News | FFXnow - Part 458

Morning Notes

Published July 31, 2023 at 8:30AM | Updated July 31, 2023 at 8:59AM

A barred owl at the Walker Nature Center in Reston (photo by Pete Huffer)

(Updated at 8:50 a.m.) Saturday Storm Affects Power, Trees — “Wind damage — mainly downed trees — occurred all over the region, including northern Virginia, the District and Maryland. Some trees fell onto homes and cars. In many instances, roads were blocked. But the winds also toppled portable toilets and street signs and tore shingles off roofs.” [The Washington Post]

Police Launch Final Week of Road Safety Campaign — “We start our fourth and final wave of the successful ‘Road Shark’ campaign on Monday, July 31 through Sunday, August 6. During this high-visibility and coordinated enforcement, FCPD continues to deter aggressive driving, reduce crashes, and change driving behavior.” [FCPD]

Reston Association hires contractor to repair closed Autumnwood pool

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 28, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated July 28, 2023 at 4:13PM

The Autumnwood pool in Reston (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) Autumnwood pool in Reston is temporarily offline due to electrical issues.

According to Reston Association, the pool’s electrical system failed again despite repairs to the electrical system that powers the filter pump earlier this month.

County activates cooling centers with Excessive Heat Warning in effect

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 28, 2023 at 12:00PM

The county has activated its libraries, human services offices and community and recreation centers as cooling centers (via Fairfax County)

It’s another stifling day in Fairfax County with no immediate relief in sight.

As of 11 a.m., temperatures at Fort Belvoir had reached 90 degrees, but thanks to 65% humidity, it likely feels closer to 103 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service.

Virginia Tech’s ‘otherworldly’ West Falls Church development approved despite height concerns

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 28, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated November 16, 2023 at 11:17AM

The planned Converge West Falls office building will be topped by a solar array (via Gensler/Fairfax County)

The final piece needed to fully redevelop the West Falls Church Transit Station Area has fallen into place.

After a public hearing on Tuesday (July 25), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved developer Rushmark Properties and HITT Contracting’s proposal to transform Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Center in Idylwood into a mixed-use hub designed to promote sustainability.

Suspect arrested for robbing 66-year-old woman in Reston, police say

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 28, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated July 28, 2023 at 4:32PM

Fairfax County police (file photo)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Local police have made an arrest in connection with the robbery of a 66-year-old woman in the vicinity of the North Shore pool.

Police arrested and charged the 38-year-old Reston resident with robbery on Wednesday (July 26).

FCPD: Man shoots mother and self in Seven Corners, hospitalizing both

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 28, 2023 at 9:30AM

The Woodlake Towers condominium complex in Seven Corners (via Google Maps)

A man shot his mother and himself in Seven Corners yesterday (Thursday), sending both of them to the hospital, Fairfax County police say.

Officers were dispatched to the Woodlake Towers condominiums at 6001 Arlington Blvd around 4:34 p.m. for the apparent domestic violence incident, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 28, 2023 at 7:30AM

A maintenance worker sprays water at a building facade in Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Excessive Heat Warning Issued for Today — The alert will take effect in the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. With “dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110 expected,” the “potential for heat related illnesses” is increased, especially “for those working or participating in outdoor activities.” [NWS]

Proposed Apartments Could Displace Annandale Retailers — “The Eastgate mixed-use development proposed for John Marr Drive in Annandale will have 280 apartments, ground-floor retail, and an above-ground garage…The six-story apartment building will displace The Block, the Pelicana chicken restaurant, Kimen Ramen & Izakaya, and B-Thrifty,” though the food hall could move to the new building’s ground floor. [Annandale Today]

County board defers decision on Reston Row revisions

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 27, 2023 at 2:15PM

Reston Association president John Farrell raised the association's concerns at a meeting related to Reston Row (Photo via handout/Fairfax County).

A decision on Comstock’s proposed changes to the Reston Row neighborhood has been delayed.

At a meeting on Tuesday (July 25), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to defer a decision on the application.

New community services room brings Fairfax County resources to Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 27, 2023 at 1:30PM

Inside Fairfax County's new Community Services Room at Tysons Corner Center (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood & Community Services)

Soon, Tysons Corner Center visitors will be able to access the internet for free, check out a library book and learn how to prepare for college or a career all from the same room.

After closing at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fairfax County’s Community Services Room at the mall will reopen on Saturday (July 29) with an expanded array of services.

Proposed Reston land use changes get bump up in priority for review

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

The Reston Town Center expansion (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Several deferred proposals to change land uses in Reston are coming to light once again.

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (July 25), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn proposed that the county begin considering a set of 10 Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) proposals that were deferred earlier this year due to ongoing work to update Reston’s Comprehensive Plan.