News | FFXnow - Part 363

Virginia House seeks more data for Fairfax senator’s bill to allow more accessory living units

Published March 7, 2024 at 10:15AM

State Sen. Saddam Salim testifies before the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns on his bill to require accessory living units (via Virginia General Assembly)

Final consideration of state Sen. Saddam Salim’s (D-37) proposal to expand the availability of accessory housing units in Virginia will wait until next year.

A Virginia House of Delegates committee voted on Feb. 23 to table Senate Bill 304, until 2025, suggesting that the delay would give Salim and other legislators more time to refine the bill and collect data on existing local policies allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are known in Fairfax County as accessory living units (ALUs).

Former Trump advisor’s legal group sues FCPS over LGBTQ-inclusive policies

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 7, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated March 7, 2024 at 12:25PM

A community member waves an LGBTQ pride flag at the rally protesting Virginia's model policies on transgender students (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 12:25 a.m.) A right-wing legal group led by Stephen Miller, a former advisor to Donald Trump when he was president, is challenging Fairfax County Public Schools over its policies supporting transgender students.

America First Legal filed a complaint against the Fairfax County School Board on Monday (March 4) arguing that the school system is discriminating on the basis of sex and religion by letting students use the names, pronouns and bathrooms that match their gender identity.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 7, 2024 at 8:15AM

The Vita Apartments behind Macy's in Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector to Restart Service Friday — Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 voted yesterday (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending their strike after 15 days, the union announced. The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8). [FFXnow]

Annandale Man Charged in Baby Son’s Death — “Detectives from the Mason Police District arrested Shane Frye, 37, of Annandale, in connection with the overdose death of his 4-month-old son. Officers responded to the 4200 block of Americana Drive in Annandale on June 15, 2023, for an unresponsive baby, who was being cared for by Frye.” [Annandale Today]

Taco Bell seeks to build its first restaurant in Fairfax City

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 6, 2024 at 3:30PM

A drive-thru Taco Bell restaurant is proposed for Boulevard Marketplace in Fairfax City (via Fairfax City)

Taco Bell has set its sights on opening what will reportedly be its first location in Fairfax City.

The restaurant is proposing a 2,256-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru at the Boulevard Marketplace Shopping Center (10160 Fairfax Blvd).

Herndon moves to create its own version of county’s ‘One Fairfax’ equity policy

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 6, 2024 at 1:30PM

Entering the Town of Herndon (staff photo by Fatimah Waseem)

The Town of Herndon is exploring the adoption of new policy that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.

Moved by council member Pradip Dhakal and created by the Herndon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the “One Herndon” policy builds on the One Fairfax policy adopted by Fairfax County in 2016, which commits county and school officials to considering social and racial equity issues when providing services and making policy decisions.

Fairfax County voters side with Biden and Haley in presidential primaries

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 6, 2024 at 11:45AM

A sign provides information about the March 5, 2024 Democratic and Republican presidential primaries (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Perhaps Nikki Haley’s rally in Idylwood last week made a difference after all.

In yesterday’s Republican presidential primary, the former South Carolina governor won more support from Fairfax County voters than frontrunner Donald Trump, though she trailed the one-time president by a sizable margin in Virginia overall.

Fairfax County board sets public hearing on possible 4-cent real estate tax hike

By James Jarvis

Published March 6, 2024 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has advanced a proposal for a 4-cent real estate tax increase, which would mark the first hike in six years, if approved.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the board gave County Executive Bryan Hill the green light to advertise the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget and schedule a public hearing starting Tuesday, April 16, at 3 p.m.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 6, 2024 at 8:15AM

Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo by James Jarvis)

ICYMI: Fairfax Connector Workers to Vote on Contract — Members of ATU Local 689, the union that represents Fairfax Connector bus drivers and mechanics, will vote today (Wednesday) on whether to ratify a tentative contract agreement with operator Transdev. If the deal is approved, it would end a nearly two-week-long strike that disrupted travel for thousands of bus riders. [FFXnow]

Ohio Murder Suspect Arrested in Springfield — “A man wanted on murder charges in Columbus, Ohio, was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Monday night after police said he fled from a traffic stop and struck multiple police vehicles before authorities took him into custody.” Police said the man and “multiple police officers sustained minor injuries during the arrest.” [WTOP]

UPDATED: Fairfax Connector strike ends as union members approve new contract

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 5, 2024 at 8:40PM | Updated March 6, 2024 at 9:47PM

Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 strike outside the West Ox Bus Facility (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Updated at 9:45 p.m. on 3/6/2024 — Fairfax Connector workers with ATU Local 689 voted today (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending a 15-day strike, the union announced.

The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8), according to Transdev and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

Formal and prom dress giveway returns to Reston this month

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 5, 2024 at 3:30PM

The annual prom and formal dress giveaway returns to Reston this month (Photo courtesy RCC).

A giveaway for formal and prom dresses will return to Reston Community Center on March 16.

RCC is hosting the 22nd annual Diva Central Formal and Prom Dress Giveaway at its Lake Anne facility (1609-A Washington Plaza North). Middle and high school students can select an outfit from a collection of dresses, shoes and accessories.