For the first time in years, the developer has a potential timeline for its long-delayed downtown Herndon redevelopment that it’s optimistic might actually hold — news greeted by community members with a mix of guarded hope and skepticism.
After a well-attended, sometimes emotional public hearing, the Herndon Town Council voted unanimously last night (Tuesday) to push back the “outside satisfaction date” to finalize an amended agreement with the developer from tomorrow (Thursday) to Sept. 10.
Affordable Housing Dropped from Penn Daw Project — Architect BKV Group is revising the design for Fairfax County’s project to replace Penn Daw’s fire station and homeless shelter after a fiscal analysis found “it would be more fiscally feasible and beneficial for the community to eliminate the affordable housing component…while increasing the number of permanent supportive housing units from 20 to 30.” [On the MoVe]
Man Arrested in Fairfax City Stabbing — Police officers arrested a 22-year-old man on Sunday (Aug. 11) and charged him with aggravated malicious wounding after he allegedly stabbed an acquaintance in the stomach during an argument in 7-Eleven (10810 Fairchester Drive) on Aug. 7. [City of Fairfax Police]
Armed Robbery by Teens in Reston — “Fairfax County Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Monday night in Reston. Five teens approached the victim in the 12200 block of Laurel Glade Court, displayed a gun and took the victim’s phone before fleeing the scene on foot, according to an 8:38 p.m. social media post.” [Patch]
Cybersecurity Firm Leases Reston Station Office — Reston Station developer Comstock announced on Monday (Aug. 12) that it has signed a 7,700-square-foot office lease with GuidePoint Security at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza. “This lease marks a milestone accomplishment for Reston Metro Plaza, as all three of its trophy-class office towers are now 100% leased.” [Business Wire]
New Businesses and Events Coming to Eden Center — “Forty years since its founding, the Eden Center remains a community pillar of Falls Church and thriving destination for visitors from throughout the D.C. area and beyond…In addition to the center’s historical gems, you’ll find a handful of newer destinations that remain committed to authenticity.” [ARLnow]
Firefighters Distribute School Supplies — “Today #FCFRD hosted its annual Backpack & School Supply Distribution at FS11, Penn Daw. Firefighters, retirees, and volunteers distributed 1,300 backpacks filled w/ school supplies to schools & nonprofits throughout the county. Thank you to everyone who made the event a success!” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Shrevewood ES Welcomes New Principal — “Shrevewood Elementary School students will return this fall to find a repaired air-conditioning system, enhanced positivity and environmental initiatives, and a different, but familiar, face in the principal’s office. Former assistant principal Katie Vandawalker took the helm Aug. 1 and succeeded Joshua DeSmyter, who became principal at Floris Elementary School.” [Gazette Leader]
Get Sneak Peek of Annandale Mural — “The community is invited to meet muralist Giuseppe Percivati (also known as Pepe Gaka) at the Art Appreciation Festival on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space.” Work on the mural will start before the end of this month, depending on the weather, and finish “in time for the Taste of Annandale on Sept. 21.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny conditions with a high near 86 and a north wind of 5 to 8 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 66 and a light northwest wind. [NWS]
The head football coach at Langley High School in McLean has been suspended after he was charged in Maryland with soliciting sex from a teen girl.
David Clay Murray, 48, was arrested in Fairfax County and charged by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office last Friday (Aug. 9) with five counts of sexual solicitation of a minor, the sheriff’s office said in a press release issued yesterday (Monday).
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) has endorsed candidates in Herndon’s mayoral and town council races following a caucus that either went smoothly or was deeply flawed, depending on who you ask.
About 94% of the 641 voters who registered for the caucus cast a ballot for mayor, buoying Councilmember Pradip Dhakal with 345 votes over fellow Councilmember Keven LeBlanc’s 261 votes, according to the official results.
A forest in Fairfax Station is set to receive some laurels.
