News | FFXnow - Part 799

Morning Notes

Published April 25, 2022 at 7:30AM

A spring dandelion (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Case Against Park Police Who Shot McLean Man Dropped — “Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) on Friday dropped the state’s federal appeal in the manslaughter case against two U.S. Park Police officers, effectively ending any attempt at criminal prosecution of the officers who fatally shot unarmed motorist Bijan Ghaisar in a Fairfax County neighborhood in 2017.” [The Washington Post]

Hundreds Help Pack Ukrainian Refugee Donations — “Hundreds of volunteers gathered this weekend in Oakton to help pack approx. 1800 boxes with donations collected for displaced Ukrainians. Huge thanks to our community members for donating, these wonderful volunteers, and to Paxton Co. for generously shipping these items.” [Chairman Jeff McKay/Twitter]

With contest deadline approaching, students advocate for Louise Archer historical marker

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 22, 2022 at 3:00PM

Louise Archer Elementary School students research their school's namesake (via Louise Archer Fourth Grade/Twitter)

Students have one week left to submit their ideas for new markers honoring Fairfax County’s Black and African American history.

The county is set to close the submission period for its 2022 Historical Marker Project on April 30. The project is part of a larger initiative to highlight the experiences of Black and African American residents that launched in February, coinciding with Black History Month.

NEW: Fairfax County police ups ad spending to bolster recruitment

By David Taube

Published April 22, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated May 1, 2022 at 6:21PM

Fairfax County police cruiser (via FCPD/Facebook)

(Updated at 5 p.m.) The Fairfax County Police Department has turned to advertising to help address vacancies.

The department has signed a contract with Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Epic Recruiting to deliver digital marketing services and materials. Operational expenses for police recruiting have already more than quadrupled this budget year.

Rules proposed to allow permanent outdoor dining in downtown Herndon

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 22, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated October 11, 2022 at 4:54PM

An outdoor tent set up on Lynn Street in Herndon (via Google Maps)

Outdoor dining became a go-to option during the peak of the pandemic for downtown Herndon businesses, but it may not just be a thing of the past anymore.

The Herndon Town Council is considering a proposal to permit outdoor dining and seating in public areas. The move comes after temporary licenses to allow outdoor dining expired in November.

County workers, homeowners share impact of rising costs as board starts to mark up budget

By David Taube

Published April 22, 2022 at 12:45PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:51PM

County worker Karen Johnson speaks at a budget hearing on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 (via Fairfax County)

Karen Johnson commutes two hours each way to get to work in Fair Oaks, leaving at 5 a.m. from her home in Fredericksburg.

Johnson, a child care center teacher, has tried to live in Fairfax County but can’t afford it, she said on April 12 at a budget hearing with fellow union members. She called on the Board of Supervisors to fund proposed raises to the county’s 11,000-plus merit workers.

Veterinary hospital proposed on Centreville Road in Chantilly

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 22, 2022 at 11:15AM

A veterinary hospital has been proposed in Chantilly (Image via handout/Fairfax County Government).

A veterinary hospital could take up a one-acre vacant site at 4700 Centreville Road, right next to the Westone Plaza shopping center in Chantilly.

A one-story building with 3,200-square-feet is planned on the largely wooded area, along with 41 spaces for surface parking. Access to the site would be provided through the existing shopping center.

Lidl readies for summer opening in McLean, with more stores coming

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 22, 2022 at 10:30AM

Lidl is coming to McLean, with Big Buns and Matchbox Pizza in tow (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on McLean’s upcoming Lidl.

The grocery store is on track to open this summer, the company says, putting the project slightly behind previous projections of a spring opening.

Local breweries team up on anti-Putin ale to raise money for Ukraine refugees

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 22, 2022 at 9:00AM

Brewers from around Northern Virginia are collaborating on an ale that will be sold to raise money for Ukrainian refugees (courtesy Ornery Beer Company)

Some of Fairfax County’s top breweries are rolling up their sleeves and joining a global campaign to support Ukrainian refugees displaced by the ongoing Russian invasion.

The “Brew for Ukraine” movement emerged in early March in response to a call for support from Pravda Brewery, a company based in Lviv, Ukraine, that has shifted to brewing Molotov cocktails for the country’s defense efforts.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 22, 2022 at 7:30AM

Tulips across from Vienna Presbyterian Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

It’s Earth Day — The Fairfax County Park Authority launched a new Earth Day website this week to provide information on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to promote environmental stewardship. The annual occasion started in 1970 “to generate awareness and support for environmental protection.” [FCPA]

Community Raises $20K for Young Reston Soccer Player — “Aaron, a player in the Great Falls-Reston Soccer Club, recently told his coach that he couldn’t come to practice because he didn’t have any cleats. The elite soccer player explained that he was one of the 15 people who’d been displaced by a fire at the Stonegate Village Apartment complex in Reston on April 10.” [Patch]

FCPD adjusts medical helicopter staffing after flight cancellations

By David Taube

Published April 21, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated April 22, 2022 at 11:45AM

A police helicopter takes flight (via FCPD)

(Updated at 11:40 a.m. on 4/22/2022) Fairfax County police canceled three medical helicopter missions last week because no senior paramedics were available.

The Fairfax County Police Department operates the Medevac missions and must have a pilot and two paramedics — one of which must be a senior paramedic.