Countywide | FFXnow

Fairfax County employers highlighted for National Small Business Week

Published May 3, 2022 at 12:45PM

Clawes Carpets' storefront in Oakton (via Google Maps)

In recognition of National Small Business Week, which started Sunday (May 1), Sen. Tim Kaine is sharing success stories from across the state, include several Fairfax County businesses.

“Despite facing difficult challenges throughout COVID-19, small businesses have adapted to the pandemic, kept workers employed, and continued to support their communities,” Kaine said yesterday (Monday) in a statement. “Our small businesses are the backbone of our communities. I’m glad I’m able to share some examples of resilient small businesses across Virginia, many of which have used federal COVID relief to keep the lights on during the pandemic.”

Drug Take Back Day yields over 1,300 pounds of meds in Fairfax County

By David Taube

Published May 3, 2022 at 10:30AM

Police and community members show drugs in bags collected at a drop-off point in April 2022 (via FCPD)

An effort by Fairfax County Police Department with help from Reston Hospital Center just brought in over half a ton of expired and unused drugs.

Part of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s prevention efforts, Fairfax County’s event collected 1,329 pounds of medications on Saturday (April 30).

Amazon grants $55M to Tysons all-affordable housing project

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated April 11, 2023 at 3:01PM

An updated rendering of the Dominion Square West project in Tysons (via Fairfax County)

(Updated at 8:30 p.m.) An infusion of funds from Amazon will help accelerate the construction of Tysons’ first entirely affordable housing project.

Officially announced at 2:30 p.m. today (Tuesday), the $55 million investment from the Amazon Housing Equity Fund will allow the nonprofit Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) to construct both of its Dominion Square West buildings instead of breaking the project up into phases.

Morning Poll: Should FCPS restrict students’ use of cellphones?

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2022 at 9:00AM

A closeup of an iPhone screen (via Adrien/Unsplash)

After roughly a decade of relative freedom, Fairfax County Public Schools is sending cellphones back into students’ backpacks.

The Fairfax County School Board is considering restricting the use of personal phones during class for all students as part of several proposed revisions to its Students Rights & Responsibilities handbook, which sets standards for student behavior and discipline.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 3, 2022 at 7:30AM

Construction cranes at Reston Station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax Resident Faces Prison for Unruly Airplane Behavior — “Last week, Kameron C. Stone, 30, of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to one year in federal prison for interfering with flight crew and assault by striking and wounding in special aircraft jurisdiction after pleading guilty on February 8, 2022.” [Department of Justice]

Vienna Crash Leads to Power Outage and Evacuations — “According to a Town of Vienna alert, a traffic crash resulted in live, downed wires in the area of Cottage and Elm Streets. Homes on Elm Street from Cottage to Plum Streets and Cottage Street from Cherry to Battle Streets were evacuated due to the potential for fire, according to the town.” [Patch]

Fairfax County now averaging over 300 Covid cases a day

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2022 at 3:45PM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases for the past 13 weeks, as of May 2, 2022 (via VDH)

The calendar may have turned a page, but COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County keep going up.

The Fairfax Health District, which also includes Fairfax and Falls Church cities, has added 812 cases over the past three days, according to the Virginia Department of Health, which didn’t report new cases on Saturday or Sunday (April 30-May 1).

Motel could switch to supportive housing for homeless in Fairfax City

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 2, 2022 at 3:00PM

The mote could become an affordable housing development (Image via handout/City of Fairfax)

Hy-way Motel — an aging 12-unit motel just off of Fairfax Circle — is slated for redevelopment.

The Lamb Center, a daytime drop-in homeless shelter, and Wesley Housing, a Springfield-based affordable housing developer, have filed plans to redevelop the motel at 9640 Fairfax Boulevard into a five-story building with 55 residential units for low-income individuals, along with ground-floor office and retail uses.

New maps drop Cub Run, Wolftrap Creek, and more from Fairfax County floodplain

By David Taube

Published May 2, 2022 at 2:15PM

A preliminary flood insurance map shows highlighted areas of potential concern (via FEMA)

The parts of Fairfax County most at risk for flooding have shifted over the past 10-plus years, according to new flood insurance maps that are currently available for public review and appeals.

“Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a news release on Wednesday (April 27).

Big Buns to open on Elden Street in the Town of Herndon this year

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 2, 2022 at 12:45PM

The restaurant will open in the third quarter of this year (Photo via Thompson Hospitality).

Big Buns Damn Good Burgers has big plans in store for the Town of Herndon.

The burger joint plans to open up a roughly 1,200-square-foot location at 1142 Elden Street in the third quarter of this year, according to a company representative for Thompson Hospitality, a food service management company.

FCPD ups traffic enforcement for cyclist, pedestrian safety campaign

By David Taube

Published May 2, 2022 at 11:15AM

Cyclist rides alongside cars (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Spring weather has arrived, inspiring more bicyclists and pedestrians to hit the pavement.

With a variety of travelers mingling on local roads, the Fairfax County Police Department is increasing its traffic enforcement for the next month, reminding drivers how to safely share the road with cyclists and pedestrians.