🌱 Fire Department Gets Cancer Screening Grant + Crash On I-495 Clear

Good morning, Centreville! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know in five minutes or less. In this issue, you'll learn about:

• Police need help in the search for a man who allegedly exposed himself to children
• The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department receives a federal grant
• Interstate 495 reopens after five-vehicle crash

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Decreasing clouds. High: 60 Low: 40.
• Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 66 Low: 34.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and cooler. High: 49 Low: 45.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 80 Low: 45.

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Here are the top five stories in Centreville:

1. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) received a $450,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct early cancer screenings for firefighters. This funding will provide screenings to firefighters across the county at no cost to them. Firefighters face an increased risk of cancer due to their exposure to toxins, smoke, and other hazardous materials. (Fairfax Times)
2. The Fairfax County Police Department released a sketch of a man they say exposed himself to three juveniles in the Vienna area of Fairfax County. The department is asking for help identifying this man and is saying that the man left the area after the exposure before officers made it to the scene. (WRIC)
3. Interstate 495 in Fairfax is now clear and the roadway reopened after a five-vehicle crash closed all northbound lanes on Saturday. According to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, one car caught fire due to the crash and two people were evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries. (WRIC)
4. Dozens of white supremacist flyers have been found in and around McLean neighborhoods. Fairfax County Police responded to multiple reports of as many as 50 flyers. The flyers appeared to be attempting to recruit locals to join the Loyal White Knights, a branch of the Ku Klux Klan. (FFX NOW)
5. Dr. Kassahun Bilcha, FAAD of Centreville spoke about the disparities in skin diagnoses for people of color as a part of Black History Month. Dr. Bilcha states that many skin conditions have different presentations in those with darker skin. Providers who are unfamiliar with different skin tones may have difficulty identifying common conditions. (Healio)

Coming up in and around Centreville:

Monday, February 20

• Monday Night Bingo At Park West Lions Club (5:00 PM)
• DAMA Northern Virginia Introductory Meeting At 2985 District Ave (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, February 21

• Mardi Gras Blood Donation Celebration Event At CentreMed Donor Center (11:00 AM)
• Kids Eat Free At Fun Land of Fairfax (4:00 PM)

Thursday, February 23

• Ryan Jewel At Farm Brew Live, Manassas (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Two-year-old Stitch and one-year-old Bruno are up for adoption at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter! These two best friends don't have to be adopted together, but they would certainly make a great pair together for their new family. (Fairfax County Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Deer Park Elementary is fundraising for the PTA with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts! Until Mar. 11, 50 percent of your order will be donated to the Deer Park PTA when purchased through their fundraising page. (Deer Park Elementary PTA - Centreville, VA via Facebook)
• Playground renovation is starting at Manchester Lakes Park. Active construction is expected to be completed by the end of March. In addition to the installation of new playground equipment, the updated trail connection will meet the current standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Fairfax County Park Authority via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Jazzercise @ Fairfax Police Association Hall — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• Antique Silver and Brass Restoration Services: MONDAYS 10-4 (February 20)
• Manassas Symphony Presents "Inspirations" with Pianist Joseph Kingma (March 4)
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Featured gigs & services:

• Senior Care (Details)
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That's it for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.