News | FFXnow - Part 389

Reston Association urges members to fight expected casino bill

Published January 5, 2024 at 11:00AM

State Sen. Dave Marsden is expected to file legislation authorizing a voter referendum on a casino in Fairfax County for the 2024 General Assembly session (via Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash)

State Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35) has yet to unveil his planned bill to authorize a casino in Fairfax County, but Reston Association is going all in to prevent it from becoming law.

Following up on a formal statement of opposition approved in October by the board of directors, RA CEO Mac Cummins released a letter to the organization’s members yesterday pledging to take “decisive action” to block the possibility of a casino, which he characterized as a potential threat to “the residential character of our community.”

GW Parkway construction to shift traffic to southbound lanes in McLean area

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 5, 2024 at 9:30AM

The new GW Parkway traffic pattern during weekday morning rush hours, starting Jan. 6, 2024 (courtesy NPS)

The GW Parkway’s northern section is on the brink of a new phase in its rehabilitation process.

Starting tomorrow (Saturday), construction on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in McLean will shift from the southbound lanes to the northbound ones between the Capital Beltway (I-495) and Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road).

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published January 5, 2024 at 8:15AM

A clock overlooks the Eden Center parking lot (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Wintry Mix Expected From Storm in Fairfax County — “Storm Team4 is tracking a winter storm expected throughout Saturday and into early Sunday…The District and parts of Maryland and Virginia bordering the Capital Beltway will get a wintry mix, with snow arriving Saturday morning and then changing over to all rain. Not much snow accumulation is expected.” [NBC4]

Parents of Overdose Victim Urge Awareness of Opioids — “In the months since Cayden died, the Fosters have worked to make sure other parents don’t experience similar heartbreak. Schools across the D.C. region have hosted information sessions about the dangers of fentanyl, and are continuing to do so. Fairfax County has an opioid awareness session scheduled next week.” [WTOP]

Fairfax Connector workers authorize strike as contract negotiations continue

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 3:00PM | Updated January 4, 2024 at 3:59PM

Fairfax Connector bus (file photo)

(Updated at 4 p.m.) Hundreds of Fairfax Connector workers could strike if contract talks between their union and employer break down.

Nearly a month after the end of their existing contract with Transdev, which operates Fairfax County’s public bus system, union drivers, mechanics and other employees voted on Dec. 29 to authorize a strike, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 announced yesterday.

Woman ordered to stop building ‘secret’ tunnel under her house by Town of Herndon

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 11:15AM

TikTok user Kala has been documenting the construction of a "secret tunnel" under her Herndon home since October 2022 (via engineer.everything/TikTok)

The Town of Herndon has shut down a resident’s months-long attempt to construct an elaborate tunnel system under her house.

Nicknamed “tunnel girl” by online followers, Kala shared in a Dec. 28 video that local officials have issued a stop-work order requiring her to suspend the “secret tunnel” project that she has been documenting on TikTok and, occasionally, YouTube since October 2022.

Driver dies after two multi-vehicle, ‘chain reaction’ crashes on I-66

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 10:30AM

I-66 West lanes were blocked last night for a fatal three-vehicle crash near Nutley Street (via VDOT)

A woman died last night (Wednesday) after crashing into a tow truck that was responding to an earlier multi-vehicle collision on I-66, the Virginia State Police announced this morning.

Troopers were called first at 6:31 p.m. yesterday to a “chain reaction crash” that involved three vehicles in the westbound lanes of I-66 at the 51-mile marker in the Centreville area.

Police investigate after Beltway driver finds bullet hole in vehicle

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 9:45AM | Updated January 4, 2024 at 10:54AM

A Virginia State Police vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 10:55 a.m.) Virginia State Police are seeking witnesses in a possible shooting incident that occurred this morning (Thursday) near the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange in Tysons.

Troopers responded at 6:08 a.m. to a driver stopped in the shoulder along the Capital Beltway’s northbound lanes near the exit to the toll road’s westbound lanes, according to the VSP and scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published January 4, 2024 at 8:15AM

Wavy signs decorate the Adaire Apartments parking garage in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Inova Prepares for Hospital Construction — “The Falls Church-based health system has filed building permits for both a Springfield hospital at 6330 Lewin Drive in Franconia, about a mile from the Springfield Metro station, and a new Alexandria hospital at 6001 Duke St…Inova expects to start construction ‘on both sites’ in the third quarter of this year, [Inova Realty President Tom] McDuffie said.” [Washington Business Journal]

Washington Post Sees of Exodus of Local Reporters — “At least 240 Post writers, columnists, editors, and others were expected to leave in the final days of 2023, significantly reshaping the paper in ways that aren’t yet fully realized…Unfortunately for readers in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, local coverage appears to have taken the biggest hit” [Washington City Paper]

Developer details plan to replace ICF office buildings in Oakton with housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2024 at 3:00PM

The Hunters Branch office buildings in Oakton could be redeveloped with an apartment building and townhomes (via Fairfax County)

A redevelopment plan for the former ICF headquarters in Oakton has officially been submitted to Fairfax County.

Filed in late December, the application from IBW HB LLC — an apparent affiliate of Arlington-based developer Insight Property Group — envisions replacing the 1980s-era Hunters Branch office complex at 9300 and 9302 Route 29 with a 8-story apartment building and townhomes.

An incoming Virginia delegate wants to expand use of speed cameras

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published January 3, 2024 at 1:15PM

A sign signals the start of a school zone in Fairfax monitored by a speed camera (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

When they reconvene this month, Virginia lawmakers will consider a proposal to allow local governments to install speed cameras wherever they deem them necessary, with penalties of up to $100 for violations.

Bill patron Del.-elect Mike Jones, D-Richmond, said the legislation is intended to increase speed enforcement and reduce the number of traffic fatalities.