Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area should be on alert for potential outdoor fire hazards today (Wednesday), the National Weather Service says.
A combination of wind gusts and dry weather has created an “elevated threat” of wildfires throughout the region until the early evening, according to a special weather statement issued just after 9 a.m.
All kids under the age of 12 will soon be able to ride the Fairfax Connector for free.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to change the bus system’s policy to allow any child 12 or younger to ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Metro Worker Fired After Overrunning Innovation Station — “On March 17, safety commission officials said Tuesday, a train operator put his train into [automatic mode] several times during the day. He was caught when his train shot past the Innovation Center station platform in Virginia, triggering a Metro probe into the platform overrun.” [The Washington Post]
Disciplinary Incidents Rise in FCPS — “The number of disciplinary incidents reported in Fairfax County, Virginia, public schools more than doubled in the first semester of the current school year, compared to the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year, according to preliminary county data.” [WTOP]
Several county-run farmers markets are returning for the spring season this month with the remainder opening soon after.
The Fairfax County Park Authority operates 10 farmers markets across the county where residents can pick up fresh veggies, fruit, meat, and other locally produced goodies.
(Updated at 5:10 p.m.) For the first time ever, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee is allowing registered Democrats to vote on which school board candidates it will endorse this year.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) announced yesterday (Monday) that it will hold an open caucus to allow any voter who registers with the party to vote in this year’s nonpartisan races.
Northern Virginia is the place to be if you’re shopping in the D.C. area, a recent poll of local residents found.
A handy 61% of respondents favored Northern Virginia when asked what’s the best place to shop in the region by the Washington Post and George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, which conducted the wide-ranging poll from Feb. 17-27.
Area Traffic Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels — “In the ‘inner suburbs’ of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, traffic was 94% of pre-pandemic norms as 2022 closed…Several factors may be contributing to this seeming disconnect — congested highways but half-empty offices — but most eyes have turned to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Canan said.” [Washington Business Journal]
Wolf Trap National Park Brings Back Food Service — “The Fermented Pig, a barbecue-focused food vendor, will return to Wolf Trap’s on-site restaurant Ovations. There will be an updated farm-to-table buffet menu with vegan and gluten-free options as well as a picnic box option and new quick service bar.” Picnic boxes will be available for the first time since 2019. [Patch]
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is going to take a second stab at its ambitious Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project (zMOD) after Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down the prior approval.
The county’s zMOD overhaul involved a variety of sweeping changes to the zoning ordinance, from loosening limits on accessory dwelling units to changes in regulations governing flags and flagpoles.
Driver Hospitalized After Mount Vernon Crash — “Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department are investigating the single vehicle crash that occurred on Sacramento Drive near Bedford Terrace on Saturday. Police say the driver was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries following the collision.” [WUSA9]
Man Shot in Kingstowne — Fairfax County police are investigating a shooting on Friday (April 7) near Barclay Drive and King Centre Drive. Police say a man was found with a gunshot wound to the upper body and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe preliminarily that it was “an isolated incident.” [FCPD/Twitter]
(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) The Fairfax County Police Department and George Mason University have joined forces with an Arlington-based think tank to study how the attitudes and behavior of police officers evolve over the course of their careers.
Touted as the first of its kind in the U.S., the long-term or longitudinal study is intended to give the FCPD and other police departments a better understanding of how to address staffing challenges by following a select group of officers, potentially over decades.