The five-acre St. Peter’s in the Woods Episcopal Church Sanctuary Forest (5911 Fairview Woods Drive) will be designated as a community forest by the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) on Sept. 14.
Barry Biggar, president and CEO of Visit Fairfax, has been honored with the Tower of Dulles award, following in the footsteps of notable figures like Steven F. Udvar-Hazy and senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
Presented annually by the Committee for Dulles, the award honors individuals or organizations that significantly enhance Dulles International Airport and its surrounding economic corridor.
Two men were hospitalized this morning (Tuesday) by a crash on Richmond Highway (Route 1) in Lorton outside Gunston Plaza.
Police and emergency responders from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to Richmond Highway and Armistead Road around 6:50 a.m. for a two-vehicle crash that left one vehicle on fire and another with at least one person possibly trapped, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.
CIA Sexual Harassment Case Going to Trial — A jury trial is expected this fall after a former CIA employee appealed a Fairfax County judge’s ruling that found him guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery against a coworker who said “tried to strangle her with a scarf and kiss her in a stairwell” at the spy agency’s McLean headquarters. [Washington Post]
Helicopter Exercise Planned at Reston Park — “Lake Fairfax Park: The Cricket Field will be closed 9-11 am on 8/13 for a public safety training exercise with a helicopter landing and take-off (weather permitting). Other park areas remain open. Call or (703-471-5415) or check the website before visiting.” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter]
Gun Brandished at Fairfax City McDonald’s — “A 33-year-old Fairfax man was arrested on weapons charges after he pointed a handgun and threatened someone that he had been arguing with late Thursday night at a local fast food restaurant, according to City of Fairfax Police.” [Patch]
Recent Rain Eases Drought Conditions — “Debby brought much-needed rain to the D.C. area, but not enough to pull it out of the ongoing drought.” National Weather Service hydrologist says “he expects general improvement of drought conditions across the region, but not as much as people might think.” [WTOP]
Reston Family Returns From Canceled Taylor Swift Concerts — “A Northern Virginia family touched down at Dulles International Airport Saturday night after a European vacation with a stop in Vienna, Austria where they were supposed to see a Taylor Swift concert…All three of Swift’s sold-out Vienna concerts were canceled after threats of a terrorist attack outside the stadium.” [WUSA9]
Annandale Supermarket Welcomes New Shops — “Yes! Buckwheat is the newest vendor at the food court in the K Market grocery store on John Marr Drive in Annandale. The small shop offers noodle and dumpling dishes all made in-house from buckwheat.” The store has also added Chinese and Korean eateries, Annandale Florist, a K-pop pop-up, and beauty and lifestyle shops. [Annandale Today]
GW Parkway Superintendent to Step Down — “Charles Cuvelier, superintendent of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) since January 2019, will be leaving that role later this month to assume a different position with the National Park Service…Cuvelier, who has been with the Park Service for over 30 years, thanked the GWMP’s many partners for their support.” [On the MoVe]
Fairfax City to Replace More Streetlights — “Installation of new LED streetlights in Historic Old Town Fairfax is slated to start Aug. 19 and may take 12 weeks to complete…Phase two of the Old Town Fairfax lighting project started July 14 when Fairfax City removed the gas lamps decommissioned last fall.” [City of Fairfax]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 83 degrees and a gentle northwest wind at 6 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows near 65 degrees and a light northwest breeze. [NWS]
Boys’ volleyball has staged a comeback and girls’ wrestling will soon take to the mats in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Thanks to new funding, Fairfax County Public Schools will offer both sports at the varsity level for the first time during the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, which starts classes next Monday (Aug. 19). Boys’ volleyball will start this fall, followed by girls’ wrestling in the winter.
A federal contractor owned by the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. has expanded its presence in the country’s capital region by adding a Tysons office.
Cherokee Federal announced Friday (Aug. 9) that it has opened an area office at 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 900, in Greensboro Park. The 20,000-square-foot space will host over 100 employees and complement the company’s regional office in Arlington.
