia?

Rep. Jim Moran introduced the measure on Earth Day, saying the fee would reduce littering and encourage use of reusable bags.

Cell Phone Tower Poles May be Installed at Two Centreville Schools

Milestone Communications wants to improve wireless service by installing tower poles on the grounds of London Towne Elementary School and Stone Middle School.

Average Fairfax Tax Bill to Go Up by $216

The budget will make "no one happy," says Chairman Sharon Bulova.

Fairfax Board Backs Lower Tax Rate, But No Increase in Schools Funding

Employee pay an issue as the Board of Supervisors drafts amendments to the FY2014 budget.

Lane Closures Scheduled for Route 50

VDOT recommends that drivers find alternate routes Saturday as workers install traffic lights.

Chantilly Company Paid $15 Million in Government Bribes

Former Nova Datacom president, Min Jung Cho, also pleads guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government; Nova Datacom faces up to $79.2 million in fines.

Supervisors OK Centreville Area Road Projects

Stringfellow Road Park and Ride will see 300 new spaces.

VDOT Looks to Improve I-66 and Route 28 Interchange

Learn more about VDOT's preliminary study at Stone Middle School on April 29.

See VDOT's Preliminary Plans for Pleasant Valley/Braddock Road Intersection

There's still time to submit comments on the proposal to VDOT.

Police, Firefighters Ask for Better Pay at Final Budget Hearing

The lack of merit increases makes life harder for the department’s new talent, employees said Thursday night.

Speakers Urge Fairfax County to Restore Human Services Funding

Residents and stakeholders advocated for human services and employee compensation funding on Wednesday night.

Fairfax County Employees to Supervisors: 'Value us!'

Employees have 8.66 percent less purchasing power than they did six years ago, they said, which may cause them to leave for jurisdictions with better compensation plans.

Fairfax County's $7 Billion Budget: Make Your Voice Heard

The average resident would have to pay $262 more in taxes each year.

Virginia Assembly Approves Anti-Abortion Amendment

Centreville-area senators Dave Marsden and Chap Petersen voted against amendment that will prohibit certain health insurance companies in Virginia from providing coverage for women seeking an abortion.

New Virginia Law to Crack Down on Illegal Boarding Houses

Sen. Chap Petersen introduced the bill, which will make it easier for local officials to enforce a growing number of zoning violations across Fairfax County.

Fairfax County Parks Director Resigns

John Dargle cited personal reasons for leaving the Park Authority; search for a new leader will take anywhere from six to nine months.

One Week Left to Build Your Own Fairfax County Budget

Design a budget to make funding increases or reductions to nine different areas of spending, including schools, public safety and compensation for county employees.

Coming to I-66 Next Week: More Info on Travel Times

VDOT will add more message signs beginning April 2.

Major Construction Coming to Stringfellow Road

Learn more next week about how the two-year project to widen Stringfellow Road may temporarily restrict traffic movement.

Centreville Photojournalist Travels With Navy SEALs Through War Zones, Training

For over two decades, Greg Mathieson, Sr., a longtime Centreville resident, has photographed the Navy SEALs while they are on mission and training.

Tax Refund 2013: Tax Return Tips From Inside the IRS

As the tax deadline approaches, Dave Stewart from the IRS offers tips on Patch Local Voices.

Fairfax Daycare Owners Urge Officials to Raise Child Limits

One daycare provider says she fears some will go unlicensed due to costs associated with zoning inspection costs, another says she will be forced to close her business.

Build Your Own Fairfax County FY2014 Budget

Do you think you can balance the Fairfax County budget in a better way? A new tool lets residents design their own budget package.

Fairfax Exec on Sequestration: 'Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best'

What will sequestration mean for the local economy?

Official: Sequestration Uncertainty Puts Damper on Fairfax Business Climate

But sequestration’s effect on commercial real estate vacancy rates is still unknown.

Fairfax Gets New Acting Police Chief

Edwin Roessler will take over as acting chief as search for permanent Fairfax County police chief continues.

Pleasant Valley and Braddock Road Intersection Long a Problem

Some residents say that while the situation is bad, they're worried improvements will only move the problem to other areas.