Information on reproductive rights resources will be posted to the Fairfax County website in light of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Last week’s decision leaves it up to individual states to determine regulations for abortions. Some states have trigger laws that went into immediate effect to ban abortions, but Virginia is not one of those states, though the governor has said he will seek to prohibit most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay received calls from people who thought the Supreme Court’s decision banned reproductive health services in Virginia, he said today (Tuesday) at the board meeting.
“And that’s simply not the truth,” he said.
The Board of Supervisors directed staff from the county’s Health and Human Services agencies to collect information for them about the reproductive healthcare resources and women’s health services available in the county through private, nonprofit, and public sector organizations, according to a unanimously approved motion.
Those resources will also inform the webpage for residents on what’s currently available.
“It’s important for us to make sure that…while this is not a decision for the Board of Supervisors, at this time of anxiety, we make sure that people know what their rights are, know what resources are available to them, and know where to find those,” McKay said.
The board also directed its legislative director to keep it up to date on potential initiatives in the General Assembly that could “either threaten or protect reproductive rights in Virginia.” If needed, a committee meeting will be scheduled to further discuss potential additions to the package of legislative priorities that the board sends to state lawmakers every year, McKay said.
All board members supported providing the information on reproductive health services to the public. Some gave emotional comments on the importance of abortion rights.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said that abortions were illegal in Argentina, where she emigrated from when she was young, and she never imagined that would become true in the U.S.
“Many lives were lost because those laws were in place,” she said.
Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith said she’s thankful the information on reproductive rights access in the county will be shared with the community but got emotional during her comments.
“The meat of this issue is that women should have the right to take care of their own bodies with their medical professional,” she said.
McKay said it’s not only a moral obligation to defend rights when they are being stripped away, but also is an economic issue. He questioned whether large corporations would still be interested in coming to Virginia and Fairfax County, which is one of the largest areas of employment in Virginia, if the state restricts abortion access.
McKay and Lee District Supervisor Lusk said if the state does restrict abortions, it will especially affect young and low-income women, who do not have the resources to travel to a state that has access to safe reproductive care.
The county’s programs are what support those families and will need to be able to respond if the state moves to ban access, McKay said.
“There’s a lot of reasons why we need to weigh in on this,” he said. “It’s very much a connection to what we do in local government.”
A woman found seriously injured from an assault at a Hybla Valley bus stop earlier this month died from her injuries over the weekend, police said.
Fairfax County police say the injuries were likely from blunt force, but the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the specific manner and cause of death. This is the 12th homicide this year in the county, two more than at the same point in 2021.
Just after midnight on Friday (June 17), a passerby saw 63-year-old Michelle Huntley injured and unconscious at the bus stop in the 7800 block of Richmond Highway, police said. She was taken to the hospital, where she died Saturday.
“Detectives have reviewed hours of surveillance footage, conducted several interviews, and canvassed the surrounding area extensively to determine the circumstances that led up the deadly assault,” police said in a news release.
The full news release is below.
Mount Vernon Police District – Detectives from our Homicide Squad are investigating the deadly assault of a 63-year-old Alexandria woman. Just after midnight on June 17, officers responded to a bus stop in the 7800 block of Richmond Highway. A passerby saw the victim suffering from trauma to the upper body. The victim, Michelle Huntley, was taken to a nearby hospital for injuries considered life threatening. Sadly, Michelle succumbed to her injuries yesterday afternoon.
Detectives have reviewed hours of surveillance footage, conducted several interviews, and canvassed the surrounding area extensively to determine the circumstances that led up the deadly assault. Detectives believe the injuries Michelle sustained were likely from blunt force. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine specific cause and manner of death.
Anyone who may have information about this assault is asked to contact detectives at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.
Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the victim’s family is receiving appropriate resources and assistance.
This is the 12th homicide of the year in Fairfax County. Year to date, there were ten homicides at this point in 2021.
For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.
(Updated at 11:45 a.m.) The 18-year-old driver in the Oakton crash that killed two Oakton High School students earlier this month has been indicted.
