The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is unveiling its first electric refuse trash truck today (Friday).
The truck will “pick up residential trash and yard waste on routes throughout the county,” DPWES announced. The county says the truck is “a move that will save money and protect the environment.”
Feedback Sought on Proposed South GW Parkway Changes — The National Park Service is seeking public input on its assessment of how proposed improvements to the southern George Washington Memorial Parkway and Mount Vernon Trail could affect cultural and historic resources. Comments on the project, which could add a road diet and crosswalks, are due Sept. 1. [Patch]
FCPD Mistaken in Saying Teen Died From Overdose — Vilma Gonzalez was shocked when Fairfax County police reported that her 16-year-old son died from a drug overdose in Bailey’s Crossroads on June 25. Almost two months later, detectives told her that initial autopsy results showed he instead “had a lethal level of carbon monoxide in his system.” [NBC4]
Tysons Media Company Sued for Diversity Efforts — “Gannett Co Inc (GCI.N), the largest U.S. newspaper publisher, is facing a lawsuit claiming its efforts to diversify newsrooms led to discrimination against white workers. The proposed class action was filed in Virginia federal court on Friday by five current and former Gannett employees who say they were fired or passed over for promotions to make room for less-qualified women and minorities.” [Reuters]
FCPD Searches for Reported Robber With Parrots — Fairfax County police are on the lookout for a man who allegedly robbed a victim with a knife at a McDonald’s in Seven Corners on Tuesday (Aug. 22). Police say “surveillance video from a nearby business shows the suspect as wearing a black cowboy hat with two parrots, a patterned shirt, and a third parrot on the shoulder.” [WTOP]
Fairfax County is envisioning its forthcoming COVID-19 memorial as a space for reflection — something that’s been difficult to come by since the pandemic upended life temporarily for some and more permanently for others.
The concept comes from artists Miriam Gusevich and Salvatore Pirrone, who have been chosen to design and build the memorial, ArtsFairfax announced Monday (Aug. 21).
The Coalition for TJ is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to consider its lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s admissions policy, which was revised in 2020 with the goal of diversifying the student body.
In the petition filed Monday (Aug. 21), the advocacy group argues that the changes approved by the Fairfax County School Board discriminate against Asian students, who saw their share of the magnet school’s incoming classes drop from more than 70% to closer to 60% in the past few years.
Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Landlord — “Brian G. Sayrs Jr., now 27, confessed to killing his Lorton, Va., landlord, Emily Lu, who was last seen alive on the night of June 3, 2021, law enforcement officials said.” Sayrs pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and faces up to 32 years in prison. [Washington Post]
FCPS Bus Driver Vacancies Lead to Delays — “A school bus driver shortage is impacting students getting to school on time in Fairfax County. Fairfax County still needs 121 bus drivers to get kids to class for the new school year…In one Lincolnia neighborhood, some said buses were delayed more than 30 minutes.” [WUSA9]
Environmental Groups File Lawsuit Against Youngkin — “Environmental groups filed suit Monday in Fairfax County Circuit Court to prevent Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) from taking Virginia out of a multistate carbon-credit market aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” The lawsuit argues that the governor doesn’t have the authority to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. [Washington Post]
Man Planned to Hit People With Van at Dulles Airport — “A Maryland man charged…with planning an Islamic State-inspired attack at [National Harbor] pleaded guilty on Monday to engaging in a separate plot to drive a stolen van into a crowd of people at a nearby airport…Henry admits that he stole a U-Haul van from a parking garage in Alexandria, Virginia, drove it to Dulles International Airport…and entered a terminal building on March 27, 2019.” [NBC4]
Fairfax County health officials are monitoring a new COVID-19 variant that has gained traction in the U.S., becoming the most prevalent strain of the disease.
Since the pandemic ceased to be an official national health emergency in May, Covid has faded to the background for many, even as others struggle with long-term health issues after getting infected.
Police Scooter Catches Fire at Dulles Airport — “Passengers preparing for departure were evacuated for roughly 90 minutes after a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police scooter burst into flames inside the terminal…For reasons not yet identified, an officer’s segway began to smoke before catching fire, creating a dark cloud inside the airport and injuring two officers.” [WTOP]
“Suspicious” Flyers Reported in Fair Oaks — “Officers and detectives from the Fair Oaks District have responded to numerous reports of suspicious flyers portraying bias material over the past two days…While there is currently no specific threat within our community, we are continuing to collect additional information about this incident.” [FCPD]
Last Chance to Weigh in on Proposed End of Leaf Collections — “@ffxpublicworks is proposing to discontinue vacuum leaf service after the upcoming winter season. A final decision will be made by the Board of Supervisors this fall. A survey is now open through Aug. 18.” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
Resident Artist Shares Tysons Love With Merchandise — “As a Tysons resident, the businessman-turned artist who goes by able6 enjoyed seeing the community grow and develop. Now he believes Tysons should get some new branding — and art should be a key part of it…He’s set up an Etsy shop and has growing interest in orders of prints and tote bags.” [Patch]
