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Mike Salmon

Stories by Mike

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County Goes to Bat for River Farm in Mount Vernon

Move is for preservation but never say never.

River Farm

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Lorton Fire Station Gets a Makeover

Station just off Lorton Road is upgraded to meet the expanding population in the area.

Lorton Fire Station

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Hubcaps, Old License Plates and Memories

10,000 hubcaps and more collected in backyard shop.

Hubcaps and more In Lorton Backyard Shop

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A Full Glass Recycling Dumpster is a Sign of Success

Purple dumpsters are pulling in big numbers around the county and a few spots outside.

Glass recycling

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Potomac Riverkeeper Has Hands Full of Plastics

Plus storm drains are portals for pet waste and excess fertilizer.

Potomac Riverkeeper

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Near-Normal School Year in Mount Vernon?

Students, staff look forward with smiles, optimism and coronavirus rules, all part of the first day of school.

First day at Mount Vernon High School

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Summer Thunderstorm Impacts Roads, Bridges

Hot, humid weather paves the way for extreme storms.

Storm damage

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Paving and Warm Weather are in Tandem This Year in Northern Virginia

There is a map and system to where the paving goes.

August is hot, and the drivers trying to get back to a normal routine have probably hit a pothole or two out on the roads, but VDOT is out there with the paving crews, putting down pavement on 1,145 lane miles throughout the paving season, which goes until November.

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Police and Comradery Filled the Street on National Night Out

Dogs, barbecue and desserts highlight the annual event.

National Night Out 2021

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Streams Get a Lift from a County Program

‘Operation Stream Shield’ is called a win-win-win.

Operation Stream Shield

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Scooters Now Another Mode of Transportation in Fairfax County

County okays 600 of these “shared mobility devices.”

Fairfax Co Scooters

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Inova Awards $240K in Community Health Funds to Local Nonprofits

Annual grant doubled in amount this year due to the pandemic impacts.

Inova fund

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‘Strategic Underground’ Throughout Fairfax County

Dominion Power is undergrounding wires.

During the frequent thunderstorms that are forecasted throughout the summer, flashlights and candles may have been the short-term answer in the past, but Dominion Energy has another option with a program they are offering called ”Strategic Underground,” so the lines won’t be exposed when lightning strikes and other mishaps.

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Fairfax County Police Armed with a High-Tech Dog Nose

New K-9 can sniff out thumb drives and cell phones that may be evidence.

The Fairfax County Police Department has a new tool to fight cyber crimes and it’s a black Labrador retriever named Browser, that specializes in sniffing out computer-related evidence like thumb drives, cell phones or laptop computers that may have been used by criminals, particularly in child exploitation.

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Ripe Red Tomatoes, Juicy Peaches Highlight Area’s Farmers Markets

County’s markets are hopping as they go into National Farmers Market Week in early August.

National Farmers Market Week

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Reporter’s Notebook

Acting On a Tip Leads Deep in the Woods

Reporter’s Notebook

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Weeds and Blind Curves Along the Trail Keep the Volunteers Busy

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail are always looking for volunteers when it comes to weed control.

weeds along bike trail

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Picture Restoration Unearths Local History

The Photo Detective investigated Civil War veteran photo at Mount Vernon.

Photo Detective

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Hot Summer Climate Flows into the Real Estate Market

With the pandemic shrinking, bidding wars are part of the house buying process.

Hot real estate market

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Rock the ‘70’s Metal Scene with Black Sabbitch

The all-female Black Sabbath: Four women rocking the metal band’s sound and energy.

Black Sabbitch

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Beloved Martha, Mary Wiseman, Looks Back with Joy

Mount Vernon’s Martha Washington is hanging up the bonnet and dress after 20 years.

Martha Washington Retires

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There’s More than Meats the Eye at Huntsman’s

Wild game is the specialty at this local supplier.

Huntsman has wild game.

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County Eyes Spot for New Fire Station and Affordable Housing

Proposed location has easy access to Richmond Highway and GW Parkway.

Homeless Shelter and affordable housing

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Environmental Expo Finds a Home in Fort Hunt Park

Tents, causes, and horrid tales of the lanternfly highlight the event.

Environmental Expo

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Marijuana Legalization Topic Comes to the Chamber

Questions answered, and others Arose at Lee-Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Marijuana

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Meeting Planned for Future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit

Virtual meeting on June 30 to review preliminary design.

Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit

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Colonial Era House on Telegraph Road Is Going Up for Sale

It dates back to 1766, and has seen a slice of American history.

Historic house for sale.

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Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities Rise in the Fairfax County Area

Road design, speeds, lighting and negligence are factors.

This spring has seen several fatal pedestrian accidents, possibly signaling a warning to drivers, pedestrians and transportation engineers that more could be done to lessen these fatalities in Fairfax County.

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Influencer Marketing is the Next Thing for Products and Businesses

The outfits, dinner recipes, jewelry and selfies on Instagram are part of the process.

Influencer marketing is a hit

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Novelties and Gifts Share Space with Fun

At Highs and Lows in Hybla Valley, behind the door with five knobs, local artists and Pac Man scream nostalgia.

Highs and Lows

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Roy Rogers in Belle View is Officially Reopened

After the fire in 2019, a new, brighter space welcomes the old gang.

Belle View Roy Rogers

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The River Farm Deal, Moving Closer to Reality?

River Farm moves forward

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Local Bridge Repair Signals Need for Infrastructure Investments

In the bigger picture, roads and bridges need help on a larger scale.

Infrastructure needs attention

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Developers and the Fairfax County EDA Focus on the Richmond Highway Corridor

Recent county program praised for positive financial impacts.

Richmond Highway development

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Bikeway Will Link Newington to the Metro Station

The wooded trail is being linked and extended for commuters and hikers.

Cinder Bed Bikeway

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Metrobus Route 11 Sees Changes in Mount Vernon

A new schedule starting June 6 has the 11C partially replacing the 11Y.

Metrobus Route 11

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Penn Daw Apartments Rising from the Parking Lot

The Belhaven by Fairfield finds a home close to traffic on this busy part of Richmond Highway.

Belhaven by Fairfield

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NPS Shares Road Diet Plan for GW Parkway

Virtual meeting on May 10 gives road users a voice; more than 700 people have commented.

GW Parkway

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Dedication to Community Recognized by Local Rotary Club

Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club member makes a difference.

Mount Vernon Kiwanis

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River Farm Preservation Efforts Gather Momentum

NOVA Parks and Northern Virginia Conservation Trust hope to purchase River Farm to keep it open to the public.

River Farm

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Biking and Trail Use Continues to Grow in Northern Virginia

Pit Stop gathering is out, but Bike to Work Day is still on for May 21.

It’s been 20 years since Bike to Work Day began, and it grows each year, showing that there is another side to commuting that uses no gas, has health benefits and is fun, even if it’s only one day a year for many.

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Workhouse Arts Center is Opening to Commercial Entities as Attractions

A restaurant and brewery were among the desired occupants they are seeking.

Workhouse additions

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Gum Springs Historical Marker Replaced

Third sign in a location not likely to be wiped out by a car.

Gum Springs sign

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County Eyes Spot for New Fire Station and Affordable Housing

Proposed location has easy access to Richmond Highway and GW Parkway.

Spot found for fire station and affordable housing

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Waynewood Baby Delivered in the Family Van in the Driveway

A concoction, a last-minute text and quick thinking were part of baby James’ arrival.

Waynewood baby is delivered

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Conversion Work is Kicking Off at the Former Mount Vernon Tennis Club

A workforce development and training center is needed in this part of Mount Vernon.

A workforce development and training center is needed in this part of Mount Vernon.

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There’s More Than Meets the Eye at Traffic Signal Intersections

This technology dates back to an invention by the son of a former slave.

Traffic signals

Mount Vernon Chamber Highlights Crazy Good Mask

Webinar hosts science experts that tout the high-tech masks, screens and sanitizers that are available locally

With all that’s changing as a result of the pandemic, Mount Vernon now has a scientific mask company called Crazy Good Mask, and they are an offshoot of Castle Bio Security that does all the scientific development and testing.

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Bicycling in Fairfax County Looking to Expand

Meetings planned this month to develop the ‘Active Fairfax Plan’

With the warm weather approaching, Fairfax County is holding a series of meetings to hear thoughts about active transportation in the county, and this input will be used in their Active Fairfax Transportation Plan to integrate the existing Bicycle Master and Trails Plans.

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Parkway Safety Improvements Identified by National Park Service

Four changes will be implemented later this year.

Parkway safety enhancements