(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) Local elected officials, including Rep. Gerry Connolly, gathered in Lorton on Wednesday to celebrate the introduction of 42 new electric buses to the division’s fleet.
These buses, which were funded by a $16.5 million federal grant announced in January, join the 18 electric buses already in operation. Although the division currently operates over 1,600 diesel buses, county officials emphasized that these new electric buses mark the start of a larger transition.
“I know that this downpayment is the beginning of something much larger, and that’s going to take many years for us to complete,” School Board Chair Karl Frisch told the crowd of attendees at Lorton Station Elementary School on Wednesday.
“But I’m confident with our continued activism by our students, their parents, our Moms Clean Air Force and our school board colleagues and our friends at the state and federal level that we can get there because we absolutely have to,” he continued.
FCPS has pledged to provide entirely carbon-neutral student transportation by 2035. So far, the division has reduced 38% of its greenhouse gas emissions from 2008, according to the 2022 FCPS Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.
In January 2021, the division received its first electric school bus as part of a Dominion Energy-led initiative aiming to replace all diesel school buses in Virginia by 2030. However, the Virginia House of Delegates rejected the expansion of this program, opting instead to create a grant fund.
In March, VDOT announced it had allocated $11.3 million in federal funding to assist the statewide construction of electric vehicle charging stations.
FCPS received eight electric buses from Dominion in 2021 and secured a state grant for 10 additional buses through a settlement with Volkswagen, which had been sued for emissions test cheating in 2016.
The new federal grant funds come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The grant, administered through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, allocates $5 billion to the Clean School Bus program which is dedicated to replacing existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models.
“Every day throughout the United States we’re transporting 10s of millions of students on buses, and many of those buses are anything but clean,” Connolly said during the event.
“Here in Fairfax we’ve got 1,600 school buses, and today’s a great down payment toward a movement for replacing every one of them and making sure our kids are safe and in a healthy environment but also in a vehicle that is not contributing to the environmental problem,” he added.
A new ordinance being considered by the Board of Supervisors could require drivers to be more careful around pedestrians.
The new ordinance aligns Fairfax County with a 2023 Code of Virginia change requiring drivers to stop — rather than yield — for pedestrians crossing in the driver’s lane, in an adjacent lane, or approaching the driver’s lane.
The change would require changing signage around the County with an estimated $95,000 bill.
At a Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday, Acting Fairfax County Department of Transportation Director Gregg Steverson said while the policy is enforceable by police County-wide, failing to stop for pedestrians can only have additional fines at intersections with the sign.
Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said the County will need to work to ensure information gets out about the change.
“It’s complicated for people to understand and complicated for our police to do enforcement,” McKay said. “This is a good thing; it’s an additional tool in our toolbox to prevent pedestrian fatalities and raise awareness about pedestrian laws, but at the same time, it’s going to be a hard one to communicate.”
Supervisor James Walkinshaw said the change sounds relatively simple, but involved extensive behind-the-scenes bureaucratic back and forth over what authority Fairfax County did or didn’t have.
“[We] had many meetings to get this issue resolved,” Walkinshaw said. “It’s more complicated than it sounds when you dig into it, but I’m excited to see us moving forward.”
The ordinance change is scheduled for a public hearing on May 7.
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The day-time dining spot First Watch is set to open its new Fair Lakes location this summer.
The fast-casual Florida-based chain restaurant, known for its unique breakfast, lunch and brunch-only concept, expects to open the new location in late June 2024 at 12249 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive, according to the restaurant’s spokesperson Hunter Carpenter.
Spanning 7,000-square-foot space, the restaurant will be one of its largest in Virginia. It follows a series of other openings across Fairfax over the last few years, including one last month in Franconia. A sixth location is also scheduled to open at Idylwood Plaza in Leesburg this Fall.
First Watch operates more than 520 restaurants in 29 states, nine of which are located in Virginia.
The menu offers an “elevated approach” to traditional breakfast, brunch, and lunch, including favorites like avocado toast, lemon ricotta pancakes, and million-dollar bacon.
When FFXnow went by the site to take peak at its progress, painters had just started putting a fresh coat on the front entrance.
“While the restaurant is still under construction, it will carry queues of what we call ‘urban farm’ — bringing the rustic feel of a farmhouse with the modern elements of an urban loft,” Carpenter said in an email.
Similar to its sister restaurants, the Fair Lakes location will operate seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is expected to employ approximately 30 people.
Carpenter emphasized their “No Night Shifts Ever” policy, aimed at promoting work-life balance for their team members.
The Knutson Companies is thrilled to announce new opportunities for Loudoun County living with the release of a new section of rooftop terrace townhomes and a brand new community of garage townhomes. Each community offers a distinctive living experience tailored to fit your family’s lifestyle, blending Knutson’s signature classic design with the convenience and vibrancy of Brambleton.
The spacious townhomes in the new section at Knutson at Downtown Brambleton offer up to 5 bedrooms, nearly 3,000 square feet of living space and a loft and rooftop terrace — your Yard in the Sky. The previous section sold out quickly and this new section is now open for sales from the high $700s.
Knutson West Park at Brambleton presents a new community of garage townhomes from the mid $600s. These homes boast private backyards, ideal for family fun and neighborhood gatherings, 3 bedrooms and flexible home office space.
