News | FFXnow - Part 349

Morning Notes

Published April 9, 2024 at 8:15AM

Vienna baseball field at dusk (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

No Officers Charged in Fatal Shooting of Man Experiencing Mental Health Crisis — “A northern Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office announced that no officers are being charged in the fatal 2022 shooting of a man experiencing a mental health crisis in Fairfax County. Just before 7 p.m. on July 7, 2022, Fairfax County police responded to a home in the 6900 block of Arbor Lane in McLean where callers had reported that a man was having a mental health episode.” [FOX 5]

Bill Pitches Renaming Washington Dulles — “House Republicans have introduced a bill in Congress that would rename Washington Dulles International Airport, located in Sterling, Virginia, near D.C., to ‘Donald J. Trump International Airport.’” [ABC News]

Fairfax County launches solar panel recycling program

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 8, 2024 at 3:40PM

Woodlawn Fire Station solar panels (courtesy Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination)

The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services launched a solar panel recycling program last week, expanding upon its November 2022 pilot program.

Daniel Brooks, an environmental services specialist at the county’s Solid Waste Management Program, said this new program falls under their electronic recycling program, which focuses on prevention.

Man arrested after reckless discharge, standoff in Reston

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 8, 2024 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County police logo (file photo)

A man was arrested after firing a gun several times inside and outside of his Reston home today (Monday).

Police arrested Mark Ellsbury, 43, of Reston after what police described as a short standoff outside of his townhome on the 11900 block of Barrel Cooper Court. The Fairfax County Police Department used its helicopter unit to track the suspect, who was outside of his home and appeared to be “under the influence.”

McLean citizens group seeks data to show need for Dunn Loring elementary school

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools is seeking to build a four-level Dunn Loring Elementary School at Idylwood and Gallows Road (via Fairfax County)

Planning is well underway for a new elementary school in Dunn Loring, but some McLean residents argue that Fairfax County Public Schools still hasn’t explained why the project should be prioritized over other needs.

As part of a resolution on the proposed county and FCPS budgets, the McLean Citizens Association’s board of directors urged the Fairfax County School Board last Wednesday (April 3) to “refrain from constructing” the school if officials can’t “provide adequate data” justifying it.

Reston Association soaks up lessons from delayed Lake Thoreau, Shadowood pool renovations

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 8, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated June 4, 2024 at 6:38PM

The newly renovated Lake Thoreau swimming pool is set to open this summer (courtesy Reston Association)

It’s no secret that the renovations of Lake Thoreau and Shadowood swimming pools were delayed by several months.

Now, with both facilities set to open this pool season, Reston Association says it could have done a better job with communication and investigating existing conditions before commencing with the projects.

Two men escape burglary of Vienna Gun and Gold with stolen guns

By Vernon Miles

Published April 8, 2024 at 10:30AM

Vienna Gun & Gold, formerly Vienna Arsenal (image via Google Maps)

The Vienna Police Department said two men burgled Vienna Gun & Gold (386 Maple Avenue) late last month, fleeing with a cache of stolen firearms.

Police said the burglary occurred at 11:15 p.m. on March 29.

Arlington man charged with manslaughter for fatal Bailey’s Crossroads crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2024 at 9:30AM

Westbound Leesburg Pike at South Jefferson Street in Bailey's Crossroads (via Google Maps)

A 23-year-old man from Arlington has been charged with manslaughter in connection to a Feb. 16 crash in Bailey’s Crossroads that resulted in the death of a 93-year-old woman.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced on Thursday (April 4) that its detectives believe Isai Jimenez Paz was speeding when he allegedly crashed into a Toyota Corolla at the Leesburg Pike and South Jefferson Street intersection.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 8, 2024 at 8:15AM

The sunset seen from a Vienna parking lot (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Solar Eclipse Descends Today — A solar eclipse will be visible in Maryland and Virginia with up to 90 percent of the sun blocked out today between 2 and 4:30 p.m. The maximum eclipse is expected at 3:20 p.m. [NBC News]

Virginia to Allow Only-only News Sites to Publish Legal Notices — “Virginia has become the first state in the nation to approve the publication of legal notices in online-only local news sites.” [ARLnow]

Vienna town manager throws out first pitch for Baltimore Orioles

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 5, 2024 at 2:30PM

Vienna Town Manager Mercury Payton with the Baltimore Orioles mascot before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on April 1, 2024 (courtesy Mercury Payton)

When Vienna Town Manager Mercury Payton stepped on the infield grass at Camden Yards earlier this week to throw a ceremonial first pitch, he thought about his family.

He thought about his wife and 17-year-old daughter, who had accompanied him to the Baltimore Orioles’ game on Monday (April 1) against the Kansas City Royals. He also imagined the reactions of his late father and grandfather, who took him to games as a kid and helped turn him into a lifelong O’s fan.

Fairfax County senators react to governor’s veto of minimum wage bump

By Daniel Egitto

Published April 5, 2024 at 11:45AM

VA Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for the I-495 Express lanes extension in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A bill to raise Virginia’s minimum wage got the ax in Richmond despite the support of three Fairfax County state senators.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed legislation on March 28 that would’ve increased the minimum wage from $12 to $15 an hour by 2026. Sens. Jennifer Boysko, Saddam Salim and Adam Ebbin, who all represent parts of Fairfax County, were among several Democrats to sponsor the bill.