News | FFXnow - Part 340

Morning Notes

Published May 2, 2024 at 8:15AM

The "Hoop-La" sculpture in front of Capital One's Tysons headquarters (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Police Continue Traffic Enforcement Campaign — “Between April 22 and 28, the Fairfax County Police Department worked in conjunction with the Virginia State Police (VSP) and raised the bar by issuing over 6,500 citations and warnings, with over 200 citations for reckless driving on our roadways…Wave three of Road Shark will commence on June 17.” [FCPD]

Family of Woman Killed in Shooting Starts Fundraiser — “Kate Laporta was one of eight cousins in Zubrick’s family that were closest to him in age. But earlier this month, she was shot and killed — with Laporta’s boyfriend charged in her killing…To honor her memory, the cousins have launched an online fundraiser. They say the money collected will go into [college] savings plans for Laporta’s children.” [NBC4]

Police arrest Alexandria man for shooting in Bailey’s Crossroads

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 3:30PM

An Alexandria City Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 24-year-old man from Alexandria is facing multiple criminal charges for allegedly shooting a man he was trying to rob in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Alexandria City police arrested Abner Neftali Selen Barrera of Del Ray yesterday (Tuesday) after detectives identified him as the suspect in the shooting, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today.

Herndon cements vision for development of transition zone near Metro station

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 1:30PM

Herndon has finalized its vision for mixed-use development in the Transit-Related Growth Area (via Town of Herndon)

In the future, Herndon hopes to see a vast swath of land near its Metro station transformed from aging, auto-centric commercial lots into a mixed-use, interconnected neighborhood.

That vision solidified last week when the Herndon Town Council adopted a plan on April 23 that will guide the redevelopment of the 94-acre Transit-Related Growth Area (TRG), culminating about two years of planning, meetings and community discussions.

Fairfax County board approves real estate tax hike, laments state under-funding

By James Jarvis

Published May 1, 2024 at 11:30AM

Fairfax Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Jan. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has signed off on a 3-cent bump in its real estate tax rate, a move it said was partly forced by insufficient state funding.

The board approved the new rate yesterday (Tuesday) as part of a mark-up session on the fiscal year 2025 budget, which will be formally adopted next Tuesday, May 7. The 3-cent hike is expected to generate about $97 million in additional revenue for the county — about $32.3 million less compared to the 4-cent increase initially proposed.

Expanded Route 7 is now fully operational from Reston to Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 9:30AM

Route 7 has been expanded to six lanes from Reston to Tysons (courtesy VDOT)

New vehicle lanes and a shared-use trail are officially open to travelers on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) after almost five years of construction.

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced last night (Tuesday) that it has finished expanding the roadway from four to six travel lanes — three in each direction — between Riva Ridge Drive in Reston and Jarrett Valley Drive just north of the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 1, 2024 at 8:15AM | Updated May 1, 2024 at 9:35AM

Buildings are under construction near the Wiehle-Reston Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Gets Life in Prison for N. Va. Gang Killings — An MS-13 leader was sentenced to life in prison yesterday (Tuesday) for giving orders that led to multiple murders in Northern Virginia during the summer of 2019. Prosecutors say Melvin Canales Saldana told gang members to kill rivals “more aggressively,” prompting some to target “random civilians so they could increase their status within the gang.” [Associated Press/WTOP]

Tysons Satellite Company Will Be Acquired — “Intelsat SA said Tuesday it has reached a deal to be acquired by SES SA for $3.1 billion in cash…The deal will position SES to better compete with broadband satellites of SpaceX-owned Starlink and Amazon.com Inc. The combined company will have a fleet of more than 100 geostationary and 26 medium orbit satellites.” [Washington Business Journal]

Fairfax County Park Authority debuts new ‘Wonder Wagon,’ taking nature on the road

By James Jarvis

Published April 30, 2024 at 3:30PM

The Fairfax County Park Authority launches its Wonder Wagon on Saturday, April 20, 2024 (courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority)

Fairfax County is now bringing nature to residents’ doorsteps.

Last week, the Fairfax County Park Authority launched a new, fully electric mobile nature center called the Wonder Wagon. The tricked-out nature-themed van, operated by park staff, is intended to bring outdoor wonders to underserved communities and Title 1 schools.

JUST IN: Construction deadline extended for downtown Herndon redevelopment

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 30, 2024 at 1:15PM

Downtown Herndon is slated for redevelopment into a mixed-use community (staff photo by Fatimah Waseem)

The Town of Herndon has granted Comstock a little more breathing room before the developer needs to move forward with its long-planned downtown overhaul.

A two-year pause in construction that was set to expire today (Tuesday) has been extended to Aug. 15 under a revised comprehensive agreement, the town announced this morning.

County board backs Maryland’s push for funds to replace American Legion Bridge

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 30, 2024 at 10:30AM

Traffic heads from McLean into Maryland on the American Legion Bridge (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has thrown its support behind Maryland’s pursuit of federal funding for a long-awaited replacement of the American Legion Bridge.

At the request of Chairman Jeff McKay and Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, the board approved a letter on April 16 urging U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to fulfill the Maryland Department of Transportation’s expected grant request for its American Legion Bridge and 270 Corridor project.

Longtime FCPS educator named ‘Teacher of the Year’ by Washington Post

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published April 30, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated August 1, 2024 at 10:17AM

Colin Powell Elementary School teacher Laura Senturia was named the Washington Post's 2024 Teacher of the Year (photo by Karen Bolt/Fairfax County Public Schools)

A fourth-grade teacher at Colin Powell Elementary School in Centreville for more than 20 years has been named the Washington Post’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

The newspaper announced last Tuesday, April 23 that Laura Senturia had earned the title — and a $7,500 prize — for her “rare talent for identifying her students’ innermost strengths.”