News | FFXnow - Part 436

Morning Notes

Published April 4, 2024 at 8:15AM

Capital One's headquarters and and the Silverline Center lit at night in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

County Cuts Herndon Police From Training Academy — “In a March 18 letter…Deputy County Executive Thomas Arnold, who oversees public safety, said he had decided ‘to terminate the Town of Herndon Police Department’s affiliation with the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy effective June 1.'” The move came after Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard objected to the academy’s director signing graduation certificates in Chinese. [Washington Post]

Five Men Arrested in Online Child Solicitation Sting — “Five men have been arrested after a multi-day operation to bring down online predators, the Fairfax County Police Department announced on Wednesday…Those people then came to Fairfax County with the intention of committing a sex act with the minor, but instead found detectives waiting for them.” [WUSA9]

Police Actions Largely Justified in Auditor’s Incident Reviews

By GazetteLeader

Published April 4, 2024 at 6:00AM

By Brian Trompeter

Fairfax County police mostly were vindicated in the independent police auditor’s recent review of seven incidents between 2017 and 2020 in which officers pointed firearms at people, but an officer violated policy in one case and others failed significantly in another.

Great Falls Native Uses Screenwriting Skills to Boost Debut Novel

By GazetteLeader

Published April 4, 2024 at 6:00AM

By Brian Trompeter

Small-town skullduggery, eccentric characters, humor and a gritty tone are staples of Southern crime fiction and former Great Falls resident Peter Malone Elliott was happy to indulge in them all in his debut novel, “Blue Ridge.”

Success in STEM-Essay Contest Lauded by McLean Branch of AAUW

By GazetteLeader

Published April 4, 2024 at 6:00AM

By Brian Trompeter

The McLean area branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) recognized the winners of its 2024 STEM Essay Contest during the branch’s potluck dinner March 19 at the McLean Community Center.

ArtsFairfax’s New CEO Brings Plenty of Experience to Position

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 4, 2024 at 6:00AM

Noting his track record of igniting transformation through arts access and arts education, the board of directors of ArtsFairfax has tapped Stuart Holt as its new president/CEO.

He succeeds Linda Sullivan, who had served as president since 2010.

Construction to begin on workforce housing development in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 3:30PM

Somos at McLean Metro's first phase will add 231 units of workforce housing at 1750 Old Meadow Road in Tysons (courtesy SCG Development)

An office building in Tysons is being demolished to make way for workforce housing near the McLean Metro station.

SCG Development announced today (Wednesday) that it has closed on the financing needed to build the first phase of the project, which is being called Somos at McLean Metro. Construction can begin immediately on the mid-rise, 231-unit rental apartment building at 1750 Old Meadow Road.

FCPD: Two men arrested, others identified in Springfield ‘street takeover’ incident

By James Jarvis

Published April 3, 2024 at 2:45PM

A man allegedly brandishes a weapon during a car meet in Springfield on Easter Sunday (via FCPD)

Several people have been identified and charged in connection to a “street takeover” in Springfield on Sunday (March 31).

The Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Wednesday) that detectives arrested and charged an 18-year-old man from Woodbridge and a 17-year-old Arlington man who allegedly took part in a rowdy “mob” in a parking lot in the 6600 block of Electronic Drive around 3 a.m.

Reston air-conditioning service to restart, thanks to community donations

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 1:30PM

Homes by Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston’s central air-conditioning service is officially returning to keep hundreds of residents and businesses cool this summer.

RELAC Water Cooling announced on Sunday (March 31) that it has received enough community donations to be able to provide chilled water for air-conditioning to roughly 635 residential and commercial properties in the Lake Anne area.

Powerball ticket worth $1 million sold at Mount Vernon Safeway

By Inside NoVA

Published April 3, 2024 at 11:45AM

Safeway at Engleside Plaza in Mount Vernon (via Google Maps)

Someone bought a Powerball ticket for Monday night’s drawing that is now worth $1 million. The winning ticket was bought at Safeway, located at 8646 Richmond Highway in [Mount Vernon’s Engleside Plaza].

The million-dollar question now is: Who has that ticket?

Route 7 widening in Pimmit Hills among local transportation projects up for regional funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 11:00AM

Traffic southbound on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) at Ramada Road in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is seeking public input on several projects vying for inclusion in its six-year funding program.

The biggest request by far comes from Fairfax County, which applied for $587.2 million to fund four major projects — more than the other eight localities participating in the fiscal year 2024-2029 Six-Year Program combined.