Heman Bekele has another title to go along with his status as America’s reigning Top Young Scientist.
The 15-year-old Fairfax resident has been chosen as the 2024 Kid of the Year by Time for his efforts to create a soap that could help treat skin cancers. The magazine’s issue recognizing Heman and five other “Kid of the Year” honorees hit newsstands today (Friday).
Fairfax County is no longer at high risk of experiencing a drought, thanks to the rain brought last week by Tropical Storm Debby.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today (Friday) that it has lifted its drought advisories for almost all of the state, including Northern Virginia, which has been under a drought warning since late June.
The Fairfax County Police Department is continuing to crack down on retail store thefts with the assistance of local businesses, Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control and other law enforcement agencies.
Recent investigations have yielded arrests in several cases that targeted “high-end” retailers, particularly in Tysons, and Virginia ABC stores around the region, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis announced at a press conference yesterday.
During the new school year, which kicks off Monday (Aug. 19), students at select Fairfax County middle and high schools will be required to hand in their phones in order to turn up their focus.
Starting Sept. 3, Fairfax County Public Schools will begin rolling out a new phone-free pilot program, requiring middle and high school students to secure their cell phones in magnetically sealed pouches or lockers during class to reduce distractions.
How Mars Sealed Deal for Pringles Maker — Interviews detail how McLean-based Mars Inc. “decided to place its biggest ever bet on expansion — the $36 billion acquisition of snack and cereal maker Kellanova…The deal is the culmination of a flurry of Mars’ dealmaking over the last three decades, totaling at least 185 transactions collectively worth $81 billion.” [Reuters]
GMU Board Member Scrutinized for Project 2025 Role — “Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) recently called for the ouster of a member of the George Mason University Board of Visitors over what he called ‘alarming’ and ‘extreme’ views. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) refused, citing the appointee’s extensive set of academic credentials.” [Washington Post]
Dulles Airport Ticks Up in Passenger Rankings — “Two local airports moved up from 2022 to 2023 in the national passenger-total rankings, while another fell, according to new federal data…Reagan Washington National Airport fell from 23rd to 24th while Washington Dulles International Airport rose from 26th to 28th in the rankings.” [Gazette Leader]
Nearby: Arlington to Add Speed Cameras — Following Fairfax’s lead, Arlington County will soon install speed cameras in school zones “next month, more than two years after officials approved their installation. The 10 cameras will begin operating on Sept. 25, with the owners of speeding vehicles receiving a $100 fine per infraction.” [ARLnow]
Grants Awarded to Local Arts Groups — ArtsFairfax, the county’s nonprofit arts agency, will award $591,900 to 58 community arts organizations under its fiscal year 2025 Operating Support Grants program. “While ArtsFairfax saw a 20% increase in total requested funds, the available funding for this grant category remained flat from FY24 to FY25.” [ArtsFairfax]
County Library Celebrates Summer Reading — “Come one, come all, to our annual FREE event to kick-off Fairfax County Public Library’s summer reading program! Our 2nd Annual Children’s Summer Reading Celebration is designed to encourage young readers to continue their enthusiasm for reading straight into summer vacation.” [Eventbrite]
Timing of VRE Saturday Service to D.C. Unclear — A Virginia Railway Express spokesperson says implementation of passenger rail service on Saturdays into D.C. “is being held up by contract negotiations with CSX, which owns the tracks on the Fredericksburg line, and Norfolk Southern Railroad which owns the tracks on the Manassas line.” [FXBG Advance/Inside NoVA]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with temperatures reaching up to 90°F. At night, there’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am-5am, changing to possible showers after 5am. It’ll be mostly cloudy with temperatures around 71°F. [NWS]
Fairfax County is on the lookout for a contractor to conduct a planned panhandling survey.
The county issued a solicitation to identify a vendor this May, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority spokesperson Allyson Pearce told FFXnow.
The illness popularly known as “whooping cough” is on the rise in Fairfax County, according to local health officials.
