Fairfax County Public Schools is rolling out advanced weapons detectors to all middle and high schools, but is that enough to keep schools safe? At least one member of the school board says no.
“Technology can identify a weapon or observe a fight, but it requires a human to intervene to seize the weapon or stop the fight,” Mount Vernon District Representative Mateo Dunne told FFXnow.
Local police recently arrested a man who’s believed to be behind multiple criminal incidents targeting the Sunset Business Park in Herndon, including two arson attempts.
The Herndon Police Department (HPD) dispatched officers to 268 Sunset Park Drive at 5:17 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 1) for a larceny after a security camera was reportedly stolen from one of the storefronts.
Trump to Propose Pentagon Renaming — “President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Friday to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, his latest effort to project an image of toughness for America’s military. The Republican president can’t formally change the name without legislation, which his administration would request from Congress.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]
Raising Cane’s Coming to Merrifield — “Raising Cane’s, the fast-growing chicken fingers chain, has inked a lease to replace a nearly 30-year-old Wendy’s [in Gatehouse Plaza] just off Arlington Boulevard in Merrifield … It is unclear exactly when the Wendy’s will close, but a Raising Cane’s representative tells me the goal is to open by the fourth quarter of 2027.” [Washington Business Journal]
Questions Around Covid Vaccine Access — “Federal policy shake-ups have turned Virginia into one of several states where getting a COVID vaccine now requires a prescription at major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens … The FDA recently revoked the broad emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines, ending the blanket access that once let most Virginians walk into a pharmacy to get one without a doctor’s note.” [Axios Richmond]
Minors Followed at Fair Oaks — “A 22-year-old is behind bars after he was accused of touching a person inappropriately at a store and following minors in Fair Oaks … Officers responded to the 12200 block of Apple Orchard Court for a person acting suspiciously just after 9 a.m. on Aug. 31. Two people also reported that the man was acting strangely in the neighborhood and had attempted to follow a minor.” [DC News Now]
FCPS Schedules Next Meetings on Boundary Plan — Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid has announced the next round of community engagement meetings on the countywide boundary review, starting Sept. 15 at Justice High School. “Because this is a busy time of year for our schools, we are working to finalize all of the meeting locations. The meetings will be hybrid, so you may participate in person or virtually via Zoom.” [FCPS]
Mount Vernon Pool Reopens — “Fairfax County Park Authority is excited to welcome the community to the much-anticipated reopening of Mount Vernon Rec Center pool. The swimming facilities now include a heated, indoor pool and beach entry equipped with two spray features.” [FCPA]
Temporary Home for Culmore Clinic — “The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit healthcare facility that serves lower-income adults, is moving to a temporary space in Falls Church while its current location, at First Christian Church, is being renovated. Eventually, the clinic will move into Kindred Crossing, an affordable housing project for seniors” that’s expected to break ground next door to the church next year. [Annandale Today]
Local Lost Dog Cafe Celebrates Anniversary — Lost Dog Café celebrated its 13th anniversary in Dunn Loring yesterday (Thursday). Opened on the ground floor of the Halstead Square apartments in 2012, the restaurant “has welcomed thousands of patrons who have made it part of their personal stories — from first jobs and first dates to first meals after moving to the neighborhood.” [Lost Dog Cafe]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 88 today, with light southwest winds picking up to 5-10 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 71 and south winds at around 6 mph. [NWS]
The man convicted of assaulting a deaf passenger on an airplane bound for Dulles International Airport has been sentenced to prison.
Everett Chad Nelson, 44, was sentenced by a federal judge on Tuesday (Sept. 2) to two-and-a-half years behind bars, though he will receive credit for time served, court documents said.
The Vienna Town Council circled back last week to plans that would have added a mini roundabout to Church Street.
The town council ultimately voted on Aug. 25 to cancel the project, noting that the installation of new stop signs seems to have had the desired effect.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a two-part series of exclusive interviews with James Walkinshaw and Stewart Whitson, who are competing to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. The story on Walkinshaw will be published tomorrow (Friday).
