Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 26, 2024.

• 8:15 am: Morning Notes | 🗣️ Comments
• 9:30 am: NEW: Reston library will close this summer for renovation | 🗣️ Comments
• 10:30 am: Tysons Forest task force recommends steps for preserving 65 acres of woods | 🗣️ Comments
• 11:30 am: Metro board approves new budget, but Virginia funding remains a question mark | 🗣️ Comments
• 1:30 pm: Lake Anne cooling service to launch ahead of expected heat wave | 🗣️ Comments
• 2:50 pm: JUST IN: Oakton driver sentenced to four years for fatal crash that killed two teens | 🗣️ Comments
• 3:30 pm: Local independent bookstores hope to draw visitors with new ‘passport’ program | 🗣️ Comments

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

1. UPDATED: West Potomac HS evacuated after reported bomb threat (17582 views)
2. Smoke billowing into sky from two-alarm fire in Sterling (14234 views)
3. Fairfax County employees advocate for pay raises during April budget hearings (2442 views)
4. McLean Starbucks reopens after extensive interior renovations (1945 views)
5. FCPD: Lincolnia school counselor charged after allegedly head-butting student (1605 views)
6. Taste of Tysons festival showcasing mall’s eateries to return in May (1539 views)
7. Lorton Community Center worker arrested for ‘indecent’ relationship with teen, police say (1278 views)
8. WillowWood Plaza mixed-use development advances to Fairfax City Council (1270 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

• 8:30 am: Reston Association’s 80-Family Community Yard Sale
• 8:30 am: AARP Life@50+ Academy
• 9:00 am: Spring Native Plants & Arts Sale
• 9:00 am: Fairfax Funky Flea
• 12:00 pm: Rare,Exotic & Carnivorous Plant Market
• 1:00 pm: From Garden to Vase: Flower Arranging
• 1:00 pm: HOTWORX Anniversary Celebration
• 6:00 pm: Live Aid Karaoke Fundraiser (for World Hunger)
• 8:00 pm: Bamberg Symphony featuring Hélène Grimaud, piano
• 9:00 pm: Rockits Band (Free Event) at The Old Fire Station

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

• 12:00 pm: The Bee Charmers Band
• 5:30 pm: Electric Blues Open Mic at The Old Fire Station#3

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Scattered showers are expected mainly between 9am and 4pm, with cloudy conditions and a high near 58. Winds will come from the southeast at 6 to 11 mph, and there’s a 40% chance of precipitation. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 52, and south winds blowing at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋

For this year’s Independent Bookstore Day, local bookworms will be encouraged to collect not just new literary titles, but also places to buy them.

More than a dozen shops across Northern Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia have teamed up for a new “Passport” program, giving customers a chance to win prizes if they visit different locations.

“The Passport will introduce book lovers to more of our region’s growing bookstore scene, and offer them a way to celebrate with their favorites,” a press release for the campaign says.

The passports will be issued by the participating stores this Saturday (April 27) on Independent Bookstore Day, which is organized by the American Booksellers Association to celebrate the importance of independently owned book shops to local communities.

Passport holders will then have until May 31 to collect stamps from the participating stores. Four stores will net a book, eight stores a tote bag, and those who visit at least 10 stores can enter to win a grand prize, which will have books, gift cards and other items from each of the 15 shops, according to Fonts Books and Gifts owner Amber Taylor.

Taylor’s McLean store, which opened last year near Chesterbrook Plaza, is one of several Fairfax County businesses involved in the promotional campaign. Bards Alley in Vienna (full disclosure: this reporter’s sister is an employee), Scrawl Books in Reston and Herndon’s A Thousand Stories are also taking part.

“Northern Virginia is home to a robust and growing community of local, independent bookstores. And, our region is full of readers, book lovers and supporters of local businesses,” Taylor said by email. “We hope all of our customers enjoy filling their Bookstore Passports beginning on Saturday as they visit their favorite stores, and some stores that are new to them.”

In addition to the Passport program, each of the stores has its own activities planned for Independent Bookstore Day.

