A Chantilly man is facing a murder charge in connection to yesterday’s fatal shooting at Gold’s Gym in Reston.
Steve Taehee Ha, 43, was arrested around 9 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday), nearly eight hours after he allegedly shot another man who was working out at the gym on the ground floor of the VY Reston Heights apartments.
Virginia students’ reading and math assessments for the 2023-24 school year saw some improvement over last year after months of recovery efforts, according to data released by the Department of Education Tuesday. However, pass rates in other subjects are still behind results from the 2022-23 school year.
Pass rates for grades 3 through 8 in reading, math, and science Standards of Learning tests all showed increases statewide by at least 1%. Writing showed the highest increase — 17 percentage points — while history and social science saw little gain, less than a percentage point.
Arrest Made in Reston Shooting — A suspect in yesterday’s fatal shooting at Gold’s Gym in Reston has been arrested and is now in custody, Fairfax County police announced last night. Charges are expected today. [FCPD/Twitter]
Army Horses Not Going to Live at Mason Neck — The U.S. Army has decided not to stable “the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment’s famed Caisson horses at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area.” After Mason Neck residents raised concerns, a search for a long-term home for the ceremonial animals continues. [On the MoVe]
Temporary Baking Shop Coming to Fairfax Corner — “King Arthur Baking Company, which started out as a flour company in 1790, is opening a pop-up restaurant next month in Fairfax Corner. The bakery chain’s new location is set to operate for a limited time as a pop-up shop next door the REI outlet at 11948 Grand Commons Drive.” [Patch]
Tysons Coffee Shop Eyes Loudoun Expansion — “The Burn has learned that Shotted will be taking a spot in the food court at the Dulles Town Center mall. It will be going into a vacant spot…previously occupied by a cupcake business.” The coffee shop can be found at Tysons Galleria and Tysons Corner Center, where it recently moved from a kiosk to a storefront. [The Burn]
McLean Defense Startup Lands Big Investment — “Defcon AI, a McLean startup that aims to simplify logistics operations in complicated and dynamic military environments, has raised $44 million in funding led by prominent San Francisco investment firm Bessemer Venture Partners. It brings the company’s total outside funding to $47 million following the startup’s 2022 spinout from Tysons investment and incubation firm Red Cell Partners LLC.” [Washington Business Journal]
Annandale Mural Design Revealed — “The community got a sneak peek at the mural design for the ACCA Child Development Center building at the Art Appreciation Festival Aug. 17 at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space in Annandale. The mural should be mostly completed in time for the Taste of Annandale, which will be held at the civic space on Sept. 21.” [Annandale Today]
Winter-Themed Playground Open in Franconia — “Parents who are looking for ways to beat the heat can now take their kids to a new winter-themed indoor playground in Franconia. Hyper Kidz Alexandria opened [on Aug. 1] in the Festival at Manchester Lakes shopping center.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Lake Accotink Park Celebration Coming Up — “Join the Fairfax County Park Authority and Friends of Lake Accotink Park for a free day of family fun at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Celebrate summer with free amusements, boat rentals, hikes, mini golf, face painting, history activities and more!” [FCPA]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny conditions with a high near 76 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 11 mph. For Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low around 57 degrees and a gentle north wind at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
It’s that time of the year when algae tends to surface in Reston’s lakes.
Reston Association reported yesterday (Monday) that “potentially harmful” blue-green algae was seen that morning in Lake Anne, advising community members to avoid contact with the lake’s waters.
Updated at 9:05 p.m. — An arrest has been made in this afternoon’s fatal shooting at Gold’s Gym in Reston, Fairfax County police announced on Twitter, stating that additional information will be shared tomorrow (Wednesday).
Earlier: A man was killed in a shooting this afternoon at the Gold’s Gym in Reston.
A Springfield man has been convicted for his role in a string of mail thefts from the West Springfield Post Office.
Kenshaun Thompson, 26, faces up to 15 years in prison after a federal jury convicted him last Thursday (Aug. 15) of three charges of possessing and receiving stolen mail, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Capital Bikeshare’s familiar red stations might soon start popping up in another section of Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host a virtual community meeting on Thursday (Aug. 22) at 7 p.m. to share its plans for expanding the rental bicycle program into the Mason and Braddock Districts.
Fairfax County Students Start New School Year — “Samia was among the nearly 200,000 students who headed back to school Monday as Alexandria City and Fairfax County Public Schools opened for the new year.” Changes in FCPS include additional early-release Mondays and a cell phone storage pilot set to launch after Labor Day. [Washington Post]
Man Arrested for Church Burglaries — “A 56-year-old Sterling man was arrested and charged in connection with burglaries at seven Fairfax County churches since April, according to police.” The man was identified as a suspect following an overnight break-in at an Annandale church on Aug. 5, and police later connected him to incidents in Burke, Fairfax Station, Chantilly and Oakton. [Patch]
Korean Bar Now Open in Annandale — “Annandale has a relatively new late-night gathering place — an izakaya — with craft cocktails and a small-plate menu featuring traditional and fusion Korean food. JMT Kitchen & Bar is located at 4316 Markham Street in the building that also houses A&J Restaurant.” [Annandale Today]
Area Families Grapple with Costs of Youth Sports — “As the price to participate in high-level youth competitions continues to skyrocket, public school athletics are considered an affordable alternative. However, there are some hidden costs families should be prepared for as their child tries out for the school team.” [WTOP]
Shwarma Truck Relocates to Oakton Restaurant — “Fans of Yalla Pita, the popular food truck that used to operate out of a Shell gas station in Vienna, will soon get the chance to dig into the eatery’s shawarma and falafel again. After closing in May, Yalla Pita is set to reopen this Saturday, August 17, in a permanent new space in Oakton.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Reston School Celebrates New Mural — “It was a joy to celebrate Lake Anne Elementary School’s new mural with students, parents and teachers. It’s a statement of Reston’s shared values and diversity. Thanks to Public Art Reston, Lake Anne Elementary and mural artist Shawn James of Mural Masters Inc. for making it possible!” [Supervisor Walter Alcorn/Facebook]
Herndon to Host First Pickleball Tournament — “Our first-ever pickleball tournament is happening on Sept. 21 at Bready Park! Beginner & intermediate divisions. Register your team now and enjoy a day of friendly competition! Spots are limited — don’t miss out!” [Town of Herndon/Twitter]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of approximately 77°F, accompanied by a northwest wind at 10 mph and gusts reaching up to 18 mph. Tuesday night will bring mostly clear skies and a low of about 56°F, with north winds at 7 mph. [NWS]
With extensive construction on the horizon for Richmond Highway, Fairfax County has been handed a roadmap to help manage the impact, preserve the area’s heritage, support local businesses and keep the community engaged.
Last week, the nonprofit consulting group Urban Land Institute (ULI) released a report with a blueprint for redevelopment along the upcoming 7.4-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route from the Huntington Metro Station to Fort Belvoir.
Traffic on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean might be even more stop-and-start than usual for the next few weeks, though the latest lane closures will at least happen outside rush hours.
Starting tonight (Monday), three northbound and southbound lanes of I-495 will close overnight between the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road interchange to accommodate construction work on a new Old Dominion Drive bridge, the Virginia Department of Transportation recently announced.
