SAT Scores Soar + Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine + Old Lee Highway Plan

Hello, neighbors! Michael O'Connell here with your brand-new issue of the Fairfax City Daily.

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First, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Clear throughout the day. High: 72 Low: 50.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High: 74 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories today in and around Fairfax City:

1. SAT Scores Above Global Average In Fairfax Public Schools (Vienna Patch)
2. Construction work will close I-495 South lanes in Tysons this weekend (Tysons Reporter)
3. VA Schools Reach Milestone As Northam Touts Safety Of In-Person Learning (Fairfax City Patch)
4. Parents question screening by group funded by Facebook founder (Fairfaxtimes.com)
5. Dangers Of Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine Spur Warning In Fairfax County (Fairfax Patch)
6. Fairfax County teachers demand compensation for teaching kids in quarantine (FOX 5 DC)
7. New Entertainment Venue Coming to Fairfax County (NBC4 Washington)
8. 'We've been bleeding officers': Fairfax police union says officers need to be paid better (WJLA)
9. George Mason University: Mason Men's And Women's Basketball Schedules Announced (Press Release Desk )
10. George Mason University: Mason's Low COVID Case Counts Lead To Revised Surveillance Testing Strategy (Press Release Desk )
11. Fairfax County Public Schools: Students From 16 FCPS High Schools Named National Merit Semifinalists (Press Release Desk )

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Today's Fairfax City Daily is brought to you by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Fairfax City!

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This weekend in Fairfax City:

Friday, September 24

• James De Brular, Senior Trombone Music Education Recital* (6:00 PM)
• Victoria Gobble, Senior Violin Recital (8:00 PM)

Saturday, September 25

• Wandering Warblers - NOVA PARKS, Gateway Regional Park (8:00 AM)
• PSV Race To Make It All Better VIRTUAL 5K and Family Health Fair (9:00 AM)
• 5th Annual Candy Cane Kids Fun Run (9:30 AM)
• Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Virtual Presenation (10:00 AM)
• Woman's Club of Fairfax Fashion Show Luncheon and Silent Auction (11:30 AM)
• Queen of People's Hearts - De Laski Performing Arts (2:00 PM)
• Arts Emerging: A Celebration of Renewal (5:00 PM)

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Fairfax City Patch Notebook

• Daniels Run ES: "Look what Ms. Carter's students did to her table. Sharing their love for their amazing teacher! ❤️❤️❤️ (Yes, it's dry erase marker)" (Facebook)
• City of Fairfax Police Department: "Sudden M Pac hits the stage tonight for Rock The Block. Show starts at 6:30 at Old Town Square. The weather is perfect so a decent crowd is expected. Please be mindful of driving in the downtown area and obey traffic signs and signals. W..." (Facebook)
• City of Fairfax Schools: "Fairfax City transportation staff will share the revised, recommended preliminary plan for the Old Lee Highway multimodal improvements project during an open house from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Sherwood Center, located at 3740..." (Facebook)
• George Mason University | GMU: "National First-Generation Celebration Day is November 8th! To celebrate, @georgemasonu is inviting students and @masonalumni to share their own "first-gen" student experiences to be featured on the university's website and social media..." (Instagram)
• George Mason University | GMU: "A message from @gmupres on @georgemasonu's low #COVID19 case counts and a revised surveillance testing strategy for students, faculty, and staff! "The Mason community has earned this rollback in testing through its collective diligence..." (Instagram)
• Fairfax County Police Department: "Our Crime Scene Section (CSS) plays a major role in the investigation of crimes that happen throughout Fairfax County. Our CSS is comprised of 20 full time detectives, 2 civilian photographers and 2 supervisors. As you may know, our CSS ..." (Facebook)
• Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department: "Tonight, members from Station 21, Fair Oaks, B-Shift, training for unique rescue situations! Victim removal from roof using ladder hinge technique. We rate this maneuver a perfect 🔟! How about you? #FCFRD #fairfaxcounty #fairfax #fairfaxva" (Facebook)
• FACETS: "We are 2 days away from a fun night of poker where all donations support FACETS' direct service programs! Be sure to register online today at: https://facets.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/AllInForStrongerFutures/EntryDonationSponsorshipsforFACETS..." (Facebook)
• Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department: "Please share your input on the future of Fairfax County. Survey is now available in multiple languages. TODAY is last day to fill out! More info and survey: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/... #FCFRD #fairfaxcoun..." (Facebook)

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From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Hello Deals! Yard Sale (September 25)
• Thrift Store Closing (September 25)
• Silver and Brass Restoration Services: Mondays 10-4 (September 27)
• Voter Registration Drive - League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (September 28)
• Ayuda Benefit Dinner - 1 Night Only / National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 29)
• Shadowalk Manor Downsizing, Online Auction (September 30)
• How To Buy A Home Zoom Class (October 15)
• Add your event

Housing:

• The Mighty 1,054 sqft Rivercrest Townhome Potomac Falls, Sterling (Details)
• Add your listing

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox next week with a new update. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Michael O'Connell

About me: Michael O'Connell is a field editor with Patch in Northern Virginia. He is also the host and producer of the weekly It's All Journalism podcast and produces the Better News podcast for the American Press Institute. Previously, Michael was a digital editor at Local News Now, a senior digital editor at Federal News Network, a producer of the National Governors Association's Meet the Threat podcast, and managing editor at The Connection Newspapers.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Fairfax City Daily? Reach out anytime to michael.oconnell@patch.com.