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) shared yesterday (Wednesday) that it’s seeing an increase in pertussis throughout the Fairfax Health District, which also includes the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Cases are also up statewide and nationally.
Driver Charged in Fatal Clifton Crash — Fairfax County police have charged a 21-year-old man from Woodbridge with failure to maintain proper control in connection to a July 15 crash that killed a passenger in his car. Police say the man was driving west on Old Yates Ford Road in a 2003 Honda Accord when he veered over the yellow line and collided with a Volkswagen SUV. [FCPD]
Man Convicted for 2022 Fatal Shooting — “Jordan Cochran was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. He was 20 at the time of the shooting. Kebbren Leigh-Gaye, who was just 18 years old, died after the shooting on Jan. 8, 2022, on Richmond Highway (Route 1) at Dart Drive, in the Hybla Valley area.” [NBC4]
Judge Orders Release of Defense Department Engineer — “A Defense Department engineer accused of mishandling highly classified records should be released from jail to home confinement pending trial, a federal magistrate judge ruled Tuesday…[Gokhan] Gun during the hearing agreed to put up a nearly $500,000 home in Fairfax as bond collateral.” [Washington Post]
Vienna Figure Skater Reflects on Journey — “Now a student at George Mason University, [Ilia] Malinin still lives with his family in Vienna and trains under his parents, former Olympic skaters Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina, at SkateQuest in Reston…We recently caught up with Malinin during his off-season to talk about his accomplishments and what to expect next.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Road Closure in Centreville Postponed — A planned closure of Stringfellow Road (Route 645) between Route 29 and Centreville Farms Road has been postponed due to weather. Originally set for Saturday, Aug. 17, the paving work is “part of the Route 29 Widening Project, which is making improvements…between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive.” [VDOT]
Georgetown Pike Bridge Closure Rescheduled — “RESCHEDULED: All lanes of Georgetown Pk Bridge over I-495 in #McLean will shift to new northern portion of bridge 8/23-8/26. Motorists are urged to stay away from the area, as lanes will be reduced, and Beltway ramps closed all weekend for work.” [VDOT/Twitter]
New School Board Student Rep Shares Priorities — “Earlier this year, Megan Sawant — a rising senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology — was elected by the countywide Superintendent’s Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board.” Her goals include ensuring “two-way communication” between students and the board. [Gazette Leader]
Vienna Community Center to Close for Cleaning — “All events and activities at the Vienna Community Center will be paused starting one week from today, next Monday, Aug. 19 through Sept. 2, for an annual deep clean and facility maintenance. The lobby, including the front desk and restrooms, will remain open on a modified schedule.” [Town of Vienna/Facebook]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high near 88, accompanied by a mild north wind at about 5 mph. The evening will transition to partly cloudy skies with a low temperature around 68 and a gentle south breeze. [NWS]
Affordable Housing Dropped from Penn Daw Project — Architect BKV Group is revising the design for Fairfax County’s project to replace Penn Daw’s fire station and homeless shelter after a fiscal analysis found “it would be more fiscally feasible and beneficial for the community to eliminate the affordable housing component…while increasing the number of permanent supportive housing units from 20 to 30.” [On the MoVe]
Man Arrested in Fairfax City Stabbing — Police officers arrested a 22-year-old man on Sunday (Aug. 11) and charged him with aggravated malicious wounding after he allegedly stabbed an acquaintance in the stomach during an argument in 7-Eleven (10810 Fairchester Drive) on Aug. 7. [City of Fairfax Police]
Armed Robbery by Teens in Reston — “Fairfax County Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Monday night in Reston. Five teens approached the victim in the 12200 block of Laurel Glade Court, displayed a gun and took the victim’s phone before fleeing the scene on foot, according to an 8:38 p.m. social media post.” [Patch]
Cybersecurity Firm Leases Reston Station Office — Reston Station developer Comstock announced on Monday (Aug. 12) that it has signed a 7,700-square-foot office lease with GuidePoint Security at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza. “This lease marks a milestone accomplishment for Reston Metro Plaza, as all three of its trophy-class office towers are now 100% leased.” [Business Wire]