A grand jury indicted Fairfax resident Usman Shahid on involuntary manslaughter charges Tuesday morning (June 21), Fairfax County Police Department said in a press release. Shahid is expected to turn himself in later today (Thursday), police said. More information on bond will be available then.
The department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit determined that, on June 4, Shahid was driving a 2018 BMW south on Blake Lane at a “high rate of speed” when he struck a 4Runner in the intersection, continued traveling south, and struck three high school students on the sidewalk. The car continued down Blake Lane and struck a utility pole.
Two of the pedestrians died, and the third was seriously injured. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a press conference that she is now recovering at home.
Shahid and the front passenger of the car were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two passengers in the rear seats of the BMW fled the scene, police said at the time.
The police investigation suggests that Shahid was driving around 81 mph when his car first hit the 4Runner, Davis said.
Davis said the BMW passengers have been identified. While noting that they shouldn’t have fled the scene, Davis said the passengers have cooperated with the investigation, and police don’t anticipate pressing charges against them.
“This is a tragic incident that could have been avoided, and our hearts break for the families of these two young girls,” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said in a news release. “…I am committed to working toward accountability in a manner that promotes healing for the families involved and the wider community.”
Shahid faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter, both felony charges that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years of jail time, according to Descano.
The crash prompted renewed calls for safety improvements on the Blake Lane corridor. A meeting is scheduled for tonight with stakeholders that will be livestreamed to Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s Facebook.
“Slow down, slow down, be a defensive driver,” Davis said. “There’s nothing so important you have to jeopardize your safety and the safety of others by getting some place 30 seconds faster.”
This morning, CA Descano announced the indictment of Usman Shahid on manslaughter charges for striking and killing two teenage pedestrians on June 7th in Oakton. pic.twitter.com/a2Q7AXArV6
— Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Descano (@FairfaxCountyCA) June 23, 2022
Fairfax County is considering the addition of photo speed cameras in school crossing and highway work zones.
The Fairfax County Police Department has been working on the initiative, and a plan will be finalized before it is presented to the Board of Supervisors in a report, Deputy County Executive for Safety and Security Tom Arnold previously told FFXnow.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik hopes to get Oakton High School into a pilot for the speed cameras, she told FFXnow. Two Oakton High students recently died after a driver struck them and another student walking on the sidewalk of Blake Lane, a corridor where the community has had growing safety concerns.
Police say the 18-year-old driver of the car was speeding on Blake Lane before crashing into an SUV and then striking the three students.
Nearby cities and counties have added the safety devices in the last few years since a state law passed in 2020 enabling jurisdictions to install speed cameras in school and construction zones. Arlington County passed its own law allowing the devices in January, and the City of Fairfax added cameras around schools last year.
The state law dictates that local governments can impose a civil penalty if a vehicle is traveling 10 mph or more above the posted speed limit. The penalty can’t exceed $100, state law outlines.
County and state officials will hold a community meeting tonight (Thursday) on possible safety improvements in the Blake Lane corridor. The meeting will take place on Zoom with Palchik livestreaming it on her Facebook page.
The county and state have discussed improvements in the past, such as the recent implementation of an additional $200 fine for speed limit violations on Blake Lane between Jermantown Road and Sutton Road.
How do you feel about adding speed cameras in school and construction zones in the county?
(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) A dispute between two Southeast D.C. “crews” at Tysons Corner Center led up to the gunfire in the mall Saturday, Fairfax County police said.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said Noah Settles, who turned himself into police last night (Wednesday), is associated with the Anacostia-based 37th Street Crew.
Settles, a 22-year-old also known as rapper No Savage, was with a group at the shopping center Saturday before encountering another D.C.-based “crew,” Simple City, Davis said. The former was wearing all black and the latter, all white.
“We’ve heard of these groups before in the National Capital Region,” he said. “They were both present at Tysons over the weekend in a crowded place where a lot of folks were simply going about their daily lives.”
