News | FFXnow - Part 493

Morning Notes

Published May 16, 2023 at 7:30AM

George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill seen across Dogue Creek in Mount Vernon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Man in Connolly’s Office Attack Tied to Earlier Assault — “The suspect is accused of attacking another person shortly after 10:30 a.m. Monday. He approached a woman sitting in her car in the Chantilly area, asked her if she was white and then smashed her windshield with a bat, police said. He’ll be charged with a hate crime and destruction of property.” [NBC4]

Youngkin Vetoes Undergrounding Utilities Bill — “On Friday, May 12, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation that would have funded an underground electricity distribution line along Route 1 in Fairfax County in support of the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit project. The legislation had passed unanimously in both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate.” [On the MoVe]

Park Authority’s ‘Wonder Wagon’ mobile centers will bring nature to people

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2023 at 3:30PM

The Fairfax County Park Authority wants to expand access to nature with planned mobile centers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In the future, Fairfax County residents won’t need to trek to a park to experience nature.

Instead, the park will find them with the Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center, a Fairfax County Park Authority initiative that will bring educational programs on nature and the environment to underserved communities and Title I schools with limited access to green spaces.

BREAKING: Rep. Gerry Connolly’s staff members assaulted in Fairfax City

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated May 15, 2023 at 9:23PM

Rep. Gerry Connolly has a Fairfax District Office in the 10680 Mainland Building in Fairfax City (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 9:20 p.m.) Two members of Rep. Gerry Connolly’s staff were assaulted this morning by a Fairfax resident with a baseball bat.

The City of Fairfax Police Department and the United States Capitol Police (USCP) are investigating the incident at 10680 Main Street, Suite 140. The suspect has been arrested, while the victims were taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, police said.

Metro: Over 1 million people have ridden Silver Line Phase 2 so far

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 15, 2023 at 1:30PM

A woman exits the Innovation Center Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two stops on Metro’s Silver Line have risen above all others since the rail line was extended into Loudoun County last fall.

The stations at Dulles International Airport and Ashburn remain the most popular so far, continuing a trend seen in the first month of operations for the extension, according to Metro officials.

Fairfax County contests Va. Supreme Court ruling on zMOD even with code readopted

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 15, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated May 15, 2023 at 2:24PM

The Fairfax County Government Center (file photo)

(Updated at 2:25 p.m.) Fairfax County officials are hoping to clear up a legal kerfuffle over its zoning ordinance, which was readopted last week after getting voided by the Virginia Supreme Court earlier this year.

Before readopting a modernized version of the zoning ordinance — known as zMod — on May 9, the county filed a petition for a rehearing in the Supreme Court case Berry v. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Vienna may soon require developers to plant and preserve more trees

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2023 at 11:00AM

A tree on Branch Road in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Vienna is ready to turn over a new leaf in its commitment to tree plantings and preservation.

In the hopes of reversing a significant decline in canopy coverage over the past decade, staff proposed a tree conservation ordinance to the Vienna Town Council last week that would require developers to preserve existing trees when possible.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 15, 2023 at 7:30AM

Tysons Blvd at night (photo by John Lee/Twitter)

Police Share Plans for Future DUI Checkpoints — “Throughout the year, our Fairfax County DUI squad will host sobriety checkpoints throughout the County. District stations will also host sobriety checkpoints, between the hours are 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. The focus is to recognize those community members who are impaired and get them off the streets safely.” [FCPD]

Dead Bodies Found in Culmore and Groveton — “Two dead bodies were found in different areas of Fairfax County hours apart Saturday, police said. One body was found behind a business at the 3300 block of Glen Carlyn Drive…Hours later, officers responded to a call about another body found at the 7100 block of Mint Place” [WUSA9]

County bans overnight commercial parking on downtown McLean street

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 12, 2023 at 2:15PM

Commercial vehicles, like charter buses, have been taking up parking on Whittier Avenue in McLean, businesses say (via Google Maps)

Businesses along Whittier Avenue in McLean will soon get some relief from the trucks, trailers and other vehicles hoarding parking spots on the downtown street.

At the request of the business owners, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed unanimously at its meeting on Tuesday (May 9) to restrict overnight, on-street parking on two blocks between Old Dominion Drive and Laughlin Avenue.

Reston Association board to review parks and recreation survey this fall

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 12, 2023 at 1:30PM

Reston Association

Reston Association‘s work on its first 10-year parks and recreation plan is underway.

The organization has kicked off a community survey to gather information on how it should approach the planning process for future and current parks and recreation needs.

Homelessness continues to increase in Fairfax County, especially among families with kids

By Vernon Miles

Published May 12, 2023 at 11:45AM

Encampment set up by people experiencing homelessness (via MWCOG)

Fairfax County is continuing to see the number of locals experiencing homelessness over the last year increase — and a new report said inflation and housing costs are partially to blame.

This year’s point-in-time count — an annual count of individuals in shelters, transitional housing, and experiencing unsheltered homelessness — found 1,310 people experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County.