Virginia State Police are searching for a dump truck that reportedly crashed into an overhead sign on I-95 in Springfield and bolted.
Troopers were dispatched to northbound I-95 at 12:18 p.m. today (Thursday) after getting a report of debris near the 168-mile marker, which is just south of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway interchange, according to the VSP.
Fairfax County is set to receive close to $51 million from the federal government to buy 60 new diesel-electric hybrid Connector buses.
Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the county has been awarded over $50.5 million for the buses from the Federal Transportation Administration’s Low or No Emission Grant program, which has funded more than 1,100 buses in 47 states.
Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton’s nearly three-decade-long career with the town government will come to a close this fall.
The town announced last night (Wednesday) that Ashton will resign as its top administrative official in order to take a new job as county administrator for Stafford. His final day as town manager will be Sept. 10.
Fairfax City will soon see the construction of a seven-story residential and retail building next to WillowWood Plaza along Eaton Place following a near-unanimous vote of approval from the city council earlier this week.
The new development, dubbed “N29 Apartments,” will replace a 328-space, 2.96-acre parking lot at 10306 Eaton Place, adjacent to a 1980s-era office complex.
Fairfax County wants to come up with a new vision for the Idylwood segment of Route 29, one that’s more inclusive of modes of transportation other than cars.
The Board of Supervisors authorized transportation staff on June 25 to apply for $175,000 in federal grant money to fund the development of an active transportation plan for Route 29 between Hollywood Road and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike).
Reston Community Center (RCC) will update its Hunters Woods facility this summer, requiring some reductions in programming and a temporary closure of its swimming pool.
Starting on July 22, contractors are slated to replace the elevator and install solar panels, among other energy improvements, in the nearly 50-year-old flagship building at 2310 Colts Neck Road. The Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center will be closed during construction, which is expected to last through Sept. 6.
Heat-Related Deaths Reported — “Seven people have died as a result of heat in the Washington region, authorities confirmed Wednesday, as blistering temperatures have forced elected officials to cancel public events, close down athletic fields and encourage residents to stay indoors.” That includes one person in Virginia, though state officials didn’t provide details. [Washington Post]
Domestic Assault in Reston Under Investigation — “Fairfax County Police are investigating an assault that took place early Tuesday morning in Reston.” Officers were called to the 2300 block of Freetown Court for a report of a stabbing, but upon arriving, they found a man with injuries that “weren’t consistent with a stabbing,” police say. No hospital visit was needed. [Patch]
Funding Recommended for Transportation Projects — “The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority will present its ranked recommendations Thursday, for funding nearly $700 million in projects to advance the region’s multimodal transportation network.” Traffic signal improvements on Route 7 by Falls Church came out on top for its congestion relief potential relative to cost. [WTOP]
Middle Eastern Cafe Opens in Barcroft Plaza — “The new MQR Café in Barcroft Plaza serves breakfast, sandwiches, and coffee drinks all day. The café opened on July 6 at 6343-E Columbia Pike. Much of the food features Mediterranean/Middle Eastern flavors.” [Annandale Today]
Hybla Valley Mural Design Up for Vote — “Franconia Supervisor Rodney Lusk and the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services invite community input on a mural design for the exterior wall on the east side of Hybla Valley Community Center.” Voting on designs submitted by artists is open until 5 p.m. on July 26. [NCS]
McLean Group Calls for Ambulance Upgrades — “The McLean Citizens Association’s board of directors adopted a resolution July 3 urging Fairfax County officials to purchase power-load cots for the county government’s entire fleet of medical-transport vehicles to reduce injuries to patients and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel.” [Gazette Leader]
County Seeks Input on Disability Services — “The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging (COA) and the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board (FA-DSB) are seeking community input to identify systemic gaps in service and/or barriers Fairfax County residents with disabilities face.” Registration is open for virtual community forums on July 31 and Aug. 2. [FA-DSB]
Permitting Underway for High School Stadium Bathrooms — “Permanent restroom facilities for Mount Vernon, West Potomac, Edison, Hayfield and 11 other public high school athletic stadiums in Fairfax County are expected to be in place by the 2025-2026 school year.” A modular has arrived at Justice High School, but permits for the other sites are still being reviewed. [On the MoVe]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 91 degrees with a westerly wind at about 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 73, as the northwest wind of around 5 mph becomes calm in the evening. There is a 50% chance of showers during the night. [NWS]
Following concerns about frequent traffic accidents and continuous speeding, the Virginia Department of Transportation is gathering feedback from residents via a public survey on the safety of Walker Road in Great Falls.
The survey, which will be active through this Friday (July 12), was initiated at the request of State Sen. Jennifer Boysko, Del. Rip Sullivan, and Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman. It aims to address safety issues along a 2-mile stretch from Colvin Run Road to Georgetown Pike.
Fairfax County Public Schools can move ahead with a renovation of Armstrong Elementary School in Reston.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the project without discussion after a public hearing on June 25, setting the stage for an expansion that will give the school additional space and updated amenities.
Idylwood Apartment Residents Struggle With Lack of AC — “Amid a severe summer heat wave, residents of the eaves Fairfax Towers apartments in Falls Church, Virginia, report enduring indoor temperatures as high as 93 degrees for more than two weeks…Residents say management provided temporary air-conditioning units, but they have not been effective.” [NBC4]
New Graves Found at Bull Run Park — “A few hundred yards from the popular Atlantis Waterpark at Bull Run Regional Park, in Centreville, Virginia, researchers identified nine graves Monday, using ground penetrating radar in a recently discovered cemetery of African Americans who were likely freed or enslaved.” [WTOP]
Fairfax City Police Investigate Bullet Hole — A resident reported hearing two gunshots at 9:49 p.m. on Monday (July 8), and police later found a bullet hole at the back of their home on Cardinal Road. Other residents later told detectives they had also heard shots but thought the sounds were fireworks. Fairfax City police officers have increased patrols in the area amid an active investigation. [Fairfax City Police/Twitter]
Arlington Chef Opens Restaurant in McLean — “Chef David Guas, a 24-year culinary vet by way of New Orleans, finally has a full-service restaurant to call his own. Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen quietly opened for dinner service last month in the downtown McLean space that formerly housed Assaggi Osteria & Pizzeria.” [Eater DC]
Springfield Man Found Guilty for Liquor Thefts — “A Springfield man was found guilty of stealing thousands of dollars of liquor from ABC stores in [Alexandria City], and is scheduled to appear again for other suspected incidents in Arlington and Fairfax Counties.” A Sept. 11 court hearing in Fairfax County involves charges of larceny, shoplifting, assaulting a law enforcement officer and more. [ALXnow]
Ramen and Taco Restaurants Heading for Richmond Highway Corridor — Yido Ramen and Sushi in Tysons is expanding to the Belle View Shopping Center, where it’s expected to open in January or February 2025. In Groveton, a tenant list for the South Alex apartments shows Big Papi’s Tacos coming to “the end unit directly across from the Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care clinic.” [On the MoVe]
Manager Chosen for Reston Marriott — “Crescent Hotels & Resorts has entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHCI) (“Comstock”) covering the JW Marriott at Reston Station.” The 28-story high-rise will include a 12-floor, 243-room hotel expected to open in mid-2025 and 94 condominiums that recently opened for sale. [Crescent Hotels and Resorts]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5pm, with mostly sunny conditions and a high near 95, and a heat index reaching up to 105. Wednesday night, storms may occur mainly before 2am, while partly cloudy skies bring a low of 77. The chance of precipitation rises from 30% to 50%. [NWS]
