News | FFXnow - Part 457

Morning Notes

Published February 27, 2024 at 8:15AM

A deer crosses an asphalt trail through Vienna's Wildwood Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Local Man Dies in Alexandria Jail — “Ahntais Lucas, 39, from Fairfax County, was found unresponsive and alone in his cell experiencing a medical emergency. The release said the jail’s medical staff tried to treat Lucas but he was pronounced deceased at 4:42 a.m.” Lucas’s death is under investigation by Alexandria’s sheriff’s office and police department. [ALXnow]

McLean Man Forced to Drive at Gunpoint — “A McLean man was kidnapped at gunpoint early Sunday morning and forced to drive to his home and another location in Maryland, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Investigators determined that around 12:30 a.m…the victim had arranged to meet with the suspect” in D.C., but upon arriving, he was confronted by two people with handguns. [Patch]

FCPS pushes forward with plan to push back middle school start times

By Acacia James

Published February 26, 2024 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools bus on the road (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board is moving ahead with its plan to change middle school start times.

According to Fairfax County Public Schools, research has shown that later start times could positively influence student academic performance and mental and emotional well-being.

School board approves land transfer for future elementary school in Herndon

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 26, 2024 at 2:30PM

A future elementary school for Herndon is planned on a 5.55-acre as part of an overall development plan (via Pomeroy Clark I)

Plans for a future elementary school in the Herndon area are materializing after the Fairfax County School Board approved a land transfer.

At a Feb. 22 meeting, the board unanimously approved the conveyance of a nearly 5.6-acre site from developer Pomeroy Clark I.

McLean man pleads guilty to Covid relief fraud involving casino gambling, real estate

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 26, 2024 at 1:30PM

Casino chips (photo via Chris Liverani on Unsplash)

A McLean resident has pleaded guilty to spending federal COVID-19 relief funds intended for his home business on personal expenses, including gambling and real estate payments.

Mehdi Pazouki, 65, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday (Feb. 23) to defrauding the Small Business Administration of approximately $455,000 in loans created to help businesses survive during the pandemic, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Virginia.

Police arrest men who allegedly stole car that crashed, medical vehicle from Inova Fairfax Hospital

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 26, 2024 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County police arrested Manassas resident Rickey Lowe for allegedly stealing a medical transport vehicle from Inova Fairfax Hospital (courtesy FCPD)

A man who allegedly stole a medical transport vehicle from Inova Fairfax Hospital last week has been located and arrested, Fairfax County police announced over the weekend.

Rickey Lowe, 32, of Manassas was arrested on Friday (Feb. 23) by Fugitive Tracking and Apprehension Unit detectives who found him “near a hotel in Manassas,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release on Saturday (Feb. 24).

Reston hair salon donates funds to local cancer nonprofit

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 26, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated February 26, 2024 at 12:33PM

Great Clips Reston franchisee Sean Carroll with Cindy's Legacy founder Stacy Brooks and his daughter Violet Carroll (courtesy Great Clips)

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) Cindy’s Legacy — a Reston-based nonprofit organization that helps cancer patients in financial stress — received a lift from a local business last week.

Reston’s Great Clips donated $579 to the nonprofit organization, which was named after its founder’s mother, Cindy Martin, who had been a hairstylist in Reston for more than 30 years. Martin died from brain cancer in 2011.

Fairfax County Park Authority launches survey to identify barriers to programs

By Melanie Pincus

Published February 26, 2024 at 9:30AM

The Fairfax County Park Authority's Providence Rec Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Park Authority wants to know how community members are using its park facilities.

The park authority has launched an equity survey, open through Monday, April 1, as part of its ongoing work to improve access to park programs.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published February 26, 2024 at 8:15AM

Looking up at a pedestrian bridge over Route 7 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Officer in Fatal Tysons Shooting Had Drawn Gun Before — “In the 13 months before a Fairfax County police sergeant shot and killed an unarmed man suspected of stealing sunglasses from a major shopping mall, the officer twice drew his gun on other suspected shoplifters, spurring criticism that he was acting too aggressively and possibly violating department policies.” [Washington Post]

Fairfax Connector Strike Continues — “Fairfax Connector bus service will remain suspended through Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Operating Status for the rest of the week (February 27-March 1) will be updated as information becomes available. We encourage our users to consider alternative methods of travel and we apologize for the inconvenience and truly appreciate your patience.” [Fairfax Connector]

Marshall wrestlers finish first, third in state tournament

By GazetteLeader

Published February 24, 2024 at 6:00PM | Updated September 30, 2024 at 10:24PM

Seniors help Statesmen finish 10th in team standings

What already had been a standout season leading up to state tournament became much better for Soren Pirhoun when the Marshall Statesmen senior won the 215-pound Class 6 wrestling championship at the Virginia High School League event.

Reston Association lays out strategic plan to guide it through 2026

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 23, 2024 at 1:30PM

Reston Association headquarters (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Reston Association has adopted a new strategic plan that aims to continue the vision of Reston’s founder Bob Simon over the next three years.

At a meeting last night (Thursday), the Board of Directors approved the strategic plan, which guides the organization through 2026 with little fanfare.