News | FFXnow - Part 524

Morning Notes

Published May 3, 2023 at 7:30AM

Parking garage for the Innovation Center Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Police Release Video of Fairfax County Parkway Crash — “Heart-stopping police dash-camera footage shows an out-of-control car spin across a median and hit a stopped car and an officer making a traffic stop in Fairfax County… 17-year-old driver going ‘well over 120 mph’ in a 2018 BMW M3 caused the crash, Chief Kevin Davis said.” [NBC4]

Vienna Councilmember Won’t Seek Reelection — “Steve Potter, who has served on the Council for two terms, said on May 1 he would not be joining the fray in the November election.” The first council member to announce his intentions, he cited health challenges from “living with the effects of diabetes and esophageal cancer and…undergoing immuno-therapy for leukemia.” [Gazette Leader]

Group protesting Bangladesh prime minister shuts down Tysons Blvd

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 5:20PM

D.C. area BNP supporters protest against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina outside the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons (via hafizkhandcusa/Facebook)

Tysons Blvd was shut down in front of the Ritz-Carlton this afternoon by demonstrators protesting a visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Police closed the road between Galleria Drive and Park Run Drive starting around 3:50 p.m., according to a Fairfax Alert.

Sugarland Run Stream restoration in Herndon nearly complete

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 2, 2023 at 3:00PM

Some stability has been restored to Sugarland Run.

The Town of Herndon has nearly completed a project to restore roughly 1,200 linear feet of natural stream and stabilize stream banks of Sugarland Run South from the Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossing to the pedestrian bridge crossing, according to town manager Bill Ashton II.

Vienna hits gas pedal on plan to slow down traffic on Echols Street

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 2:15PM

The word "stop" will be painted before the stop sign at the Echols Street SE and Berry Street intersection (via Google Maps)

The drive down Echols Street SE is about to get bumpier — and, the Town of Vienna hopes, a little slower.

After some initial skepticism, the Vienna Town Council gave its support on April 24 to traffic-calming measures designed to force drivers to slow down on the two-lane residential street, which crosses over Wolftrap Creek.

NEW: FCPS is testing bathroom vape sensors, weapons screening and other safety measures

By Matt Blitz

Published May 2, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools is in the process of instituting new safety and security measures, including vape detection in bathrooms, expanded background checks, and a drone pilot program for the incident response team.

At last week’s school board meeting, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid delivered a comprehensive update on several security and safety measures in advance of a “community conversation” on May 8 at South Lakes High School in Reston.

Artist selected to decorate Reston’s Fairway Drive underpass with help from local students

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 2, 2023 at 11:15AM

Shawn James has been selected to lead the project (Photo via Shawn James).

A Baltimore-based artist has been selected to bring public art to life at Fairway Drive underpass in Reston.

Shawn James of Mural Masters, Inc. will work on the project, Public Art Reston announced last week. He started his company in an effort to create an outreach and mentorship program for inner-city youth.

JUST IN: Tysons Community Alliance selects first permanent CEO

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 10:15AM

Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol will serve as the Tysons Community Alliance's first permanent CEO (courtesy TCA)

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) has its first permanent leader.

Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol will take over as the first permanent CEO on July 5, the community improvement district announced today (Tuesday).

Person dies in Springfield crash after car plunges off I-495 onto train tracks

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 9:10AM | Updated May 2, 2023 at 11:42AM

The westbound I-495 exit to I-395 North (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 11:40 a.m.) One person was killed early this morning (Tuesday) after their vehicle apparently drove off the Capital Beltway (I-495) near the Springfield Mixing Bowl and crashed onto railroad tracks below.

An initial investigation indicates that a Kia was headed west on I-495 towards northbound I-395 when it veered off the interstate near exit 170B, according to Virginia State Police, which responded at 1:19 a.m.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 2, 2023 at 7:30AM

Scout on the Circle in Fairfax from Pickett Road intersection (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Tax Rate Decrease on Table for County Budget — “The Board of Supervisors will vote Tuesday on a budget mark-up that provides a lower real estate tax rate but doesn’t fully cancel out the impact of increased assessment values. Pay increases for county employees are also provided in the budget.” [Patch]

Local Man Gets 10 Years for Fatal Crash — “A 45-year-old Fairfax County man was sentenced to 10 years in prison last Thursday for a 2022 crash on Duke Street that killed a Fairfax County man and injured four others…[Carlos] McKethan, who drove a silver SUV, was high on Phencyclidine (PCP) when he attempted to pass a bus at 110 miles per hour.” [ALXnow]

Push for more long flights at Reagan National Airport would undermine Dulles, senators say

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 1, 2023 at 3:00PM

Dulles International Airport at night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A proposal for more long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport (DCA) is catching the ire of some of Virginia’s Congressional representatives, who say it could undermine efforts to grow Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Proponents led by Capital Access Alliance argue that current restrictions at Reagan National — an airport owned by the federal government — are outdated and hurt the economy. They want to increase the number of flights that travel beyond 1,250 miles from the airport, allowing as many as 25 daily round trips.