Countywide | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published July 21, 2022 at 7:30AM

A popsicle melts at Capital One Center's The Perch in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dog Dies in Newington Townhouse Fire — Unattended cooking started a fire at a townhouse in the 6700 block of Red Bird Woods Court last Friday (July 15) that displaced one resident and caused approximately $93,750 in damages. County firefighters found a dog while searching the property that was given medical care but didn’t survive. [FCFRD]

Fairfax Nonprofit Helps Rescued Beagles — The Fairfax-based animal rescue group Homeward Trails is one of several shelters across the country helping the Humane Society find homes for beagles rescued from a Cumberland breeding facility. The nonprofit will place 1,500 of the dogs and has already received almost 1,000 adoption applications. [Washingtonian]

Sheriff’s office suspends inmate labor program due to ‘critically low’ staffing

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 20, 2022 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Sheriff vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A program that enlists Fairfax County Adult Detention Center inmates for litter pick-up, landscaping and other maintenance services will be put on hold.

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office told county leaders on June 16 that it will temporarily suspend its Community Labor Force (CLF) effective Sept. 12 “due to critically low staffing levels,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Three charged in connection to embezzlement of thousands of public schools laptops, police say

By Brandi Bottalico

Published July 20, 2022 at 9:30AM

A Fairfax County police car (file photo)

Fairfax County police have charged three people in connection to the embezzlement of as many as 35,000 Fairfax County Public Schools laptops with an estimated value of over $2 million, police said.

In March, detectives were notified that several thousand laptops were believed to be illegally reallocated and stored at a Springfield warehouse, in the 6800 block of Industrial Road, and were set to be auctioned.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 20, 2022 at 7:30AM

A bicyclist on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail passes Herndon Caboose Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

More Money Requested for Silver Line Phase Two — “Officials with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority are seeking an additional $250 million in funding to pay for construction…citing the project’s complexity, coronavirus-related restrictions, an increase in the cost of building materials, and supply chain slowdowns as key factors for the cost increase.” [The Washington Post]

Mochi Doughnut Eatery Opens in Vienna — The regional chain Donutchew has opened a franchise in the former Starbucks at 107 Maple Avenue West, offering about 20 flavors of doughnuts made with glutinous rice flour. The shop gives Vienna a second option for mochi doughnuts and bubble tea after Bubble Mochi opened nearby in January. [Patch]

Surging prices, inflation push food insecurity to new heights in Fairfax County

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 19, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated October 9, 2023 at 2:43PM

A food and resource distribution drive in Reston last month drew hundreds (Photo via Cornerstones).

Prior to the pandemic, Fairfax County had the highest amount of food insecurity in the state. Now, some advocates say that number has more doubled.

According to the Fairfax Food Council and other county and local advocates, food insecurity remains a growing challenge for moderate-income families in what is a high cost-of-living area.

JUST IN: Fairfax County Adult Detention Center inmate dies after medical emergency

By Brandi Bottalico

Published July 19, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated July 19, 2022 at 4:45PM

The Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) A 61-year-old inmate at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center died yesterday (Monday) in a hospital after “a medical emergency,” Fairfax County police said.

Glenn Myer was transported to Fairfax Hospital on Friday (July 15) for a medical emergency, according to a Fairfax County Police Department press release. He was in the ICU when he died from the medical emergency, police said.

Wings and burgers ‘factory’ to open in Oakton, Huntington next month

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 19, 2022 at 11:45AM

The Oakton location is similar to another restaurant in Georgia (Photo via WNB Factory).

WNB Factory, a restaurant that specializes in wings and burgers, is expected to open two Fairfax County locations next month.

The business plans to open at Hunter Mill Plaza (2952 Chain Bridge Road) between Aug. 15 and 30, depending on final permit approvals, according to a company representative.

Fairfax County Public Library to shorten hours, citing recruitment challenges

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 19, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated July 20, 2022 at 1:50PM

Fairfax County Public Library will soon modify its hours due to staffing issues (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 1:50 p.m. on 7/20/2022) Fairfax County Public Library will trim back its hours, starting next month, due to challenges in hiring staff.

Starting on Aug. 14, the county library system’s eight regional branches will be open from 1-9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 19, 2022 at 7:30AM

The Vienna bookstore Bards Alley celebrated its fifth anniversary this past weekend (staff photo by Pia Kramer)

GW Parkway Rehab Breaks Ground in McLean — “Top federal and local officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning on a $161 [million] project to upgrade the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.” [Patch]

W&OD Trail Detour Starts in Reston — “In preparation for the future bridge there, underground utilities along the trail on the west side of Wiehle Ave in Reston are being relocated, necessitating a detour to the gravel trail to the north. This detour will be in effect from Tues, July 19 to Fri, July 22.” [W&OD Trail/Twitter]

Fairfax County under Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Flood Watch

By Brandi Bottalico

Published July 18, 2022 at 3:45PM

The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in the area through 10 p.m. (via National Weather Service)

Fairfax County and areas nearby are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch this evening.

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch earlier today (Monday), cautioning flooding may occur this evening, and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10 p.m.