The D.C. area’s annual summer restaurant showcase is set to kick off next week.
More than 30 Fairfax County restaurants will participate in the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s Summer Restaurant Week, which runs from Monday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 18.
County Board Urged to Back Ceasefire in Gaza — “Several speakers at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ July 30 meeting criticized board members for not weighing in on current fighting between Israel and Hamas forces in and around Gaza.” Activists called for the board to support a ceasefire and “full divestment from Israel by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority,” which says it ended a contract that gave it a presence in Tel Aviv on June 30. [Gazette Leader]
Board Chairman on Data Centers — “Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay joined the show to explain what the county is trying to do and how data centers can help with much-needed tax revenue…Plus, will county residents be able to stomach a meal tax? McKay certainly hopes so, noting it’s potentially a good way for the county to diversify its revenue source.” [WAMU]
Tysons Mall Collects Back-to-School Donations — “Tysons Corner Center has partnered with nonprofits and the Fairfax County Police Department to spotlight community needs and entrepreneurship among children. You can drop off needed school supplies and buy products made by children at three mall events.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
W&OD Trail Users Praise Wiehle Bridge — “Now that there’s a new pedestrian bridge over Wiehle Avenue near Sunset Hills Road, many of those concerns have been addressed. The bridge opened July 24, and many people who have already used it said it’s making them feel safer.” [WTOP]
Behavioral Health Services Added in Hybla Valley — “The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) celebrated opening its newest location for providing community-based services to youth and their families. CSB behavioral health specialists will now be located at the Hybla Valley Community Center…to help the community along the Richmond Highway corridor access high-quality and affordable care and supports.” [Fairfax-Falls Church CSB/Facebook]
Encampment Emerges in Annandale — “Toll House Park, a tiny landmark at the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Annandale Road, was created as a focal point for the revitalization of Annandale. Now, however, it’s become a gathering place for unsheltered individuals struggling to survive during a weeks-long heat wave.” [Annandale Today]
Tysons VC Firm Plans Investments — “Blue Delta Capital Partners, a Tysons-based venture capital firm, is preparing to make more equity investments in local growth-stage tech firms serving the federal government following the close of a $250 million fund…The firm plans to back established firms that need additional capital for growth.” [Washington Business Journal]
Fort Hunt Playground Gets New Swings — “Extreme heat Aug. 2 couldn’t stop Fairfax County officials and residents of several Fort Hunt area neighborhoods from commemorating the completion of a new swing set at Gilbert S. McCutcheon Park playground.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high near 95 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind at 3 to 8 mph. Later in the night, partly cloudy skies will prevail with a low around 77, and a southwest wind around 7 mph. [NWS]
The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney has released a new data visualization dashboard that organizes and tracks criminal cases across the county.
The Case Overview Dashboard breaks down the cases handled by local prosecutors based on demographic information, case types, charges and the overall volume.
Dozens Hospitalized by Sterling Ammonia Leak — “Thirty-three workers were taken to hospitals Wednesday night after ammonia leaked at a culinary facility near Dulles International Airport in Virginia, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. A department spokeswoman said five of the victims were transported in very serious condition.” [Washington Post]
Sign Removals Drive Artist Out of Virginia — “The man responsible for posting over 1,500 ’empathy’ signs around the area is steering clear of Arlington and some other Northern Virginia locales these days. That’s because an unknown person or entity has been taking down the handmade markers meant to encourage greater human connection and understanding.” [ARLnow]
Tysons Software Company Lays Off Workers — “In a call with analysts Thursday, Appian revealed it reduced its workforce by 150 employees and consolidated some facilities at its leased headquarters building at the Valo Park campus.” Putting the company on a path to breaking even for 2024, the layoffs followed “years of rapid growth” that brought the firm up to 2,243 full-time workers, as of Dec. 31. [Washington Business Journal]
Woodlawn Korean Restaurant Relocates — “Kimchi House, a popular Korean barbecue restaurant long located on Richmond Highway in Woodlawn, moved to a new 1,200-square-foot space at Cooper Center in early July. The restaurant had to vacate its original building” after it was acquired for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Richmond Highway widening project. [On the MoVe]
Speed Bumps Approved for McLean Road — “Two speed bumps will be coming soon to Ingleside Avenue between Churchill Road and Douglas Drive in McLean. Fairfax County supervisors on July 30 approved the traffic-calming measures, which will cost $38,000 and have support from the surrounding community, officials said.” [Gazette Leader]
Occupant Wanted for Former Annandale Bank — “The former Wells Fargo Bank building at 4260 John Marr Drive in Annandale is being marketed as a good location for a coffee shop, bakery, restaurant, or medical facility. It cannot be used for another bank branch, according to the broker.” [Annandale Today]
Great Falls Observatory to Open for Stargazing — “This program, hosted by volunteers of the Analemma Society, is a fun tour of the planets, stars, constellations, nebulas, and galaxies in the summer night sky that can be seen with the eye and through telescopes.” Registration is required for the event, which will take place at Turner Farm Park’s Roll-Top Observatory from 8-10 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. [Fairfax County Public Library]
It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with mostly sunny and hot conditions, a high near 97, and heat index values up to 106. Night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 75. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Prepare for more hot, humid weather tomorrow (Friday) as the D.C. area endures its fifth heat wave of 2024.
