Author: FFXnow.com

Annandale Man Arrested for Carjacking — “Fairfax County Police detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau are seeking additional witnesses and victims following the apprehension of an Annandale man who committed a carjacking and multiple attempted carjackings within a 90-minute period.” The charges include assault after two victims were reportedly injured. [Annandale Today]

Thousands of Migrant Kids Resettled in Virginia — “Children who arrive to the U.S. without parents entered a sponsor’s care in 14 Virginia localities from Oct. 2023 to April 2024, including Loudoun, Arlington, Prince William and Fairfax Counties in Northern Virginia.” Since October 2014, 33,812 unaccompanied children have been released to a sponsor in Virginia, the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) says. [Virginia Mercury]

June Results of Crime Prevention Effort — The Fairfax County Police Department says its 2024 Summer Crime Prevention Initiative has resulted in over 60 felony charges and more than 150 misdemeanor charges so far. “Over 330 suspected fentanyl pills were taken off the streets, one stolen vehicle was recovered, and one stolen gun was seized from a convicted felon.” [FCPD]

Brush Fire Put Out at Huntley Meadows — “A fire broke out during the evening of July 6 at Huntley Meadows Park in Hybla Valley, burning around three acres of wooded area before it was extinguished, according to a spokesperson for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD).” The cause remains under investigation. [On the MoVe]

Metro Expands Use of Automatic Doors — The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission gave Metro the go-ahead yesterday (Monday) “to fully operate in Auto Door mode,” a function tested on the Red Line in December. All train doors will now automatically open within three to five seconds of stopping at a station platform, saving up to 10 seconds per stop. [WMATA]

Hearing on Fort Hunt Road Pedestrian Improvements — “The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a virtual design public hearing Wednesday, July 10 on planned improvements at the intersection of Fort Hunt Road (Route 629) and Rollins Drive/Westgrove Boulevard to improve pedestrian and driver safety and operations.” Feedback will be accepted through Aug. 7. [VDOT]

Free Water Sports Clinic Coming to Lorton — “The 14th Annual So Kids SOAR Adaptive Water Sports Clinic is scheduled to take place Saturday, July 13, at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton. Children will have access to adaptive equipment and instructors. A total of about 120 families are coming this year, up from 57 families in 2023.” [WTOP]

Throwback to Fairfax County Bookmobile — “County supervisors approved funding for the first library in 1939, but that $250 wasn’t enough. The federal Works Progress Administration stepped in with funding and loaned Fairfax a bookmobile. The dark blue, converted 1-ton 1939 Chevrolet Suburban panel truck filled with books started Fairfax County on its road to reading on July 30, 1940.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly sunny and hot day with a high near 97 and heat index values up to 106, along with a 20% chance of rain after 2pm. At night, there’s a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, with partly cloudy conditions and a low of 79. [NWS]

Heat Advisory Issued for Today — The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, that will take effect from noon to 8 p.m. today (Monday). With heat index values of up to 105 expected, the county has activated its heat plan and will provide supplies like water at cooling centers. [NWS]

Witnesses Reportedly Stop Carjackings — “In the 7600 block of Allman Drive in Annandale, a 38-year-old man allegedly carjacked a victim then attempted carjackings on Lukens Lane and the 8600 block of Richmond Highway in Mount Vernon an hour later,” Fairfax County police said. “Several onlookers who witnessed the attempted carjackings stepped in and detained the man until officers arrived and responded to the scene.” [WUSA9]

Virginia Senator Allegedly Concerned by Biden’s Candidacy — “Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) is attempting to assemble a group of Democratic senators to ask President Biden to exit the presidential race, according to two people with direct knowledge of the effort…Warner spokeswoman Rachel Cohen would neither confirm nor deny that the senator thinks Biden needs to drop out of the race.” [Washington Post]

West Falls Church Road Closes for Pipe Project — “Weather permitting, Wayne Road (Route 2304) between Arlington Boulevard (Route 50) and Regent Lane (Route 2303) will be closed to through traffic Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day for drainage pipe replacement.” [VDOT]