Scrawl Books has lined up several author visits, while Fonts will offer non-alcoholic drink samples, among other activities. Bards Alley will host a “stuffy sleepover” and storytime, and A Thousand Stories has partnered with Arts Herndon and the Friends of Runnymeade Park for a native plant and art sale.

Now in its 11th year, Independent Bookstore Day was started in 2013 by booksellers in California before going national in 2015. According to the American Booksellers Association, over a thousand stores across all 50 states will host events this year.

Passport programs or “bookstore crawls” have become a popular promotional method. The Northern Virginia crawl — which also includes Curious Iguana in Frederick, Maryland, and WordPlay in Wardensville, West Virginia — echoes similar campaigns in D.C., Connecticut and other areas.

The Oakton driver behind a 2022 crash that killed two teenagers has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Earlier this week, 20-year-old Usman Shahid was convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the June 7, 2022 crash on Blake Lane, where he struck and killed two Oakton High School students while driving 46 mph over the 35-mph speed limit.

A jury proposed the sentence today (Friday) after issuing its verdict Wednesday (April 24).

“At trial, prosecutors proved that Shahid’s high rate of speed and lack of evasive action to avoid the situation were responsible for both the initial crash and the subsequent pedestrian collision,” the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said in a press release.

Multiple news outlets reported that, during the trial, prosecutors stated Shahid was driving his BMW at 81 mph on Blake Lane shortly before noon on the day of the crash. Students had been released early that day with the end of the school year approaching.

Upon seeing a yellow traffic light, Shahid accelerated and collided with a Toyota 4Runner that was turning left. Police testified that the collision forced Shahid’s vehicle off the road and onto the sidewalk, where it struck three teenage girls.

According to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, a crash expert testified during the trial that the data recorder in Shahid’s vehicle showed he accelerated from 60 to 81 mph in the five seconds before the crash as he approached the intersection. The recorder also indicated that Shahid didn’t attempt to brake.

Two of the victims, 14-year-old Ada Gabriela Martinez Nolasco and 15-year-old Leeyan Hanjia Yan, died of their injuries, while a third teen was seriously hurt.

“This is one of the most tragic cases in Fairfax County’s history,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said in the release. “I have a daughter just a few months younger than Ada and Leeyan were – and I can’t imagine how broken I would be in her absence. My heart breaks for the families, friends, and loved ones of these young girls. While there is nothing that can make up for such an immense loss, I hope that this conviction can help our community finally begin to heal from this tragedy.”

A judge will finalize the sentence — which could be lower but not higher than the jury’s determination — later this year.

RELAC Water Cooling will begin delivering air-conditioning services to residents and businesses in Reston’s Lake Anne area this weekend — ahead of its official launch date of May 22.

The volunteer-run utility announced today that it will “go live” tomorrow (Saturday) to test its services, providing chilled water from the artificial lake to cool 635 residential and commercial properties.

“Being ready for the start date, which is prescribed by state regulations, is mission-critical,” RELAC Steering Committee Chair Simon McKeown said in the announcement. “We want to avoid any adverse impact on our community’s health and comfort when the temps go high. That’s why it’s imperative we implement a rigorous testing period.”

RELAC will have full services available during the testing period, which will begin before a surge in temperatures next week. The National Weather Service’s current forecast for Reston shows highs in the 80s, starting this Sunday (April 28) through at least Thursday (May 2).

While some maintenance and refurbishment work remains in progress, engineering contractor, Innovative Mechanical Systems (IMS), confirmed last night that RELAC can start its chilling operations, according to McKeown.

Since it was created in the mid-1960s, the Reston Lake Anne Air Conditioning Corporation has been required for certain homeowners by the Reston deed, which prohibits individual air-conditioning units for residential clusters where the central AC service is available.

However, the State Corporation Commission-regulated utility announced last December that it would cease operations, citing increased operating and maintenance costs as well as difficulties with getting customers to pay their bills.

