Fairfax County’s government is the place to beat when it comes to utilizing digital technology, according to a recent survey of the top digital counties in the U.S.
Fairfax County was ranked no. 1 among counties with populations of 1 million or more people by the Center for Digital Government for its 2023 Digital Counties Survey, knocking off King County in Washington after the original home of Amazon nabbed the top spot two years in a row.
Man Sentenced in Shots Fired Case at Herndon Bar — The man who fired a gun inside Sully’s Pour House in 2021 was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday (July 28) but will only have to serve eight months, a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge determined. The bar owner said she was “disappointed by what she calls a weak punishment.” [NBC4]
Braddock Road Project Will Affect Fewer Trees — “The Virginia Department of Transportation has reduced the amount of tree loss in the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements Project, agency officials announced at a recent community meeting. The project would create 10-foot-wide shared-use paths along both sides Braddock Road, as well as intersection improvements” [Annandale Today]
In its first public hearing last Wednesday (July 26), the Fairfax County Planning Commission heard from the community on its proposed overhaul of parking requirements.
The initiative known as Parking Reimagined puts forth changes to off-street parking, bicycle parking, and loading. Overall rates and regulations have not been comprehensively reviewed since 1988.
(Updated at 1:35 p.m.) The ear-splitting thunder that accompanied Saturday’s rainstorm has faded, but efforts to clean up the resulting damage continue.
All southbound lanes on the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in McLean and Arlington remained closed during rush hour this morning (Monday), as crews worked to remove fallen trees.
(Updated at 8:50 a.m.) Saturday Storm Affects Power, Trees — “Wind damage — mainly downed trees — occurred all over the region, including northern Virginia, the District and Maryland. Some trees fell onto homes and cars. In many instances, roads were blocked. But the winds also toppled portable toilets and street signs and tore shingles off roofs.” [The Washington Post]
Police Launch Final Week of Road Safety Campaign — “We start our fourth and final wave of the successful ‘Road Shark’ campaign on Monday, July 31 through Sunday, August 6. During this high-visibility and coordinated enforcement, FCPD continues to deter aggressive driving, reduce crashes, and change driving behavior.” [FCPD]
It’s another stifling day in Fairfax County with no immediate relief in sight.
As of 11 a.m., temperatures at Fort Belvoir had reached 90 degrees, but thanks to 65% humidity, it likely feels closer to 103 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service.
Excessive Heat Warning Issued for Today — The alert will take effect in the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. With “dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110 expected,” the “potential for heat related illnesses” is increased, especially “for those working or participating in outdoor activities.” [NWS]
Proposed Apartments Could Displace Annandale Retailers — “The Eastgate mixed-use development proposed for John Marr Drive in Annandale will have 280 apartments, ground-floor retail, and an above-ground garage…The six-story apartment building will displace The Block, the Pelicana chicken restaurant, Kimen Ramen & Izakaya, and B-Thrifty,” though the food hall could move to the new building’s ground floor. [Annandale Today]
D.C. Area Braces for Heat Wave — “The heat could challenge several calendar day records for both afternoon highs and warm nighttime lows. And there’s a chance Washington could see the air temperature touch the century mark for the first time since Aug. 15, 2016. Significant relief…is not anticipated until Sunday.” [Capital Weather Gang]
Heat Cancels Pickleball in Herndon — “Attention pickleball players! Due to the high heat index and moving summer camps inside, drop-in pickleball for Thursday, July 27, is canceled. Your safety is our top concern, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Stay hydrated and cool, and we’ll resume soon!” [Herndon Parks & Recreation/Twitter]
(Updated at 2:05 p.m.) A Heat Advisory will take effect tomorrow (Thursday) for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, with temperatures expected to near 100 degrees.
Released by the National Weather Service this morning, the alert is slated to be in place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow.
Fort Belvoir’s Lee Road is officially being renamed EO 9981 Road in a ceremony this morning (Wednesday).
The name change comes as a result of a 2022 recommendation made by the Congress-backed Naming Commission tasked with coming up with a plan to remove names, symbols, displays, and monuments that honor the Confederacy from all “Army assets.” That includes bases and roads.