Herndon Woman Wins Taekwondo Title — “Some of the best amateur taekwondo athletes in the United States spent the last week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, competing at the AAU Taekwondo National Championship…Elena Kelley of Herndon, Virginia, is bringing home the national championship in the 33-42 female bracket in the traditional open forms in poomsae.” [WTOP]

Annandale Stream Project Makes Progress — “The project to restore the Coons Branch stream in Annandale Community Park is ahead of schedule. Workers have completed stabilizing the stream banks, says project manager Jasdeep Saini, of the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division. However, the fence around the project area won’t be removed and the stream won’t be open to the public until late fall.” [Annandale Today]

Primark Plans Giveaways for Tysons Opening — “International clothing retailer Primark has planned special giveaways, complimentary sweet treats, food trucks and a visit from [SpongeBob] SquarePants to celebrate the opening of its first store in Virginia on July 16.” [Patch]

It’s Monday — It’ll be mostly sunny and hot conditions and a high near 97, feeling like 105 due to the heat index. There’s a 20% chance of precipitation of isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a low of around 78. [NWS]

Commonwealth’s Attorney Gets Grant for Witness Protection — “Fairfax County is getting a $25,000 grant that the top prosecutor in the Virginia suburb said will be used to offer security and support to victims and witnesses in criminal trials. The funding is from a $1 million grant program from Virginia’s Department of Criminal Justice Services.” [WTOP]

NATO Summit to Disrupt D.C. Travel — “Washington, DC, will host international leaders next week for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, setting off a number of disruptions and restrictions downtown…Traffic is expected to pile up, and the closures may change as the summit progresses.” [Washingtonian]

Crosswalks Added in Richmond Highway Corridor — “Part two of VDOT’s pedestrian improvement project in Woodlawn got underway July 2 with the installation of pedestrian crossing signals at newly striped crosswalks at Richmond Highway and Buckman Road near Radford Avenue.” The project’s first phase added accessible ramps to the sidewalks on both sides of Route 1. [On the MoVe]

Learn About Suffragists Jailed at Lorton Prison — Burke Centre Library hosts former history professor and Lucy Burns Museum consultant Alice Reagan tomorrow (Saturday) for a discussion about the National Women’s Party members who were incarcerated the Women’s Workhouse in Occoquan for picketing the White House in 1917. [Fairfax County Public Library]

Artists Wanted for Gardening Event — “The Garden Plot, the Mount Vernon area garden center…has put out a ‘Call for Local Artists’ for a special event next month. The business is planning an outdoor art and gardening event Aug. 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at which artists of all kinds can set up their own booths or tables to highlight and sell their crafts.” [On the MoVe]

Falls Church Soccer Team Competes for Championship — “Falls Church City’s semi-pro soccer team, Virginia Dream FC, are in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Postseason Championship Game for the second consecutive season…They will play in, and host, the championship match this coming Saturday, July 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Meridian High School.” [Gazette Leader]

Local Parks Host July Golf Tournaments — “Bring the heat at upcoming golf tournaments hosted by Golf Fairfax this July. Celebrate the patriotic vibes and light up the greens to celebrate July Fourth at two Red, White and Blue Tournaments.” The games start this weekend with a tournament tomorrow at Burke Lake Golf Center and on Sunday (July 7) at Pinecrest Golf Course in Lincolnia. [Fairfax County Park Authority]

It’s Friday — There’s a 40% chance of precipitation after 2pm, accompanied by a high temperature near 94°F alongside heat index values reaching up to 105°F. Heading into Friday night, showers and thunderstorms could linger until 2am. The sky will be mostly cloudy with a low temperature of 77°F and a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Fourth of July Safety Tips — “As we prepare to celebrate America’s independence with fireworks, barbecues and community gatherings, we are sharing July 4th safety tips to help you have a safe and fun celebration.” The Fairfax County Police Department has advice for going to events, celebrating at home and traveling. [FCPD]

Korean Restaurant Opens in Herndon — In the works since early 2023, H Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot opened in Herndon Centre at 400 Elden Street in late June. Diners can “choose from a large selection of meats and other items” that can be cooked on a grill or in a simmering pot at their table. [The Burn]

