News

School Bus Camera Program Begins Today — “Fifty bus camera systems will be installed during the initial rollout, with warning citations beginning on Wednesday, April 9. At the end of the grace period, beginning on Monday, May 12, violators will be subject to a fine of $250, sent in the mail, underscoring the seriousness of ensuring drivers obey laws tied to student safety.” [Fairfax County Government]

Supreme Court Allows Federal Worker Firings — “The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Trump administration can move forward with the termination of 16,000 probationary federal workers across six agencies and departments, rescinding a lower court order that they be reinstated as litigation challenging the layoffs continues.” [ABC News]

Nominees for Next Va. Governor Solidified — “The 2025 election season in Virginia is officially underway — and the landscape is coming into sharp focus after last week’s filing deadline for the June 17 primaries.” Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is the Republican gubernatorial nominee after two potential challengers failed to qualify for the primary ballot, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger will lead Democrats’ bid to win back the governor’s mansion. [Virginia Mercury]

New Traffic Safety Campaign Launched — “Motorists in the D.C. area may notice signs and other advertisements encouraging them to slow down and be more aware of pedestrians and bicyclists.” The “Street Smart” campaign is part of a regional effort to reduce fatalities after 110 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed last year. [WTOP]

Funeral Held for Firefighter Who Died From Cancer — “A procession and funeral was held Tuesday for beloved Fairfax County Fire Captain Barry Maham, who passed away following a long battle with occupational cancer. The procession started around 11 a.m. at Jefferson Funeral Chapel in Alexandria and traveled to Expectation Church in Fairfax.” [WJLA]

Volunteers Help Clean Up County’s ‘Trashiest Stream’ — “Little Hunting Creek got a much-needed clean-up April 5, when Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mt. Vernon) hosted his annual Little Hunting Creek Cleanup in the Hybla Valley area at Janna Lee Avenue Bridge and at the Mount Vernon Shopping Plaza.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Students Learn About Public Health at Inova — “About 80 Youth Ambassadors from Justice and Mount Vernon high schools took part in the [Dream B!G] event, which featured presentations from professionals and hands-on activities aimed at encouraging the students to consider careers in healthcare.” [Annandale Today]

Korean Community Center Celebrates in Tysons — More than 550 people attended the 51st Annual Gala for the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) at the Hilton McLean hotel on Sunday (April 6). Organization leaders said they remain committed to its mission of “providing social services and mental health support to empowering immigrants, seniors and youth through education, language access and advocacy.” [WUSA9]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunshine today accompanied by a high of 55 degrees with mild, fluctuating winds that will pick up to 6 mph from the southwest in the afternoon. At night, there will be some cloudiness and a 20% chance of light showers after 2 am, with a low around 42 degrees and light south wind at 6 mph. [NWS]

Fox in Loudoun Tests Positive for Bird Flu — “Preliminary testing indicates a red fox taken to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center from the town of Hamilton in Loudoun County was infected avian influenza, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reported Friday.” The department says it’s the first known infection of a mammal in Virginia, though cases have been reported in birds, including in Fairfax County. [Inside NoVA]

Felony Charge Dropped in Strangulation Case — “Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office, in a plea agreement, dropped a felony charge against [a man] for allegedly strangling a woman in exchange for a guilty plea for brandishing a machete/blade in January, which is a misdemeanor, according to court documents 7News obtained.” [WJLA]

McLean Man Charged With D.C. Robberies — “A 28-year-old McLean man was arrested on [April 1] for his role in a pair of robberies in Washington D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department.” The man has been charged with attempting to commit robbery and second-degree theft. [Patch]

Route 29 Widening to Close Road — “Weather permitting, Willowmeade Drive (Route 5407) between Route 29 and Knight Arch Road (Route 7699) will be closed from 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 until 7 a.m. Saturday, April 12 to continue installing a water main as part of the Route 29 widening project.” [VDOT]

GMU ‘Body Farm’ Advances Forensic Science — “Since May 2024, researchers at George Mason University have been studying human decomposition in real time, taking meticulous notes as their donors melt into turmeric-colored puddles. The work is thankless, underfunded, and extraordinarily smelly. But it also has the potential to transform how homicide cases are solved.” [Washingtonian]

Ben and Jerry’s Offers Free Ice Cream — “Ben & Jerry’s is spreading joy with its annual Free Cone Day on Tuesday, April 8, from 12 to 8 p.m. No minimum purchase is required. Participating locations in Northern Virginia include Reston Town Center, Fairfax Corner, Vienna, and Old Town Alexandria.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Falls Church Planning for America’s Birthday — “The Little City is starting to think big for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026. Much remains up in the air, including the question of how much funding the City of Falls Church will set aside. At a March Falls Church250 committee meeting, however, officials floated ideas ranging from history talks to planting a remembrance tree.” [ARLnow]

Herndon Seeks Applicants for Boards and Commissions — “The Town of Herndon is seeking applicants interested in serving on town boards, commissions, and advisory committees.” Some positions requiring specific expertise, such as the planning commission and Architectural Review Board, are compensated, while others feature volunteers. [Town of Herndon]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 47 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds at 14 to 16 mph and gusts reaching up to 29 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 30 degrees, while northwest winds will blow at 5 to 11 mph. [NWS]