Both communities have a coveted location within walking distance of Downtown Brambleton, a retail hub with a plethora of dining, shopping and entertainment options. The Brambleton neighborhood also offers homeowners access to award-winning neighborhood schools, sport courts, walking trails, pools and more. There are also year-round community events with activities for everyone in the family to enjoy.
These homes provide the perfect backdrop for life’s next chapter, offering sought-after new construction options in Loudoun County and embodying the Knutson Companies’ commitment to crafting exceptional living spaces in enriching neighborhoods.
Learn more and schedule a tour at DowntownBrambleton.com and KnutsonatWestPark.com.
The Lake Anne Plaza summer concert series is making a comeback after a five-year break.
Beginning on Wednesday, June 12, the community will host weekly music events every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. in the plaza until Aug. 12, per a press release. Before 2019, the concert series, known as “Sunset Concerts at Lake Anne Plaza,” had been held consistently for 20 years.
“We are delighted to bring a high-quality variety of musical styles to Lake Anne again,” Reston Community Center (RCC) Board Chair Beverly Cosham said in the release. “Lake Anne Plaza is where RCC’s summer concert series began. As we’ve branched out to some of Reston’s newest neighborhoods, it’s sweet to be back where we started in 2024.”
RCC has agreed to support Reston nonprofit events at Lake Anne Plaza by becoming an annual Community Sponsor.
This sponsorship will allow the the Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association (LARCA) to waive use fees for Reston nonprofits hosting events on the plaza. RCC will also have its concert series fees waived. Two sponsorships will be implemented this year: one for $12,000 covering plaza events in May and June, and another for $50,000 starting July 1, covering events until June 30, 2025.
“We are happy to host RCC-funded Reston area organized events on our property for the enjoyment of the greater Reston community, while at the same time ensuring the maintenance, cleaning, and insuring costs are not borne by the association,” President of LARCA George Hadjikyriakou said in the release. “We look forward to the continued partnership as it benefits everyone.”
The first event is scheduled for June 12, featuring a performance by the Mystic Warriors.
A juvenile was arrested for allegedly abducting and raping an adult woman in Reston.
The incident occurred just before 11:30 p.m. on April 15 in the laundry room of an apartment building on the 11900 block of Winterthur Lane, according to a Fairfax County Police Department press release. The victim was threatened with a knife before being sexually assaulted, police say.
Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau quickly identified and apprehended the suspect following the incident. The juvenile is now being held at the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of rape, forcible sodomy and abduction with the intent to defile, without the possibility of bond.
According to police, the victim recognized the suspect from the area, but does not know them.
Reston is sort of an odd duck — an Epcot-like planned community named for its founder Robert E. Simon — and anyone curious about how it came together can learn all about it at a walking tour this weekend.
The Reston Museum has opened registration for a historic walking tour.
The tours are scheduled for 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, April 27, May 18 and May 25.
“Learn about the founding of Reston through our historic walking tour,” the Reston Museum said. “Learn about how Reston’s founding principles were implemented and the early history of Reston’s art and architecture.”
Tickets are $10 for non-museum members or free for museum members.
Fairfax Schools could lose millions under proposed Youngkin budget amendments — “Fairfax County Public Schools would lose over $6 million in funding for English language learners in each of the next two years, as a result of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed changes to the state’s budget.” [WTOP]
Caboose Commons is hosting Women’s Market — “Female-owned Caboose Commons is hosting Women’s Market Sunday afternoon in the Mosaic District, featuring more than 20 women vendors.” [Patch]
Fairfax students use AI to create an algorithm for classifying brain signals — “Ramachandran said he and Nalini considered different types of available technology for analyzing brain signals. In some cases, patients get implants, which Ramachandran said are innovative but ‘require a level of invasiveness that isn’t really ideal for everyone.'” [WTOP]
Non-fatal student overdose reported at Falls Church High School — “A non-fatal student overdose was reported at Falls Church High School Monday, Fairfax County police said.” [ABC7]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers with possible thunderstorms after 5pm, cloudy skies, and a high near 70 accompanied by a southeast wind at 5-7 mph. Precipitation chance stands at 70%, with new rainfall amounts generally under a tenth of an inch, although higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. On Wednesday night, there’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 pm, with showers likely and possible thunderstorms between 8 pm and 2 am, followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 59, southeast wind at 6-8 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation. Similar to the day, new rainfall amounts will be less than a tenth of an inch except for potentially higher amounts in thunderstorms. [NWS]
Good Tuesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
🕗 News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 16, 2024.
- 8:30 am: Morning Notes | 🗣️ Comments
- 9:30 am: Halal hot chicken restaurant opens in Reston’s South Lakes Village Center | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:30 am: Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney seeking protective order after alleged harassment and threats | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:30 am: Reston au pair indicted on second degree murder in fatal shooting case | 🗣️ Comments
- 2:30 pm: Fairfax Park Authority seeks public input on South Lakes Drive Park basketball court upgrades | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:30 pm: Personal training studio in McLean to open later this year | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast
Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 5pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 72°F. Southeast winds will be 7-10 mph, and there is a 40% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 11pm, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a low of 59°F. The southeast wind will shift to the south, remaining 6-8 mph, and the chance of precipitation increases to 60%. New rainfall amounts will be less than a tenth of an inch, with possible higher amounts in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.