Countywide | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published August 12, 2022 at 7:30AM

People walk by Caffi Field, a football field in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Driver in Fatal Franconia Crash Charged With Manslaughter — Sara Flores, 20, of Lorton was charged with involuntary vehicular manslaughter yesterday morning (Thursday) for a May 12 crash in Franconia where she allegedly drove into a telephone pole, killing a passenger. Police had already obtained a warrant charging Flores with driving under the influence. [FCPD]

Developer Pleads Guilty in Teen’s Death — “The owner of a Virginia construction company that specializes in luxury homes pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 16-year-old boy who was killed while working for his company in 2019. Thomas Digges, of Digges Development Corporation, operated the Fairfax County job site where a trench gave way and buried Spencer Lunde, of McLean, on July 23, 2019.” [NBC4]

NEW: As Fairfax County heats up, advocates seek more options to cool off unhoused residents

By Matt Blitz

Published August 11, 2022 at 3:00PM

Sun glare with clouds (via Ritam Baishya/Unsplash)

With the D.C. area’s summer heat in full swing, local organizers worry that there are too few options for unhoused residents in the county to cool down.

Last month, the Fairfax County NAACP approved a resolution calling on Fairfax County to improve heat relief services for low-income residents and those experiencing homelessness in the county.

Thrill-seekers to rappel down Tysons Corner Center’s Hyatt for charity

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 11, 2022 at 2:15PM

A fundraiser prepares to rappel down the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center in 2021 (courtesy Sweetheart Photography by Tammy)

For those who find the prospect of being 14 stories in the air exciting instead of terrifying, the Hyatt Regency at Tysons Corner Center has some available views without the rooms.

Dozens of rappellers will descend down the side of the hotel later this month for a charity fundraiser to support the nonprofit Helping Haitian Angels (HHA), which runs a school and orphanage in Delke, Haiti.

Utility poles collapse after vehicle crash, closing Herndon Parkway for hours

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 11, 2022 at 1:30PM

Town of Herndon police (courtesy Herndon Police Department)

A car crashed into a utility pole on the 900 block of Herndon Parkway yesterday (Wednesday) evening, resulting in an ongoing, hours-long road closure.

Shortly before 5 p.m., a driver lost control of his car in the heavy ran and crashed into a utility pole.

Northern Virginia arts agencies join forces for new collective

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 11, 2022 at 11:45AM

The organizations that make up the new collaborative, Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies (courtesy ArtsFairfax)

Arts agencies from Fairfax County, Arlington and Alexandria are forming a supergroup.

Unveiled Monday (Aug. 8), the newly created Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies (NVLAA) consists of ArtsFairfax, the Alexandria Office of the Arts, and the Arlington Cultural Affairs Office. Its initial ambitions are modest, centered mostly on professional development, but the pooled resources could be a boon for the local arts community.

Personnel emergency declared as FCPD tackles staffing challenges

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 11, 2022 at 9:30AM

The department has 144 total vacancies (Photo via McKay).

The Fairfax County Police Department is under a personnel emergency amid a staffing shortage that has continued for several months.

In a temporary shift, police officers are transitioning to two 12.5-hour shifts and working mandatory overtime, according to the FCPD. That departs from the standard staffing model of three 11.5-hour shifts.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published August 11, 2022 at 7:30AM

Looking up at Tysons Tower outside Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Route 7 Traffic Shift Starts Today — “During the daytime hours on Aug. 11 and the overnight hours on Aug. 15, lane closures and temporary detours will be in place along Route 7 while crews continue paving operations at Carpers Farm Way and Colvin Run Road (east) and shift westbound Route 7 traffic to the new Difficult Run bridge.” [VDOT]

Pro-Nazi Social Media Posts Excluded from Reston Murder Trial — “A Virginia judge has ruled that prosecutors cannot tell the jury in an upcoming double-murder trial about the defendant’s social media posts containing praise for Adolf Hitler and support for Nazi book burnings and the neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Division, according to newly unsealed court records.” [The Washington Post]

Flash Flood Warning in for Fairfax County, as storm takes out power

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 10, 2022 at 5:20PM

A power outage is affecting Pimmit Hills on Aug. 10, 2022 (via Dominion Energy)

An ongoing thunderstorm has taken out power for hundreds of Fairfax County residents, as the threat of flash flooding looms.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the D.C. region that is set to remain in effect until 8 p.m.

BREAKING: Police look for homicide suspect around Seven Corners condos

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 10, 2022 at 4:30PM | Updated August 10, 2022 at 5:49PM

Police are conducting a homicide investigation at The Villages at Falls Church (photo by Ed O'Carroll)

Updated at 5:50 p.m. — Fairfax County detectives are still investigating and looking for a suspect in a homicide at Willston Place in Seven Corners, but the shelter-in-place order has been rescinded.

Earlier: Residents of The Villages at Falls Church have been told to shelter in place, as police search for a possible suspect in a homicide in the Seven Corners area.

County cultivates tree plantings to increase Richmond Highway canopy

By Matt Blitz

Published August 10, 2022 at 3:00PM

Jefferson Manor Park off Telegraph Road near Belle Haven (staff photo by Brandi Bottalico)

Fairfax County is looking to grow a tree planting program that has resulted in 139 trees being planted along the Richmond Highway corridor since last year.

The “Residential Tree Planting Pilot Project” is a county-run program, in partnership with the D.C.-based nonprofit Casey Trees, providing free trees to residents in census tracts with low tree canopy coverage.