Countywide | FFXnow

Covid cases stay down, but other respiratory illnesses are surging, N. Va. health leaders say

Published November 15, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated November 15, 2022 at 4:16PM

Teddy bear with a face mask and stethoscope (via Myriam Zilles on Unsplash)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) While the wave of COVID-19 cases seen over the past two winters hasn’t yet materialized this year, increased reports of other respiratory illnesses have local hospitals and health officials bracing for a particularly tough cold season.

Fairfax County and other Northern Virginia public health leaders are urging community members “to maintain their vigilance” and help prevent the spread of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which are both surging earlier than usual.

After decades of planning, Silver Line Phase II officially opens

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 15, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated November 15, 2022 at 2:45PM

The Dulles International Airport Metro station platform (via WMATA/Facebook)

(Updated at 2 p.m.) It’s official: after years of rising costs and an ever-lengthening construction timeline, the second phase of Metro’s Silver Line has opened to the public.

A train pulled out of the new Dulles International Airport station for the first time shortly after noon following a celebration this morning, where local, state and regional leaders gathered to mark the opening of the 11.4-mile extension of the rail line into Loudoun County.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published November 15, 2022 at 7:30AM

Vienna's "Taking Flight" statue on a cloudy day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Silver Line Phase II Arrives — “The #SilverLineExtension opens [today]! We’ll be live streaming our opening event celebration on 11/15 at 10:30 am and we’d love for you to tune in virtually. Check back here in the morning or visit http://wmata.com/silverline around 10:30 to join the excitement. Let’s #RIDESILVER!” [WMATA/Twitter]

Hunter Mill District Supervisor on UVA Shooting — “Once again we are rocked by a senseless shooting at a Virginia school. As a proud graduate of @UVA I am devastated for the school and the whole UVA community. We must find a way to work together to prevent these recurring tragedies and end gun violence.” [Walter Alcorn/Twitter]

With opening day tomorrow, here’s what you need to know about Silver Line Phase II

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 14, 2022 at 1:30PM

The area surrounding te Reston Town Center Metro station is slated for more activity and development (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

After years of anticipation and upwards of $3.1 billion in investments, phase two of the Silver Line will officially open to customers tomorrow.

Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the 11.4-mile extension, which brings six new stations into Loudoun County. Notably, the extension provides a direct connection to Dulles International Airport, with its terminus in Ashburn.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published November 14, 2022 at 7:30AM

Kayaker on Royal Lake in Burke during the fall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Accessibility of New Silver Line Stations Still Lacking — “As Metro prepares to open six new rail stations in Northern Virginia, some future passengers are expressing dismay over their limited access for pedestrians and cyclists. While they say they are pleased with station amenities…they see room for more improvements that could provide better connections to the transit points that don’t rely on vehicles.” [Virginia Mercury]

Tysons Sees Slow Progress on Walkability — “Fairfax leaders say plenty of Tysons-area residents are frustrated that walking and cycling doesn’t feel safer or easier. Still, public officials say, the area is showing potential. It will take more time, they say, to find a balance between moving thousands of vehicles and creating space for what they hope will be a growing number of pedestrians and cyclists.” [The Washington Post]

JUST IN: I-66 Express Lanes expected to fully open this month

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 10, 2022 at 5:00PM

The I-66 Express Lanes at the Vienna Metro station, as of September (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The extended I-66 Express Lanes outside the Capital Beltway will open ahead of schedule, the Virginia Department of Transportation says.

Previously scheduled to arrive in December, the lanes will open in the westbound direction from I-495 in Dunn Loring to Route 28 in Centreville as soon as Saturday, Nov. 19, VDOT said in a news release snuck in just before a three-day weekend.

Veterans Day 2022: What’s open, closed and happening in Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 10, 2022 at 3:00PM

Flags outside the Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Veterans Day is tomorrow, marking the 104th anniversary of the official end of combat in World War I.

Government offices for Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and the towns of Vienna and Herndon will be closed for the federal holiday, which extends to Fairfax County Public Schools students and the court system.

Town of Herndon will get a Silver Line Phase II ribbon-cutting too

By Matt Blitz

Published November 10, 2022 at 1:30PM

more than 60 percent entries at the new stations happen during peak periods (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Add another Silver Line Phase II ribbon-cutting to the list, with the Town of Herndon planning its own celebration on Wednesday (Nov. 16).

On the extended rail line’s first full day of service, the town will celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Herndon Metro station. The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. at the entrance of the station at 585-A Herndon Parkway.

Springfield District school board rep announces candidacy for delegate

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 10, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:54PM

Cohen is running for the newly created 15th district (Photo via Laura Jane Cohen).

A current Fairfax County School Board member is running for the newly created 15th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Laura Jane Cohen announced her candidacy yesterday — a day after Election Day. Her announcement couched her candidacy as an effort to stand up to Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the “far right,” citing a desire to defend public education, reproductive freedom, voting rights and gun violence prevention.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published November 10, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated November 10, 2022 at 9:06AM

Oakton United Methodist Church at sunset (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Last Day to Compete for Silver Line Tickets — The deadline to win one of 50 “Silver Tickets” to ride the first train on Metro’s extended Silver Line is 5 p.m. today. The tickets will go to 50 customers who share their favorite Metro story while tagging @wmata and using #YourMetroMemory. [WMATA/Twitter]

McLean Double Murder Conviction Vacated — A judge vacated Megan Hargan’s conviction yesterday after her attorneys alleged a juror “had inappropriately used her own rifle at home to test out evidence.” Hargan was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found her guilty of killing her mother and sister at their McLean home in 2017. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office intends to retry the case. [The Washington Post]