The pedestrian bridge over Wiehle Avenue at the Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossing (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail users will have to wait a little longer before they can cross Wiehle Avenue in Reston without having to brave vehicular traffic.
A bridge over the busy roadway was slated to open to pedestrians, bicyclists and other travelers on Tuesday, July 9, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn announced on July 3.
Planters block off the pavilion from vehicles at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Heat Advisory Issued for Today — The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, that will take effect from noon to 8 p.m. today (Monday). With heat index values of up to 105 expected, the county has activated its heat plan and will provide supplies like water at cooling centers. [NWS]
Witnesses Reportedly Stop Carjackings — “In the 7600 block of Allman Drive in Annandale, a 38-year-old man allegedly carjacked a victim then attempted carjackings on Lukens Lane and the 8600 block of Richmond Highway in Mount Vernon an hour later,” Fairfax County police said. “Several onlookers who witnessed the attempted carjackings stepped in and detained the man until officers arrived and responded to the scene.” [WUSA9]
Virginia Senator Allegedly Concerned by Biden’s Candidacy — “Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) is attempting to assemble a group of Democratic senators to ask President Biden to exit the presidential race, according to two people with direct knowledge of the effort…Warner spokeswoman Rachel Cohen would neither confirm nor deny that the senator thinks Biden needs to drop out of the race.” [Washington Post]
West Falls Church Road Closes for Pipe Project — “Weather permitting, Wayne Road (Route 2304) between Arlington Boulevard (Route 50) and Regent Lane (Route 2303) will be closed to through traffic Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day for drainage pipe replacement.” [VDOT]
Herndon Woman Wins Taekwondo Title — “Some of the best amateur taekwondo athletes in the United States spent the last week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, competing at the AAU Taekwondo National Championship…Elena Kelley of Herndon, Virginia, is bringing home the national championship in the 33-42 female bracket in the traditional open forms in poomsae.” [WTOP]
Annandale Stream Project Makes Progress — “The project to restore the Coons Branch stream in Annandale Community Park is ahead of schedule. Workers have completed stabilizing the stream banks, says project manager Jasdeep Saini, of the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division. However, the fence around the project area won’t be removed and the stream won’t be open to the public until late fall.” [Annandale Today]
Primark Plans Giveaways for Tysons Opening — “International clothing retailer Primark has planned special giveaways, complimentary sweet treats, food trucks and a visit from [SpongeBob] SquarePants to celebrate the opening of its first store in Virginia on July 16.” [Patch]
It’s Monday — It’ll be mostly sunny and hot conditions and a high near 97, feeling like 105 due to the heat index. There’s a 20% chance of precipitation of isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a low of around 78. [NWS]
Getting tap water in a glass (via Swanky Fella on Unsplash)
Fairfax Water customers weren’t affected by the recent Boil Water Advisory that went out to D.C. and Arlington County residents before Independence Day.
The utility, which serves almost 2 million people in Northern Virginia, suspended its use of the Washington Aqueduct early on Wednesday (July 3) before the advisory was issued later that day. Though D.C. and Arlington both lifted the advisory yesterday (Thursday), Fairfax Water says it hasn’t yet resumed getting water from the aqueduct.
Two teens were arrested in Albemarle County last week in connection to an armed carjacking reported near the Silver Diner in Merrifield.
Officers were dispatched to the 8100 block of Porter Road around 6 a.m. for a robbery after a man called 911, stating that his black Toyota Camry had been stolen, according to the police scanner on Open MHz.
A mural of Mount Rushmore on the side of a Falls Church building (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Commonwealth’s Attorney Gets Grant for Witness Protection — “Fairfax County is getting a $25,000 grant that the top prosecutor in the Virginia suburb said will be used to offer security and support to victims and witnesses in criminal trials. The funding is from a $1 million grant program from Virginia’s Department of Criminal Justice Services.” [WTOP]
NATO Summit to Disrupt D.C.Travel — “Washington, DC, will host international leaders next week for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, setting off a number of disruptions and restrictions downtown…Traffic is expected to pile up, and the closures may change as the summit progresses.” [Washingtonian]
Crosswalks Added in Richmond HighwayCorridor — “Part two of VDOT’s pedestrian improvement project in Woodlawn got underway July 2 with the installation of pedestrian crossing signals at newly striped crosswalks at Richmond Highway and Buckman Road near Radford Avenue.” The project’s first phase added accessible ramps to the sidewalks on both sides of Route 1. [On the MoVe]
Learn About Suffragists Jailed at Lorton Prison — Burke Centre Library hosts former history professor and Lucy Burns Museum consultant Alice Reagan tomorrow (Saturday) for a discussion about the National Women’s Party members who were incarcerated the Women’s Workhouse in Occoquan for picketing the White House in 1917. [Fairfax County Public Library]
Artists Wanted for Gardening Event — “The Garden Plot, the Mount Vernon area garden center…has put out a ‘Call for Local Artists’ for a special event next month. The business is planning an outdoor art and gardening event Aug. 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at which artists of all kinds can set up their own booths or tables to highlight and sell their crafts.” [On the MoVe]
Falls Church Soccer Team Competes for Championship — “Falls Church City’s semi-pro soccer team, Virginia Dream FC, are in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Postseason Championship Game for the second consecutive season…They will play in, and host, the championship match this coming Saturday, July 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Meridian High School.” [Gazette Leader]
Local Parks Host July Golf Tournaments — “Bring the heat at upcoming golf tournaments hosted by Golf Fairfax this July. Celebrate the patriotic vibes and light up the greens to celebrate July Fourth at two Red, White and Blue Tournaments.” The games start this weekend with a tournament tomorrow at Burke Lake Golf Center and on Sunday (July 7) at Pinecrest Golf Course in Lincolnia. [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — There’s a 40% chance of precipitation after 2pm, accompanied by a high temperature near 94°F alongside heat index values reaching up to 105°F. Heading into Friday night, showers and thunderstorms could linger until 2am. The sky will be mostly cloudy with a low temperature of 77°F and a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Keating placed sixth in the 200 breaststroke finals
Madison High School graduate Anna Keating finished sixth in the finals of the women’s 200 breaststroke race at the recent U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Her time was 2:29.54.
A LOVE sign decorated with the U.S. flag colors outside the Oakmont Rec Center in Oakton (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
This year’s Independence Day is shaping up to be a hot one in the D.C. region.
Fairfax County has activated its heat plan for tomorrow (Thursday) in response to a Heat Advisory from the National Weather Service, which predicts that warm temperatures and humidity will lead to a heat index of 100 to 105.
The NRA's headquarters on Waples Mill Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County staff are in talks with multiple developers about converting two office buildings in the Fair Oaks Business Park, including the NRA headquarters, into residential units, a county official has revealed.
In addition to the National Rifle Association’s building at 11250 Waples Mill Road, the neighboring office building at 3920 Pender Drive is being eyed for redevelopment.
The Vierra Falls Church nursing home at 2100 Powhatan Street in McLean (via Google Maps)
The owner and operator of a McLean nursing home built in the Baby Boomer era wants to give its residents more space with a proposed expansion.
Modalia Capital is seeking to build a new wing for its Vierra Falls Church community at 2100 Powhatan Street, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County on June 28. The 11,869-square-foot, one-story addition would add 18 private units but no new residents.
Inside the Lego Discovery Center in Springfield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A Springfield 7-year-old is a budding LEGO superstar.
After winning a regional LEGO competition in D.C. in May, youngster Lawrence Ross Jr. came up just short in the recent LEGO Mini Master Model Builder of North America competition.