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County board supports funding for crosswalks, maintenance backlog

Published March 3, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:56PM

Fairfax County is planning to spend one-time transportation funds on crosswalk and maintenance projects (staff photo by David Taube)

In the world of transportation infrastructure, $5 million will run out faster than a driver’s patience in rush-hour traffic, but it could still leave a worthwhile dent in Fairfax County’s massive backlog of safety and maintenance projects.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors expressed collective support on Tuesday (March 1) for a proposal to spend $5 million on bicycle and pedestrian improvements to address maintenance needs, add crosswalks, and other small but straightforward and relatively cheap projects.

County proposes funding to maintain mental health crisis response teams

By David Taube

Published March 3, 2022 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County police cruiser with lights on (via FCPD/Facebook)

Fairfax County plans to make its co-responder model pairing police with mental health crisis specialists for certain 911 calls permanent.

The county began developing the program last year with a micropilot that was extended with $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated July 5, 2022 at 6:35PM

Townhouses on Lake Audubon in Reston (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Man Charged With Assault on Police Officer — “Yesterday, Michael Vaughn, 34, was charged with five felonies and two misdemeanor charges stemming from the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 15 in 8300 block of Fitt Court in Lorton. He remains held at the Adult Detention Center without bond.” [FCPD/Twitter]

FCPS to End Virtual Learning This Year — With vaccines now available for school-age children, Fairfax County Public Schools will discontinue a limited virtual program for students with medical concerns due to the pandemic. At-home instruction will only be for students with significant health risks that prevent them from attending school in-person after this academic year. [FCPS]

Shake Shack eyes spring opening for Mosaic District restaurant

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 2, 2022 at 3:45PM

Shake Shack plans to open at the Mosaic District this spring (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Shake Shack, a burger-and-shake restaurant, plans to open in Merrifield’s Mosaic District this spring.

A company representative tells FFXnow that while an opening date has not been determined, the burger joint expects to announce its grand opening in the coming weeks.

Police Civilian Review Panel meets new executive director

By Brandi Bottalico

Published March 2, 2022 at 3:00PM

The Police Civilian Review Panel's first executive director, Steven Richardson

Fairfax County’s Police Civilian Review Panel approved its annual report Monday (Feb. 28) and hosted its new executive director for his first meeting in the role.

Appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 22, Richardson is the first executive director for the panel, which was established in 2016 to review completed investigations of complaints alleging police abuse of authority or serious misconduct.

Silver Line extension opening date pushed once again to summer 2022

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 2, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated March 3, 2022 at 4:11PM

The extension could open in time for Thanksgiving travel.

(Updated on March 3 to add additional quote) The long-delayed 11.4-mile Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County will not open until this summer.

Last month, the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) maintained that trains would run this spring, but at a Tuesday meeting with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, transportation officials said they anticipate a summer 2022 opening.

Bird flu reported in Virginia ducks, but no confirmed county cases

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2022 at 1:30PM

Virginia has recorded five confirmed cases of bird flu in 2022, including one in a mallard duck (via Vincent van Zalinge/Unsplash)

A highly contagious virus spread among birds has been detected in Virginia, but there is no evidence yet that it has reached Fairfax County.

There have been five confirmed cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Virginia this year, four in wild birds and one in a domestic flock in Fauquier County, U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows.

Fairfax County behavioral health vacancies double amid pandemic

By David Taube

Published March 2, 2022 at 12:55PM

The Merrifield Center provides behavioral health services, responding to emergencies and administering other social services (via Google Maps)

Job vacancies at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, which provides mental health, substance use and developmental disability services, have more than doubled since January 2021.

The CSB reported last week that the 193 vacancies have led it to consolidate two programs in recent months: a partial hospitalization program and New Generations, a treatment program for mothers and pregnant women. In January 2021, there were 91 vacancies.

Annandale rec center — oldest in the county — moving toward upgrades

By David Taube

Published March 2, 2022 at 9:45AM

Rec center (via Fairfax County)

The Audrey Moore Rec Center, built in 1977, is getting input from people on what upgrades it needs.

As the oldest rec center still operating in the Park Authority’s portfolio, Fairfax County has been setting aside money in park bonds and surveying people about what improvements would be needed for the 8100 Braddock Road facility, which includes a pool, racquetball courts and more.

Authorities release identity of man killed in Lorton townhouse fire

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 2, 2022 at 9:05AM

A 59-year-old man was killed during the incident (Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department).

Authorities have released the identity of a 59-year-old man who was killed in a Lorton townhouse fire on Feb. 26.

Charles Ngeh was in the bedroom of the townhouse in the 9100 block of Aspenpark Court when the fire broke out.