News | FFXnow - Part 779

UPDATE: Tornado, flood watches issued for Fairfax County

Published May 27, 2022 at 9:00AM | Updated May 27, 2022 at 12:55PM

A map shows areas across Virginia and the D.C. region under a tornado watch (via NWS Baltimore-Washington/Twitter)

(Updated at 12:55 p.m.) Tornado and storm warnings briefly usurped earlier weather alerts for Fairfax County as the National Weather Service noted potential dangers and hazards across the region.

“Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles,” NWS said in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning alert. “Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.”

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 27, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:24PM

A path in the Mount Vernon area (staff photo by Brandi Bottalico)

First Case of Monkeypox Hits Northern Virginia — “A Northern Virginia woman likely has monkeypox, the Virginia Dept. of Health announced today.” [ARLnow]

Man Settles Lawsuit with FCPD — “An unarmed Black man who was shocked with a stun gun wielded by a white Fairfax County police officer in June 2020 has reached a settlement in a federal civil rights lawsuit, WTOP has learned.” [WTOP]

Fairfax County School Board delays decision on making sex ed more co-ed

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 26, 2022 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Public Schools currently separates middle school students into "boy" and "girl" groups for sex-education classes (via Samuel Regan-Asante/Unsplash)

Middle school sex education classes in Fairfax County will remain separated by gender going into the next school year.

A majority of the Fairfax County School Board agreed on Tuesday (May 24) to postpone a vote on whether to introduce gender-combined Family Life Education (FLE) classes for students in grades 4-8 and 10th grade, along with other proposed changes intended to make the curriculum more inclusive.

County takes over maintenance of Silver Line Phase Two facilities

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 26, 2022 at 3:00PM

The extension could open in time for Thanksgiving travel.

Another logistical piece to formally open phase two of the Silver Line has been completed, but the opening date remains entirely unclear.

At meeting on Tuesday (May 24), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion to formally accept maintenance responsibilities of county-owned transit facilities related to the 11.4-mile Metrorail extension in Loudoun County.

Fairfax County board directs staff to consider fairness of sports tourism projects

By David Taube

Published May 26, 2022 at 1:30PM

Kids play soccer on a synthetic turf (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

Fairfax County is exploring how private partnerships could bring more sports facilities to the area, but the five-year journey has now been slightly prolonged by an additional step.

The Board of Supervisors passed a measure on Tuesday (May 24) directing Fairfax County Park Authority and Neighborhood and Community Services staff to address racial and social equity issues when evaluating potential projects with input from Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce and her team.

Fairfax County approves half-off fare discount for Connector riders in need

By David Taube

Published May 26, 2022 at 12:45PM

Fairfax Connector buses in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new program will make bus fares half off for certain Fairfax Connector riders, including individuals with disabilities, low-income residents and aging adults.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a three-year agreement on Tuesday (May 24) for the plan, which would offer the discount to people making as much as twice the federal poverty level.

Lane on I-495 North to permanently close in preparation for express lane construction

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 26, 2022 at 10:30AM

The current end of the I-495 North Express Lanes in Tysons (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A lane closure is coming for I-495 in McLean, the first of what will likely be many similar changes to the roadway over the next few years.

The left-shoulder lane on northbound I-495, also known as the Capital Beltway, will close permanently between Old Dominion Drive and the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange as soon as next Tuesday (May 31), the Virginia Department of Transportation announced yesterday (Wednesday).

Woman injured in Annandale crash dies, becoming the county’s seventh pedestrian fatality this year

By David Taube

Published May 26, 2022 at 9:00AM

Fairfax County police car (file photo)

An 83-year-old Annandale woman, Eileen Garnett, died yesterday morning (Wednesday) following a crash on Friday (May 20) where a driver crashed into four people in a parking lot, police said.

The crash in the 7200 block of Maple Place in Annandale involved four pedestrians who were discussing a community project, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 26, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated July 10, 2023 at 10:26AM

Passing the pedestrian bridge over Route 50 in Seven Corners (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Victim of Bailey’s Crossroads Crash Identified — Gladis Suyapa Deras, 54, of Falls Church died in a two-vehicle crash outside Skyline Plaza on Tuesday (May 24), police confirmed. Investigators say the occupants of the other vehicle initially ran from the scene, and one of them was arrested for allegedly being drunk in public. [FCPD]

Herndon Man Arrested for Sexual Battery of Minor — “Town of Herndon Police arrested a 53-year-old Herndon man in connection with the aggravated sexual battery of a juvenile victim who was known to him, according to the weekly crime report. Police arrested Jenaro Alberto Hernandez Jovel on May 6 for an incident that occurred in the 500 block of Florida Avenue, according to police.” [Patch]

JUST IN: Man arrested for alleged sexual assault of kid at Lake Accotink Park

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 25, 2022 at 5:20PM

The Lake Accotink dam in Springfield (staff photo by David Taube)

A 42-year-old man from Lorton faces criminal charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a kid at Lake Accotink Park, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Wednesday).

According to police, Louis C. Allen approached the victim at a playground in the park (7500 Accotink Park Road) around 6 p.m. on Saturday (May 21). He “unlawfully touched” her multiple times, first while talking to her in the play area and again after following her into the water when she left to avoid him.