After years of planning, the Town of Vienna is finally kicking its Capital Bikeshare program into gear.
The Vienna Town Council voted unanimously on Monday (July 7) to award $231,000 in state grant funds toward the purchase and installation of four bicycle-sharing stations, with an option to add a fifth station in the future.
The first major rewrite of zoning rules governing Fairfax’s manufactured home communities since the 1970s soon could head to county supervisors by the end of this year.
If approved, the new regulations would guide future development at the seven existing residential parks, which are mostly located in the Route 1 corridor. They also potentially would provide more protections for residents in cases of redevelopment or other displacement.
Families Challenge Army Response to DCA Crash — “The Army has avoided accountability and shirked oversight months after the deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington, dozens of family members said in a letter to the Army’s top official, calling for action and greater transparency.” [Washington Post]
WNBA Game at Mason to Bring Traffic — “Due to a WNBA game at EagleBank Arena w/5k attendees expected, there will be an increased volume of traffic on/around GMU’s campus + increase in on-campus parking on Thursday, July 10, from 4-10pm. Subscribe to Mason alerts (ready.gmu.edu/masonalert) for details on high impact areas + alt routes.” [Supervisor James Walkinshaw/Bluesky]
Algae Spotted in Reston’s Lake Anne — “RA watershed staff members have observed a small occurrence of potentially harmful blue-green algae on Lake Anne. While swimming is never permitted in the lake, it is additionally recommended to keep dogs from the lake water at this time. ” Blue-green algae was also seen earlier this month in Lake Audubon. [Reston Association]
Local Activist Group Plans Rally — “In honor of civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Herndon Reston Indivisible is hosting a Good Trouble Lives On rally on Thursday, July 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Baron Cameron Park, which is located at 11300 Baron Cameron Ave. in Reston.” The group previously drew an estimated 2,000 people to its “No Kings” rallies on June 14, part of a nationwide anti-Trump protest movement. [Patch]
Falls Church Considers Parking Ticket Aides — “Falls Church officials are considering whether to allow public safety aides to issue parking tickets, direct traffic and respond to abandoned vehicles. Under current Falls Church city code, only sworn law enforcement officers have the ability to conduct parking and traffic control.” [ARLnow]
When Mount Vernon Mansion Might Reopen — “Visitors at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate will have to wait until this December to see the founding father’s fully renovated mansion.” Sections have been closed since last November as part of a multi-year, comprehensive restoration project that began in 2019. The mansion will be open, except for the cellar, during the final phase of work from December through September 2026. [ALXnow]
Adult Education Scholarships Available — “Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education (FCPS ACE) invites students interested in careers in the skilled trades to apply for a scholarship. Current and prospective FCPS ACE students can apply for a $1,000 scholarship that can be used toward upcoming apprenticeship classes starting this fall. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15.” [Annandale Today]
Free French Fries at Big Buns — Reston-based Thompson Hospitality’s burger chain, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, will celebrate National French Fry Day — a relatively new occasion organized by Checkers and Rally’s — by offering free regular or Cajun fries with any burger, sammie or bowl purchase tomorrow (Friday). “Just use code FRYORCRY25 online or mention it in-store. This deal is only valid July 11th, so don’t let this FRYday pass you by.” [Big Buns]
It’s Thursday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day. The sky will be mostly cloudy, with a high temperature near 85 and a 60% chance of precipitation. At night, chances of showers and thunderstorms decrease to 30%, with a low temperature around 72. [NWS]
Update — More than 10,000 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax County have lost power as thunderstorms sweep through the D.C. region.
As of 7:20 p.m., the outages appear to be concentrated in the south central part of the county, from Newington up to the Falls Church area, according to the utility’s outage map.
How do you like walking around Fairfax City? A new study could redesign the city’s streets to improve the pedestrian experience with a particular emphasis on safety.
The City of Fairfax was awarded a federal grant to develop a citywide safety action plan, a circulation study for Old Town Fairfax, and a citywide pedestrian master plan — all under the umbrella of an initiative called Move Fairfax City.
Fairfax County’s efforts to support additional affordable housing may have received an unexpected boost from the recently passed federal budget reconciliation act.
