🌱 Herndon Double Homicide + Local Coach Runs For Sheriff

Good morning, friends! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Herndon Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cooler with periods of rain. High: 45 Low: 41.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and windy. High: 54 Low: 33.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Herndon who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Herndon:

1. Detectives from Fairfax County Police Department Major Crimes Bureau and Cyber and Forensics Bureau are still investigating the Feb. 24 double homicide that occurred in a home on the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way in Herndon. According to FCPD Chief Kevin Davis, there is no ongoing threat to the community. Christine Banfield, 37, of Herndon, died in a hospital due to stab wounds to the upper body. Joseph Ryan, 39, of Springfield, was declared deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Banfield's husband, au pair, and a four-year-old girl were inside the home during the murders. The police do not believe the incident was a break-in or a home invasion because there are no signs of forced entry. (Virginia Connection Newspapers)
2. On Mar. 1, Kelvin Garcia announced he will challenge Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, the county's first female sheriff, and will campaign to become the Democratic nomination for sheriff. Garcia is a former D.C. police officer who is now a law clerk and coaches freshman football at Herndon High School. He said he is running as the more progressive alternative to Kincaid and said, "To me, there are two sides right now to the Democratic Party on the ballot this year. There’s the old-world moderate and the progressive who wants to build a future for everyone." (Reston Now)
3. The Herndon Police Department release its weekly crime reports on Feb. 28. The report includes the arrest of 19-year-old Kelvin Raul Martinez Yates for robbing someone he knew on Feb. 20 in the 1000 block of Elden Street. The report also stated there were 152 traffic violations reported and eight crashes in Herndon between Feb. 20 and Feb. 28. (Herndon Patch)

Today and tomorrow in Herndon:

Friday, March 3

• Body & Soul Fitness At Floris UMC (10:00 AM)
• 2023 Virginia State Singles/Doubles Championship At Worldgate Centre (12:00 PM)

Saturday, March 4

• Ring In Spring Handbell Festival At Herndon United Methodist Church (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Herndon Police is hiring! The department is seeking a detective with ten or more years of experience as an officer and five or more years of experience as a detective. Call 703-435-6881 x2399, email herndonpd.careers@herndon-va.gov, or click here to learn more. (Herndon Police via Twitter)
• Online house hunting is great, but nothing beats walking through a home in person. Check out upcoming open houses in the Herndon area, including a beautiful four bedroom in nearby Reston on Saturday, Mar. 4! (Herndon Patch)
• Adorable stray guinea pigs are available for adoption at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter!
  If you've been thinking about adopting a guinea pig or two, take a trip to the shelter to meet them. (Fairfax County Animal Shelter via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Masons joining forces with INOVA Blood Donor Services to help our community (March 3)
• Stop Kiss - Performed by Reston Community Players (RCP) (March 3)
• Master Singers of VA Presents Sing Her Song (March 4)
• The DC Big Flea March 4-5th (March 5)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 8th at Claude Moore Recreation Center (March 7)
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• Foley Academy Irish Dance Spring Session Enrollment Open (Details)
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That's it for today! See you all soon for another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.