Thanks to a grant of nearly $1 million, Fairfax County’s emergency response stands to capitalize on recent gains in artificial intelligence.
The county’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) is partnering with George Mason University’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) for a project that will embrace AI solutions to tackle challenges faced by emergency communications systems across the region.
One Injured in Fairfax Connector Electric Bus Crash — “Around 6:30 pm, #FCFRD responded to reports of a bus into a building in the 12000 blk of Government Center Parkway in the Fair Lakes area. Units arrived to find a bus crashed into a parking structure and on fire. The fire is under control. Firefighters contained the fire to the electric bus. One civilian was transported with non life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Fairfax City Motel Demolished — “On Monday, an excavator began the demolition of the Hy-Way Motel at 9640 Fairfax Blvd. Expected to last two weeks, the demolition is the first step in the construction of a new permanent supportive housing facility by The Lamb Center and Wesley Housing.” [Patch]
ICYMI: Comstock Withdraws From Downtown Herndon Project — Town of Herndon officials shared last night (Tuesday) that developer Comstock has decided not to proceed with its long-stalled downtown redevelopment project. Staff said they still believe in the 5-acre site’s potential but “will take some time to evaluate” what to do next. [FFXnow]
Local Restaurants Voted Favorites in D.C. Area — Washingtonian’s 2024 poll of its readers’ favorite restaurants in the region is light on Fairfax County establishments, but Aslin Beer Company, which has a taproom in Herndon, came out on top for “favorite local beer restaurant.” Andy’s Pizza, which can be found in Tysons, also repeated as the no. 1 spot for pizza. [Washingtonian]
Electronics Stolen From Pohick Library — “On October 28, at 9:46 a.m., officers responded to the 6400 block of Sydenstricker Road in Burke for a burglary report. The complainant reported that multiple electronics were missing from the library. Officers reviewed surveillance footage and observed an unidentified man entering the library at 3:00 a.m. that morning.” [FCPD]
More FCPS Teachers Sticking Around — “Fairfax County Public Schools is retaining over 90% of teachers for the first time in four years, a promising sign that teachers may not be leaving the school division at the rate they were in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic … Special education retention rates are also showing positive trends, [Superintendent Michelle] Reid said.” [WTOP]
Metro Set to Revive Automated Train System — “Starting on the Red Line, trains will be spaced and timed based on computer rather than human operation. Officials say the switch could be made as soon as this Sunday … The savings, Metro says, could be used to open an hour earlier and stay open an hour later on the weekend.” [Washington Post]
Chantilly Bakery to Close Permanently — Firehook Bakery has announced that it will close all three of its locations in Chantilly, Alexandria and Dupont Circle on Dec. 24 to focus on the “rapid growth and expansion” of its nationwide Firehook Cracker business. The bakery has been a “favorite among pastry lovers” since 1992. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Immigrant Advocates Brace for Trump Return — “Facing the threat of mass deportations, local immigrant rights groups are stepping up their rapid response activities to protect vulnerable community members.” Advocates discussed their plans for responding to president-elect Donald Trump’s threats “at a forum Dec. 6 in Annandale sponsored by the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — Heavy rain and patchy fog are expected, with temperatures rising to 63°F by 10am. Winds will increase in the afternoon, gusting up to 33 mph. Total precipitation of 1-2 inches is possible. At night, there’s a 40% chance of rain before 10pm, followed by cloudy skies that will gradually clear with a low of 32°F. [NWS]
Fairfax County Public Schools is set to allocate an additional $3.4 million to safety and security upgrades, drawing from surplus revenue identified in its mid-year budget review.
The funding includes $1.5 million from a class-action settlement with Juul, as well as higher-than-expected sales tax revenue and tuition payments from the City of Fairfax.
A right-wing group’s lawsuit challenging Fairfax County Public Schools policies designed to be inclusive of transgender and other gender non-conforming students will be allowed to move forward.
Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Brett A. Kassabian issued an order last Friday (Dec. 6) mostly overruling an attempt by the Fairfax County School Board to dismiss the civil suit, which argues that policies requiring students to be identified and treated based on their gender identity violate the rights of students who don’t want to follow those policies.
A Fairfax County School Board member’s desire to affirm the defined rights of student journalists in the wake of the Hayfield Secondary School athlete-transfer uproar died on a 9-3 vote at the Dec. 5 board meeting.
At-large board member Ryan McElveen introduced the measure as part of a broader discussion of the Hayfield athletics matter. He said it was in reaction to allegations, which have not been independently confirmed, of student journalists at Hayfield having their work on the issue censored.
Preliminary work for future bus rapid transit service from Tysons to Alexandria along the Route 7 corridor is taking another step forward.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) voted on Thursday (Dec. 5) to send out a request for proposals to firms interested in studying the easternmost leg of the corridor from Seven Corners to Alexandria.
