Metrobus Cracks Down on Fare Evasion — “Before the pandemic, about 25% of passengers didn’t pay when they got on a Metrobus, General Manager Randy Clarke said. But since then, about 70% haven’t been paying. In an effort to address that, the transit agency launched a targeted campaign this week, hoping that officer visibility and efforts will make customers think twice before avoiding the cost.” [WTOP]
Springfield Neighborhood Braces for Data Center Impacts — “As [Richard Andre Newman is] approaching 60, he’s considering selling his Fairfax County home and moving away. That’s because he’s getting a new neighbor: Plaza 500, a 466,000-square-foot data center and an adjacent electrical substation to be built a few hundred feet from townhomes, playgrounds and a community center.” [Associated Press]
Dominion to Expand Annandale Substation — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Dec. 4 approved the expansion and modernization of the Westcott Substation along the Holmes Run trail.” Dominion Energy says the upgraded station will better “manage additional energy demand, such as electric vehicle charging and storage of surplus energy generated by solar power cells.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Central Park Ribbon-Cutting Delayed — “Due to the extremely cold temperatures forecasted for Saturday, the planned ribbon cutting at McLean Central Park will be postponed until early Spring on a date to be determined. Stay tuned for updates and announcements on my social media pages.” [Supervisor Jimmy Bierman/Facebook]
Google Among Investors in McLean Finance Company — McLean-based Range has raised $28 million from Google seed fund Gradient Ventures and others “to help it bring artificial intelligence to the forefront of the wealth management industry.” The company’s custom AI-driven software could someday provide direct assistance to its 1,200 clients, who must earn at least $350,000 a year. [Washington Business Journal]
Annual Pancake Breakfast Returns to Turner Farm — “The Turner Farmhouse Foundation is hosting its annual pancake breakfast and open house on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9:30-11 a.m. Parking is available on site with volunteers able to assist. The event is open to the public at no cost.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Mount Vernon Trail to Get New Water Fountains — “Thanks to a grant the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail received from the National Park Foundation this past summer, seven new water fountains will be coming to the Mount Vernon Trail in 2025.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies, a high of 37 and a northwest wind with gusts as high as 23 mph. During Friday night, the skies will be mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to a low around 24 degrees. [NWS]
