Morning Notes

County Prosecutor Uses Message-Deleting App — “Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano is using an app called Signal which deletes text messages like Snapchat…Descano is using the Signal app to avoid written communication from being obtained by the public and the press as allowed under the Freedom of Information Act, according to sources close to Descano.” [ABC7]

Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Targeted for Thefts — “On Jan. 14, officers responded to numerous calls for service involving stolen or damaged vehicles in Lorton. The thieves appeared to target Hyundai and Kia vehicles…The increase in calls for service regarding stolen and damaged vehicles is consistent with a pattern seen throughout the county.” [FCPD]

Youngkin Seeks to Require Merit Commendation Notices — “In response to widening concerns about how some northern Virginia school districts handled recognizing student achievements on a standardized test, Gov. Glenn Youngkin called Wednesday for legislation to require student and parental notification about certain scholastic awards.” [Associated Press/WTOP]

Deal Closed on Fairfax City Supportive Housing Site — “We closed on our property at the Hy-Way Motel! It’s the future home of our Permanent Supportive Housing development and we could not be more excited! Over the next few days, you’ll see some changes with the building beginning with a fence around the hotel and demolition in the next couple of months.” [The Lamb Center/Facebook]

Mount Vernon Rec Center Renovation Breaks Ground — “A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, for the expansion and renovation of the Mount Vernon Rec Center in Alexandria, Virginia, one of the county’s oldest and most popular Rec Centers.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

Local Slug Lines See Drop in Popularity — “Three years into the pandemic, the once-popular slug lines along Interstate 95 are still ailing…On a recent morning, the site of the region’s oldest slug line — Bob’s Slug Line off Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield — was sleepy. Unlike in the old days, there were no lines of passengers waiting and no drivers shouting their destination.” [The Washington Post]

Capital Projects Website Gets Update — The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) has updated its website on capital projects with “a new look and improved functionality.” Changes include a simpler homepage, a central page for all projects, and new search options for finding bids and solicitations. [DPWES]

McLean Community Center Board Election Begins — Petition packets are now available through March 3 for candidates seeking to join the governing board. Candidates must be residents of Small District 1A and obtain 10 signatures endorsing them. There will be three adult seats and two youth seats up for grabs in this year’s election, which will have voting from March 15 through McLean Day on May 20. [MCC]

Mason Neck Park Considers Accessibility Improvements — “At present, there are no accessible paths leading from the parking lot to the play structure or picnic table. Sections of the asphalt trail have buckled from roots growing underneath, and the path’s incline and decline can be challenging for wheelchair users to navigate. Mason Neck Park Manager Lance Elzie is on a mission to change that.” [On the MoVe]

It’s Thursday — Rain until evening. High of 54 and low of 39. Sunrise at 7:25 am and sunset at 5:16 pm. [Weather.gov]