A member of the gang MS-13 was convicted yesterday (Tuesday) for his role in several murders, including five that occurred in the Reston area between 2019 and 2022.
The conviction of Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, now 27, by a federal jury in Alexandria concluded a multi-year investigation that crossed state lines and involved the FBI, Fairfax County Police Department and other federal and local agencies, according to FBI acting Special Agent in Charge Geist.
TJ Principal to Leave for New FCPS Job — “Fairfax County Public Schools is launching a nationwide search for a new principal of the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.” Ann Bonitatibus will leave next month for a position in FCPS’ human resources department after a seven-year tenure at the magnet school that included a long legal battle over changes to its admissions policy. [WTOP]
Man Charged Again for Chantilly Sexual Assault — “A Stafford man linked to a string of assaults against women and children across Northern Virginia has been charged again in connection with an alleged 2023 attack in Fairfax County just weeks after pleading guilty to two other assaults in Prince William County.” [WUSA9]
Potential Casino Supporters and Opponents Rally — “The Fairfax County Jobs Coalition held a rally Tuesday morning to support developing an entertainment district and casino at Tysons, with those in opposition also in attendance…The coalition is calling on county leaders to speak up to the General Assembly to get a referendum.” [DC News Now]
Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Computers — A former Customs and Border Protection employee from Bristow pleaded guilty yesterday (Tuesday) to stealing 27 laptops worth over $67,000 from a CBP facility in Lorton on Dec. 13, 2023. The man sold nine of the government-owned computers over eBay before getting caught on Aug. 1 by an undercover officer, per court documents. [U.S. Attorney’s Office]
Fairfax City Council Campaign Fundraising Update — “Anthony Amos’ campaign has received significantly more donations than the campaigns of his 10 opponents in the Fairfax City Council race, according to the latest financial filings with the State Board of Elections.” There are 11 candidates vying for six seats on the city council. [Patch]
More Funding Approved for Dulles Airport — Dulles International Airport “will receive $40 million from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminals Program. The money will go toward the construction of a new 14-gate, 400,000-square-foot terminal building,” a project expected to cost $500 to $800 million. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Belle View Wine Shop to Change Owner — In addition to closing the original Unwined in Alexandria, owner Vanessa Moore plans to hand over ownership of the shop’s Belle View location and “its sister restaurant Revel to a new team in early 2025.” The new owners will be familiar to regulars of the business, she says. [On the Move]
Firefighters and Police Rappel over Inova Hospital — “#FCFRD @PWCFireRescue @PGFDNews @LoudounFire @FairfaxCountyPD got to hang w/ some of the brave patients & families at @InovaHealth L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital. Personnel rappelled over the sides of the hospital, blew bubbles, waved, & played games w/ the kids inside.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 79 degrees with a south wind at 5 to 8 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low near 54 degrees. The southwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 13 mph. [NWS]
Approximately 100 Fairfax County Police Department personnel will be on hand in D.C. to provide public safety support services on Inauguration Day.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding today (Tuesday) with the D.C. government and U.S. Attorney for the District, authorizing county staff to participate in Presidential Inaugural Task Force from Jan. 17-21.
The Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) has chosen a new executive director after a national search.
Jonell Logan, a curator, arts advocate and nonprofit leader, will take over the position effective next Monday (Oct. 28), just as the Reston-based institute celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Town of Herndon officials are exploring ways to build more affordable housing in a jurisdiction that has few legal options for boosting its housing stock.
In an effort to fill the void of affordable housing, the town hopes a third party consultant can help it analyze and develop a policy plan for affordable housing.
Metro to Discuss Earlier Weekend Trains — “Metro is considering running trains earlier on the weekends, starting them at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.” The proposal will be discussed at the Metro board meeting on Thursday (Oct. 24), which will also look at options for addressing the transit agency’s “long-term funding needs.” [NBC4]
County Hopes to Lure Korean Tech Firms — “Aiming to reinforce its reputation as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East,’ Fairfax County … is seeking to bring in more Korean tech firms specializing in emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and aerospace, David Kelley, the vice president of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said.” [Korea Herald]
Lawsuit Challenges Police Use of License Plate Readers — “A civil liberties organization has filed a federal lawsuit in Virginia arguing that widespread surveillance enabled by Flock, a company that sells networks of automated license plate readers, is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment.” The complaint targets Norfolk, but the Fairfax County Police Department has also adopted the technology. [404 Media]
Veterinary Clinic Approved for Fort Belvoir — “Military working dogs and other government-owned canines around the National Capital Region will have a more expansive place to get preventive and surgical care in the future with the recent approval of a new veterinary clinic at Fort Belvoir.” The facility “will be more than three times the size of the current veterinary facility located nearby.” [On the MoVe]
When Fall Foliage Might Peak — “Western parts of Virginia and Maryland are already awash in vibrant colors, but the states’ forestry officials said this year, with a hotter than average summer, it’s been particularly difficult to predict the color change in foliage.” In Northern Virginia, trees might develop more color in the first week of November. [WTOP]
New Furniture Shop Open in Annandale — “A new shop in Annandale, Elegant Snob, offers carefully curated furniture, art, clothing, and accessories … The shop is located on the first floor of an office building at 7620 Little River Turnpike, next to Wells Fargo Bank.” [Annandale Today]
Volunteers Wanted for Nonprofit Boards — “Leadership Fairfax is looking for people passionate about helping others to serve on the board of a nonprofit organization. On Wednesday, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Leadership Fairfax is hosting Board and Brew at the Lake House located at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave. in Reston.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of around 81°F, with light south winds of around 5 mph picking up in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows near 51°F, and south winds remaining at about 5 mph. [NWS]
Two Virginia State Police troopers saved a woman from potentially drowning last night (Sunday) after she crashed into a pond off of I-66.
Police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units were dispatched to an eastbound I-66 ramp near Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) in Oakton around 9:40 p.m. yesterday for a vehicle sinking into a retention pond, per scanner traffic.
Fairfax County residents may soon get to provide input on the public school system’s boundary review process.
After amending its boundary adjustment policy over the summer, Fairfax County Public Schools awarded a $546,953 contract in September to the Connecticut-based K-12 education consultancy firm Thru Consultants for a comprehensive review of its boundaries.
A townhome development is now under construction on Fannie Mae’s former office campus in Reston.
When setting the stage for construction, which began in August, developer Wheelock Communities enlisted the nonprofit Tanya’s Turtle Project to relocate turtles inhabiting the ponds in the area. The ponds were dewatered to manage water quality and remove invasive plants in and around the ponds.
A residential development that promised to introduce a new housing option to the Town of Vienna is getting closer to welcoming its first occupants.
Under construction since early 2024, The Grove on Park condominiums at 133 Park Street NE are on track to deliver their first completed units by the end of this year, likely in late November, according to The Mayhood Company, which is managing sales of the homes.
