Extended Route 50 Lane Closure in Seven Corners Starts Today — “The northbound lane of the bridge over Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) just west of Route 7 (East Broad Street/Leesburg Pike) that connects the eastbound Route 50 service road with the westbound Route 50 service road will be closed from 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Oct. 7 for cleaning and painting” [VDOT]
Four Sentenced in 2019 West Falls Church Gang Murder — “Four individuals were sentenced Monday and yesterday to multiple life terms and 26 years in prison for numerous charges relating to a murder, a violent gang enterprise, and a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in Virginia, California, and several other states.” [DOJ]
Virginia Proposes Changes to Policies for Transgender Students — “Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration on Friday night released policies that roll back LGBTQ students’ rights in Virginia schools. The ‘2022 Model Policies‘ will require that students use facilities and programs that ‘match the sex they were assigned at birth,’ and require parental permission to change their names and genders at school.” [WTOP]
Dominion Energy Rate Increase Approved — The State Corporation Commission (SCC) approved an increase on Friday (Sept. 16) to the fuel rate for Dominion Energy customers in Virginia. Effective on an interim basis since July 1, the increase adds $14.93, on average, to the monthly bill for residents who use 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. [SCC]
Two Arrested for Shoplifting and Assault at Tysons Nordstrom — “Two juveniles, from Falls Church and Annandale, took merchandise without paying on Sept. 5 at 3:40 p.m. at the Nordstrom store in Tysons Corner Center, Fairfax County police said. When confronted by a store employee, one juvenile allegedly assaulted the victim, police said.” [Sun Gazette/Inside NoVA]
FCPS to Boost Mental Health Support — “During Thursday night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Michelle Reid said the district is working to secure a ‘telemental health group’ that will provide short-term, evidence-based counseling sessions with therapists for high school students…As part of the $3.3 billion budget, school board officials allocated $500,000 for the telemental health services.” [WTOP]
Car Flips Over Into Lorton Yard — “A car flipped over into a yard in Lorton, Va. Saturday near I-95, but the driver only suffered minor injuries. A witness told 7News’ Victoria Sanchez one woman was in the car and was talking to first responders.” [ABC7]
New Chantilly Street Signs Honor Tamil Poet — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation installed new signs designating the honorary Valluvar Way on Brentwall Drive in Chantilly. A thriving Tamil community of over 50,000 residents in Virginia, including 10,000 residents in Fairfax County, celebrates the Tamil poet, ThiruValluvar, also known as Valluvar” [FCDOT]
It’s Lanternfly Egg Season — “Fairfax County Forest Pest Management is asking residents to ‘search-scrape-and destroy’ spotted lanternfly egg masses. Adult females lay their inconspicuous egg masses in September and through the first few hard frosts of November.” [DPWES]
It’s Monday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 83 and low of 66. Sunrise at 6:55 am and sunset at 7:12 pm. [Weather.gov]
Before you soak in the last summer rays before leaf-gathering season arrives or head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.
Here are the five most-read stories on FFXnow this week:
- North Carolina truck driver killed in I-495 crash
- Hiring underway ahead of Wegman’s 2023 opening in Reston
- County board approves preferred path for Soapstone Connector in Reston
- Inova gets green light for new Springfield hospital from Fairfax County
- Fast-casual Indian restaurant to open in the Town of Herndon
Ideas for potential stories can be sent to [email protected] or submitted as an anonymous tip. Photos of scenes from around the county are welcome too, with credit always given to the photographer.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below. Have a great weekend, Fairfax County!
One year ago, Capital One Center launched The Perch, a 2.5 acre park with mini-golf and a biergarten adjacent to the Capital One headquarters. To celebrate the anniversary, Capital One Center is launching a weekend-long festival.
Trash troubles keep piling up with the county out of trash cans for at least another two months.
Fairfax County has “exhausted” its inventory of trash cans and won’t be able to provide new ones to residents until later this fall, Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) spokesperson Sharon North told FFXnow.
“A new order already has been placed and should be in-house by early November,” she said via email.
In the meantime, North suggested that residents who are waiting on a new trash can to put their trash in a box or another container and leave it curbside on their pick-up day.
