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Morning Notes

Published October 6, 2023 at 8:15AM

Vehicles drive by the Lumen apartments and Tysons Central offices on Route 7 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Toll Lanes Proposed on I-495 From Springfield — “A proposal to widen an 11-mile stretch of the Capital Beltway in Virginia has entered a new phase with the release of nine possible construction alternatives. Topping the list is an extension of toll lanes into Maryland.” The concepts also include dedicated bus lanes and “technological enhancements.” [Washington Post]

Teens Arrested in Kingstowne Shooting — “Two teenagers were arrested in connection with a shooting that took place last month in the Kingstowne Shopping Center, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, police officers responded to the 5900 block of Kingstowne Towne Center for the report of the sound of gunshots…No one was injured from the gunfire.” [Patch]

Emerging disease is killing young plants in Virginia, county warns

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 5, 2023 at 3:40PM

A redbud with scorched and yellowing leaves, signs of the disease vascular streak dieback (photo by Nicole Kopas/VDACS, courtesy DPWES)

Any Fairfax County residents who recently bought a budding tree or shrub may want to keep an eye on its leaves.

A relatively new disease called vascular streak dieback is killing plants from nurseries in Virginia and five other states, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ (DPWES) Urban Forest Management Division says.

Virginia begins crafting new plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

By Charlie Paullin / Virginia Mercury

Published October 5, 2023 at 11:45AM

Smoke coming out of a power plant (via Ella Ivanescu/Unsplash)

Virginia is beginning to create plans for how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the primary driver of climate change, on a state and regional basis thanks to millions of dollars from the federal government.

This June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded about $6 million in grants to Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality, regional planning organizations in Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads and the Monacan Indian Nation to create two plans.

Grant program proposed to help residents and Fairfax County fight flooding

By Acacia James

Published October 5, 2023 at 11:00AM

A truck got trapped by flooding on Arlington Blvd in Merrifield in 2019 (via FCFRD/Twitter)

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) has proposed a new grant program to help curb flooding in the county.

The flood mitigation assistance program (FMAP) would reimburse residents and property owners for purchasing and installing approved products and services that reduce the risk of flood damage to their property.

Fairfax and Loudoun office cleaners vote to strike if needed over wages

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 5, 2023 at 9:30AM

Alejandria Paz, a member of 32BJ SEIU's bargaining team, addresses fellow cleaners ahead of a strike vote in Reston (courtesy 32BJ SEIU)

Another strike may be on the horizon for the D.C. area, this time led by office cleaners who say wages have stagnated even after they were expected to keep working through the pandemic.

About 9,100 janitors, more than 3,000 of them in Northern Virginia, are voting this week on whether to go on strike if they’re unable to agree on a new contract with the Washington Service Contractors Association (WSCA) before the existing one expires on Oct. 15.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 5, 2023 at 8:15AM

A foggy sunrise in Reston (photo by Terry Baranski)

Reminder: Car Tax Payments Due Today — “Personal property taxes — better known as car taxes — are due on Thursday, Oct. 5. Bills were mailed this summer, and there are many convenient ways to pay…If you have a question or concern about your tax bill, contact the Department of Tax Administration.” [Fairfax County Government]

Silver Line Phase 2 Ridership Tops 3 Million — “One million people have used the Dulles International Airport Metro station since it opened last fall, Metro and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) announced Wednesday…Ridership passing through the six new stations has surpassed 3 million, with Dulles station accounting for about one-third of riders.” [Washington Post]

FCPS dominates ranking of top high schools in Northern Virginia

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 4, 2023 at 3:30PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (courtesy Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology)

Six of the 10 best high schools in Northern Virginia belong to Fairfax County Public Schools, as newly declared by Northern Virginia Magazine.

For its recently published October issue, the magazine’s editorial staff ranked the top 25 top public high schools in the region based on graduation and chronic absenteeism rates, Standards of Learning test pass rates, and other data from the 2021-2022 school year.

As Va. officials review SMART SCALE, some regional planners worry about shifting priorities

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published October 4, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated October 4, 2023 at 1:47PM

Proposed changes to Virginia's transportation funding system would prioritize large-scale projects like I-66 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Planning officials in the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia fear proposals to change Virginia’s transportation funding system could significantly reduce state funding for smaller transportation projects for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has been reviewing the state’s transportation funding process, SMART SCALE, which has been in place for the past seven years.

FCPD says expanded oversight not needed, still working on foot pursuit policy

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 4, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated October 6, 2023 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis presents the police department's responses to reform recommendations (via Fairfax County)

(Updated at 3:30 p.m. on 10/6/2023) The Fairfax County Police Department has come out in opposition to the prospect of enhanced powers for the two entities charged with overseeing its handling of community complaints and conflicts.

The department has adopted or is in the process of adopting all but nine reforms proposed by the nonprofit Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and community members in a Police Reform Matrix Working Group (MWG), Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis told the Board of Supervisors at a safety and security committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 4, 2023 at 8:15AM

A bicyclist turns onto Sunrise Valley Drive from Barton Hill Road in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Reston Pub Makes Leap to D.C. — “Makers Union, Thompson Restaurants’ 4-year-old tavern in Reston, Virginia, busts out of the suburbs with a shiny new D.C. edition serving tomahawk dinners for two, ‘sea-cuterie’ boards, and lots of brown liquors — plus a neon-lit reminder to ‘get nauti’ in its Southwest Waterfront neighborhood.” The second location opened on Monday (Oct. 2). [DC Eater]

Dranesville District Supervisor Candidates Face Off — “While frequently exchanging unpleasantries at a forum hosted Sept. 27 by the Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA), candidates seeking to become the next Dranesville District supervisor fielded questions on taxes, the environment, law enforcement, Metro funding and drag-queen shows.” [Gazette Leader]