Gun Ban Passed, Impact Of COVID-19: Top Herndon News Of 2021

HERNDON, VA — As it was in 2020, COVID-19 and the local response to it was what Patch readers in Herndon, as well as those across the region, were most interested in during 2021.

The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine was one of the top stories in Herndon for the year. People also wanted to know where they could obtain the vaccine and, more recently, where they could get tested.

But Herndon residents, like much of the rest of the country, were also concerned about the aftermath of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Related: COVID-19, Cicadas, Capitol Riot: Top VA News Stories Of 2021

When it came to Herndon specific stories, Patch readers mourned the deaths of Claudia Menjivar and her two children, 12-year-old Dayana Gutierrez and 10-year-old Carlos Josué Gutierrez, in June. All three were killed by the children's father, who died after jumping from the top of a parking garage in Reston Town Center.

Two Herndon families also dealt with loss and struggle due to health concerns. Daniel Laske, a 2018 graduate from Herndon High School, died from COVID-19 in February and Chelsea Proctor continued her heroic battle with cancer.

The Herndon Town Council hosted several public hearings to gauge support for a new ordinance to ban firearms on town property. Eventually, council members voted to pass a modified ban for some town buildings based on feedback from the public.

In Herndon politics, Irene Shin unseated incumbent Del. Ibraheem Samirah in the June 8 Democratic Party primary and went on to defeat Republic challenger Julie Perry in the November General Election. At the start of the 2022 session of the Virginia General Assembly in January, Shin will be sworn in as the 86th District representative to the House of Delegates,

To stay up to date on Herndon and Fairfax County news in 2022, subscribe to our free news alerts and morning newsletter. If you would like to share story ideas, send me an email at michael.oconnell@patch.com.

Here are Herndon's top stories of 2021:

Community

• Medical Student, 21, Who Loved Helping Others Dies Of COVID-19
• Herndon Graduate Student Continues Treatment To Combat Cancer
• App To Help Autism Educators Earns Accolades For Fairfax Student
• 65 Ukrainian Orphans Arrive At Washington Dulles Airport
• Incumbent Delegate Samirah Loses Nomination To Irene Shin
• Remembering Herndon's History: Follylick Farm
• Remembering Herndon's History: Slavery In Our Area
• Remembering Herndon's History: A Brief Overview Of Town's Past
• Gun Ban On Town Property To Be Reviewed By Herndon Council
• Winning $250K Lottery Ticket Purchased At Herndon 7-Eleven Store

Public Safety

• Triple Homicide: Family Members Mourn Deaths Of Mother, 2 Kids
• Felony Child Pornography Charges Filed Against Great Falls Man
• Herndon Golf Course Death Appears To Be Accidental
• 3 Injured In Shooting, Stabbing Incident In Herndon: Police
• Car Involved In Fatal Hit-And-Run Identified By Fairfax Police
• Herndon Homicide Victims' Family Launches GoFundMe Campaign
• Man Fires Gun Through Herndon Restaurant's Window; Suspect Sought
• Herndon Townhouse Fired Caused $253K In Damage

Health & Fitness

• Herndon Readers Share What It's Like To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
• New Coronavirus Cases In VA Remain High After 1-Day Spike
• Vaccination Wait Due To Limit On Doses: Fairfax Supervisors

Business

• Love Of French Food Inspires Woman To Launch Café And Bakery
• New Herndon Hair Salon Enjoys Positive Feedback From Clients
• Here's Where To Find The Best Slice Of Pizza In Herndon
• Bridal Shop Bounces Back From Pandemic, Cuts Ribbon In Herndon
• New Management Firm To Operate Worldgate Athletic Club & Spa