An SUV driving the wrong way crashed this morning (Wednesday) into a Washington Gas regulation station on Ox Road (Route 123) near Burke Centre Parkway in Fairfax Station, resulting in a gas leak that forced evacuations of a nearby school, day care and church.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) responded at around 10:57 a.m. to the intersection, where it was immediately clear that there was a leak, said Deputy Chief Dave Barlow.
Reston Association is weighing whether to let pickleball players officially take over its Autumnwood athletic courts.
The homeowners’ association is inviting community members to provide feedback on a proposal to convert two existing tennis courts at 11950 Walnut Branch Road into pickleball courts.
A middle ground may be emerging in what has become a tug-of-war between the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board over funding after-school programming at all 27 public middle schools.
The potential compromise: Rather than charging participation fees to families, the school system could seek voluntary donations and public-private partnerships to cover some of the enrichment program’s annual $11 million operating costs.
A D.C. man could spend decades in prison following a guilty plea for his role in a series of carjackings across the region in 2024, including two locations in Bailey’s Crossroads.
Taurian Anderson, 21, pleaded guilty Monday (Aug. 17) to one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking, one count of carjacking and aiding and abetting, and to two counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The pedestrian who died in a Metrobus crash in Bailey’s Crossroads on Sunday (Aug. 16) appears to have been properly following the rules of the road, police say.
An initial investigation found that Adam Ali, a 59-year-old Idylwood resident, had a “walk” signal and was using the crosswalk on Carlin Springs Road when a bus driver turning right from Columbia Pike struck him, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
GMU Students Return to Campus — “As George Mason University welcomes nearly 6,000 residential students to the Fairfax Campus for move-in and Preamble events from Wednesday, Aug. 19, to Sunday, Aug. 23, the campus community should expect increased traffic and parking delays … Specific parking areas will be reserved for move-in, and road closures will be in effect in some areas.” [GMU]
Hikers Shocked by Great Falls Killing — Fairfax County police have identified a 42-year-old woman from Reston as the victim of the fatal stabbing in Difficult Run Park yesterday morning (Monday). “While detectives continue to investigate, the violence has left the community shaken.” [WUSA9]
Man Accused of Posing as FBI Agent — A “man accused of posing as an FBI agent at an active Fairfax County polling place nearly two years ago — while wearing a pellet gun resembling a pistol — was arrested Monday and has been indicted on two federal charges, according to court documents.” [Patch]
County Rolls Out Tax Payment Kiosks — “New self-service kiosks now give you a faster option to make personal property tax payments closer to home, eliminating the need to visit our Department of Tax Administration’s customer service counter. The kiosks are available at four county government locations.” [Fairfax County Government]
WWII Veteran Celebrates 101st Birthday — “Romuald “Rom” Lipinski has lived a remarkable life – from his 1925 birth in Poland to his teens in Siberia to fighting in the Polish Army in Italy during WWII … And on July 25 – still sharp as a tack – he celebrated his 101st birthday with his children and friends at Brightview Senior Living in the Centreville area, where he’s a resident.” [The Connection]
Spanberger Seeks Emergency Response Review — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Executive Order 19 Tuesday afternoon, which is designed to strengthen Virginia’s preparedness for natural disasters and other emergencies and streamline the state’s response to crises … Private-sector entities, local first responders and nonprofit organizations will also be involved in the endeavor.” [Virginia Mercury]
Nuclear Reactor Startup Raises Capital — “OrganiCore Nuclear Inc., a Reston startup, has raised $15 million toward a potential $65 million round, per a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission … The company, located at a Carr Workplaces coworking space at 1818 Library St. in Reston Town Center, has raised funding from at least 11 investors” and is working with the Oak Ridge National Lab in Tennessee to collect data “on how particles might move within its custom coolant.” [Washington Business Journal]
Celebrate End of Summer Reading — “Join us for a fun-filled event to wrap up our Summer Reading Program!” The celebration today (Wednesday) at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library will include crafts, raffles, snacks and a balloon artist from 3:30-5:30 p.m. [Fairfax County Public Library]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC license for on/off-premises wine, beer, mixed beverages. [Public Notices]
It’s Wednesday — It will be sunny, with a high near 89°F, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. Wednesday night has a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., with increasing clouds and a low of around 72°F. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has formally filed to intervene in the proposed merger of Dominion Energy with Florida-based NextEra Energy.
The $67 billion merger proposal is under review by Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (SCC). According to her office, Spanberger is the first governor in Virginia history to intervene in an SCC case. Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond, the first person appointed to Spanberger’s new cabinet position, also filed to be a party in the case.
Another older office complex in south Reston is being considered for redevelopment as a future residential neighborhood.
An affiliate of the Maryland-based developer Berman Enterprises has proposed replacing the three-building Makers Point campus at 11130, 11180 and 11190 Sunrise Valley Drive with more than 200 homes, including townhouses and, potentially, a multifamily residential building.
George Mason University’s Center for the Arts is one of six D.C.-area venues that will host the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) during its upcoming season.
Faced with an uncertain future due to a potential two-year closure of the Kennedy Center, its long-established home, the NSO made its delayed 2026-27 season announcement today (Tuesday), 5 1/2 weeks before its opening concert on Sept. 26 and five months later than the release of its 2025-26 schedule.
Nearly a decade ago, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity backed an effort to eliminate glass from Fairfax County’s single-stream recycling program.
Herrity now thinks the time is right to reconsider the decision.
