News | FFXnow - Part 713

Morning Notes

Published October 11, 2022 at 7:30AM

Capital One Center past I-495, seen from Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Task Force Returns From Hurricane — “Today we warmly welcomed back VA-TF1 from their remarkable service to the victims of Ian. As always, the brave women, men and K9s of @VATF1 came through when the call to help arrived. They stand ready for the nation and the residents of Fairfax County.” [Jeff McKay/Twitter]

U.S. Opposes FCPS in Sexual Assault Case — “A recent filing in the U.S. Supreme Court supports a former Oakton High School student’s Title IX lawsuit against Fairfax County Public Schools over claims the student was threatened with discipline if she reported she was raped on a school outing.” [Patch]

Fairfax County School Board commits to supporting transgender students, as community speaks out

By Matt Blitz

Published October 10, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated October 10, 2022 at 4:01PM

Transgender pride flag (via Alexander Grey/Unsplash)

The Fairfax County School Board reaffirmed its support for transgender students last week as community members spoke out against policies proposed by the state that would limit their rights.

At a meeting on Thursday (Oct. 6), members issued a statement reiterating Fairfax County Public School’s commitment to policies that “will continue supporting our transgender and gender-expansive students, staff, and families”:

Woman killed in crash near Fairfax Towne Center, capping deadly week for local pedestrians

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2022 at 11:45AM

Southbound West Ox Road at Legato Road outside Fairfax Towne Center (via Google Maps)

A 63-year-old woman from Fairfax died yesterday (Sunday) after a driver hit her while she was crossing West Ox Road near Fairfax Towne Center, police reported.

Ligia Jeannette Herrera Betbeder was crossing from east to west on West Ox north of Legato Road when the driver of a 2015 Honda Civic traveling south struck her at 5:54 a.m., according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Nonprofit leader Holly Seibold wins Democratic caucus for 35th District

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:41PM

The Fairfax County Democratic Committee held a caucus on Oct. 8 to choose its nominee for the 35th District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Holly Seibold, founder and president of the menstrual equity nonprofit BRAWS, prevailed in last week’s Democratic caucus for the next 35th House District delegate.

After three days of voting, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) announced Saturday evening (Oct. 8) that Seibold had won the party’s nomination over Providence District School Board Representative Karl Frisch by just 67 votes.

Police search underway for missing woman, last seen in Reston

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 10, 2022 at 9:35AM | Updated October 10, 2022 at 12:22PM

Rabieb Tandee Palmer was last seen in the 1300 block of Gatemeadow Way in Reston (via FCPD/Twitter)

Updated at 12:25 p.m. — Rabieb Tandee Palmer has been found safe, police announced.

Earlier: Fairfax County and Virginia state police are looking for a 74-year-old woman who went missing in Reston early this morning (Monday).

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 10, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated October 10, 2022 at 9:17AM

Outside the National Air and Space Museum Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Local Bus Changes for Indigenous Peoples’ Day — In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, formerly known as Columbus Day, Fairfax Connector will operate on a holiday weekday schedule today (Monday). Metrorail is following a standard weekday schedule, but Metrobus is using a Saturday supplemental schedule. [Fairfax Connector, WMATA]

Local Tourism Spending Starts to Bounce Back — “Though still down from pre-pandemic levels, Fairfax County continued to make inroads in terms of rebounding tourism spending in 2021, according to new state figures. Domestic visitors spent an estimated $2.4 billion in Fairfax County in 2021, up more than 22 percent from 2020, according to figures reported Oct. 4 by the Virginia Tourism Corp.” [Sun Gazette]

Senior living facility opens in Great Falls, filling major housing need

By Matt Blitz

Published October 7, 2022 at 2:30PM

The Residence at Colvin Run Ribbon Cutting (photo courtesy of The Residence at Colvin Run)

A much-discussed senior living community is now open in Great Falls.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last month to open the Residence at Colvin Run at 1131 Walker Road. In attendance were a few local officials, including Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust.

New pickleball courts in McLean and Mount Vernon now complete

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 7, 2022 at 1:15PM

The Fairfax County Park Authority has proposed converting one of the Lewinsville Park tennis courts into pickleball courts (via FCPA)

Fairfax County’s inventory of pickleball facilities has expanded with the arrival of 10 courts dedicated to the increasingly popular sport.

Newly renovated courts at Lewinsville Park in McLean and George Washington Park in Mount Vernon will officially open on Saturday, Oct. 15, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced yesterday (Thursday).

Planned Herndon water pump will have capacity for 10M gallons a day

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 7, 2022 at 11:45AM

Herndon will work with Fairfax Water to add a pump station next to the police station (via Town of Herndon)

A pump station proposed for the Herndon Police Department site will be able to process 10 million gallons of water per day, town staff say.

The station is part of a broader retooling of Herndon’s Utility Master Plan, which outlines how the town will bolster its water infrastructure in preparation for development around the downtown and future Metro station.

VDOT offers new park to make up for 495 NEXT encroaching on Scott’s Run Nature Preserve

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 7, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:43PM

The Potomac River seen from Scott's Run Nature Preserve in McLean (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The ongoing widening of I-495 from Tysons to McLean will require the permanent taking of 1.15 acres from Scott’s Run Nature Preserve.

As compensation, the Virginia Department of Transportation has proposed building a new park for the Fairfax County Park Authority on a 1.83-acre site at the corner of Georgetown Pike and Balls Hill Road that it currently uses as a maintenance yard.