With the summer tourism season in full swing, Virginia’s “LOVEworks” marketing campaign has traveled beyond the Commonwealth’s borders for the first time.
Last week, Fairfax County ventured up the I-95 corridor to give a sign to Philadelphia, launching an effort to draw the denizens of the City of Brotherly Love to the home of the first U.S. president, among other attractions.
No Elevated Bacteria Levels at Lake Accotink — “More than 24 hours after bacterial testing began on the water in Lake Accotink following a sewage spill, results show bacteria levels are not elevated. This indicates the cleanup effort was done in time to prevent downstream contamination from reaching Lake Accotink. As a result, there is no continued concern regarding human exposure to untreated sewage in the lake.” [DPWES]
Supreme Court Passes on Lawsuit Against Sheriff’s Office — “The Supreme Court on Friday said it would not review a decision holding that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act…Leaving the decision undisturbed means that Kesha Williams’s lawsuit against the Fairfax County, Va., sheriff can proceed.” [The Washington Post]
The Fourth of July may be on a Tuesday this year, but Fairfax County residents can celebrate with fireworks starting this weekend.
On Tuesday, it’s possible to see the National Mall fireworks from locations along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. But fireworks shows will light up the skies around Fairfax County, too.
A number of new laws will take effect in Virginia this weekend, including expanded school zones, a prohibition on sexual harassment non-disclosure agreements, and classification of fentanyl as a “weapon of terrorism.”
Most laws passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor each year go into effect on July 1, which marks the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Metro Waives Nighttime Fares for Independence Day — “Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess will be fare-free on Tuesday, July 4 from 5 p.m. until the system closes, with frequent service to the National Mall and other celebrations across the region…Signage will be posted throughout the stations and on buses to communicate that customers do not need SmarTrip cards if using Metro after 5 p.m.” [WMATA]
New Route 50 Intersection Opens Ahead of Schedule — Construction on the Route 50 and Waples Mill Road intersection in Fairfax has finished nearly two months ahead of schedule. Part of the I-66 Outside the Beltway toll lanes project, the changes include a new left-turn lane from westbound Route 50 to southbound Waples Mill and a new pedestrian crossing and refuge island. [VDOT]
Updated at 5:50 p.m. on 7/5/2023 — Walgreens has extended its one-hour delivery promotion through July, citing a positive response to the D.C. area pilot in June.
“We know summer is a busy time for our customers and that they’re looking for easy, quick and convenient solutions,” the company said.
Metro’s bus facility in Franconia is a step closer to going electric, thanks to a big infusion of funding from the federal government.
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded Metro a $104 million grant to convert its Cinder Bed Road Bus Division garage at 7901 Cinder Bed Road into a fully electric facility, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced Monday (June 26).
Code Red Air Quality Alert Today — “A Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for the D.C. region” as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts through the area. “The Fairfax County Park Authority has canceled many outdoor activities for the day, including summer camps and classes, and outdoor water parks and pools will be closed.” [FFXnow]
Herndon Man Charged With Assault — A 34-year-old man from Herndon “was arrested for abduction and assault stemming from an incident in which he threatened to rape a female acquaintance and prevented her from leaving the residence. Upon being taken into custody by police the following day, he was arrested for assault on a police officer and obstruction of justice” [Herndon Police]
(Updated at 9:30 p.m.) A Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for the D.C. region.
In Fairfax County, conditions are expected to worsen to an air quality index (AQI) rating of 164 tomorrow (Thursday), due primarily to particulate matter drifting down to the U.S. from ongoing wildfires in Canada, according to AirNow’s air quality forecast.
A long-delayed effort to outfit Fairfax County Public Schools’ buses with cameras has officially received the green light from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
At a meeting yesterday (Tuesday), the board unanimously approved an agreement allowing the Fairfax County Police Department to participate in a program that will install 50 bus camera systems to detect drivers who don’t stop when buses are boarding and off-loading students.