The task currently facing Stewart Whitson is not an easy one.
The CIA is hiring, though its recruiters can’t comment in detail on why.
The McLean-based intelligence agency joined over 65 other employers at the University of Virginia’s Northern Virginia campus in Merrifield last month for a career fair that drew hundreds of college students as well as recent (and not-so-recent) graduates, all of them scrambling for a foothold in an uncertain economy.
Protestors filled the sidewalks around the Route 50 and Stonecroft Blvd intersection in Chantilly yesterday (Wednesday), rallying against a nearby ICE facility with reportedly inhumane conditions.
Stories emerged in recent weeks of dire conditions inside ICE’s Washington Field Office, where immigrants picked up during the Trump administration’s takeover of D.C. are being detained.
Time is running out to weigh in early on the future of Fairfax County’s Mount Vernon District facilities.
County staff and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck’s office are soliciting input on potential improvements to the governmental center, fire and police stations, and public library through a community survey that’s scheduled to close after tomorrow (Friday).
FCPS Argues for Federal Funding — Fairfax and Arlington county public schools “made their legal arguments in federal court Wednesday in their lawsuit against the Department of Education. At the heart of this case is the debate on which restrooms transgender students may use.” The attorney representing the schools says Loudoun and Alexandria are expected to join the lawsuit. [NBC4]
New Analysis Warns of Recession — “Economists point to a number of contributing factors in Maryland, Virginia and the D.C. A new analysis by Moody’s, the financial services company, highlights federal workforce layoffs, canceled federal contracts, high inflation and interest rates and a slowing housing market as signs of economic trouble.” [FOX5]
Visit to Springfield Intelligence Agency Nixed — “Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia had arranged meetings with top officials this Friday at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which analyzes data from spy satellites for the Pentagon and the intelligence community, but said his visit was abruptly canceled late Tuesday night after [Laura] Loomer attacked him and the agency’s director online.” [Washington Post]
Hospitals Urged to Speak on Funding Changes — Warner and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott “delivered warnings about looming federal funding changes that will affect health care access and affordability in the years ahead. Both lawmakers expressed frustration with some hospital chains in Virginia for not speaking out about how the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ reconciliation bill that Congress passed this summer will impact health care providers and patients in the state.” [Virginia Mercury]
Reston Lab Helps Close Sexual Assault Case — “For the first time in history an identical twin has been convicted of a crime based on DNA evidence.” Russell Marubbion, 54, was convicted on Aug. 21 of sexually assaulting a gas station cashier in Woodbridge in 1987. “The landmark case was cracked by Reston’s Parabon NanoLabs and its genetic genealogy chief, CeCe Moore.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Yarn Shop Opening in Falls Church — “Entangled will sell supplies and host events for knitters and crocheters at 103 Rowell Court. Kelly Schnapp, a Coast Guard veteran, federal employee and longtime knitter from Falls Church, hopes to help customers ‘escape from everyday stress’ and connect to art.” [ARLnow]
Cut-Through Permit Zones Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved two ‘residential cut-through permit zones’ in Mason District. One of the zones is between Sleepy Hollow Road, Juniper Lane, and Leesburg Pike. The other one affects homes between Columbia Pike and Old Columbia Pike … Residents of those zones can apply for a permit online or in person.” [Annandale Today]
Inova Blood Drive in Chantilly — “Medical emergencies have left Inova’s blood inventory for Type O blood critically low. Inova is in need of all blood types, but a boost to the supply of Type O will help patients significantly. Therefore, the Sully District, in cooperation with Inova, is hosting a blood drive this Monday, September 8, at the Sully District Governmental Center from 2pm – 6pm.” [Sully District newsletter]
It’s Thursday — Thunderstorms are possible after 5pm, with increasing clouds, a high near 86, and a 30% chance of precipitation. At night, expect showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, followed by a chance of showers until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 65. [NWS]
