Morning Notes

Brush Fires Break Out Around D.C. Area — “Fires in Virginia and Maryland brought a smoky haze into the D.C. region Wednesday evening, as a combination of strong winds and low humidity created conditions that the National Weather Service could fuel more blazes…Fairfax County fire officials reported that crews were working ‘six outside fires’ and that dispatchers fielded calls for reports of smoke blown into the county” from other areas. [Washington Post]

FCPS Updates Covid Guidance — “In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department have updated school COVID-19 recommendations. The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended.” Students can now return to class if they’re “fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication” and their symptoms “have improved or resolved.” [FCPS]

Residents Move Into New Senior Living Complex — “Woodleigh Chase, the massive new independent-living complex on Braddock Road in Fairfax, has already welcomed 25 residents, although it will take five years to complete the build-out. The development is restricted to people at least 62 years old. When completed, the 43-acre Woodleigh Chase complex will have 1,500 units in nine buildings and two clubhouses, says Sales Director David Taylor.” [Annandale Today]

Design Wrapping Up on Joint Health and Community Center — “Fairfax City and Fairfax County are jointly redeveloping the county’s Joseph Willard Health Center and the City’s Sherwood Community Center into a single location for healthcare, wellness, fitness and arts, plus programs for children and seniors.” A consultant for the city recently reported that it’s “now wrapping up the schematic design, and construction is expected to be finished, the end of 2027.” [The Connection]

Sidewalk Not Required for New Vienna House — “Most new houses in Vienna must provide certain public improvements – including sidewalk, curb and gutter – but that will not be the case for a home that’s planned to be built in the Windover Heights Historic District. The Vienna Town Council on March 18 voted 6-0 (member Charles Anderson was absent) not to require those usually requisite upgrades at 288 Windover Ave., N.W.” [Gazette Leader]

County Appoints New Human Rights Office Leader — “Michael L. Simms has been appointed director of the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), effective immediately. Simms has served as acting director of the office since December 2023, following the retirement of OHREP’s former director, Kenneth Saunders.” [Fairfax County Government]

Fairfax City Lets Students Design “I Voted” Stickers — “Even though they may not be old enough to vote, K-12 students in the City of Fairfax can still contribute to the 2024 election by designing the stickers that will be given to voters on election day…The 2024 Sticker Design Contest kicked off on Jan. 15 and all entries must be received on or before April 12.” [Patch]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 48 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind of 9 to 14 mph and gusts up to 21 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 32 degrees, and a northeast wind of 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]