Have thoughts about Tysons Reporter’s coverage of Tysons, McLean, Vienna, Falls Church and Merrifield? Want to share your opinions about local issues?
Tysons Reporter welcomes letters to the editors and op-eds of specific interest to the communities in our coverage area.
The key difference is that an op-ed can be an opinion piece about a local issue, while a letter to the editor responds directly to a Tysons Reporter story.
Please email it to [email protected]. You are also welcome to contact us with your idea for feedback before submitting it.
While there is no word limit, we suggest under 1,000 words. Contributions may be edited for length, content and style/grammar.
Tysons Reporter does not publish op-eds relating to a specific candidate running for political office — either from the candidate’s team or opponents.
A Fairfax County School Board member says that 14 trailers at McLean High School will soon get replaced with a modular unit to help address overcrowding issues.
Elaine Tholen, the school board member who represents the Dranesville District, said in her newsletter yesterday that the school board is looking to add a 12-classroom unit and bathrooms outside the school building. Tholen called the plan “an effort to alleviate some of the overcrowding issues.”
School officials’ consideration of a boundary change for the school, which is at 118% capacity, with nearby Langley High School has stalled as the public school system grapples with changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tholen reiterated in her newsletter that plans to implement the proposed boundary change this fall will no longer happen.
“As soon as we can figure out the best way to have public meetings to move forward on the boundary scoping process, those meetings will continue,” she said.
Now, the modular idea will be on the consent agenda for the school board’s upcoming meeting on May 7, Tholen said. Following the meeting, families in the McLean and Langley pyramids can expect a note, she added.
“We will continue to analyze development numbers and enrollment figures for McLean High School to monitor the need for an addition to the school,” Tholen said.
Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department are seeking the public’s help to solve a sexual assault case from 1995 in Merrifield.
“This case is about seeking justice for the victim,” Major Ed O’Carroll of the Major Crimes Bureau said. “Victims of horrendous attacks like this one, no matter how long ago, should not and will not be forgotten.”
Police provided this summary of the incident:
In August of 1995, a 24-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in the 8100 block of Prescott Drive in Merrifield. The suspect entered her apartment while she was sleeping, produced a weapon and sexually assaulted her. During the assault, a struggle ensued, and blood evidence collected revealed that the suspect likely sustained an injury to his upper body. The suspect was last seen fleeing out the patio door.
Evidence and DNA had been collected and previously submitted to a state forensics lab. During that process, DNA was isolated from a blood sample from the victim and from the DNA left at the scene. A DNA profile identified as belonging to the suspect was searched against the Virginia DNA Data Bank. There was no identified DNA match and the suspect’s identity remains unknown.
To engage the public in cracking the case, the police department released a composite sketch of the suspect that was done in 1995, a digital enhancement of the sketch and a third image showing an age progression for what the suspect would likely look like today between the ages of 45-55.
“The original release described the suspect as a black male, however a more accurate description would have been a man with a medium complexion,” police said.
“Working on solving these types of cold cases takes tremendous teamwork,” O’Carroll said. “I have great admiration for our detectives, victim advocates and extremely thankful for our strong partnership with experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for getting us to this point.”
Anyone with information on this case can contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 8 or submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-866-411-TIPS.
Image (2) via FCPD
More than 120 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Fairfax County, according to state data.
As of data released today, 124 people have died from the respiratory illness — roughly 3.5% of the total number of coronavirus cases in the county, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
There are at least 3,448 cases and 585 hospitalizations in Fairfax County. In Falls Church, just over a dozen cases and two deaths have been reported.
The Fairfax Health District, which includes the county, cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and towns in the county, continues to have the most reported cases and deaths in Virginia. Statewide, there have been 522 deaths and at least 14,961 cases.
More data on the Fairfax Health District:
- 592 hospitalizations
- 13,796 test results
- 35 outbreaks with 32 at long term care facilities and one each at a correctional facility, educational setting and health care setting
Earlier this week, the Fairfax County unveiled a new COVID-19 dashboard with geographic and racial data.
Photo via CDC/Unsplash
Tysons-Based Appian Hiring — “The Tysons software firm is now hiring for more than 60 positions in sales, engineering, professional services, marketing and an array of corporate roles, from finance to recruiting to C-level roles. Appian, now with more than 1,000 employees, is supporting some of the country’s largest health care and financial organizations through the COVID-19 crisis, according to founder and CEO Matt Calkins.” [Washington Business Journal]
McLean Senior Home COVID-19 Patient Dies– “A resident who tested positive for the new coronavirus at McLean’s Vinson Hall Retirement Community died Friday, the facility announced. The resident lived at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, where 15 other residents tested positive for the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 illness.” [Patch]
Eden Center Hit Hard by Pandemic — Storefront after storefront at the L-shaped enclave of roughly 120 shops, eateries, salons and grocers had closure signs prominently taped up… The pandemic that is shuttering restaurants across the country is draining the life out the Eden Center… Xenophobia lingers as yet another threat to business. And an immigrant community that’s been here for nearly half a century is watching a beacon of its vitality grow dim.” [DCist]
McLean Dentist 3-D Printing Masks — Dr. Phil Cai, a dentist in McLean, has been 3-D printing masks to give to health care workers. [WUSA9, Wall Street Journal]
Vienna MAC Woes — “Nearly six years after the Vienna Town Council approved the controversial Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zoning ordinance, the Council on April 27 has set a June 1 public hearing to discuss whether the ordinance should be suspended another two years or scrapped altogether.” [Inside NoVa]
Fairfax County Now Offers COVID-19 Text Messages in Spanish https://t.co/llE8yDGU8P pic.twitter.com/XKSrok30b0
— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) April 28, 2020
Fairfax County fire and rescue crews received the most dispatches incidents to the Providence District in the 2018 and 2019 calendar years., according to new county data.
