Morning Notes

Army Acquisition of Mason Neck Land Halted — The Army had recommended a transfer of 50 acres of public land in the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area “for long-term usage” by horses in its Caisson Platoon, which supports military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Congress dropped the language from its draft defense budget after an outcry from the community. [On the MoVe]

Overhaul of Virginia Education Funding Recommended — “Virginia’s complicated formula for funding K-12 schools needs an overhaul in order for the state to adequately fund public education, according to the results of a major legislative study presented Monday…School divisions receive 14% less funding from the state than the 50-state average, JLARC found, equal to about $1,900 less per student.” [Virginia Mercury]

Nonprofit Documents Black History of Bailey’s Crossroads — “The Springdale neighborhood in Bailey’s Crossroads has long been the center of a flourishing Black community…Julius Smith, who grew up in the neighborhood, is working on documenting that history for a nonprofit he founded called the Black American Registry of Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Housing Prices Elevated as Sales Decline — “The Fairfax County real-estate market stayed above the billion-dollar mark in June, according to new data, as the average sales price among single-family homes remained above $1 million.” As of July 11, sales were down 18% from last year, continuing a trend fueled by “a combination of affordability and availability issues.” [Gazette Leader]

County Board Honors Title-Winning Madison Baseball Team — “On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored the Madison High School baseball team for winning the Virginia Class 6 state title over Westfield High School. Coach Mark ‘Pudge’ Gjormand and the team were present to accept the board’s resolution.” [Patch]

GMU Adds Pickleball Courts at Fairfax Campus — “Join us Tuesday, July 18 for the Grand Opening of the Mason Recreation Pickleball courts! The event will include learn-to-play sessions, drills, and open play until 9:30 pm. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 12:45 pm by Pam Patterson.” [GMU]

Winning Lottery Ticket Bought in Vienna — “Typically, [George Katan] plays the $50 and $30 tickets, but this time, he decided to buy a $20 Multiplier Mania ticket. That decision paid off in a big way because Katan won the $1 million top prize with the ticket purchased his ticket at the 7-Eleven at 1931 Old Gallows Road in Vienna.” [Daily Voice]

Northern Virginia Businesses Celebrate Bastille Day — Restaurants in Reston and Great Falls are among the local businesses commemorating Bastille Day, the French national holiday marking the fall of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and the beginning of the French Revolution. “In France, Bastille Day on July 14 is often honored with parades, dancing, and fireworks.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. At night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. [Weather.gov]