Court Hearing Delayed in Fairfax City Shooting — “An Arlington man charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Fairfax City resident and DonorSee CEO Gret Glyer had his competency hearing pushed back to August, according to court records.” Joshua Danehower, 33, appeared in Fairfax County Circuit Court for a scheduled hearing on Friday (June 28), but it got postponed since the judge hadn’t gotten the results of his evaluation. [Patch]

Fireworks Light Up Lorton — “Friends and families packed the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton Saturday night for early Fourth of July festivities, including a dance party, live music, performances, food vendors and, of course, fireworks.” See photos of the scene. [Inside NoVA]

Fairfax City to Move Turtles for Pond Dredging — “Turtles in a popular City of Fairfax pond will be safely relocated in the next few days and weeks, ahead of a monthslong dredging and construction project at Ashby Pond.” The turtles will be moved this month before work to remove sediment from the stormwater pond starts in the fall. [WTOP]

Dulles Airport Revives Nonstop Flight to Mexico City — “Aeromexico had its inaugural nonstop flight from Dulles Airport to Mexico City on Monday. It is a return to the D.C. area for Aeromexico, which ended service at Dulles in 2019. The daily flights depart Dulles at 4:40 p.m. and depart Mexico City for Dulles…at 8:40 a.m.” [WTOP]

N. Va. Ice Cream Wars Has a Winner — “After a month of voting, Northern Virginians have selected Nathan’s Dairy Bar as the winner of the first-ever NoVA Wars: Ice Cream Edition. The Manassas ice cream spot was a top vote-getter each round, topping Moo Thru (which has NoVA locations in Herndon, Warrenton, and Hillsboro) in the final round.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 88. As night falls, the weather will shift to partly cloudy skies with a low of approximately 72. Independence Day has a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm, partly sunny skies, and a high of 95. The heat index may reach 101. [NWS]

McLean Bank Is Go-To Funder of Republican Campaigns — “Chain Bridge Bank, privately owned and with some 70 employees, has worked with the campaign of every Republican Party presidential nominee since John McCain in 2008, including Donald Trump.” The one-branch bank on Laughlin Avenue was founded by former Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald and announced in May that it might go public. [Reuters]

FCPS Tweaks Grading Policies — “Fairfax County schools will allow students to retake tests for full credit and will add a D-minus to their grading scale as the district and others try to rethink how to measure student performance.” Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid says the new approach to grading will create more consistency and be clearer to communicate. [Washington Post]

Hybla Valley Affordable Housing Slowly Filling — “As of June 24, 2024, the Residences at North Hill had a total of 61 occupied units (22% occupancy) with 26 more units in-process according to Ivy Dench-Carter, senior vice president of development at Pennrose, which both owns and manages the property…Their goal is to have the residences at least 95% occupied by October.” [On the MoVe]

International Grocery Store Eyes Summer Opening — “Ummah Market, an international grocery store in Bailey’s Crossroads, could have a soft opening by the end of July and a grand opening by the end of August, says owner and CEO Jawad Yousufi…Yousufi describes the store as a ‘Mediterranean version of Whole Foods,’ featuring natural and healthy items from Turkey, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.” [Annandale Today]

Sheriff, Commonwealth’s Attorney Get Pay Raises — “Fulfilling a state-code requirement, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted June 25 to raise pay rates for three constitutional officers, effective July 1.” The new annual salaries for the clerk of the circuit court, commonwealth’s attorney and sheriff are $184,141, $204,274.49 and $259,158.99, respectively. [Gazette Leader]

Fire Department Celebrates First Hires — “75th ANNIVERSARY: On July 1, 1949, the first 10 career #FCFRD firefighters were hired. They served primarily as daytime apparatus drivers. Today we are the largest fire dept in Virginia and one of the best in the nation with w/ 1,400 career FFs, 170 civilians, & 370 volunteers.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

County’s Door-to-Door Shuttle Changes Departments — The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has taken over management of Fastran from the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS). “The realignment will streamline responsibilities and eliminate redundancies, allowing for improved service delivery and enhanced collaboration.” [NCS]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny conditions, reaching a high of approximately 85°F. In the afternoon, light wind will increase to 5-7 mph from the southeast. At night, the sky will turn partly cloudy and temperatures will drop to around 65°F. [NWS]