Despite some recent rain, Fairfax County is continuing to see an unusually dry summer, raising the possibility of a drought.
The entire D.C. region, including Fairfax County, has now been placed under a Drought Watch, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) announced today (Monday), urging nearly 6 million residents to conserve water as much as possible.
Despite the signs that popped up near the Tysons Metro station a few years ago, it doesn’t look like construction on “Tysons III” is going to start any time soon.
Tysons II property owner and developer Lerner Enterprises submitted a special permit application to Fairfax County last week seeking to extend its use of the parking lot adjacent to the Metro station for Cirque du Soleil performances through 2030.
The renovations at Reston’s Glade Tennis Courts, which were initially damaged by a storm in 2018, are nearing completion and expected to wrap up by Labor Day weekend.
Crews are currently installing a French drain — a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that directs water away from an area — at the front entrance to address previous runoff issues, Reston Association Director of Capital Projects Chris Schumaker said in a YouTube video released last Friday (July 26).
Developers are looking to transform several acres of unused office and commercial properties between Old Keene Mill Road and Springfield Blvd into multi-family residences.
To allow for the developments, Fairfax County could amend its comprehensive plan to permit 732 residential units and retail on several properties at the intersections of Backlick Road, Amherst Avenue, and Springfield Blvd.
A 22-year-old Herndon woman was killed after driving the wrong way on an Ashburn road and crashing into another vehicle on Friday (July 26), the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) says.
Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Ashburn Village Road near Fultonham Circle around 10:15 p.m. for a report of a crash involving a red Honda Civic sedan and white Toyota Highlander SUV, according to the LCSO.
Gaza Protestors Removed Near McLean — “A months-long protest encampment in front of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s house has been removed. The round-the-clock, pro-Palestinian protest started in January of this year along the 400 block of N. Chain Bridge Road in Arlington…Chain Bridge Road…was closed while VDOT carried out the removal operation.” [ARLnow]
Judge Allows Lawsuit Against FCPS Pronoun Policy — “On Thursday, a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge rejected the Fairfax County School Board’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit and allowed the student to proceed with her arguments against FCPS’ pronoun policy.” A claim over the policy allowing students to use bathrooms based on their gender identity was dismissed, though the plaintiff was given 21 days to amend her complaint. [WJLA]
Man Hampered by Loss of Fairfax Connector Bus Stop — “A man with visual impairment in Fairfax is raising concerns about a change to his bus route that eliminated stops near his home. Jeff Vieceli moved to a neighborhood along Stringfellow Road near Fairfax County Parkway 12 years ago. One of the reasons was the proximity to the bus stops across from the house.” [WUSA9]
Trees Hit by Lightning to Be Removed — “Three willow oak trees will be removed. The trees at 4209 University Dr. and 10507 Forest Ave. were struck by lightning and will be removed July 26 and Aug. 2, respectively. The tree at 4373 University Dr. is failing and presents a severe safety hazard. Removal is scheduled for Aug. 2.” [City of Fairfax]
Metallica Visits Springfield Record Company — “Heavy metal band Metallica swung by a record pressing plant a few blocks west of Alexandria earlier this week. The band visited Furnace Record Pressing, a record pressing company that’s been in business, which Metallica gained a majority interest in last year.” [ALXnow]
Inova Springfield Hospital Nears Construction — “The Falls Church-based Inova Health System intends to begin construction in August on a pair of new acute-care hospitals…Those facilities, one at the former Landmark Mall site in Alexandria and another in the Franconia-Springfield area, will together replace the nonprofit’s aging Alexandria hospital at 4320 Seminary Road.” [Washington Business Journal]
Richmond Highway Jeweler Goes Mobile — “Mount Vernon Jewelers, a fixture around the Richmond Highway Corridor for over four decades, is vacating its storefront location Aug. 1 to engage in mobile jewelry sales and service…Park plans to continue serving his existing customer base in the local community with his new business status as a traveling salesman and mobile repairman.” [On the MoVe]
Kid Donates Icee Stand Proceeds to Fire Department — “An 8-year-old boy set up an Icee stand in Alexandria, Virginia to raise money for the Fairfax County Fire Department on Saturday…His stand was a unique way to say thank you to the department for helping him with his broken arm last year.” [NBC4]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny conditions with a high of 92 degrees, followed by a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Monday night will have mostly cloudy skies and a low around 73 degrees. [NWS]
Catcher had a strong season after transferring to Tulane
A change worked out positively for Colin Tuft, and likely played a big role in the Madison High School graduate getting chosen in the recent Major League baseball draft.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter is trying to drum up some attention for its older furry occupants.
Starting today (Friday), the shelter has waived adoption fees for all dogs and cats 6 years and older as part of a “Vintage Tails” event that will continue through Sunday, July 28.
Some Reston residents may soon get a survey about the Reston Community Center (RCC) in their mailbox.
Launched on Wednesday (July 24), the survey will be conducted by the University of Virginia’s Center for Survey Research (CSR) to gather public input on the community center’s facilities, programs and services to guide future planning.
A man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a Haymarket megachurch last year has been found competent to stand trial on federal hate crime charges.
U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston set an Oct. 21 trial date for Rui Jiang of Falls Church after holding a competency hearing Wednesday in federal court in Alexandria, the Associated Press reported.
