News | FFXnow - Part 843

Good morning, Fairfax County — FFXnow is officially live

Published February 22, 2022 at 9:05AM

As of this morning FFXnow has officially launched, expanding our Fairfax County-wide news coverage and serving as a new home for Reston Now and Tysons Reporter.

Our hyperlocal coverage areas each have their own section on the FFXnow site, but their archives will remain on the older domains, for now. Readers in the Reston and Tysons areas will continue to receive afternoon newsletters but can also sign up for FFXnow to bring them government, business, development and breaking news from across the county every weekday.

Man shot and killed in London Towne area of Centreville

By Alan Henney

Published February 22, 2022 at 8:15AM | Updated February 22, 2022 at 8:51AM

Fairfax County police car lights (file photo)

Fairfax County police are investigating a fatal shooting that was reported just before 10 p.m. Monday in the 14800 block of Bodley Square. That is in the London Towne area of Centreville.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene. Sgt. Tara Gerhard, police spokeswoman, says this killing was not a random act and there is some sort of relationship between the victim and a man suspected of killing him.

Morning Notes

By Brandi Bottalico

Published February 22, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated February 22, 2022 at 10:19AM

Police Investigating Antisemitic Flyers — “Residents of a neighborhood in the Vienna area of Fairfax County found dozens of antisemitic fliers on their properties Sunday, police said, and investigators are working to determine the source.” [Washington Post]

Discarded Ashes Caused Herndon Fire — A house fire in the 12000 block of Sugarland Valley Drive in the Herndon area of Fairfax County was caused by improperly discarded fireplace ashes into a trash receptacle. There were no injuries and the damage was isolated to the garage. [Fairfax County Fire & Rescue]

FCPS keeps universal masking for now, but acknowledges state law allowing opt-outs

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 18, 2022 at 1:45PM

Irving Middle School students wear face masks in class (via FCPS)

Face masks will still be required in Fairfax County Public Schools when students return on Tuesday (Feb. 22).

However, the school system acknowledged in a message to the community today (Friday) that universal masking may come to an end soon. Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Senate Bill 739 into law on Wednesday (Feb. 16), allowing parents to opt their children out of school mask mandates starting March 1.

Presidents Day 2022: Here’s what’s open, closed for the holiday

By David Taube

Published February 18, 2022 at 11:00AM

Flags outside the Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Presidents Day is Monday (Feb. 21), and the federal holiday — which is technically called Washington’s Birthday — will bring some noteworthy closings and schedule changes.

Banks, post offices, state offices:

Transit advocates call on Metro to resume efforts to improve bus routes

By David Taube

Published February 16, 2022 at 2:00PM

A Metrobus at the West Falls Church Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Public bus lines might seem fixed to bus shelters, but changing those routes could give people greater access to jobs, medical services, and more.

That’s one way that bus networks in the D.C. area could be improved, a consultant told transportation stakeholders during a virtual “Bus Champions” roundtable held yesterday (Tuesday) by MetroNow, a conglomeration of commerce and transit advocacy groups.

Fairfax County School Board hopes to address capacity issues with $1.2 billion capital improvement plan

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 16, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated February 25, 2022 at 11:44AM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved its $1.2 billion capital project plan on Thursday (Feb. 10), setting in motion efforts to tackle overcrowding issues in the school system.

The plan, known as the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2023-2027, sets priorities within a five-year time frame for new construction, boosting capacity and facility renovations.

Man sentenced to 17 years for armed robberies, including three in Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 15, 2022 at 2:00PM | Updated April 19, 2023 at 9:01AM

The Domino's Pizza on Watson Street in Tysons was one of three Fairfax County businesses hit in a string of armed robberies in early 2021 (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 9 a.m. on 4/19/2023) A 62-year-old Maryland resident faces almost two decades in prison for a string of armed robberies that spanned the D.C. area last year, including three incidents in Fairfax County.

Jon Karl Mcree Fleet was sentenced to 17 years today (Tuesday) after pleading guilty to using a firearm in five robberies committed between Jan. 24 and March 13, 2021, Department of Justice prosecutors announced.

Fairfax County climate report warns of potential jumps in 95-degree days

By David Taube

Published February 15, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated February 16, 2022 at 9:05AM

The sun sets behind layers of buildings and clouds (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

As climate change intensifies, Fairfax County residents could see searing temperatures increase, turning most summer days into scorchers by the end of the century.

That’s just one of the data-based predictions from a “Climate Projections Report” that the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination released last Thursday (Feb. 10).

As COVID-19 cases decline, death toll from omicron surge becomes clearer

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 14, 2022 at 2:00PM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 180 days (via VDH)

Fairfax County’s COVID-19 case levels have almost dropped to where they were before the omicron variant took over.

The Fairfax Health District, which also encompasses the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, added 172 cases today (Monday), bringing its total for the pandemic up to 174,578 cases. With 189 cases, yesterday was the first day since Dec. 14 with fewer than 200 new cases.