Morning Notes

Justice HS Student Dies From Drug Overdose — “Officials notified the community of the fatal overdose involving a Justice High School student on Tuesday afternoon…FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided resources for parents and families on substance abuse,” stating that “we all play a role in reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders, while also focusing on substance misuse.” [WJLA]

Vienna Town Council Opposes Idea of Casino — “Faced with rumblings that some state legislators again might try to authorize a gambling casino in Fairfax County, Vienna Town Council members on Dec. 4 formally signaled their opposition to that prospect…Council member Nisha Patel…successfully moved to have the casino-opposition statement placed within the 19-item legislative agenda’s Top 5 priorities.” [Gazette Leader]

South Lakes Student Among Area Basketball Players to Watch — “[Jordan] Scott is widely viewed as the best Northern Virginia public school prospect in at least the past decade, and schools are falling over themselves trying to recruit the 6-7 junior. Behind Scott’s three-level scoring and intrepid defense, the Seahawks will eye an accomplishment even Grant Hill couldn’t muster — the first state championship in program history.” [Washington Post]

Nonprofit Housing Provider Opens New HQ in Lorton — “Good Shepherd Housing (GSH), a nonprofit focused on reducing homelessness, held a ribbon cutting and reception at its new Lorton-based headquarters Dec. 5.” It’s the first time that the nonprofit has moved from its previous base on Richmond Highway “in over 20 years,” interim executive director Candice Bennett said. [On the MoVe]

Reston Robotics Team Wins National Competition — “Daeadelus, the robotics team from Reston’s Ideaventions Academy, won First Place Overall in the Bell Advanced Vertical Robotics competition in Dallas, Texas on Saturday.” The team will now be one of seven participants in an exhibition match at the global XPONENTIAL 2024 conference and exhibition in San Diego. [Patch]

County Animal Shelter to Waive Adoption Fees — “Fairfax County Animal Shelter wants all shelter pets to find loving homes for the holidays, so it’s partnering with BISSELL Pet Foundation for the ‘Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope’ adoption event. Thanks to the foundation’s generous support, the shelter will offer fee-waived adoptions for cats and dogs from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 8 through 10.” [Fairfax County Animal Shelter]

Tysons Corner Center Owner Obtains New Loan on Mall — “Tysons Corner Center owner The Macerich Co. (NYSE: MAC) has closed a massive refinancing of the region’s largest, most valuable shopping center just weeks before a prior loan was scheduled to mature…The new CMBS loan has fixed 6.6% interest-only payments throughout the loan term, the company said, and matures on Dec. 6, 2028.” [Washington Business Journal]

Bailey’s Crossroads Choir Seeks New Members — “Like many choral groups in the area, NoVA Lights Chorale suffered during the Covid pandemic and is now seeking new members to rebuild to pre-pandemic levels. NoVA Lights Chorale is an amateur chorus that accepts anyone who wants to sing. There are no auditions and no charge to join.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Wednesday — There’s a 40% chance of precipitation, with scattered rain and snow showers in the morning, transitioning to rain showers between 11am and 4pm. Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 44. At night, enjoy mostly clear conditions with a low around 29. [Weather.gov]