Author: James Jarvis

James Jarvis covers county government, local politics, schools business openings, and development for both FFXnow and ARLnow. Originally from Fauquier County, he earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Franklin & Marshall College and his master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Previously, he reported on Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier counties for Rappahannock Media/InsideNoVa. He joined the ARLnow news team as an assistant editor in August 2023.

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax County considers privatizing crossing guard program to ease police staffing strain

By James Jarvis
A crossing on Ridge Heights Road outside Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials are exploring privatizing the police department’s school crossing guard program as a potential solution to address staffing challenges and reduce the burden on officers.

The Fairfax County Police Department has struggled to meet the demand for crossing guards in recent years, leading sworn police officers to step in and provide additional support, Assistant Police Chief Bob Blakley told the Board of Supervisors at a Safety and Security Committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

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News

Fairfax County adds five HOAs to EV charging station grant program

By James Jarvis
A Fairfax County-owned electric vehicle charger at the Bulova Center for Community Health in Merrifield (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Five more homeowners’ associations have been selected to receive grants for electric vehicle charging stations through Fairfax County’s Charge Up Fairfax program.

Spearheaded by the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), the initiative originally launched in 2023 as a pilot program to encourage residential neighborhoods to invest in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by reimbursing HOAs for up to a third of the costs to install charging stations.

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Countywide

Fairfax County School Board OKs polarizing new boundary change policy

By James Jarvis
Audience members hold signs as the Fairfax County School Board discusses changes to its boundary adjustment policy (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools has adopted a new boundary adjustment policy to help manage transportation issues and overcrowding.

The Fairfax County School Board approved the policy 9-2 at a meeting last Thursday (July 18) that drew a raucous crowd. The board also directed the superintendent to implement boundary changes for Lincolnia’s Glasgow Middle School that were put on hold while the countywide policy was reviewed.

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News

Reston Association extends lake equity study deadline to next summer

By James Jarvis
A private boat dock on Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston Association has granted its Lakes Equity Working Group (LEWG) more time to complete its report on lake usage and accessibility until next summer.

The RA Board of Directors’ liaison to the group, Irwin Flashman, said at the board’s July 11 meeting that although the group has made progress, they needed more time to gather comprehensive data.

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News

Fairfax County partners with USGS for $1.14 million study to preserve Lake Accotink

By James Jarvis
A 3.9-mile trail loops around Lake Accotink (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has signed off on a four-year, $1.14 million partnership with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to examine sediment levels in Lake Accotink and Accotink Creek and identify the best strategies for preserving the lake.

The partnership follows a December 2023 recommendation by a task force of community members, environmental groups, nonprofits, and a Park Authority representative that found preserving 20 to 40 acres of the popular Springfield lake could be a viable alternative to either fully dredging it or letting it fill up and disappear.

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Around Town

Kook Dogg Cafe in Reston sets opening date after extended delay

By James Jarvis
Kook Dogg Cafe at RTC West (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Updated at 7:05 p.m. on 7/29/2024 — Kook Dogg Cafe officially opened to customers in Reston today (Monday) after an earlier soft opening for friends and family.

Earlier: After a months-long delay, Kook Dogg Cafe in Reston is finally ready for its soft opening, starting next weekend.

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Around Town

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill set to open next week in Franconia

By James Jarvis
Firebirds honey garlic chicken with grain salad (courtesy of Firebirds)

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is set to take flight in Franconia next week.

The casual American restaurant chain announced this week that it will open its first Fairfax County location next Monday, July 22, serving up hand-cut, aged steaks, fresh seafood and other signature dishes in the Festival at Manchester Lakes shopping center at 7027-A Manchester Blvd.

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Countywide

Fairfax County board delays vote on data center regulations after lengthy public hearing

By James Jarvis

The future of data center development in Fairfax County remains in limbo after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last night (Tuesday) to delay their decision on a contentious zoning amendment another two weeks.

The supervisors said they needed more time to consider the input provided by 65 residents, attorneys, environmental activists and other community members during a public hearing that lasted nearly five hours.

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News

Lisa Watts named new executive director of Reston Museum

By James Jarvis
Lisa Watts (courtesy of Reston Museum)

After a several-month-long search, the Reston Museum Board of Directors announced that Lisa Watts will be its new executive director starting this month.

Watts, previously a Recreational Program Manager at Bull Run Academy of Gymnastics, will succeed Alex Campbell, the museum’s previous executive director.

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News

Fairfax County School Board jumps regulatory hurdles to OK solar panels for nine schools

By James Jarvis
A solar panel demonstration project outside Luther Jackson Middle School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In a bid to cut energy costs by tens of thousands of dollars, the Fairfax County School Board finalized a deal with a local solar developer last month to outfit nine elementary schools across the county with 250-kilowatt (kW) solar panels.

The solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) comes years after the school board approved a series of much larger solar projects that were halted after Dominion Energy introduced new interconnection rules that substantially increased project costs, rendering the projects economically unfeasible.

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