County officials are working through the details, but the changes in federal law could represent “a significant step forward” in financing affordable housing, Tom Fleetwood, director of the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development, told the Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).
A Chantilly man could serve 10 years in prison after admitting to his involvement in three cold cases that date back to the late 1990s.
Edward Eugene Pottmyer, 58, pleaded guilty earlier this month (July 2) to one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of abduction, both stemming from a 1998 incident on a Fair Lakes bicycle path, according to court records.
SCOTUS Allows Mass Federal Worker Firings — “The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s plans to downsize the federal workforce despite warnings that critical government services will be lost and hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be out of their jobs. The justices overrode lower court orders that temporarily froze the cuts.” [Associated Press]
Pedestrian Killed on Dulles Toll Road — A female pedestrian died after she was struck by a driver on the westbound Dulles Toll Road near the Herndon/Chantilly exit around 2 a.m. on Tuesday (July 8), Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police (MWAA) say. “The driver of the vehicle stayed at the crash site until responders took them to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, authorities noted.” [DC News Now]
Mount Vernon Winery to Close — After six years in business, Woodlawn Press Winery announced yesterday (Tuesday) that it will permanently close its tasting room at 8733-B Cooper Road on Saturday, July 26. Owners Andrew Rosado and Bonnie Evangelista are relocating to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they’ll operate other family-owned businesses, but their wines will still be available at “various wine festivals and markets.” [ALXnow]
Youngkin’s Family Survives Texas Flooding — “Virginia first lady Suzanne Youngkin and other members of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s family were stranded at property they own on the Guadalupe River in Texas on Friday, but they were unharmed by the devastating flash floods that have killed more than 100 people. The governor was in Virginia at the time.” [Washington Post]
Police Crack Down on Impaired Driving — “For the month of July, our Safe July campaign focuses on reducing impaired driving and promoting safe driving behaviors throughout Fairfax County. As celebrations and summer gatherings increase over the holiday period, the safety of our roads remains a top priority.” The campaign continues a summer crime initiative that began in June by boosting foot patrols at nightlife hot spots. [FCPD]
Gyro Restaurant Opens in Fairfax City — “Blazin Chicken & Gyro, which specializes in serving hot chicken, burgers, sandwiches and gyros made with authentic halal ingredients, opened its doors Saturday at 11011 Main St. in the Westbriar Center … The company now has nine franchise locations, including one in Tysons Station at 7502 Leesburg Pike.” [Patch]
Inova Gears Up for Sewer Replacement — “Inova Health plans to start work next month on a sewer replacement project serving the Inova Center for Personalized Health [in Woodburn]. Members of affected communities, including Fairview Park, Holmes Run West, and Holmes Run Acres, are invited to an informational meeting on the project on July 23, 7 p.m., at the Inova Conference Center, 8100 Innovation Park Drive.” [Annandale Today]
Reston Office Owners Seek to Extend Loans — “Tamares Group and Atlantic Realty have more than $200M remaining on a pair of CMBS loans tied to Plaza America I, II, III and IV, according to Morningstar Credit.” The firms say they’re long-term extensions on the loans as “a way to ensure maximum flexibility” and “plan to continue investing in” the office buildings, which are between 54% and 64% occupied. [Bisnow]
It’s Wednesday — Mostly sunny conditions and a high near 91 will be followed by showers and thunderstorms mainly after 4pm. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation. It’ll be mostly cloudy with a low around 72. [NWS]
Police are still searching for a driver who allegedly shot another man on I-495 last month in an apparent act of road rage.
Around 9:12 a.m. on June 11, the victim was driving south on I-495 in a brown 1999 Chevy Suburban SUV near Duke Street in Alexandria when they might’ve cut off the driver of a black BMW sedan, according to the Virginia State Police.
Future multi-modal bicyclist and pedestrian improvements along Haycock Road near the Fairfax-Falls Church border may be dependent on obtaining regional grant funding.
At its meeting next Monday (July 14), the Falls Church City Council is expected to formally request up to $15 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) in support of the upgrades, which is jointly sought with Fairfax County officials.