They got into a verbal dispute before it escalated to a pushing and shoving match and Settles displayed a firearm, Davis said. A few minutes passed before Settles shot three rounds in a different location, not more than the length of a football field away from where the initial dispute was, Davis said.
“The shooting sent patrons and employees throughout the mall fleeing for the exits, others sheltered in place, and feared for the worst,” said Lt. Ryan Lazisky, Assistant Commander of the Major Crimes Bureau.
While no one was injured by the gunfire, three shoppers were injured while they attempted to flee and hide after hearing gunshots.
This evening, Noah Settles turned himself in at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Additional updates will be posted here when available, https://t.co/QsTzdpgf0U https://t.co/kkJCQCtwWg
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) June 23, 2022
Davis said they have not recovered the firearm, but anticipate in the next few days they will recover the black Cadillac Settles used to flee.
Settles has been charged with attempted malicious wounding, three counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied building, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. According to online court records, he had an arraignment hearing scheduled this morning, and a preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 15. He is being held with no bond.
Davis said Settles is no stranger to law enforcement in D.C., Prince George’s and, now, Fairfax County.
Police don’t know exactly what caused the initial dispute.
“I can’t speak necessarily, or at least intelligently, about the nature of this conflict other than it’s young men with a lot of anger and other societal issues to contribute to where they are in life that’s not always their fault,” he said. “But they’re armed all too often and, unfortunately, in this particular case and elsewhere, the resorting to firearms to settle a petty dispute is what gets us here today.”
Davis said thankfully Tysons has made a large public safety investment in cameras, which allowed police to capture video of Settles armed with a firearm and also captured the black Cadillac leaving Tysons as well.
He said no other crime scene in his entire career had generated so many personal phone calls to him.
“Because everybody shops, everybody goes to the movies, goes to a restaurant, hangs out at the mall if you’re a teenager,” he said.
People ask him, “is Tysons safe?”
“And the answer is, ‘of course it is,'” he said. “It’s safe today it’s going to be safe tomorrow, it defines life here in the National Capital Region.”
Fairfax County is under a Flood Watch until midnight.
The National Weather Service issued the watch this morning, noting flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible after 3 p.m.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected later this afternoon into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. There will be heavy rainfall at times, with predicted rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches within the span of a couple of hours, according to the Flood Watch.
A Hazardous Weather Outlook in the county states damaging winds and hail are also possible.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly between 3 PM and 11
PM. A Flash Flood Watch for potential flash flooding is in effect
near and west of Interstate 95 during this time. Isolated
instances of flooding can`t be ruled out further east.In addition, a few storms may become severe with damaging wind
gusts and large hail. An isolated tornado can`t be ruled out.
The #Flood Watch for potential flash flooding this afternoon and evening has been expanded eastward into the I-95 corridor. Heavy #rain from thunderstorms may lead to rapid rises of water in creeks, streams, and in poor drainage areas. pic.twitter.com/MtfzQDadcQ
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) June 22, 2022
[6/22/22 at 1:30 PM] A Flood Watch is in effect this afternoon until 11 PM. Heavy rain from thunderstorms may lead to rapid rises of water in creeks, streams, and in poor drainage areas. Please stay weather aware. #VaWx pic.twitter.com/oSgtmhUVd0
— Ready Fairfax (@ReadyFairfax) June 22, 2022
A woman stabbed a man after a dispute at a business in Springfield yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, Fairfax County Police Department said.
The man and the 35-year-old woman got into an argument before she stabbed him and left, police said. A community member found the man in the parking lot with a stab wound to the upper body.
Officers responded to the 6800 block of Commerce Street for the stabbing around 4:34 p.m., police said.
The man was treated for injuries that were later determined not to be life threatening, police told FFXnow.
Detectives obtained a warrant for malicious wounding.
Detectives continue to investigate. The man remains hospitalized. Follow, https://t.co/lhGv3NDvYs, for updates when available. #FCPD https://t.co/jGJase4jmz
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) June 22, 2022
A floodwall in the Belle Haven community could help address Northern Virginia’s flood risk.