The National Weather Service has already issued a new Heat Advisory for tomorrow that’s scheduled to take effect from noon to 8 p.m. across the region, including Fairfax County. A similar advisory is now in effect for today (Thursday), prompting the county to activate its heat plan.
After Fairfax County Public Schools got much less funding than it wanted for teacher pay raises and other investments, new budget chair Kyle McDaniel suggests it’s time for a change in strategy.
McDaniel, who was elected to the school board as an at-large member last year, worries growing divisions in the budget process between the school board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors could strain relationships as the county tackles its own financial challenges.
County Activates Heat Plan — “Fairfax County has activated its Heat Plan for Thursday, Aug. 1. When Fairfax County’s heat plan is activated, cooling centers around the county will be available during normal operating hours for individuals needing relief from the heat.” With the heat index potentially reaching 107 degrees, a Heat Advisory is scheduled to take effect from noon to 8 p.m. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Lorton Apartment Raid Leads to Guilty Plea — “A Dale City man pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on Jan. 18, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service’s Capital Area Regional Task Force located [the 40-year-old man], for whom they had an arrest warrant, in an apartment in Lorton.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office]
Annandale Shed Fire Extinguished — “#FairfaxsBravest are on the scene of a shed fire in the 7800 blk of Ridgewood Drive in the Annandale area. Firefighters arrived to find an exterior shed fully involved. The fire is under control. No extension to the house. No reported civilian or firefighter injuries.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter]
Local Urgent Care Centers Extend Hours — “Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care, a partnership between Inova Health System and GoHealth Urgent Care, announced it is offering later hours at four Northern Virginia locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.” That includes centers in Vienna, Reston’s North Point Village Center and West Springfield. [Patch]
Fairfax Students Create Tool to ID Scams — “Advik Atyam never expected to be scammed, but he too became a victim while reselling computer parts during the pandemic…That experience prompted Atyam, now a senior at Fairfax High School in Virginia, to launch ScamCops, a website detailing the latest scam trends.” [WTOP]
Cultural Fair Coming to Oakton Library — “Join us for a taste of other countries with trivia, treats, and performances featuring dancers from Rhythmaya Dance, Foley Academy of Irish Dance, Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe, and Scottish Country Dancers!” The festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. [Fairfax County Public Library]
Virginia Amusement Park to Build Big Roller Coaster — “A new attraction is coming soon to Kings Dominion in Doswell, and it’s one that thrill-seekers won’t want to miss. Rapterra, the world’s tallest and longest launched wing coaster, will open in 2025 as part of the Doswell amusement park’s 50th anniversary celebrations.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny and hot day reaching a high of 97°F and heat index values up to 104°F. Night could bring showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm, with cloudy conditions, a low around 77°F and a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Former McLean Bible Pastor Funds Gun Law Challenges — A nonprofit started at McLean Bible Church by then-pastor Dale Sutherland “has evolved from spreading the good news to facilitating a far-reaching, multimillion-dollar legal campaign to dismantle America’s gun laws.” Now called the Constitutional Defense Fund, the organization has given funding to gun advocacy groups and a law firm that has filed at least 21 lawsuits challenging gun restrictions since 2020. [Mother Jones]
Man Sentenced in Fairfax City Killing — “A Fairfax County, Va., Circuit Court judge on July 26 handed down a sentence of 28 years in prison for a 31-year-old man convicted by a jury of second-degree murder for the June 10, 2023, stabbing death of a Fairfax City man after the man propositioned him for sex.” Aaron Robertson got the maximum sentence of 40 years, but the judge suspended 12 of them. [Washington Blade]
McLean Olympian Seeks to Make Rowing Finals — “Team USA’s women’s rowing eight, which includes McLean resident Claire Collins, finished second in its heat in the Nautical Stadium-Flatwater event on Monday. Although the American women didn’t win their heat, they still have an opportunity on Thursday to qualify for the finals.” [Patch]
Driver Crashes After Failing to Stop for Ambulance — “Watch: One person stopped for @ffxfirerescue Medic 432 yesterday morning as they responded through the intersection of Braddock Road and Ox Road. The driver behind them did not. Video via @SafetyVid.” [Dave Statter/Twitter]
