News | FFXnow - Part 467

Morning Notes

Published September 18, 2023 at 8:15AM

Fountains run in front of Fiesta Fairfax banner at Old Town Square in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

One Injured in Herndon Vehicle Crash — Yesterday afternoon (Sunday), Herndon police shut down “two lanes into town and one lane out of town on Sterling Rd…due to a crash investigation. Light pole blocking 3 lanes. Dominion power responding. One patient has been transported w non life threatening injuries.” [Herndon Police/Twitter]

Fairfax City Opens Addiction Recovery Center — “With a ribbon cutting held Friday, the city’s new 6,700-square-feet addiction recovery center run by the Chris Atwood Foundation stands to help those in the community fighting the disease and looking for resources, particularly low-income families.” [WTOP]

FCPD: Young bicyclist seriously injured in Dunn Loring crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 16, 2023 at 3:10PM

Fairfax County police car with lights on (file photo)

A child has been hospitalized with serious injuries after he was hit by a sedan while riding his bicycle on Idylwood Road, police say.

“Officers are on scene of a serious crash involving a cyclist at Idylwood Rd and Greenbrier Way in Dunn Loring,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a tweet at 1:04 p.m. “A juvenile male was taken to the hospital in serious condition.”

Langley HS student and others lauded by county for working to improve environment

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 15, 2023 at 2:30PM

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck (via Fairfax County)

A senior at Langley High School, a county planner who helped craft an environmental plan for Reston, and a local business dedicated to reducing waste are among the recipients of this year’s Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards.

Handed out annually since 2000, the awards recognize residents, county staff, businesses and other organizations “who demonstrate extraordinary leadership within the community and exceptional dedication to the preservation and enhancement of the county’s natural resources,” according to the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

County poised to swap land with Inova for Reston Town Center North site

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 15, 2023 at 1:30PM

Reston Regional Library (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County is gearing up to officially swap land with Inova, moving forward several key elements of the redevelopment of Reston Town Center North.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Tuesday (Sept. 12) by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn asking the county executive to move forward with a real estate exchange agreement with Inova.

Vienna and Fairfax City cook up program to help staff local restaurants

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 15, 2023 at 11:30AM

A restaurant worker looks at order tickets (via Daniel Bradley/Unsplash)

The Town of Vienna and Fairfax City believe two cooks would be better than one when it comes to concocting a culinary workforce program to support their local restaurants.

The economic development teams from both localities have joined forces to develop a program that could provide job training or help businesses identify prospective, qualified employees.

County sets hearings on proposal to reduce light around Turner Farm Observatory

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 15, 2023 at 10:30AM

The roll-top observatory at Turner Farm Park (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

Fairfax County is exploring ways to preserve dark skies around Turner Farm Park Observatory in Great Falls.

At a Tuesday (Sept. 12) meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors announced public hearings on a proposed regulation that would limit outdoor lighting within a half-mile of the observatory at 925 Springvale Road.

Fairfax County ignites plan to crack down on illegal fireworks use

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 15, 2023 at 9:30AM

Fireworks were the suspected cause of a house fire this year at Stuart Court (Photo via FCFRD).

Fairfax County officials are exploring ways to crack down on the illegal use of fireworks.

At a meeting Tuesday (Sept. 12), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to consider expanding the enforcement powers of the Fairfax County Police Department related to fireworks.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published September 15, 2023 at 8:15AM

Fairfax City's Old Town Hall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia Reps Raise Alarm Over Potential Federal Shutdown — “The fractious, divided House of Representatives has until the end of the month to approve the funding needed to keep the federal government open. If…the government runs out of money, it’ll likely have dire consequences for the D.C. region, which is home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers, contractors, and military service members.” [DCist]

Lee Chapel Road Hill Removals Fully Funded — State Sen. George Barker shared on Wednesday (Sept. 13) that the state will provide $4 million to eliminate two hills along a stretch of road where two teens were killed in a crash, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity confirmed yesterday. Fairfax County has already allocated $5 million to the project. [WTOP]

Fairfax County to get updated COVID-19 vaccines amid surge in illness

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 14, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated September 14, 2023 at 4:45PM

COVID-19 cases reported in the Fairfax Health District over the past year, as of Sept. 14, 2023 (via VDH)

(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) A new batch of COVID-19 vaccines is on the way, as the disease appears to be surging once again.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday (Sept. 14) that it recommends everyone 6 months and older get the shots, which have been updated to provide improved protection against the variants fueling the current rise in illness and hospitalizations.

Reston Association scales back pickleball plans at Barton Hill, explores safety issues

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 14, 2023 at 1:15PM

A proposal to renovate the tennis courts at Barton Hill is moving forward (Photo via Joan Azeka/Unsplash).

In response to concerns about noise, Reston Association has scaled back plans for pickleball courts at Barton Hill.

At a Sept. 6 community meeting, staff said they reduced the number of pickleball courts planned for the facility at 1901 Barton Hill Road from six to four and removed blended lines between tennis courts that allowed both tennis and pickleball uses.