🌱 VA OT Employees Owed $4B + LCPS Teacher Charged With Assault

Hello all. I'm Lauren Kubiak and I'll be your new source for all the most important things happening in town. This newsletter includes updates on...

• Study finds Virginia employees who worked overtime are owed $4 billion in backpay
• A Loudoun County Public School teacher faces charges after assaulting a student inside a classroom
• A five-vehicle crash in Fairfax County left one car up in flames and two people injured

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Clouds giving way to some sun. High: 58 Low: 40.
• Tuesday: Some sun with a shower; mild. High: 65 Low: 37.
• Wednesday: Cooler; a little p.m. rain. High: 49 Low: 45.
• Thursday: Partial sunshine. High: 79 Low: 44.

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Here are the top five stories in Chantilly:

1. A recent study by law firm Bisnar Chase found that Virginia employees in the private sector worked an average of 1.7 hours of unpaid overtime per week in 2022, while the national average was 2.1 hours. This resulted in Virginia workers being owed an estimated $4 billion in backpay when annualized. The study also suggested that the decline in average hourly wages, coupled with an increase in working hours, has led to underpayment, overwork, and stress for American workers. (Patch)
2. A 63-year-old Loudoun County Public School teacher is facing charges after assaulting a student inside a classroom. Alfredo Gaudry, of Herndon, was charged with assault and battery on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Feb. 3 at Freedom High School in Chantilly. The incident is still under investigation. (FOX 5)
3. A five-vehicle crash on the northbound lanes of the Capital Beltway in the Merrifield area of Fairfax County resulted in the closure of all northbound lanes between Arlington Boulevard and I-66. Although one car caught fire due to the accident, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue confirmed the fire was put out within an hour, and two people involved in the incident were evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries. (NewsBreak)
4. Brahma Kumaris Sister Jayanti and Sister Shivani hosted a Maha Shivratri celebration at Chantilly Regional Library on Feb. 18. Shivratri is an important festival in India to honor the incarnation of Shiva, the Supreme Divinity, who came to the world to bring wisdom, purity, and peace and to mark the opening of the third eye of knowledge. (Patch)
5. Nearby Alexandria City School Board members analyzed new data showing that, from August to December 2022, there were 188 incidents, including 44 fights and assaults, 15 weapons, and eight threats (verbal and social media). The board is looking at ways to improve school safety through initiatives such as additional School Resource Officers, pilot programs, or mental health services. (FOX 5)

Coming up in Chantilly:

Monday, February 20

• Horseback Riding Camp At Silver Eagle Stable (9:00 AM)
• Open Mic Event At The Old Brogue (5:00 PM)

Tuesday, February 21

• Associates Committee Meeting At NVBIA Office (3:00 PM)

Wednesday, February 22

• WFMC - Bike Night At Backyard Grill (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Chantilly area at the link, including Bruno, a male Labrador Retriever, Lulu, a female Terrier, and James (JJ), a male Jack Russell Terrier! (Chantilly Patch)
• Fairfax County police arrested a Maryland man accused of assaulting and robbing an 81-year-old woman in nearby Alexandria, VA. Police say 34-year-old Terrell Hardy was found and arrested by K-9 units with the assistance of a helicopter and patrol officers in the area on Wednesday. (WTOP)
• Five new homes have been listed for sale in the Chantilly area. Available properties range from a 1,120-square-foot, three-bed, two-bath home for $85,000 to an $869,990 home with four beds, four baths, and 2,320 square feet. Get all the property details at the link. (Chantilly Patch)

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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)
• XP League Open House (February 25)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.