News | FFXnow - Part 413

Youngkin administration considers bill to expand local authority to lower speed limits

Published March 19, 2024 at 3:45PM

A 25 mph speed limit sign on a residential road in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Virginia General Assembly passed a measure three years ago allowing local governments to decrease roadway speed limits in their localities to as low as 15 mph. But recently, lawmakers found that the Virginia Department of Transportation denied seven of eight speed limit decrease requests, because, by state law, only the Commissioner of Highways can authorize changes on state-maintained roads.

Earlier this month, legislation advanced that would expand a locality’s speed-reducing authority to roadways within a business or residence district, including state-owned highways.

County to take stock of Reston’s ‘alphabet soup’ community infrastructure

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 19, 2024 at 3:00PM

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

In the nearly 60 years since it was founded, Reston has become host to a variety of community and public entities with often blurred lines and responsibilities.

To provide clarity, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn wants Fairfax County to develop an inventory of Reston’s community-level services and infrastructure, including who is responsible for what services and infrastructure and how they are funded.

Herndon to build new pedestrian bridge to Sugarland Run trails in the fall

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 19, 2024 at 11:00AM

Detours will be required when construction begins in October on a new Hunters Creek pedestrian bridge (courtesy Town of Herndon)

Construction to replace the Hunters Creek Pedestrian Bridge is slated to begin in October, according to the Town of Herndon.

An assessment by the town found that the bridge — which connects to the Sugarland Run trails from behind the Hunters Creek Swim & Racquet Club (417 Queens Row Street) — needs to be replaced and that erosion of the stream needs to be addressed.

Office buildings near Tysons-Pimmit library could be supplanted by townhouses

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 19, 2024 at 10:15AM

The owner of 7600 Leesburg Pike is seeking to redevelop the existing office building with townhouses (via Vika Virginia/Fairfax County)

An official proposal is on the table to redevelop an office complex adjacent to the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library with townhouses.

The owner of 7600 Leesburg Pike submitted plans to Fairfax County on Friday (March 15) for a 165-unit townhouse development that would replace the existing 4-story office buildings. Built in 1986, the 230,620-square-foot property’s current tenants include Westgate Realty Group, Oak Hill Montessori and Standard Healthcare Services’ College of Nursing.

Fairfax County police home in on traffic safety with return of ‘Road Shark’ campaign

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 19, 2024 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County police and Virginia State Police are partnering on a "Road Shark" traffic safety campaign (courtesy FCPD)

Local and state police are on the prowl once again for dangerous driving behaviors.

The Fairfax County Police Department and Virginia State Police announced yesterday (Monday) that they have launched a “Road Shark” enforcement and education campaign for a second year with the goal of reducing aggressive driving and crashes.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 19, 2024 at 8:15AM

The sun sets on Reston's Leidos building, which is lit with green for St. Patrick's Day (photo by Gail Crockett)

Annandale House Fire Under Investigation — “Dozens of Fairfax County firefighters responded to a large fire early Monday morning that tore through a house in Annandale, Virginia. Initial 911 calls from neighbors just before 4 a.m. reported the sound of an explosion along with the fire in the 4200 block of Ann Fitz Hugh Drive,” but investigators said they haven’t found evidence of an explosion. [WTOP]

Five Caught Breaking Into Langley HS — Fairfax County police responded to the high school in McLean at 2:33 a.m. on Sunday (March 17) after school security reported “multiple activation alarms inside the school. When officers arrived, they found the school had no damage.” With the help of a helicopter, police caught five juveniles seen fleeing on foot in security videos. Petitions are pending for the juveniles, who were released to their parents. [FCPD]

Driver of allegedly stolen vehicle charged with assaulting Virginia State Police during chase

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 18, 2024 at 3:15PM

The ramp from Richmond Highway (Route 1) ramp to I-95 South (via Google Maps)

A Maryland man who fled police in a reportedly stolen vehicle is facing multiple charges of assault against Virginia state troopers.

According to the Virginia State Police, troopers received an alert around 3:41 a.m. yesterday (Sunday) that a gray sedan reported to have been stolen might be traveling on Richmond Highway (Route 1) in the Huntington area.

Pimmit Hills man arrested after being found with missing teen, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 18, 2024 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

A Pimmit Hills man has been accused of possessing child porn and having sex with a teenager who was reported missing in New York.

Detectives arrested 20-year-old Muammer Steve Demir on Friday (March 15) after they found him with the teen at a house in the 7300 block of Sportsman Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Monday).

FCPD: Fairfax County is ‘safest’ jurisdiction of its size, but shoplifting, officer assaults on the rise in 2023

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 18, 2024 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County police vehicle with lights (file photo)

The Fairfax County Police Department touted the county’s status as the safest jurisdiction of its size following the release of its year-end crime report.

The report — which is based on violent crime rates among participating agencies evaluated by the Major Cities Chief Association — shows that Fairfax County’s rate is the lowest among jurisdictions of comparable size. Homicide offenses, sex offenses, burglaries, and robberies all declined between 2022 and 2023, according to the report.

Vienna to celebrate new pedestrian bridge to historic Freeman Store

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 18, 2024 at 11:00AM

A new pedestrian bridge between Vienna's Freeman Store and the W&OD Trail is open (via Town of Vienna/Twitter)

Users of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail can now more directly access the Freeman Store and Museum — and, beyond it, the Town Green — in Vienna.

The town has opened a new pedestrian bridge over Piney Branch that links the regional trail to the historic site. Completed in November, the facility replaces a wooden bridge that collapsed in 2016 due to water damage and general deterioration.