The clock is ticking on Fairfax County’s goal of achieving net-zero new carbon emissions by 2050.
With local government and school operations accounting for just 5% of all emissions, the county is developing a plan to help residents and organizations take action to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change.
With the rise of ride-hailing services, Fairfax County has seen its taxicab fleet whittled down to just one operator.
That operator, Old Dominion Transportation Group (ODTG), hopes to extend the life of its 130-vehicle fleet by asking the county to revise an existing requirement that phases out taxis once they reach 10 years of age or more than 500,000 miles traveled.
County Lowers Flags After California Mass Shooting — “The U.S., state and county flags are lowered to half-staff today at all county government facilities as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated in Monterey Park, California. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on Jan. 26.” [Fairfax County/Twitter]
More Families Join Disability Rights Lawsuit — “Civil rights lawyers have expanded the scope of their class action lawsuit against the Fairfax County School Board and the Virginia Department of Education after more families came forward alleging the state had denied students their federally-mandated special education services.” [DCist]
A new set of bills before the General Assembly would allow a casino to be built somewhere along the Silver Line corridor, Washington Business Journal first reported.
The casino could be placed somewhere around Tysons, the Reston Town Center or Herndon based on the stipulations of the proposed legislation, which would allow a casino in an urban county with at least 1 million residents.
Man Fatally Stabbed in McLean Had Just Retired — “Alan Miller Kaufmann was just days into retirement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development but was eagerly embracing post-work life. He wrote in an email to his sister that he had pored through six books, called old friends and watched a lot of sports…The day after Lauren Kaufmann read her brother’s email, Fairfax County police found Alan Kaufmann, 68, dead from a stab wound at his home in McLean” [The Washington Post]
Tim Kaine Will Seek Reelection in Senate — “Sen. Tim Kaine announced Friday that he will seek a third Senate term next year, a boost for Democrats who face a tough map in 2024. The 2016 vice presidential nominee’s decision follows months of suspense and rumors of a potential retirement.” [Politico]
A new report from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) found a “startling increase” in the number of pedestrian fatalities in Northern Virginia last year.
Along with the increase in pedestrian fatalities, DMV found a smaller increase in overall traffic-related fatalities in the region.
Tim Kaine Expected to Announce Election Plans — “Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) will address his plans for the future when he appears at a news conference in Richmond on Friday, according to two people familiar with the senator’s intentions — which might mean he will reveal whether he will seek reelection in 2024.” [The Washington Post]
Man Sentenced in Springfield Shootings — “A Northern Virginia man was ordered to serve 20 years in prison — the maximum sentence — for fatally shooting two teens at a home in Springfield in 2021. Zachary Burkard, 20, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years for each voluntary manslaughter charge in the deaths of 17-year-old Ersheen Elaiaiser and 16-year-old Calvin Van Pelt. Once he gets out of prison he will have an additional three years of supervision.” [NBC4]
County Prosecutor Uses Message-Deleting App — “Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano is using an app called Signal which deletes text messages like Snapchat…Descano is using the Signal app to avoid written communication from being obtained by the public and the press as allowed under the Freedom of Information Act, according to sources close to Descano.” [ABC7]
Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Targeted for Thefts — “On Jan. 14, officers responded to numerous calls for service involving stolen or damaged vehicles in Lorton. The thieves appeared to target Hyundai and Kia vehicles…The increase in calls for service regarding stolen and damaged vehicles is consistent with a pattern seen throughout the county.” [FCPD]
The new Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) budget could signal big changes for local schools, including extended availability of school counselors and new middle school athletics programs.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid presented the budget for the 2023-2024 school year at a meeting last Thursday (Jan. 12).
Three Firefighters Injured in Gunston House Fire — Three Fairfax County firefighters received minor injuries while tackling a house fire in the 10900 block of Harley Road on Sunday (Jan. 15). A bystander was also treated for unrelated injuries. Ignited by a floor heater, the fire caused an estimated $123,467 in damages, displacing two residents who were out of town when it occurred. [FCFRD]
Huntington Affordable Housing Now Open — “The Arden, a new seven-story, 126-unit multifamily apartment located a block from the Huntington Metro station at 2317 Huntington Avenue and built by award-winning affordable housing developer Wesley Housing, was officially opened Friday, Jan. 13 with a ribbon cutting, speeches and an open house tour.” [On the MoVe]