In response, McKeown and other residents moved to take over the company with plans to turn it into a community-run co-op. The new RELAC officially registered with the SCC as a nonprofit on Feb. 5.

That reorganization unfolded concurrently with a Reston Association referendum that sought to repeal the RELAC requirement. Like previous efforts, the campaign fell short of the two-thirds majority vote needed to pass.

RELAC’s new leaders announced earlier this month that they had received enough community donations to restart operations for the upcoming cooling season.

“This has involved a team of extremely dedicated people: the members of the Initiative Steering Committee and the subsequent members of the Advisory Board and the generous support of many of our neighbors that have financially played a critical role and provided thoughtful input and been so supportive,” McKeown said in this morning’s notice. “In short, this IS a community initiative.”

Properties where RELAC’s services will be available include the Coleson, Governours, Hickory, Wainright, Waterview, Washington Plaza and Chimney House Road clusters as well as the Vantage Hill Condominiums, the Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association (LARCA) and Lake Anne businesses, such as Reston’s Used Book Shop and the Washington Plaza Baptist Church.

Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.

Sold by Sharmane and Style by Valentine teamed up to bring you some quick and easy tips to ease into your summer style without the stress.

“More than any other season, summer style can be a struggle for just about everyone.” Says personal stylist Katie Valentine, from Style by Valentine.

We start out with the best intentions, but heat, humidity, bugs, and pit stains tend to throw a damper on even the most ardent summer fans. Summer is also a time when a lot of our favorite style tricks stop working. Katie says clients often wonder how to look pulled together when wearing a third piece feels out of the question. But just because the sun won’t quit, doesn’t mean your style has to.

Here are 3 easy ways to transition your style from spring to summer:

1. Change your shoes. Instead of sneakers or heels, grab sandals and instantly cool off your feet, but not your style. “For this trick you want to think transitioning from closed to open toes,” suggests Katie. Pro tip, she suggests using color to unify the seasons. So, if you love to wear your white sneakers or flats in the spring, invest in a pair of white sandals. That way you don’t have to rethink your outfits. You are literally just changing your shoes.
2. Accessories: Belts, purses, hats, and shoes made of raffia, weaves, and canvas are killer summer accessories to own and will instantly change the look and feel of your outfits. “Leather goods are still fine, as leather is breathable,” says Katie. But make sure you reach for warmer and neutral toned leather accessories.
3. Third piece magic but make it summer. “Third pieces are one of the easiest ways to pull your look together AND flatter your figure,” says Katie. But who wants to wear a third piece when it’s 90 degrees out? She recommends investing in a summer blazer if your work life requires it, or a jean jacket or short sleeve cardigan if you lead a more casual lifestyle. Linen and open weaves are both trendy and will keep you cool. And remember, a shirt can be a third piece if it is worn open over a tank or dress.

Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | Sharmane@mcenearney.com | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180

The cost of riding Metro trains and buses will go up, starting July 1, when the transit agency’s new budget takes effect.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) board of directors approved a $4.8 billion fiscal year 2025 budget yesterday (Thursday) that will increase fares by 12.5%, including by ending the flat $2 rate for weekend and late-night rides introduced in 2021 and expanded in 2022.

Going forward, riders will be charged between $2.25 and $2.50 during those times, depending on how far they travel. The new budget also raises the base fare for both buses and rail from $2 to $2.25, the cap for MetroAccess service from $4 to $4.50, and the price of rail and bus passes.

The increases will keep fares “in line with inflation,” WMATA said in a press release.

The transit authority also hopes to generate some more revenue by introducing a 5-cent hourly rental fee for its bicycle lockers, capped at $1 per day, though vehicle parking rates will be unchanged.

In a statement, Metro Board Chair Paul Smedberg acknowledged that the budget “asks for a shared sacrifice from our employees and customers,” but WMATA stressed it was able to avoid the “catastrophic” cuts proposed last year, when it projected a $750 million funding deficit.

“We appreciate the collaboration of our regional partners on this board-approved budget that will keep our community moving,” Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said. “This region is a great place to live, work, and play, and our recent ridership reflects the vital role Metro plays in getting people where they need to go.”