“It will be picked up, even if it’s in a box,” she said.
The missing trash can issue was brought to FFXnow’s attention by a Dranesville District resident.
Just called @fairfaxcounty to get a new #trash can after mine cracked. Was told they don’t have any and don’t know when they will be getting any. Also said they won’t reimburse me for one I buy. Told me to put my trash in a box 🤔 @ffxconnector @TysonsReporter @washingtonpost
— Kate Hawken (@katehawken) September 15, 2022
About 90% of county residents and businesses have their trash picked up by private haulers, but about 10% have theirs picked up by the county. That’s about 43,000 residential units.
It’s those 43,000 that are potentially impacted by the shortage, though it only applies to those who are requesting a new trash can due to theirs being broken, moving into a new house, or are otherwise in need.
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
The fun only picks up as summer turns to fall in our area. Maybe you are new to the area or just need some fresh ideas of how to fully experience fall in Fairfax County and the surrounding areas!
As a Florida girl, I still marvel at the fall foliage at the numerous parks and trails, and I love running as the weather cools down. (Check out my previous trail video!)
And fall festivals are definitely one-stop opportunities to honestly embrace all things FALL. If you are like me with 3 kids in tow, I am all about efficiency in creating memories. Here are few of our favorites!
- Cox Farm Fall Festival: September 17-November 7
Cox Farms has hayrides, the corny Cornundrum mazes, giant slides, pumpkin smashing and of course yummy apple cider doughnuts — there is something for every age! - 46th Annual Falls Church Fall Festival: September 17
This family-fun event features The Taste of Falls Church, a beer garden, live music, children’s entertainment, and booths from local crafters, businesses and civic organizations. - Oktoberfest at The Boro: September 17
Enjoy a Polka concert, playing games in Boro Park, and crafts there is something fun for all ages. - Reston Farm Garden Festival: September 24-October 30
This Reston tradition will guarantee a day of games, activities, pumpkins and more.
- Mosaic Fall Festival: September 24-25
Live entertainment, FRESHFARM Farmers Market, URBNmarket, Caboose Brewing Beer Garden, Wine Garden and so much more. NOVA Fall Music Festival is September 24. - Vienna Oktoberfest: October 1
A day full of fun with a Beer/Wine Garden, food court, live music (including a German band), free children’s activities, children’s entertainment stage, acoustic stage and a festival marketplace - City of Fairfax Fall Festival: October 8
City of Fairfax Fall Festival will have more than 400 arts, crafts, information, food and gourmet food vendors, children’s activities and three stages of music and entertainment for all ages. - Clifton Day Festival: October 9
Marketplace with around 150 artisans, antique dealers, vintage sellers and other vendors. Live music, children’s activities, pony rides, a beer and wine garden, and other delicious food and beverage choices add to the fun.
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | [email protected] | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Exposures Deported Three Times — “Northern Virginia authorities have put a hard stop to a terrifying summer of attacks by an alleged serial sexual predator. Juan Rodriguez-Alfaro, 42, has been arrested for nearly a dozen attacks along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail dating back to July 15. Rodriguez-Alfaro is from Honduras and has been living in Herndon, Virginia. Immigration and Customs officials say he was in the U.S. illegally and has been deported three times already.” [WUSA 9]
Local Students Take Park in Food Donation Effort — “More than 50 volunteers spent Thursday morning packing bags of shelf-stable food as part of the Assistance League of Northern Virginia’s Weekend Food for Kids program.” [Reston Patch]
Special Open House Slated for Historic Oak Hill Manor — The historic Oak Hill Manor will be open for a once-a-year event this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. [Fairfax County Government]
State Tax Rebates Coming Soon — “Virginia taxpayers will want to keep an eye on their bank accounts as the state is preparing to send out millions of tax rebates. ‘We expect to issue about 3.2 million one-time tax rebates and get these rebates to taxpayers, either in the form of direct deposit or check,’ said Virginia Tax Commissioner Craig Burns.” [WTOP]
It’s Friday — Clear throughout the day. High of 80 and low of 59. Sunrise at 6:52 am and sunset at 7:17 pm. [Weather.gov]
Despite the economic uncertainty of 2022, FFXnow’s advertisers have helped us continue to report on your community.