Centreville Woman Competes for Miss USA — “Himanvi Panidepu is well-versed in the world of pageantry. In June, the Centreville native was crowned Miss Virginia USA. She also won Miss Virginia Teen USA in 2018 and is now the first Indian American to hold both titles. This week, she will travel to Hollywood to compete in the 73rd Miss USA pageant.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Former Defense Contractor CEO Sells McLean Mansion — Former Northrop Grumman CEO and chairman Wes Bush and his wife “sold their McLean mansion in late June, marking the region’s most expensive sale of the month. The buyer of 903 Turkey Run Road…paid $9.95 million June 28 for the 12,700-square-foot home, which offers six bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, six fireplaces and a four-car garage.” [Washington Business Journal]
Justice HS Gets New Stadium Bathroom — “Spectators at Justice High School football games will no longer have to take care of business in a porta potty. A new outdoor restroom has been installed next to the stadium. That is the first modular stadium restroom completed as part of a Fairfax County Public Schools project to add outdoor restrooms at 15 high schools.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — Expect predominantly sunny skies and a high temperature around 95 degrees. Tonight, there’s a small possibility of sporadic showers and thunderstorms before 2 am, followed by partial cloudiness with the temperature dropping to about 76 degrees. [NWS]
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has postponed all public hearings set for today (Tuesday), including a pivotal vote on proposed data center regulations, to Sept. 10 due to a staff error.
The delay will also affect public hearings held at the board’s last meeting on July 16. It stems from a “regulatory oversight” related to new rules for advertising public hearings that the Virginia General Assembly passed earlier this year, the county announced.
Woman Killed in Fair Lakes Stabbing — A man is in custody after allegedly stabbing a woman at their home in the 3900 block of Highland Oaks Drive yesterday (Monday). The woman was taken to a hospital, where she died. Fairfax County police say “there is no apparent threat to the community” in what’s being described as a domestic incident. [FCPD/Twitter]
Driver Hospitalized in Reston Crash — “Baron Cameron Avenue at Fairfax County Parkway reopened to traffic Monday after being closed for several hours following a single-vehicle crash with injuries…The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.” [Patch]
Kook Dogg Cafe Opens in Reston — After a soft opening for family and friends earlier this month, Kook Dogg Cafe officially opened to the public in RTC West yesterday (Monday). Its first customers were the team from Little Beast Cafe and Bistro, which previously occupied the space. “We are stoked to welcome them (and you!) to KDC! We can’t wait to see y’all soon!” [Kook Dogg Cafe/Instagram]
Homeless Individuals on Sidewalk Raise Concerns — “A small group of unsheltered individuals who have nowhere else to go have created a community on the sidewalk on Patrick Henry Drive in Seven Corners. About half a dozen people hang out on a discarded sofa and chairs under a tarp, and that has drawn complaints from residents who say they are blocking the sidewalk and making the area unsafe.” [Annandale Today]
Sales Tax Holiday Coming — “NoVA shops and malls may be a little more crowded this coming weekend as people take advantage of Virginia’s sales tax holiday to buy back-to-school supplies and clothing. The annual sales tax holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 2, and runs until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 4.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Tysons Consultant Continues Growing — “Booz Allen Hamilton, one of the largest employers in the D.C. region, continues to grow its ranks of consulting professionals, with the addition of 800 new employees in the second quarter. In the past year, Booz Allen has grown its head count by 2,500, or about 8%.” The company employs 15,000 people in the D.C. region. [WTOP]
Annandale Park Getting New Pavilion — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the installation of a new pavilion shelter at Eakin Community Park. Contractors will mobilize on site with active construction activities scheduled to begin in late July 2024. Weather depending, active construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of fall 2024.” [FCPA]
It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms starting from 2pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high temperature near 88°F. The chance of precipitation is 50%. On Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms are mostly likely before 2am, as temperatures drop to a low around 74°F. [NWS]