A recent study looked at the west bank of the Potomac River from Arlington to Prince William County for solutions to improve resiliency and reduce risks to human health and safety, economic damages, and disruption of critical infrastructure, according to a presentation.
While there were multiple options, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found a 5,600-foot-long floodwall in Belle Haven and a 2,500-foot-long floodwall along the Arlington Water Pollution Control Plant on S. Glebe Road were the most feasible.
The total cost of both would be $52.6 million, which includes a 45% contingency on costs, and is estimated to reduce about $66 million in potential damage.
The proposed Belle Haven floodwall would begin around Golf Course Square and extend down Boulevard View before turning west. Then, an earthen levee would be constructed and end near Westview Dog Park, according to the Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment by Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
A map of Belle Haven shows that by 2030, the flood risk could extend to the Belle View Shopping Center, Belle Haven Country Club and other parts of the community.
The Belle Haven floodwall would have permanent aesthetic and recreation impacts, as well as stream impacts, according to the presentation. The floodwall would be about 6 feet tall on average.
During construction, there would also be temporary stream impacts. Mitigation would be required for permanent stream impacts.
The public can comment on the study through Thursday, June 30, by emailing the project team at DC-Metro-CSRM-Study@usace.army.mil. The Corps of Engineers will respond to comments and revise the report between July and September, determing if this is the preferred option by November.
After further study, design — which hasn’t been funded yet — wouldn’t begin on the project until at least 2024.
The study was conducted as Northern Virginia has seen damaging storms over the years, to include the Chesapeake and Potomac Hurricane of 1933, Hurricane Agnes (1972), Hurricane Fran (1996), Nor’easter (1998), Hurricane Floyd (1999), Hurricane Isabel (2003), Hurricane Irene (2011) and Hurricane Sandy (2012).
Hurricane Isabel resulted in extreme water levels and caused millions of dollars of damage to residences, businesses and critical infrastructure, according to the study.
(Updated at 10:20 p.m.) Fairfax County police are searching for a man they have identified as a suspect in the Tysons Corner Center shooting yesterday (Saturday).
Police say Noah Settles got into a dispute with another group in the mall, displayed a firearm and fired multiple rounds. He fled in a black Cadillac with D.C. tags GK0174. He is considered armed and dangerous, police said. Anyone with information on where he is should call 703-691-2131 or 911.
Settles is a D.C. rapper better known as No Savage. Video posted to YouTube allegedly shows Settles and two men fighting near the Peloton store on the mall’s second level.
No one was injured by the gunfire, but three people were hurt as they tried to flee, police said. Some shoppers hid after hearing the shots. After the building was evacuated, it remained closed the rest of the day and but reopened today (Sunday).
Settles faces charges of attempted malicious wounding, discharging a weapon into an occupied building and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
WANTED: Noah Settles is wanted in connection to yesterday’s shooting at Tysons Corner Center. Settles got in dispute w/ another group, displayed a firearm & fired multiple rounds. Fled in blk Cadillac DC tags-GK0174. Considered armed & dangerous. Call w/ info 703-691-2131 or 911 pic.twitter.com/jyRIM87Bte
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) June 19, 2022
(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) An unconscious woman who appears to have been assaulted and seriously injured was discovered at a bus stop in Hybla Valley, Fairfax County police said.
Officers responded to the bus stop near 7849 Richmond Highway around 12:05 a.m. this morning, a tweet from the department said. The woman appeared to have “trauma to the upper body” and was taken to the hospital.
Exactly what happened is unclear, but police say that, preliminarily, the woman does not seem to have been shot.
“Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances that led up to this woman’s injuries,” the Fairfax County Police Department told FFXnow by email.
Police ask anyone with information to call the department’s non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.
Around 12:05 a.m. this morning, officers responded to a bus stop near 7849 Richmond Hwy for an unconscious woman who appeared to be assaulted with trauma to the upper body. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Anyone with information, please call 703-691-2131. pic.twitter.com/KfvOfh0fz6
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) June 17, 2022