Author: Vernon Miles

Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

News

Fairfax County announces plans for new bike lanes and crosswalk improvements

By Vernon Miles
Fairfax County is developing a program to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety (staff photo by Scott Fields)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) announced yesterday that a series of meetings over the next month will cover plans to add new bike lanes and marked crosswalks around the county.

According to FCDOT, the restriping is scheduled for next year’s repaving season, which typically begins in the spring and ends in November.

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Countywide

FCPS Superintendent provides community update on battle with Department of Education

By Vernon Miles
A Trans Day of Visibility rally outside a school board meeting at Luther Jackson Middle School (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent (FCPS) Michelle Reid sent a message to the school community explaining more about the ongoing legal fight with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

Earlier this month, a federal judge in Alexandria dismissed a lawsuit the Fairfax and Arlington school boards filed against the DOE after the federal department froze their funding. The DOE put the schools on “high risk” status and restricted their access to federal funds after they refused to rescind policies allowing students to use bathrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity.

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News

Hybla Valley fire station to be redeveloped with emergency shelter and housing

By Vernon Miles
Proposed design of new Penn Daw Fire Station and supportive housing at 2801 Beacon Hill Road (image via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County could be moving forward soon with the rezoning of the outdated Penn Daw Fire Station.

The plan is to replace the current facility off Route 1 at 2801 Beacon Hill Road with a new mix of fire station, emergency shelter and supportive housing.

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News

Bus rapid transit could be coming to Herndon, but dedicated bus lanes are unlikely

By Vernon Miles
BRT designs being considered for Herndon (image via Town of Herndon)

Herndon may be getting bus rapid transit, but plans presented to the Herndon Town Council show it might look a little different from the rest of the region.

Bus rapid transit (BRT) involves some form of dedicated bus lanes and other systems designed to prioritize transit on major roadways with the goal of making bus transportation more appealing.

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Around Town

Reston Town Center lands ‘All Star’ band to headline Shrek-tastic fall concert

By Vernon Miles
The band Smash Mouth (photo by Cindy Hayes)

Reston Town Center is extending its free summer concerts into the fall this year with a Shrek-themed ogre-haul.

The inaugural Rocktoberfest will kick off a week before the concert with a special 25th anniversary screening of “Shrek” in the Pavilion at 11900 Market Street on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

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News

Defense contractor’s plan for major expansion in Fairfax unites Youngkin and McKay

By Vernon Miles
Gov. Glenn Youngkin with regional leaders and Systems Planning & Analysis staff (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Just a couple of weeks after accusing state officials of undermining Fairfax County’s economic development work, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay found himself cutting a ribbon with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to celebrate an economic development win for the county.

Local and state officials gathered at the Alexandria headquarters of defense contractor Systems Planning & Analysis this afternoon (Thursday) to announce its plans to invest $46.9 million in both the city and Fairfax County.

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News

Herndon’s tree canopy is growing but still falls short of neighbors, staff say

By Vernon Miles
A large tree looms over Elden Street in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Herndon’s tree canopy coverage isn’t bad for a town of its size, but it notably lags behind some of its neighbors, town staff say.

At a work session on Tuesday (Sept. 9), arborist Nick Maletta told the Herndon Town Council that the town currently has 26% canopy coverage, which falls within a standard range but at the lower end of that spectrum.

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News

New historic marker honors Vienna teacher who advocated for Black students

By Vernon Miles
Dedication of Louise Archer historical marker (image via Fairfax County)

A new historical marker recognizes Louise Archer, a groundbreaking Vienna teacher and principal, outside of the elementary school that bears her name.

Current students, educators, community members and former students of Archer gathered at Louise Archer Elementary School on Saturday (Sept. 6) to celebrate the marker’s unveiling.

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