News | FFXnow - Part 519

Morning Notes

Published July 10, 2023 at 7:30AM

Sunrise at Lake Thoreau in Reston (photo by Terry Baranski)

Over 20,000 Speeders Caught by School Zone Cameras — “Thousands of drivers have been caught speeding in the months since speed cameras were placed in school zones near eight Fairfax County…schools, according to police data obtained by WTOP. In total, 23,431 cars were caught going 10 or more miles per hour above the speed limit in April, May and June combined.” [WTOP]

Walt Whitman MS Assistant Punched Student, Police Say — “A 58-year-old teacher’s assistant in Fairfax County is charged with simple assault after allegedly punching a student in the face during an altercation…Investigators claim on the day of the assault, the student began arguing with the teacher and flicked his glasses.” [WUSA9]

JUST IN: Man charged with hit and run after crashing into numerous vehicles on Capital Beltway

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 7, 2023 at 2:15PM

The scene of a multi-vehicle crash on I-495 from a traffic camera near Old Dominion Drive (via VDOT)

A Falls Church man has been charged with a hit and run after crashing into multiple vehicles on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean yesterday (Thursday), bringing traffic during the afternoon rush-hour to a halt.

In footage from a Virginia Department of Transportation traffic camera shared by public safety blogger Dave Statter, the driver of a white van was captured plowing into several northbound vehicles and then jumping over the median to the interstate’s southbound lanes around 4 p.m.

Lake Thoreau, Shadowood pools in Reston won’t reopen this pool season

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 7, 2023 at 1:30PM

Construction on the project is more than 65 percent complete (Photo courtesy RA).

Pool-goers will have to wait another pool season to enjoy Reston Association’s renovated Lake Thoreau and Shadowood pools.

In an announcement on Monday (July 3), RA said the Lake Thoreau pool (2040 Upper Lake Drive) will not reopen this season due to “unforeseen” repairs, site conditions, and delays associated with permitting and weather. The pool is expected to open next year, with anticipated grand reopening in the start of the new year.

D.C. area on Flood Watch with storms possible this afternoon

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 7, 2023 at 11:45AM

Rain at the Sully Place Shopping Center in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Flood Watch is now in effect for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County.

The National Weather Service describes the chances of “slow-moving showers and thunderstorms” this afternoon into the early evening as “likely.”

Death of man suffering medical issues at county jail under investigation

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 7, 2023 at 10:15AM

Inside the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A man who was hospitalized while in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center has died, triggering a police investigation.

Todd Matthew Gleason, 51, died Tuesday morning (July 4) just hours after a magistrate approved his release, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. He was taken to a hospital from the jail on Monday after telling sheriff’s deputies that he had “pain to his stomach and leg,” police said.

UPDATED: Man fatally shot at Arrowbrook Centre parking garage during dispute, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 7, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated July 7, 2023 at 5:24PM

Fairfax County Police Lt. James Curry gives a briefing on a fatal shooting at the Arrowbrook parking garage (via FCPD/Facebook)

(Updated at 5:25 p.m.) A 37-year-old man was fatally shot last night (Thursday) at a parking garage in Herndon’s Arrowbrook Centre development.

The Fairfax County Police Department identified the victim this afternoon (Friday) as Robert Fisher of Chantilly. A 40-year-old man from Herndon, Major Feheem Stokes, was arrested yesterday as the suspect.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 7, 2023 at 7:30AM

Tysons Corner Center from International Drive and Fletcher Street (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia Removes Resources for LGBTQ Youth — “The administration of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) quietly took down LGBTQ+ youth resources from a state website after a conservative media outlet questioned the links, records show, building on a pattern of removals derided by public health employees who say their work is being politicized.” [The Washington Post]

Fair Lakes Decor Store to Close — “World Market in the Fair Lakes Shopping Center is supposed to close on July 15, but will likely close sooner because the store is running out of inventory…World Market may be replaced by Savers Value Village, a thrift store chain that trades on the New York Stock Exchange.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

UPDATED: Capital Beltway reopens after vehicle crashes clog traffic in McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 6, 2023 at 5:05PM | Updated July 6, 2023 at 7:44PM

A crash has created traffic backups on I-495 at Lewinsville Road (via VDOT)

Updated at 7:45 p.m. — All lanes on I-495 have now reopened after a pair of crashes during the afternoon rush hour, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Earlier: Two separate vehicle crashes have brought the Capital Beltway to a near-standstill in the McLean area just north of Tysons.

Fires at abandoned house in Oakton still under investigation

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 6, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated July 7, 2023 at 10:43AM

Fairfax County fire investigators are still looking to determine the cause of a May 27 fire at an abandoned house in Oakton (via FCFRD)

Fairfax County fire investigators still trying to determine what caused a blaze at a vacant house in Oakton over a month after it occurred.

Firefighters were dispatched to the 2300 block of Hunter Mill Road at 7:35 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, “for reports of an outside fire,” according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Town of Herndon to launch new website in mid-July

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 6, 2023 at 2:30PM

The redesign of the website is set to debut on July 17 (Photo courtesy Town of Herndon).

Users of the Town of Herndon’s website may notice some design and usability changes later this month.

The town is set to debut its revamped website on July 17. The upgrade — which is the first major redesign since 2016 — has been in the works since last fall.