Morning Notes

Stuff the Bus Returns This Weekend — “The buses are fueled and ready to roll as…the county’s post-holiday food drive, now in its 12th year…hits the road in the fight against hunger in Fairfax County. Beginning on January 14 and continuing weekly through February 18, Fastran busses will visit local grocery stores to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

Family of Teen Killed in Fairfax Station Crash Mourns — “Ariana Haftsavar, 16, was one of the two teens killed, her family confirmed to News4. Haftsavar’s family said she was a passenger in the car and was headed home from SAT class…Haftsavar’s father said she was a wonderful person, and they don’t know how they’re going to live without her.” [NBC4]

Competitive Kite Flying Frustrates Mason Neck — “In recent months, residents of the Mason Neck section of Lorton — a peninsula populated by farms, vast parkland and wildlife — have been dealing with a rather unconventional problem: kites…These kites, according to residents, are deliberately flown as high as possible or used competitively for kite fighting until their lines snap.” [On the MoVe]

Springfield Supervisor Weighs in on Merit Award Kerfuffle — “We need to be focused on helping each of our students reach their full potential. I am thankful that Attorney General Jason Miyares has opened an investigation into these actions and the possible violation(s) of the Virginia Human Rights Act.” [Pat Herrity/Twitter]

Annandale Townhomes Under Construction — “Construction is well underway on an infill townhome development at the McWhorter Place/Markham Drive intersection in Annandale. Christopher Cos. is building 43 townhouses at the Townes at Little River Crossing development. Three homes have already been sold, reports sales agent Liz Walker.” [Annandale Today]

More Security Vestibules Coming to FCPS — “Construction is scheduled to start this summer on security vestibules for at least 22 Fairfax County schools, according to school board documents. Forty sites are in the design phase and will be submitted to the county for permitting early this year.” [WTOP]

See the New Year’s Photo Contest Winners — “Many [residents] enjoyed the outdoors at one of the Park Authority’s more than 420 parks and along its more than 334 miles of trails as part of First Hike Fairfax 2023…This year, nearly 300 contestants submitted photos showcasing the sights and scenes they experienced.” [FCPA]

Proposed Bill May End School Snow Days — “Snow days would no longer be days off for students if proposed Virginia legislation is passed. A bill prefiled Monday calls for virtual learning days to be required when school districts close for weather…Currently, replacing snow days with unscheduled virtual learning days is only optional under Virginia law.” [Patch]

Woodson HS Alumni Return to Teach — “For these four teachers at Woodson High School, the route to becoming a teacher looks very different. But they now share a common bond: teaching together at the school they graduated from. The four men are all in their first few years of teaching and they all coach sports at FCPS.” [FCPS]

It’s Thursday — Rain in the evening and overnight. High of 63 and low of 41. Sunrise at 7:27 am and sunset at 5:08 pm. [Weather.gov]