New Businesses and Events Coming to Eden Center — “Forty years since its founding, the Eden Center remains a community pillar of Falls Church and thriving destination for visitors from throughout the D.C. area and beyond…In addition to the center’s historical gems, you’ll find a handful of newer destinations that remain committed to authenticity.” [ARLnow]
Firefighters Distribute School Supplies — “Today #FCFRD hosted its annual Backpack & School Supply Distribution at FS11, Penn Daw. Firefighters, retirees, and volunteers distributed 1,300 backpacks filled w/ school supplies to schools & nonprofits throughout the county. Thank you to everyone who made the event a success!” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Shrevewood ES Welcomes New Principal — “Shrevewood Elementary School students will return this fall to find a repaired air-conditioning system, enhanced positivity and environmental initiatives, and a different, but familiar, face in the principal’s office. Former assistant principal Katie Vandawalker took the helm Aug. 1 and succeeded Joshua DeSmyter, who became principal at Floris Elementary School.” [Gazette Leader]
Get Sneak Peek of Annandale Mural — “The community is invited to meet muralist Giuseppe Percivati (also known as Pepe Gaka) at the Art Appreciation Festival on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space.” Work on the mural will start before the end of this month, depending on the weather, and finish “in time for the Taste of Annandale on Sept. 21.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny conditions with a high near 86 and a north wind of 5 to 8 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 66 and a light northwest wind. [NWS]
CIA Sexual Harassment Case Going to Trial — A jury trial is expected this fall after a former CIA employee appealed a Fairfax County judge’s ruling that found him guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery against a coworker who said “tried to strangle her with a scarf and kiss her in a stairwell” at the spy agency’s McLean headquarters. [Washington Post]
Helicopter Exercise Planned at Reston Park — “Lake Fairfax Park: The Cricket Field will be closed 9-11 am on 8/13 for a public safety training exercise with a helicopter landing and take-off (weather permitting). Other park areas remain open. Call or (703-471-5415) or check the website before visiting.” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter]
Gun Brandished at Fairfax City McDonald’s — “A 33-year-old Fairfax man was arrested on weapons charges after he pointed a handgun and threatened someone that he had been arguing with late Thursday night at a local fast food restaurant, according to City of Fairfax Police.” [Patch]
Recent Rain Eases Drought Conditions — “Debby brought much-needed rain to the D.C. area, but not enough to pull it out of the ongoing drought.” National Weather Service hydrologist says “he expects general improvement of drought conditions across the region, but not as much as people might think.” [WTOP]
Reston Family Returns From Canceled Taylor Swift Concerts — “A Northern Virginia family touched down at Dulles International Airport Saturday night after a European vacation with a stop in Vienna, Austria where they were supposed to see a Taylor Swift concert…All three of Swift’s sold-out Vienna concerts were canceled after threats of a terrorist attack outside the stadium.” [WUSA9]
Annandale Supermarket Welcomes New Shops — “Yes! Buckwheat is the newest vendor at the food court in the K Market grocery store on John Marr Drive in Annandale. The small shop offers noodle and dumpling dishes all made in-house from buckwheat.” The store has also added Chinese and Korean eateries, Annandale Florist, a K-pop pop-up, and beauty and lifestyle shops. [Annandale Today]
GW Parkway Superintendent to Step Down — “Charles Cuvelier, superintendent of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) since January 2019, will be leaving that role later this month to assume a different position with the National Park Service…Cuvelier, who has been with the Park Service for over 30 years, thanked the GWMP’s many partners for their support.” [On the MoVe]
Fairfax City to Replace More Streetlights — “Installation of new LED streetlights in Historic Old Town Fairfax is slated to start Aug. 19 and may take 12 weeks to complete…Phase two of the Old Town Fairfax lighting project started July 14 when Fairfax City removed the gas lamps decommissioned last fall.” [City of Fairfax]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 83 degrees and a gentle northwest wind at 6 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows near 65 degrees and a light northwest breeze. [NWS]