We wanted to take a moment to thank those that have advertised with us so far this year, as of Sept. 1. This list includes a diverse range of businesses, nonprofits and governmental entities, some of whom have been long-term clients since our days of publishing only on Reston Now and Tysons Reporter.
To the long-term and new advertisers alike, we say: thank you for supporting local news in Fairfax County.
To readers: these sponsors make our local journalism possible, without paywalls, popups or other impediments. Please consider supporting them.
FFXnow’s 2022 advertisers include:
- A Cleaning Service
- Arlington Community Federal Credit Union
- Arrowine & Cheese
- Berry & Berry, PLLC
- Buffalo Wing Factory
- Clarke College Insight
- Eve Thompson Reston Real Estate
- Fairfax County
- Furniture Max
- George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government
- Laura Schwartz
- McEnearney Associates
- McLean Project for the Arts
- Northern Virginia Orthodontics
- Reston Association
- Reston Community Center
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- Synergy Design & Construction
- The Kensington Reston
- The Mather
- The Reston Historic Trust & Museum
- Van Metre Homes
(The list above does not include those that have advertised through our new Community Content Hub.)
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
The Fairfax Connector is getting a few changes (page 228) starting early next year, including a new route along I-66’s express lanes with more Vienna connections on the horizon.
At a meeting on Sept. 13, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved several changes that could expand the reach and efficiency of transit around the Tysons area.
“Staff proposes service changes for implementation on January 14, 2023, to improve the customer experience and increase ridership through improved connectivity, on-time performance, service reliability, and effectiveness,” staff said in a report.
There are four changes planned for January. The big one for Tysonians is a new route that would use the I-66 express lanes for a better Tysons-Centreville route.
The City of Falls Church Police announced earlier this week that they’d arrested a Maryland man on five counts of Possession of Child Pornography.
Kimball Bryant Winn (64), a Maryland resident, was arrested on Sept. 9 as the result of an investigation by a task force comprised of Falls Church police and Virginia State Police, according to the release.
“The City of Falls Church Police Criminal Investigation Division began investigating the suspect after receiving a cyber-tip from the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC Internet Crimes Against Children (NOVA-DC ICAC) Task Force about possible crimes involving child pornography. During the execution of the search warrant at the suspect’s residence on August 31, 2022, multiple digital devices were forensically previewed and child pornography was located.
The items were seized and are the investigation into the suspect’s online activities is ongoing.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the City of Falls Church Police Department at 703-241-5050.
Trail Upgrades Planned Near Dulles Access Road — “In just about two weeks, a Fairfax County Park Authority trail improvement project will get underway on the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in Difficult Run Park near the Dulles Access Road. On or around Sept. 22, 2022, site prep work will begin on a trail maintenance project that will alleviate the issue of constant standing water on the trail, reinforce the trail to protect it from washouts, and overlay the existing trail.” [Fairfax County Government]
Community Meeting on Reston Comprehensive Plan Underway — The county’s Department of Planning and Development has kicked off a series of community meetings on changes to the Reston Comprehensive Plan at 5 p.m. [Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn]
Resurfacing of Borge Street Courts Begin — “Beginning next week, site prep work will start on a Fairfax County Park Authority project that will replace the asphalt surfacing, color coating, fencing and gates, net posts, footers, and nets at the Borge Street Park basketball courts. This park is located at 3030 Borge Street in Oakton, Virginia.” [Fairfax County Government]
Lewis High Clark Closed for Repairs — “Beginning this week, the Lewis High Park tennis courts will close for repairs. The closure is estimated to be about two weeks in duration. Tennis courts #1 and #2 will be closed until Sept. 30, 2022. Additionally, the service road off Deepford Street and the grassy area between the service road and the tennis courts will also be closed.” [Fairfax County Government]
It’s Thursday — Clear throughout the day. High of 77 and low of 64. Sunrise at 6:51 am and sunset at 7:18 pm. [Weather.gov]
