Author: Acacia James

Countywide

Fairfax County to educate and train its employees on using generative AI

By Acacia James
Fairfax County flag (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As the use of chatbots and other types of “artificial intelligence” continues to grow, Fairfax County is working to ensure its government employees are educated on the opportunities and risks associated with the technology.

During an information technology committee meeting on Tuesday (June 4), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors received an update on the use of generative AI within the county government — including how to “deliver improved business outcomes” while maintaining the county’s “rigorous security standards.”

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Around Town

Town of Herndon to hold first-ever Pride Month celebration

By Acacia James
A heart decorated with rainbow colors for Pride Month (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Herndon will hold its first-ever Pride event this Saturday (June 8). The family-friendly festival is free and will feature music, crafts, food, drag performers and more.

The event, called HerndonPRIDE, will be hosted by Arts Herndon, an organization focused on artistic and educational opportunities for artists and performers.

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News

Fairfax County student wins spot in next week’s Scripps National Spelling Bee

By Acacia James
Fairfax County Spelling Bee 2024 winner Ankita Balaji with her parents and trophy in the Rachel Carson Middle School library (photo by Karen Bolt/FCPS)

Ankita Balaji, a seventh-grader at Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, will represent Fairfax County Public Schools in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, starting next Tuesday, May 28.

Balaji still remembers the moment she spelled the winning word correctly and won the 2024 Fairfax County spelling bee in March.

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Countywide

Fairfax County explores options for reducing how much trash it burns

By Acacia James
A Fairfax County solid waste management truck at the I-66 Transfer Station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is working to develop a new 20-year plan for managing solid waste.

The county produces roughly 1.2 million tons of trash every year, processing about 630,000 tons as municipal solid waste (MSW). Currently, about 43.9% of waste is diverted from incineration. However, the county adopted a Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) that set a goal of 90% diversion by 2040.

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News

Herndon to conduct pilot program on lowering outdoor dining fees

By Acacia James
Aslin Beer Company in downtown Herndon (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Town of Herndon will look into lowering how much restaurants and other businesses pay for using public space to host temporary outdoor seating.

Zoning Administrator David Stromberg gave an update on current zoning regulations, which have been on the books for two years, during a Herndon Town Council work session last Tuesday (May 7).

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News

Google to invest $1 billion to expand data centers in Northern Virginia

By Acacia James
Google Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat announces future plans in a press conference at the company's Reston offices (courtesy Google)

Google plans to invest $1 billion to expand data center campuses in Northern Virginia this year, including two Loudoun County sites and a newly opened site in Prince William County.

Ruth Porat, the president, chief investment officer and chief financial officer of Google and its parent company, Alphabet, announced the funds on Friday (April 26) at the company’s Reston headquarters. They will bring Google’s total investment in the state to more than $4.2 billion to date.

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News

Fairfax supervisors urge General Assembly to reject Youngkin’s proposed Metro funding cuts

By Acacia James
A train at the McLean Metro station platform (file photo)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is asking the county’s General Assembly delegation to oppose Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed funding cuts to Metro in the state’s budget.

During a board meeting on Tuesday (April 16), supervisors unanimously approved a letter written by Chairman Jeff McKay, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, and Dranesville District Supervisor James Bierman, asking the delegation to oppose the cuts and retain the funding needed to address the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) estimated $750 million shortfall.

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Countywide

Fairfax County’s farmers market season to get underway later this month

By Acacia James
A display of peppers at a local farmers market (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is gearing up for the return of its 10 farmers’ markets this spring, with some locations set to return later this month and others in May.

The 2024 season starts on April 17 with the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market outside the Sherwood Regional Library (2501 Sherwood Hall Lane), the Fairfax County Park Authority announced last week.

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Countywide

Fairfax County wants to make affordable housing easier for people with serious mental illness

By Acacia James
Fairfax County has 18 permanent supportive housing units at its emergency shelter in Bailey's Crossroads (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County is taking steps to make affordable housing more accessible to people dealing with serious mental illness.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will implement a major increase in rental assistance for people with serious mental illness, thanks to a $20 million agreement approved earlier this month with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

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News

Fairfax County seeks community feedback on supply of accessible parking

By Acacia James
Spaces reserved for people with disabilities in a Centreville parking lot (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After updating its parking standards last fall, Fairfax County is conducting an online survey seeking feedback from the community on its current supply of accessible/ADA parking spaces.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted new parking standards last September for the first time in 35 years through its Parking Reimagined initiative. Among other changes, the amendment created a tiered system for parking requirements based on a development’s density and proximity to transit.

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