Countywide | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published January 18, 2024 at 8:15AM

Snow covers the ground in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Public Hearing on Chantilly Data Center Coming — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing next Tuesday, Jan. 23, on a proposal to build a data center or warehouse off of Route 50 in Chantilly. Residents of the nearby Pleasant Valley community told the planning commission in September that the data center would be bad for their neighborhood and the environment. [The Connection]

Grocery Store Under Construction in Hybla Valley — “Renovations have begun at the former Safeway site at Mount Vernon Square, and the projected opening date for the new Fresh World supermarket is mid- to late summer 2024, according to Joshua Kim, a property management representative for Mt. Vernon Square LLC, which purchased the shopping center last June.” [On the MoVe]

Report: New state legislation would allow casino in Tysons, but not Reston

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 17, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated January 17, 2024 at 2:28PM

A proposed state bill would allow a casino to be built in Tysons, if approved by voters (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) The new, much-debated state bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County has arrived with some limited but critical changes from its previous iteration.

Though the bill doesn’t appear to be available online yet, NBC4 reports that state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35) has filed legislation that would add Fairfax County to the small list of Virginia localities eligible for a casino.

To increase housing, Fairfax County pursues alternatives to ending single-family-only zoning

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 17, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated January 17, 2024 at 11:47AM

Single-family detached houses in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In their quest to boost the region’s limited housing supply, Northern Virginia leaders have explored a variety of potential solutions.

Arlington and Alexandria in particular garnered plenty of headlines — and legal scrutiny, in the county’s case — when officials voted separately last year to allow more dense housing in areas previously reserved for single-family detached homes, among other zoning reforms.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published January 17, 2024 at 8:15AM

A vehicle on Nutley Street at I-66 with snow on the ground (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPS Delays Classes After Snow — “All Fairfax County public schools and school offices will open two hours late tomorrow. Central Office employees may report two hours later than their regular scheduled time, but no later than 10 a.m…Central offices will open to the public at 10 a.m.” [FCPS]

Man Arrested for Impersonating Police Officer — “A 31-year-old Georgia man is facing charges after City of Fairfax police said he impersonated a law enforcement officer and deceived four people into paying him money. Officials said they were made aware of multiple cases of fraud in June 2023.” [WJLA]

Dulles Airport traveler may have brought measles to N. Va., health officials warn

By Fatimah Waseem

Published January 16, 2024 at 9:30AM

Sign welcomes arriving travelers to Dulles International Airport (file photo)

Health officials are cautioning the public about a possible measles exposure in Northern Virginia.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, someone who traveled through Northern Virginia from abroad was confirmed to have measles.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published January 16, 2024 at 8:15AM

Snow on a bench in Fairfax Circle (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

D.C. Area’s Snow Drought Is Over — “It’s official! Over 1” of snow so far in DC & Baltimore, first time in approx. two years we’ve had this much snow! Through 7 PM,” Dulles International Airport had recorded 1.8 inches of snow, surpassing 1 inch for the first time in 673 days, while the same amount at National Airport broke a 728-day drought. [National Weather Service/Twitter]

Vienna Cancels Morning Classes for Snow — “Due to inclement weather, Vienna Parks and Rec. classes and programs scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 16 are cancelled until 1 p.m. at the Community Center and Bowman House. Essential Town employees must report as scheduled. Liberal leave is in effect for all other Town employees.” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]

JUST IN: FCPS calls off classes on Tuesday, Fairfax Connector reduces service due to snow

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 15, 2024 at 7:15PM

A man and kids walk in the snow past Appletree preschool in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is using up its first snow day of the year, canceling all classes and other activities on school grounds tomorrow (Tuesday) as flurries continue to blanket the D.C. area.

Affected activities include extracurricular programs, sports practices, field trips, outside recreation classes, adult education classes and the School Age Child Care (SACC) centers.

Poll: Have you gotten sick this winter?

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated January 12, 2024 at 12:05PM

A tissue box with a mug (via Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash)

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) Colds are in the air this winter, as a new COVID-19 variant has joined forces with the flu and RSV to produce a particularly challenging respiratory illness season.

Covid-related hospitalization levels remain low in Fairfax County, where 145 patients were admitted in the week that ended on Dec. 30 — a 46% increase from the previous week. But hospital visits and deaths are on the rise in Virginia and nationally, with the U.S. death toll exceeding 1.1 million people since the first case in 2020.

New Fairfax County program diverts people from incarceration to culinary training

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2024 at 9:30AM

Sen. Tim Kaine and Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano talk at Mackenzie's Tunes and Tonics for a press conference on the county's Taking Root diversion program (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Instead of jail-time, a restaurant job could be waiting for some individuals facing non-violent criminal charges in Fairfax County if they finish a newly launched job training program.

The Pathfinder Kitchen initiative unveiled Monday (Jan. 8) by the Fairfax County Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney builds on the office’s nascent Taking Root diversion program, which offers case management, mental health and substance use assessments, affordable housing and other services to people accused of non-violent crimes in lieu of incarceration.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published January 12, 2024 at 8:15AM

A bridge for the Washington & Old Dominion Trail crosses over Herndon Parkway (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Flood Watch Issued for Tonight — “If Tuesday’s soaker of a storm left you wanting, an encore is on the way. The National Weather Service has just issued a Flood Watch for Friday night, warning of heavy rain and the potential for localized flooding in the D.C. area. The watch will take effect at 6 p.m. Friday and run through 6 a.m. Saturday.” [ARLnow]

Winners of First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest Revealed — “The annual First Hike Fairfax photo contest is…a way for residents to begin a new year with fitness and outdoor activity, while enjoying the experience with friends, neighbors and family. This year, more than 350 contestants submitted photos showcasing the sights and scenes they experienced. The results were spectacular!” [Fairfax County Park Authority]