Some “targeted” service reductions will still be implemented, including “modest” headway increases for the Orange Line on both weekdays and weekends and for the Green and Yellow lines on weekends, according to a staff report. Metro also plans to utilize more six-car trains and a two-hour peak period.

Metro says it averted more drastic moves like station closures and worker layoffs by identifying $50 million in “cost efficiencies” — including a wage freeze for non-union positions — and securing increased funding commitments from D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

However, the amount of money headed to the transit agency from Virginia remains up in the air. The General Assembly passed a two-year budget in March with an additional $149.5 million for Metro, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed an amendment earlier this month that would allocate $133.7 million — most of it redirected from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).

Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors urged state lawmakers to reject Youngkin’s proposal, noting that funding is already running low for NVTC, which manages funding for transit systems throughout the region, including Metro.

The ongoing wrangling over the state spending plan has created some uncertainty for the county, which is considering an additional $10 million for Metro in its proposed FY 2025 budget.

Now that Metro has finalized its budget, the county anticipates adjusting its contribution, but the final numbers are contingent on what the state does. Read More

The continued development of Tysons doesn’t have to come at the expense of its remaining natural green space, argues a recent report on ways to preserve 65 acres of forest in the urban center.

A community task force has recommended two dozen actions that could help preserve and even enhance wooded areas collectively known as Tysons Forest, including tree plantings and clean-up efforts. Dated March 24, the report was formally accepted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 16.

“Usually, task forces are not looking at preserving natural areas like this and enhancing them, but it was a really wonderful and very positive community-led effort,” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said at the board meeting.

Alcorn assembled the Tysons Forest Community Task Force last September to craft a plan for protecting the woods along Tysons’ southwestern edge. Spanning the Dulles Toll Road to Gosnell Road, the expanse includes the 33-acre Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley, the Ash Grove Historic Site and Raglan Road and Freedom Hill parks.

Chaired by resident Jack Russell, the task force counted residents, local building owners, office tenants, Fairfax County Park Authority staff and other county representatives, and conservation experts among its 23 members.

After meeting throughout the fall and winter, the group solidified recommendations that it hopes will enable humans and wildlife to coexist, while making Tysons Forest “sustainable and emerald green forever.”

Leading the proposals is the need for the county to officially recognize the stream valley corridor as Tysons Forest, including by adding wayfinding signage, and incorporate a pledge to protect the habitat in its Tysons Comprehensive Plan.

The task force also highlighted the importance of replenishing the area’s tree canopy, which it reported has declined by approximately 20-25% in the past five years. In addition to planting 200 wire-guarded trees and seedlings annually, the report suggests cutting down on the amount of invasive plants by at least 50% by 2028 and conducting counts of birds, bees and other wildlife to measure the area’s biodiversity.

Other notable recommendations include:

• Revive the Ashgrove Trail extension project and evaluate options for connecting it to the Vesper Trail south of Spring Hill Road
• Expand Tysons Forest by securing proffer contributions from developers and encouraging property owners to adopt ecologically friendly practices
• Maintain a safe and clean forest by requiring developers to mitigate run-off into streams, adding trash cans along walking trails and conducting regular trash cleanups
• Enlist local students as “green champions” by offering volunteer opportunities and including youth on future task force teams
• Create a website and events calendar for Tysons Forest

Read More

Planned facility upgrades will require the Reston Regional Library to close for an extended period this summer.

Friday, June 28, will be the last day of public operations for the aging building at 11925 Bowman Towne Drive before construction on interim renovations starts on July 1, Fairfax County Public Library announced yesterday (Thursday).

“This brief and necessary refresh will enhance library visitors’ experiences and complete important facility modernizations to ensure that it remains usable, clean and safe for the duration of the building’s lifespan,” FCPL said in a news release.

