Countywide

Fairfax County School Board leaders warned locals not to expect an upcoming redistricting to fix all of the county’s student population problems.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is currently working through its first major school boundary overhaul in 40 years, but at a work session on June 17, School Board members said there’s a thin line to walk between making overdue school boundary adjustments and avoiding significant disruptions to families in the school system.


News

After three years of construction on its I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, the Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing to advance work on the actual toll lanes.

To make way for the new lanes, crews will shift traffic for all four southbound, general-purpose lanes on I-495 (also known as the Capital Beltway Outer Loop) to newly built lanes in McLean, starting tomorrow (Friday) around 8 p.m.


Around Town

Potbelly has put the finishing touches on makeovers for its restaurants in Fairfax Corner and Reston.

The national sandwich chain will officially unveil the new looks tomorrow (Friday) with celebrations at both locations, offering a variety of giveaways to customers.


Announcement

For homeschooling families, finding activities that fit a non-traditional school day can be a challenge. EvolveAll, the martial arts and fitness studio that’s served the local community for more than 15 years, is addressing that gap with a new Homeschool Youth Martial Arts (YMA) program.

The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15 to 2:00 PM and follows EvolveAll’s established YMA curriculum, which focuses on discipline, focus, coordination, and self-defense fundamentals for kids ages 5 to 10. Classes are led by EvolveAll’s head YMA Instructor Mr. Christian, who has over a decade of instructing experience. The class size is capped to keep the student-to-instructor ratio low.


Countywide

Though the thunderstorm that the National Weather Service warned about yesterday (Wednesday) was largely felt in the form of some strong winds, a new round of storms coming this afternoon (Thursday) could potentially have a more meaningful impact.

The NWS has issued a Flood Watch for the D.C. region, including Fairfax County, that’s currently scheduled to take effect at 3 p.m. and stay in place until midnight. About 1 to 2 inches of rainfall are possible, the agency says, though isolated areas could see as much as 3 to 4 inches.


Event

Join us for the Saint Ann Fall Festival on Saturday, September 26! Start the day with our Fun Run at 9:30 AM, followed by the Fall Festival beginning at 10:00 AM.
This family friendly celebration is open to the entire Arlington community and offers something for everyone! Enjoy rides and inflatables, live entertainment, family friendly Bingo, raffles, a Beer Garden, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to gather with the community.
The festival is also a celebration of Saint Ann’s diverse Catholic community, featuring food and entertainment representing our Filipino, Latino, and Peruvian communities, along with some local favorites.
This year’s entertainment includes a live band in the Beer Garden, and exciting Bolivian and Peruvian dance performances. Admission is free, and tickets for food, rides, and activities can be purchased at the festival.
Come celebrate with us and experience the warm, welcoming spirit of Saint Ann! We look forward to welcoming the greater Arlington community for a fun-filled day together.
The Fall Festival will take place rain or shine! Come join the fun!


Around Town

A new mural is taking shape in the heart of Fairfax City.

Richmond-based illustrator Bailey Sullivan is currently working on “Fox in the Flowers” and expected to finish painting tomorrow (Friday). The completed mural will be officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on July 10.


News

The three Republicans seeking election to statewide office this November will rally together in Vienna next week.

Current Virginia lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, along with lieutenant governor nominee John Reid and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, who’s seeking reelection, will hold the ticket’s first joint appearance on Tuesday (July 1).


News

Fairfax County leaders remain uneasy about the Virginia Department of Transportation’s proposed I-495 Southside Express Lanes project and the possible impact of widening the highway on residents of neighboring communities.

The Board of Supervisors agreed to send a five-page letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III on Tuesday (June 24) detailing its concerns.


News

Reston residents are becoming increasingly frustrated by the cooling system that serves properties around Lake Anne, saying equipment issues and unresponsive management have forced them to endure intense heat this summer without relief.

Residents who shared their experiences with FFXnow say temperatures in their homes have climbed up to 85 degrees or higher this week after one of the chillers that Reston RELAC uses to cool water from Lake Anne shut down last Friday (June 20).


Countywide
Reston Station development seen from Wiehle Avenue (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston Parkway Crash Hospitalizes Driver — A driver who crashed into a pole on Reston Parkway at Sunrise Valley Drive was transported to a hospital yesterday (Wednesday) with injuries described as “life-threatening.” Officers responded to the crash around 5:20 p.m., per the police scanner, closing the parkway’s northbound lanes so the scene could be cleared. [FCPD/X]

Another Measles Case at Dulles Airport — “The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles at Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday, June 19. The confirmed case is an international traveler visiting North Carolina.” This is the third confirmed case of measles in a Dulles Airport visitor. [Fairfax County Health Department]

Uptick in Homes for Sale — “The local real-estate market is beginning to feel the impact of federal-government downsizing, new data suggests. By autumn, the impacts may be even more pronounced, according to Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.” An increasing number of homes in the D.C. area are being put on the market by retiring federal workers, Bright MLS says. [ARLnow]

Sentencing in Shots Fired Case — “A 20-year-old Fairfax County woman will serve eight years in prison for a ‘terrifying’ July 2024 shooting along Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge. Maryam Raza was sentenced June 20 after pleading guilty in February” to several firearms charges and malicious wounding for chasing two people and shooting at their car following an argument. [Inside NoVA]

Burke Lake Algae Bloom Clears — “Burke Lake Park is now clear of high concentrations of harmful blue-green algae. However, please remember that swimming and pets are not permitted in the lake. Keep an eye out for park signs and warnings in the event of another algae bloom. Stay safe!” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]

E-Scooter Rider Stealing Packages — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the community’s help in identifying a suspect who stole packages off porches of homes in Annandale and Springfield.” In both June 17 incidents, the person appeared to have fled on an electric scooter, police say. [FCPD]

Tysons Radio Tech Firm Acquired — “Casa del Fuego Family Office and Trust, an investment and asset management firm, has acquired Tysons-based Digital Global Systems, which provides technology to optimize radio frequency signals. The all-stock transaction is valued at $5 billion … DGS will operate independently as a subsidiary with its leadership team unchanged.” [Virginia Business]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm with mostly sunny conditions, a high near 96, and heat index values up to 106. Night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 72. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]