News

A Reston man was arrested late last week for allegedly breaking into and stealing from several businesses around Fairfax City.

According to the City of Fairfax Police Department, officers were first called to Halalway International Supermarket at 4072 Jermantown Road around 8:45 a.m. on Aug. 8. Overnight, an “unknown” man had forced his way into the business and stolen money, investigators found.


Countywide

With students officially back in class, Fairfax County is expanding its use of speed cameras to enforce the 25-mph limit in school zones.

Over the next few months, the county will roll out cameras to 10 additional locations near public schools for the first phase of its speed camera program, building on a pilot program that launched in February 2023 with eight sites.


Countywide
Friday Night Live attendees sit near the Herndon Veteran’s Memorial on the town green (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Capital Beltway Passes 60th Anniversary — This Saturday (Aug. 17) marked 60 years since the final stretch of the Capital Beltway opened to traffic on Aug. 17, 1964. “The Beltway has been widened several times, become a well-known political reference, been supplemented with high occupancy toll lanes and become synonymous with congested commutes in and around the nation’s capital.” [WTOP]

Kingstowne Fire Response Disrupted — “Firefighters who put out a two-alarm fire inside a Fairfax County residence were evacuated around noon on Friday after officials said they lost access to water at one point.” Smoke was seen issuing from the front of the townhome when firefighters responded to the Kingstowne area that morning. [WJLA]

Virginia Delayed Corporate Tax Refunds — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration failed to provide timely tax refunds worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Virginia corporations two years in a row, an error made public…after Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears inquired about an odd footnote in a financial presentation to the House and Senate money committees.” [Washington Post]

Police Cite Thousands During Traffic Safety Campaign — “The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) has successfully wrapped up the fourth wave of our ‘Road Shark’ traffic safety campaign. Working with the Virginia State Police, our officers issued over 7,000 citations and warnings between August 5 and August 11, targeting reckless driving and other dangerous behaviors in traffic-heavy areas.” [FCPD]

Research Nonprofit Plans Fair Lakes Office — “Riverside Research will relocate its regionally-based business operations to Fairfax County in September 2024, as part of its strategy to centralize Northern Virginia operations and accommodate growth. This move will merge its current facility in Arlington with its Centreville office.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

GMU Students Move in This Week — “Parking and traffic closures will occur on the Fairfax Campus from Wednesday, Aug. 21, to Sunday, Aug. 25, to facilitate the move-in of nearly 6,000 residential students…Traffic impacts will occur around campus, particularly near Braddock Road, Roanoke River Road, Lots J and K, and Rappahannock Deck.” [GMU]

Korean Community’s History in Annandale — “How did Annandale come to be known as ‘Koreatown’? Community activist, business owner, and longtime Annandale resident Steve Lee offered an explanation at a recent discussion session at George Mason Regional Library.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny conditions with a high near 83 until after 2 pm, when there’s a 70% chance of precipitation until 8pm. Night will bring mostly cloudy skies and a low around 63 with a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 16, 2024.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Sushi bar shutters after opening in Herndon last year (8027 views)
  2. Mars begins renovation of McLean headquarters (7819 views)
  3. NOW: Two hospitalized by crash on Route 1 outside Gunston Plaza (6195 views)
  4. Townhome concept suggested to replace century-old Vienna house (5218 views)
  5. Langley High School football coach suspended after sexual solicitation arrest (5189 views)
  6. Federal contractor owned by Cherokee Nation opens Tysons office (3966 views)
  7. NEW: Comstock eyes 2025 start to downtown Herndon development (3795 views)
  8. JUST IN: Reston man charged with sexually assaulting child at South Lakes Village store (3517 views)
  9. Family seeks to open homemade ice cream parlor in Herndon office condos (3499 views)
  10. UPDATED: Reportedly abducted child dies after police pursuit, crash on I-495 (3281 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

⛈️ Saturday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are expected with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 84. A south wind will be around 8 mph and 50% chance of precipitation. Saturday night has a stronger likelihood of showers and possible thunderstorms before 2am, then a chance after 2am, with a low around 72, a south wind of 7 mph, and a 70% chance of precipitation. New rainfall amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


Event

The Malls of JRKO show is a first of its kind opportunity for all members of the TCG community. Whether you’re a veteran vendor, a brand new tcg vendor, a seasoned collector, or a parent who just wants to take their kids to their first card show, this show is made for you!

We strive to build an incredible family friendly environment with tons of giveaways, children’s activities, incredible collector opportunities and digital guides for all levels of experience. You can find all our community resources on our linktree including a road map of all the progress and effort going into the event.


News

Residents of the Hybla Valley and Mount Vernon neighborhoods will have a chance to explore new research revealing the history and impact of racially restrictive deed covenants in their communities.

Later this month, Krystyn Moon, a professor of History and American Studies at the University of Mary Washington, will explain how certain racial, national, and religious groups were historically barred from buying homes in subdivisions along the Richmond Highway corridor, due to explicit restrictions written into property deeds.


Countywide

Heman Bekele has another title to go along with his status as America’s reigning Top Young Scientist.

The 15-year-old Fairfax resident has been chosen as the 2024 Kid of the Year by Time for his efforts to create a soap that could help treat skin cancers. The magazine’s issue recognizing Heman and five other “Kid of the Year” honorees hit newsstands today (Friday).


Countywide

Fairfax County is no longer at high risk of experiencing a drought, thanks to the rain brought last week by Tropical Storm Debby.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today (Friday) that it has lifted its drought advisories for almost all of the state, including Northern Virginia, which has been under a drought warning since late June.


Countywide

The Fairfax County Police Department is continuing to crack down on retail store thefts with the assistance of local businesses, Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control and other law enforcement agencies.

Recent investigations have yielded arrests in several cases that targeted “high-end” retailers, particularly in Tysons, and Virginia ABC stores around the region, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis announced at a press conference yesterday.


Countywide

During the new school year, which kicks off Monday (Aug. 19), students at select Fairfax County middle and high schools will be required to hand in their phones in order to turn up their focus.

Starting Sept. 3, Fairfax County Public Schools will begin rolling out a new phone-free pilot program, requiring middle and high school students to secure their cell phones in magnetically sealed pouches or lockers during class to reduce distractions.