According to the county library system, work on the project is expected to take about 10 weeks and will include:

• Full ADA updates and refurbishment of the main public restrooms;
• Updates to all public and staff area lighting fixtures;
• Replacement of carpet in key areas such as the entry way and teen area;
• Cleaning and updates to the public meeting rooms;
• Paint, cleaning, blind repair, etc; and
• Replacement of the drinking fountain and addition of a bottle filling station

During the closure, FCPL will encourage Reston patrons to visit other libraries in the area, including the Herndon Fortnightly Library, Great Falls Library and Chantilly Regional Library. Reston Regional Library staff will be relocated to other branches.

FCPL previously told FFXnow that the facility updates will extend the existing Reston library’s lifespan for the next seven to 10 years, as planning for a brand-new building continues.

The county hopes to replace the library as part of a sweeping overhaul of Reston Town Center North, an area bounded by Baron Cameron Avenue, Town Center Parkway, Bowman Towne Drive and Fountain Drive.

As recommended by a task force in November, the future redevelopment will also deliver a new homeless shelter and county human services building, affordable housing, Inova health facilities, an athletic field, a recreation center and a future school site.

The county spent months working on an earlier development plan with Foulger-Pratt, but the private developer abruptly withdrew its proposal in February 2023, citing escalating costs related to construction and interest rates.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn then assembled a task force to revise the county’s vision for RTC North, and a land swap with Inova Health System is in the works, which would allow the project to move forward.

FCPL confirmed plans for a new library are still “moving forward,” noting that voters authorized the county to pay for the facility with bond sales in a 2012 referendum.

“It is planned to be constructed in the next few years,” the county library said. “Land acquisition and design of the new facility is in the development phase.”

Sentencing of Driver in Fatal Oakton Crash Delayed — “The sentencing hearing in the manslaughter case of two Oakton High School students killed in a June 7, 2022, crash abruptly stopped Thursday morning after a member of the courtroom audience collapsed during the testimony of one of the victim’s mothers. A jury convicted Usman Shahid on two counts of involuntary manslaughter” on Wednesday (April 24). [Patch]

Affordable Housing Waitlists to Open — “Those interested in applying to affordable housing waitlists can do so beginning Monday, April 29, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. through Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. for select properties,” including family and senior housing complexes in Idylwood, Herndon, Lorton and Arlington. [Fairfax County]

GMU Unveils Redesigned Logo — “George Mason on Thursday unveiled a new streamlined logo for the university and its athletics department, replacing a pair of separate marks the Fairfax school had used for the last 20 years. The new logo features an interlocking ‘GM’ in George Mason’s traditional green and gold colors.” [Washington Post]

County Raises Fine for Illegally Placed Signs — “Fairfax County supervisors on April 16 unanimously agreed to quintuple the Department of Code Compliance’s administrative fee for abating and removing signs illegally placed within highway limits from $10 to $50 per sign. That fee, which will take effect July 1, is in addition to the $100-per-sign civil penalty.” [Gazette Leader]

Virginia Rail System Plots Expansion — “While 2050 is more than a quarter century away, The Virginia Railway Express wants to start transforming its commuter rail operations much sooner by offering Saturday services as it considers its System Plan 2050, part of holistic, multi-agency efforts to transform rail services in the commonwealth.” [Virginia Mercury]

Woodlawn Launches New History Exhibits — “April 25 marks the opening of two new exhibits at Woodlawn, the historic 126-acre plantation that once was part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. For the staff at Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House, the exhibits also mark the debut of a new phase in which the historic site collaborates with all people associated with the property — including indigenous people and descendants of enslaved people — to tell fuller and more inclusive stories.” [On the MoVe]

Where to Find Free Concerts This Summer — “Throughout the warmer seasons, parks and towns throughout NoVA host free concerts where you can relax and listen to some local tunes under the warm summer skies, free of charge.” Local options include Herndon’s Friday Night Live and series in Reston, Fairfax City and Fort Hunt. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of around 63 degrees, accompanied by a southeast wind at 6 to 8 mph. As night falls, the clouds will increase, leading to a low of about 48 degrees. [NWS]