Fairfax County voters will soon get the chance to decide the fate of a school bond referendum next week.
The general election ballot will ask voters if they want to approve a $360 million bond referendum for Fairfax County Public Schools.
For families in the Tysons area, the bond includes:
- $19.5 million in construction funds for adding an addition to Madison High School in Vienna
- $49.6 million in construction funds for renovating Cooper Middle School in McLean
- $1.7 million in planning funds for renovating Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna
The bond also includes $2 million in planning funds for a new “Silver Line elementary school.”
Madison High School is one of nearly a dozen high schools in Fairfax that is over 100% capacity, Tysons Reporter previously reported.
Fairfax County uses bonds to pay for renovating and building new schools.
The election is one week away for Fairfax County voters — and several seats are contested on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board.
Eight of the nine district seats on the school board are contested, while six district seats and the chair are contested for the Board of Supervisors.
While many are incumbents — like John Foust, Penny Gross and Pat Herrity on the Board of Supervisors — some new faces are also vying for seats due to officials retiring, like Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth.
Here are the candidates (listed alphabetically by last name) running in the races Tysons Reporter will be reporting on next week:
Chairman of Board of Supervisors
- Joseph Galdo (Republican)
- Jeff McKay (Democrat)
Providence District Supervisor
- Eric Anthony Jones (Republican)
- Dalia Palchik (Democrat)
Dranesville District Supervisor
- John Foust (Democrat)
- Ed Martin (Republican)
Commonwealth’s Attorney
- Steve Descano (Democrat)
- Jonathan Fahey (Independent)
Fairfax County School Board — Providence District Seat
Fairfax County School Board — Dranesville District Seat
Fairfax County School Board — At-Large Seats (voters choose three)
In total, 10 locations will offer in-person absentee voting until Saturday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m.
Voters can find their polling locations with the My Neighborhood Map or through the portal on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Check back on Wednesday and Thursday this week for Q&As with the Providence and Dranesville District candidates for the Board of Supervisors.
The election is next Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Fairfax County police are looking for the man who allegedly robbed a woman in Tysons.
“The victim was getting something out of her car when she was approached by a man who displayed a knife and took her purse and ran away,” police said.
The incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 26) in the 8000 block of Towers Crescent Drive.
“The suspect was described as a black man, 20s, 5’9″, 160 pounds, wearing a black jacket and jeans,” police said.
Police are also investigating two house burglaries that happened on Friday (Oct. 25) in the Dranesville District.
The first burglary happened around 7:30 p.m. in the 11oo block of Orlo Drive, which is by Rocky Run, according to the police report.
The second occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Savile Lane in McLean.
“Someone broke into a home and stole personal items,” police said about both incidents.
Tysons now has a Smoothie King.
The smoothie chain celebrated its grand opening by the Spring Hill Metro station on Saturday (Oct. 26), according to a press release.
Located at 1501A Cornerside Blvd, Smoothie King is near Walmart.
Smoothie King offers smoothies with protein, vitamins and “nutritional enhancers” including keto powder, fiber blend, vegan protein and probiotics.
Before the opening, the closest location for people in the Tysons area was the spot in Fairfax. The Dallas-based franchise has more than 1,000 locations across the world, the press release said.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to hold a public hearing about a real estate tax exemption involving disability income tomorrow (Tuesday).
Fairfax County currently provides income-based real estate tax relief to homeowners based on income and disability.
A revision to the Virginia Code in July now allows localities to exclude the disability income of disabled relatives living in a taxpayer’s home from the total combined income calculation.
The proposal before the Board of Supervisors would codify that exemption for taxpayers in Fairfax County.
County staff has said the tax change could “potentially [expand] the number of properties that qualify for tax relief.”
More from Fairfax County:
The total amount of relief resulting from this amendment is difficult to estimate because the Department of Tax Administration cannot precisely determine how many individuals will apply and qualify under the revised calculation. It is anticipated that the fiscal impact will be minor.
The public hearings start at 3 p.m. and the tax one is set to start around 4 p.m.
If approved, the change would go into effect on Jan. 1.
Photo via Fairfax County/Facebook
This week, two public hearings in the Town of Vienna aim to get public input on a proposed motorized scooter program and extending the moratorium on new development applications for Maple Avenue.
The Transportation Safety Commission is set to unveil the proposed shared mobility devices pilot program and solicit feedback from the community on Tuesday (Oct. 29).
People can also email comments to [email protected].
Then on Wednesday, Oct. 30, the town’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on extending the suspension of the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zone.
The proposal would extend the moratorium to June 30.
The Vienna Town Council first put the moratorium in place last September to allow the town staff time to redesign the town’s guidelines.
Both public hearings are set to start at 8 p.m. at Town Hall (127 S. Center Street).
Some newcomers are heading to Tysons Corner Center.
