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Morning Notes

Published February 24, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:27PM

A boat on Lake Audubon in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Trucker Convoys Could Affect Capital Beltway — Traffic on the Capital Beltway could become clogged in the coming weeks as truck drivers plan to descend on D.C. to protest Covid-related health rules. One convoy reportedly left Scranton, Pennsylvania, yesterday (Wednesday), but the organizer has backed off plans to shut down the Beltway. [NBC4]

Police Union Unhappy with Proposed Budget — The Virginia Police Benevolent Association Fairfax County Chapter president criticized the proposed county budget for not giving officers 15% raises, saying this could worsen vacancies. Board Chairman Jeff McKay countered that the plan presented on Tuesday (Feb. 22) increases the average police pay by 8%. [ABC7]

Fairfax Connector route changes for Reston and Herndon approved

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 23, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated February 23, 2022 at 4:03PM

Fairfax County Connector in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As phase two of the Silver Line nears completion, Fairfax County is adapting other transportation options to accommodate the new service.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal yesterday (Tuesday) to update Fairfax Connector bus routes in Reston and Herndon. The changes will maximize efficiency and the number of riders, according to board chair Jeff McKay.

For Black History Month, Fairfax County students can help create historical markers

By David Taube

Published February 23, 2022 at 1:30PM

Historical marker sign for the Cartersville Baptist Church in Reston (photo by David Taube)

Gone are the days of history textbooks being the dominant source for grade schools.

Now, Fairfax County youth have the chance to help create historical markers that the county has been adding to the area since 1998.

Farmhouse in Fairfax County park OK’d for disability programming, historical preservation

By David Taube

Published February 23, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated February 24, 2022 at 2:44PM

The Ellmore Farmhouse in Frying Pan Farm Park that ServiceSource plans to maintain and upgrade through a Resident Curator Program (Photo courtesy ServiceSource)

A two-story farmhouse in Frying Pan Farm Park — built in 1891 — will get some upgrades as part of a historical preservation program, thanks to a nonprofit that serves people with disabilities.

Fairfax County supervisors voted Feb. 8 to permit the organization ServiceSource to proceed with running programming at the 12-room Ellmore Farmhouse in the Herndon area. The board previously approved the nonprofit for its Resident Curator Program last May with a 29-year lease.

BREAKING: Court dismisses recall petition against Springfield school board member

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2022 at 12:30PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A second attempt to recall a Fairfax County School Board member has ground to a halt.

Springfield District Representative Laura Jane Cohen announced in a statement that the Fairfax County Circuit Court issued an order today (Wednesday) dismissing a petition seeking her removal from office.

Fairfax County police identify man killed in Centreville shooting

By Brandi Bottalico

Published February 23, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:27PM

The Fairfax County Police Department continues to investigate a fatal shooting in Centreville Monday (via FCPD/Twitter)

Fairfax County police identified the man killed in a shooting in Centreville on Monday night (Feb. 21) as a 37-year-old Leesburg resident.

Police officers responded around 10 p.m. to a townhouse in the 14800 block of Bodley Square in the London Towne area and found Amaru Amin Shabazz inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds, the department said in a news release. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

New W&OD, cemetery signs explain county’s history of segregation

By Brandi Bottalico

Published February 23, 2022 at 11:15AM

NOVA Parks has installed two new signs to shed light on the effect of slavery and segregation in Fairfax County.

A new sign in Herndon Caboose Park explains how Jim Crow laws affected passengers on the Washington & Old Dominion train line in the 1900s. Another sign in Clifton describes the significance of a graveyard for enslaved people near Bull Run Marina.

Fairfax County proposes voting precinct revisions to reflect new district maps

By Rick Horner

Published February 23, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:56PM

Among other changes, Fairfax County is proposing to create two Westbriar precincts after the existing one was split by redistricting (via Fairfax County)

More than half of Fairfax County’s 247 voting precincts need to be revised to eliminate conflicts created by last year’s redistricting process.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to hold a public hearing on March 8 to get feedback on proposed boundary adjustments that will consolidate precincts, create new ones, and move or establish new polling places.

Thefts of car parts are on the rise in Reston, police say

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 23, 2022 at 9:00AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:28PM

Reston is experiencing an uptick in thefts of auto parts, including tires (via Jaye Haych/Unsplash)

Reston appears to have become a frequent destination for vehicle part thefts.

The Reston District Station has seen a record 16 thefts of auto parts this year alone, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Last year, the station reported just two incidents.

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 10:36AM

The CIA headquarters at Langley seen from the air (staff photo)

D.C. Residents Convicted in Local Armed Robbery — A federal jury convicted a D.C. man and woman Friday (Feb. 18) on charges of robbery, carjacking, and possession of a firearm during crimes of violence. Douglas Damon Whitley, 39, and Kendal Robinson, 35, allegedly robbed Peloton delivery van in a 7-11 parking lot in Fairfax on August 25, 2021.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office]

Police Civilian Review Panel Director Named — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed Steven Richardson as executive director of the panel charged with reviewing reports of police misconduct. The first person in the new position, Richardson previously served as operations captain for the George Washington University Police Department. [Fairfax County Government]