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.
(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.
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.
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]
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this Monday (Jan. 15), and local events will honor the civil rights leader and provide community engagement opportunities.
The holiday marks King’s birthday (Jan. 15, 1929), and it is also a Congressionally-designated day of service.
Tuesday Storm Brought Record Rainfall — “Tuesday’s storm soaked the Washington region with record rainfall, toppled trees onto buildings, knocked out power, and flooded areas near rivers and streams…The 2.24 inches at Reagan National Airport, 1.76 inches at Dulles International Airport, and 2.62 inches at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport were all record amounts for the date.” [Washington Post]
Virginia House Selects First Black Speaker — “After making history as the first Black person chosen to lead the 405-year-old Virginia House of Delegates, new Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said the weight of the moment wasn’t lost on him as he looked out over the chamber…Scott’s ascension to the top House job was one of several historic firsts as the Virginia General Assembly began its 2024 legislative session.” [Virginia Mercury]
County to Crack Down on Felon Gun Possessions — The Fairfax County Police Department and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office launched Operation Press Check yesterday to focus “on dedicating more time and resources to the investigation and prosecution of convicted felons who have guns illegally…There will be approximately six detectives involved in the initiative along with a team of four prosecutors.” [WTOP]
New Historical Marker Coming to Groveton — The Virginia Department of Historic Resources will place a historic marker at Little Hunting Park in Groveton to commemorate a Supreme Court ruling that determined prohibiting Black people from swimming pools is discriminatory. The case was sparked by the Little Hunting Park Pool and Tennis Club’s refusal to let a Black family use its pool in 1965. [On the MoVe]
Updated at 3:35 p.m. — A Flood Warning has been issued until 11:30 p.m., for Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, where “flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.”
Earlier: Fairfax County Public Schools has called off all remaining activities on school grounds today (Tuesday) in anticipation of a strong rainstorm expected to last through this evening.
Fairfax County Public Schools will more than double the number of electric buses in its fleet, thanks to a new federal grant.
The local school system has been awarded $16.59 million as a winner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s inaugural Clean School Bus program grants competition. The other winner announced yesterday (Monday) was also from Virginia: Newport News Public Schools will receive $525,000.
Bills to Expect From the 2024 General Assembly — “Virginia lawmakers will head to Richmond on Jan. 10 for the start of the General Assembly session, which lasts until mid-March.” Key issues up for debate will include proposed tax changes, funding for Metro and a stadium to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to Alexandria, and data center regulations. [DCist]
Oakton HS Band Wins Metallica Contest — “Oakton High School’s marching band has won the small high school category in the metal band Metallica’s first-ever ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ competition…The choreography and nice touches like a drum solo, liberal use of band members throwing devil horns, and wallets on chains seem to have put it over the top.” [Washingtonian]