Beeboy, a plush toy company, is “coming soon” to the former spot of candy store Sugarfina on the first level by Macy’s.
A sign says that the store is currently hiring.
Over at the BrandBox spaces on the first level by Barnes and Noble, Italian design brand Seletti is moving into Chubbies’ former space.
“Ever since it was established in 1964 in Cicognara, Mantova, Italy, the company has pursued its mission of making the most of professionalism, service and above all an endless product research, striving for improvement, innovation and originality,” according to the brand’s website.
Other openings in the mall include Canadian clothing brand Roots on Nov. 7 and Abercrombie Kids in November.
From Shopping Center to Townhomes — “The owner of Graham Park Plaza in Falls Church has scrapped plans for a mixed-use redevelopment of the aging shopping center. Federal Realty Investment Trust instead will sell almost half of the U.S. Route 50 shopping center… to EYA for a new townhouse development.” [Washington Business Journal]
Samuelson’s Diamonds and Estate Buyers Coming to Tysons — “The store at 8300 Boone Boulevard will be by appointment only and will be run by Allan Rosen, a veteran of Philadelphia’s Jewelers’ Row with 30 years of experience in the jewelry business.” [Washington Business Journal]
Little City Stormwater Taskforce Proposed — “Falls Church City Manager proposed at the Monday F.C. City Council work session the creation of a 5-7 member stormwater task force to prioritize projects for the City in the coming six months.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Falls Church Man Arrested Allegedly Robbing DWS — “A Falls Church man is under arrest after police say he threatened an employee of Designer Shoe Warehouse with a box cutter while he was caught trying to steal shoes from the store.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Fire Department Funding — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has received grants totaling $406,000 from the State Homeland Security Grant Awards. “FCFRD will utilize the funds to support a wide array of emergency preparedness and security operations, equipment replacement, training, planning and exercise programs.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Talent in the Tysons Area — “Companies these days prefer to locate where talent is – and this poses both a challenge and an opportunity, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority’s new president and CEO told the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce Oct. 17. Victor Hoskins’ idea: Create a pipeline to deliver talent to businesses.” [Inside NoVa]
Morgan Stanley Buys Falls Church Municipal Bonds — “The sale of $126 million in City of Falls Church municipal bonds, the largest in the City’s history, to pay for construction of an all-new high school, renovation of the city library and stormwater improvement was consummated Tuesday at a remarkably low 2.71 percent interest rate.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Tysons may not have the liveliest nightlife at the moment, but that could soon change as more late-night restaurants and places to hang out open. “Tysons After Dark” will highlight a different spot every week.
The Washington Nationals are back in D.C. for the third game tonight in the World Series.
As D.C.’s baseball team prepares face the Houston Astros at 8 p.m., Tysons Reporter has found some places around the Tysons area offering specials or hosting watch parties for the World Series — including new ones since last week’s roundup.
Here’s where to bring the “Natitude” tonight (Friday).
The Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) plans to have a watch party tonight with $8 food specials. The watering hole was four projectors — two outside and two indoor inside — for people to watch the game, along with 17 TVs.
The Town of Vienna is hosting a “Big Game Watch Party” starting at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Oct. 25) in the main gym at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE). Chairs will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Taco Bamba spots in Falls Church (2190 Pimmit Drive) and Vienna (164 W. Maple Avenue) has the “Baby Shark Taco” for $4.50, according to a press release. The taco will include Venezuelan spiced fish “cazón” style with guacamole, green goddess-dressed cilantro and cabbage.
Meanwhile, pizza chain Matchbox will give diners wearing Nats gear on game days food and drinks at happy hour prices. Matchbox has a local spot in the Mosaic District at 2911 District Avenue, Suite 120.
Caboose Tavern (520 Mill Street NE) is offering $2 off of growler fills on game days and plans to hold watch parties from 8-10:30 p.m.
Settle Down Easy Brewing (2822 Fallfax Drive) in the Falls Church area plans to have a watch party with free pizza and $1 pints anytime a Nats player hits a home run. “We will extend our hours until the end of the game,” according to the Facebook event.
#StayintheFight
Photo via Caboose Tavern/Facebook
Vienna police arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly trying to unlawfully enter a Vienna home while “extremely intoxicated.”
The incident occured around 1 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, in the 100 block of Saint Andrews Drive NE.
More from the police report:
A resident reported that a man attempted to enter their home by pulling on a glass sliding door and telling the homeowner to come outside. The resident refused, and the subject got belligerent and started to yell profanities. The subject left the scene prior to police arrival but was quickly located in the area by an officer. During the interaction with officers, it was obvious that the man was extremely intoxicated.
Police charged the man with being drunk in public and attempted unlawful entry. He was transported him to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
The man was given a $2,000 unsecured bond and remanded into the custody of the Fairfax Deputies, police said.
Photo via Facebook