Annandale Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges — “Fairfax County Police charged an Annandale man with multiple counts relating to the possession and production of child sexual abuse materials.” Police say the man was identified based on a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about someone uploading sexual material involving children. [Annandale Today]
Shots Fired Near Fairfax City Apartments Under Investigation — “City of Fairfax Police are investigating a shooting incident that took place early Friday in the Fairfax Square neighborhood. Someone discharged a firearm around 4:10 a.m., in the 9900 Block of Fairfax Square, according to police. Investigators found casings and projectiles at the scene.” [Patch]
Annandale Condo Building Condemned After Fire — The Nov. 23 fire at the Talltree South Condominiums is still under investigation. “Because the fire investigators found asbestos in the building, the nine families who live there are prohibited from getting into their apartments to get their possessions. They haven’t been told when they’ll be able to move back — only that it could be six months to a year.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Man Runs Seven Marathons in a Week — A man from McLean recently “ran seven marathons on seven different continents in just seven days. Longtime marathon runner Frank Fumich started his adventure with a race in the frozen wasteland of Antarctica on Nov. 15 as part of The Great World Race.” [WTOP]
New Korean Restaurant Opens in Falls Church — “A new Korean steakhouse is now open in Falls Church, from the owners behind Honest Grill. Seoul Prime is an intimate, elegant dining experience with an emphasis on high-quality cuts of beef … The new restaurant is at 106 Founders Ave. in the Founders Row apartment complex.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Kids Fly to “North Pole” from Dulles Airport — “Early Saturday morning, a crowd of almost 100 kids was buzzing with excitement as they waited to board their ‘North Pole’-bound flight out of Dulles International Airport … The annual flight, which took off from Dulles for the first time 34 years ago in 1990, provides an incredible journey for children battling life-threatening illnesses, and their families.” [NBC4]
Local Firefighters Warn of Increase in Fires — Cooking-related fires are a common call for service at this time of the year, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Matt Tamillow. “Tamillow told WUSA9 they also see an increase in fires caused by space heaters and fireplaces as the temperatures start to drop.” [WUSA9]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a slim chance of rain after 1pm, cloudy skies, and a high around 61 with calm winds picking up to 5-7 mph from the south later in the day; 20% probability of precipitation. Tuesday night brings rain, potentially heavy, a low of 55, south winds at 7-10 mph, and a 100% chance of precipitation; new rainfall may reach up to three quarters of an inch. [NWS]
Fifteen options are now on the table, as regional and state leaders mull ways to establish dedicated funding for Northern Virginia transit operations.
A full range of funding options for Metro and other public transportation systems was presented to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) on Thursday (Dec. 5), including new taxes and fees.
Fairfax County School Board members and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid took formal steps last week to address the alleged athletic recruiting irregularities at Hayfield Secondary School that have roiled the entire community.
At the school board meeting on Thursday (Dec. 5), Reid offered her first public mea culpa for the crisis of confidence in Fairfax County Public Schools leadership sparked by its handling of the controversy around Hayfield’s football program.
Guns Allegedly Found in Raided GMU Students’ Home — “Court documents, which do not publicly indicate a reason for the search, allege that authorities found guns and magazines inside the home — materials authorities say belonged to the father and brother of the George Mason students.” A lawyer for the family says claims the men posed a threat are “baseless and inflammatory,” and a judge denied Fairfax County prosecutors’ petition to bar them from having guns. [Washington Post]
Tysons Security Company in Demand After Health Care CEO Killing — “Since the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the phones at Global Guardian have been ringing off the hook. The McLean-based company, which provides executive protection worldwide, has experienced a surge in demand for its services.” [WUSA9]
No Injuries From Centreville House Fire — “Just after 3:15pm [yesterday] #FairfaxsBravest responded to a reported outside fire in the 14000 blk of Coachway Drive in Centerville. As crews arrived on scene bystanders alerted the crew that the back of the house was on fire. Firefighters quickly went to work and were able to extinguish the fire preventing major exposure to the rest of the home.” [FCFRD/Instagram]
Bailey’s Crossroads Getting New Signage — “New gateway signage will be developed for the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners Commercial Revitalization District. The idea is to create a sense of place and branding for the area and encourage redevelopment, says Mike Van Atta, president of the Crossroads + Corners Coalition (C3).” [Annandale Today]
Pilates Studio to Open at Mount Vernon Plaza — “The new pilates studio at Mount Vernon Plaza may be opening just in time for fulfilling some New Year’s resolutions. Club Pilates franchise owner Valyn Jenkins said they are hopeful about starting their soft opening Dec. 31, though it could be pushed to the following week.” [On the MoVe]
Tysons Consulting Firm Head Named CEO of the Year — The Washington Business Journal has named Booz Allen Hamilton CEO, chairman and president Horacio Rozanski its CEO of the Year for 2024. This year, the company “has seen double-digit revenue growth driven by increased government demand for services tied to cybersecurity, defense and the rapid advance of technology.” [WBJ]
Fairfax City Welcomes Veterinary Clinic — “Fairfax business leaders joined Mayor Catherine S. Read on Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome Bond Vet to the city. The urgent care veterinary clinic opened its doors at Scout on the Circle in October.” [Patch]
It’s Monday — Expect rain primarily between 7am and 1pm, with a high temperature of around 52°F. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation, with new amounts ranging between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. As for Monday night, anticipate mostly cloudy conditions and a low temperature near 43°F. [NWS]
