Bird Flu Cases Reported in Virginia — “Two cases of bird flu have been detected at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, marking the first time the highly contagious virus has been found at the facility in its 30-year history. The cases come on the heels of at least three other recent outbreaks in the Washington region that have already killed an estimated 1 million chickens and put officials on alert.” [Washington Post]
People and Dogs Rescued from Apartment Fire — Firefighters responded yesterday (Wednesday) to the 7300 block of Route 29 in West Falls Church for a fire in a “garden style” apartment building. “Firefighters assisted multiple people with evacuations and rescued two dogs from an apartment … No civilian or firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Mosaic District Might Get a Fitness Center — A zoning verification letter submitted to Fairfax County this week suggests Onelife Fitness is planning to open a facility at 2910 District Avenue that’s “larger than 30,000 square feet and ‘includes pool(s).'” No one involved would comment, but the space has been vacated by Custom Ink, whose lease expires on March 31. [Washington Business Journal]
Founder of West Falls Church Security Company Dies — “Gene Samburg, founder of Falls Church, Virginia-based Kastle Systems, has died at age 83. Samburg may be best-known for the building security cards and fobs carried by thousands of D.C.-area office workers, and tens of thousands more across the country.” [WTOP]
Bill Seeks to Close Education ‘Loophole’ — Legislation proposed by state senator and former Fairfax County School Board member Stella Pekarsky would require parents who are homeschooling their children to submit documentation of their teaching qualifications and their kids’ academic progress. Virginia currently has an exemption for parents who opt out of public schools for religions reasons. [WRIC]
Pilates Studio Opens in Mount Vernon — “Club Pilates Hybla Valley plans to open at Mount Vernon Plaza on Jan. 23. The studio, which specializes in Reformer-based Pilates training, recently posted on social media that bookings are available via their app … Club Pilates is located at 7702 B-D Richmond Highway.” [On the MoVe]
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Providence Community Center — “Supervisor Palchik is thrilled to invite you to her inaugural Lunar New Year Open House, a joyous event honoring the cultural heritage of our Asian communities! This family-friendly celebration will feature cultural performances, Chinese Calligraphy, arts, traditional cuisines, and fortune cards.” [Eventbrite]
Lorton Nonprofit Celebrates 50th Anniversary — “The Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 — a time when the nonprofit’s services are in increasingly high demand, yet a degree of uncertainty looms.” The organization realized its founder’s vision of a “supermarket of human services” when it moved into the new Lorton Community Center in 2022. [On the MoVe]
It’s Thursday — It will be mostly sunny with a high around 32 degrees and calm winds shifting to the south at 5 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of about 17 degrees, as calm winds turn to the northwest at 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