Today (Tuesday), Fairfax County Fire and Rescue released its 2019 Annual Report. The report includes data for the two calendar years for all nine districts in the county.
According to the report, the Providence District was the only district in the county to top 13,000 total dispatches for each of the calendar years, followed closely by the Lee District.
Roughly 26 square miles, the Providence District is the most populated district in the county and includes the quickly urbanizing Tysons area, Merrifield and Oakton, according to the report. Four fire stations are located in the district, which will soon welcome a fifth station when the Scotts Run station opens at the end of the year.
A recent discussion with county officials focused on how fire department facilities in the Tysons area can expand as the population grows and buildings get taller. Now, the county is looking to revamp Fire Station 29 in Tysons.
Emergency medical services accounted for roughly 70% of the dispatched incidents for the Providence District during both years, while public service incidents were 10% and fires were 20%, according to the data.
More data for the district:
- average EMS response time: 4 minutes and 47 seconds
- average fire engine response time: 5 minutes and 34 seconds
- most fire dispatches by district in 2019
“County units responded to and mitigated 95% of all CY2019 incidents occurring within [the] Providence District,” according to the report. “Five percent of the incidents required mutual aid from other jurisdictions.”
People can read the full report online.
Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter
After being inspired by a project from a Seattle-based production company called Wondercamp, Tysons Reporter wants to create a video project highlighting hope and humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic — and we need your help.
Tysons Reporter is looking for video submissions of verbal “love letters” to neighbors around the Tysons area.
The point of this project is to learn how locals are keeping their spirits up and what people appreciate about life and community, even in hard times.
Submissions should be narrated like someone is reading a letter to someone they are about. An example can be found here.
Participants in Tysons, McLean, Falls Church, Merrifield and Vienna should send in videos of themselves and family members answering prompts (which can be found below) and also clips showing off a fun skill or hobby that has been keeping them occupied while staying inside, like gardening, baking, family fun, sing-alongs or playing with pets.
First responders, healthcare workers and other essential workers are also encouraged to send in videos talking about what gives them hope for a brighter future.
Answers to prompts should flow together and be applicable to a larger audience.
Please send all video submissions to our staff reporter Ashley Hopko at [email protected] before next Monday (May 4).
Prompts include:
- How has your community given you hope during this challenging time?
- Have you seen any acts of kindness lately?
- How has the pandemic helped you to reevaluate your priorities?
- What do you wish for your community and friends during this time?
- How have you helped your community in this time of crisis?
Videography Tips
- Smartphones are okay
- Speak clearly and at a steady pace
- Make sure your environment is well-lit with natural light (outside or near a window)
- Ensure you are in a quiet space
- Try to use a makeshift tripod to ensure shake-free shots
- Do a sound check before sending in your video. If you can’t hear yourself clearly, we can’t hear you either
- Avoid profanity or adult themes. This is an inclusive project for all ages
Photo via Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
Tysons Galleria recently announced new promotions to support local restaurants and a Feeding America fund in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first promotion offers a complimentary gift card for shoppers, while the other aims to raise money for people in need.
Anyone who purchases more than $50 worth of food from either the Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s or P.F. Changs at Tysons Galleria will receive a $20 Visa gift card to use at the mall, the website said. All three of the restaurants offer curbside pickup and to-go orders so people can limit exposure out in public.
In addition, the mall is also raising money for the Feeding America® COVID-19 Response Fund.
When people post a photo of their food with the #DineDelightDonate between April 24-June 30, the mall will donate $10 for every post — up to $100,000, according to its website.
People who want to support the fund directly can donate online.
Photo courtesy David Endres
Caboose Commons is ramping up its donation efforts to benefit Inova’s health care workers and low-income patients.
The Merrifield brewery has recently been collecting donations for the Falls Church-based Inova Health System, which serves the Northern Virginia and D.C. area.
Yesterday, Caboose announced on Facebook that donations will also benefit the Inova Cares Clinic for Women & Children.
“This donation will get struggling families the groceries they need!” the post said.
People can donate when they get to-go orders. Caboose Commons is currently offering a limited to-go menu that includes fries, burgers, grilled cheese and more, along with beer and grocery delivery. Its recently expanded delivery zone now stretches from Herndon to Bailey’s Crossroads.
Inova donation options include:
For $8 we will donate a meal to the INOVA staff. They are working tirelessly to keep us all safe and need as much support as they can get. Please give what you can.
Coordinated with InovaCares Clinics for Women and Children. Serving local low-income families that have lost their jobs, recently had a baby, or have children with special needs. Groceries include milk, eggs, produce, ground beef and a roll of toilet paper.
So far, Caboose said it has provided hundreds of meals to health care workers.
“We have donated over 480 meals to our frontline heroes at INOVA!” Caboose posted on Facebook on April 24. “They are beyond grateful for the support from the community. Thank you so much to those that have already donated.”
Image via Caboose Commons/Facebook
Tysons Reporter reports local news for Tysons, McLean, Vienna, Falls Church and Merrifield.
Thank you to everyone who has liked, followed and bookmarked us.
Unfortunately, for those who only get our stories via social media, you’re missing out. Algorithms decide what you see on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and oftentimes that means important local stories don’t make it to your feed.
So how can you make sure you’re seeing all Tysons Reporter headlines? Sign up for our email newsletter, which delivers local headlines to your inbox once a day.
