Countywide | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published October 21, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated October 21, 2022 at 9:31AM

A fountain goes off in Mason Pond on George Mason University's Fairfax campus (photo by Susan Woolsey)

I-66 Ramps in Fair Lakes Area to Close Next Week — The I-66 East ramps from Monument Drive and Stringfellow Road will begin closing as early as 10 a.m. on Monday (Oct. 24) “to accommodate continued construction related to the 66 Express Lanes.” They will reopen by the end of this year with the rest of the eastern section of the interstate’s new toll lanes from Route 28 in Centreville to I-495. [VDOT]

County Police End Weekly Crime Reports — “The Fairfax County Police Department is no longer putting out weekly crime reports that list incidents for each police district. Instead, the FCPD has adopted CityProtect, an online map that shows the location of incidents with very limited details.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax County seeks more authority from state to fix trash pickup issues

By Matt Blitz

Published October 20, 2022 at 3:00PM

An American Disposal truck in Fairfax County (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Fairfax County will ask the Virginia General Assembly for more authority to fix its trash troubles, as complaints about American Disposal Services continue.

At Tuesday’s (Oct. 18) legislative committee meeting, the Board of Supervisors once again dove into the persisting problems with trash pickups by the private, contracted collectors that serve about 90% of residents and almost all businesses in the county.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 20, 2022 at 7:30AM

Fall leaves by Reston trail (photo by Ray Copson)

Poor Conditions Reported at County-Owned Annandale Apartments — “Residents of the Wedgewood Apartments in Annandale are increasingly fed up with their living conditions — and an unresponsive landlord. Among the complaints: mice, bedbugs, water outages, broken pipes, flooding in laundry rooms, mold, rats by the dumpsters, crime, and speeding in the parking lot.” [Annandale Today]

Crab Cab Bar + Kitchen Opens in Penn Daw — “A woman-owned food truck business that has specialized in high quality, fresh seafood fare for nearly 10 years held its soft opening Oct. 17 at the Krispy Korner shopping center in Penn Daw…The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.” [On the MoVe]

Below freezing temperatures possible in Fairfax County early Thursday

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 19, 2022 at 3:45PM

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for the D.C. area on Oct. 20, 2022 (via NWS alert)

Temperatures could drop below freezing overnight in Fairfax County, continuing a cold streak that took hold earlier today (Wednesday).

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning that will take effect from 1 to 9 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday), stating that sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit can be expected.

County board again rejects proposed ban on giving money to people on street medians

By Matt Blitz

Published October 19, 2022 at 10:15AM

A median on Route 123 at International Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is once again discussing how to discourage “panhandling” while also declining — at least for the moment — to make it illegal to engage with anyone in a county-owned road or median.

The subject was revived at last week’s board meeting by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity after cropping up a number of times over the last several years.

BREAKING: Silver Line Phase II could start ‘in time’ for Thanksgiving, but more trains needed, Metro says

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 19, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated October 19, 2022 at 12:03PM

The extension could open in time for Thanksgiving travel.

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) The second phase of the Silver Line may finally be ready to begin in time for the start of busy Thanksgiving travel, Metro announced today.

But the opening of the long-anticipated and long-delayed extension into Loudoun County is pending security certifications from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Metro says it also still needs more trains to officially support the extension.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 19, 2022 at 7:30AM

Leaves are turning color at Scott's Run Nature Preserve in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Health Department Urges Flu Shots — “As the weather cools down and more time is spent indoors, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine this Fall, preferably by the end of October…If you are eligible for your COVID-19 booster, it is safe to get your flu shot at the same time as your booster.” [FCHD]

D.C. Man Indicted in Fatal I-495 Crash — A Fairfax County grand jury indicted D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission member Devon Lesesne yesterday (Tuesday) for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Katherine Aileen Reyes, 20, of Alabama. Lesesne was allegedly driving drunk when he crashed into Reyes, whose vehicle was disabled on I-495 near Telegraph Road on March 5. [WTOP]

Frost Advisory issued for Fairfax County early Wednesday morning

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 18, 2022 at 1:30PM

Frost on a windshield (via sydney Rae on Unsplash)

Fairfax County might get a little frosty overnight, in case the yellowing leaves outside weren’t a clear enough signal of autumn’s arrival.

The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for the D.C. area, warning that temperatures are expected to dip into the 30s, starting at 2 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

A third of FCPD officers considered leaving during pandemic, new report says

By Matt Blitz

Published October 18, 2022 at 11:45AM

A Fairfax County police SUV with lights on (file photo)

A new report on COVID-19’s impact on policing found some dissatisfaction among officers with how the Fairfax County Police Department responded to the pandemic, along with a significant decrease in community engagement.

Made public earlier this month, the report looked into the pandemic’s impact on policing in Fairfax County. The study was a partnership between the police department and George Mason University’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (GMU-CEBCP).

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 18, 2022 at 7:30AM

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers after Tysons Corner Center's Fall Festival on Saturday (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s Guide to Halloween — “It’s time for scary, silly and all kinds of costumes in all corners of our community. Here are a few things to know about Halloween in Fairfax County,” including where to find the most elaborately decorated houses and tips for handling trick-or-treating. [Fairfax County Government]

Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Reston Today — Reston Community Center is hosting a Covid vaccine clinic from 1-4 p.m. at 2310 Colts Neck Road. Pfizer doses will be available for people 12 and older. Those interested can make an appointment through the county’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), but walk-ins are welcome too. [Melanie Meren/Twitter]