Morning Notes

Fairfax County Resident Wins “Squid Game” Reality Show — “Mai Whelan — also known as Player 287 on Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge — is one of the DMV’s newest multimillionaires. [On Wednesday] night, she took home the top $4.56 million prize in the game show’s finale, beating out 455 other contestants, including Falls Church native Shelby Hoefling.” [Washingtonian]

New Funding Goes to N. Va. Rail Projects — “Elected officials announced Thursday the state has received $729 million in federal funding. The money will go toward the construction of a new Long Bridge over the Potomac River. Currently a major chokepoint on East Coast, the project will double the bridge’s capacity.” [WTOP]

Toy Store With “Encanto” Experience Opens in Tysons — “Get ready to have the lyrics of ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ stuck in your head…again. On Friday, CAMP at Tysons Corner Center opens its Encanto-themed experience, its first interactive show at this location…The experience is currently open through the end of April, though it is likely to be extended.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Popular Tree Relocated Ahead of Fairfax Station Road Project — “This afternoon, we finished transplanting the beloved Popes Head tree from the Fairfax County Pkwy to a location at our district office. The Popes Head interchange project will be starting soon and we didn’t want to lose this tree that means so much to tens of thousands of people.” [VDOT/Reddit]

Police Seek Toy Donations for Santa’s Ride — “Residents who wish to support Santa’s Ride can drop off new, unwrapped toys, games, books, and gifts at the Vienna Police Department…by 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Police officers on motorcycles from multiple jurisdictions will escort Santa to local schools and government buildings to pick up the donated items and deliver them to hospitals and to community children in need on Tuesday, Dec. 12.” [Town of Vienna]

Culmore Residents Air Crime Concerns — “When Capt. Patrick Brusch, commander of the Mason Police District, asked Culmore residents about their concerns, he got an earful. Several people complained about the criminal element hanging out and drinking by the 7-Eleven at 3337 Glen Carlyn Drive. Others said gangs are recruiting young boys, shoplifting is getting out of control, and when they reported crimes, nothing happened.” [Annandale Today]

Work Underway to Restore South Run Trail — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has begun trail restoration work along a 3,086-foot section of the South Run Stream Valley Trail between the Burke Lake Dam on Laketree Drive and South Run District Park. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed within approximately two to three weeks.” [FCPA]

Virginia Proposes Additions to Banned Plants List — “Virginia is considering adding 12 more plants to its noxious weeds list, a compilation of species that are banned from use in the state because of the damage they provide to ecosystems…The public comment period is scheduled to end Friday, Dec. 8.” [Virginia Mercury]

It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching 56°F and calm winds from the south at 5-8 mph during the afternoon. Tonight, watch for patchy fog after midnight alongside partly cloudy sky and lows around 37°F, with south winds at 3-6 mph. [Weather.gov]