Countywide

Fairfax County is on the lookout for a contractor to conduct a planned panhandling survey.

The county issued a solicitation to identify a vendor this May, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority spokesperson Allyson Pearce told FFXnow.


Around Town

The schedule for The Alden’s next season has arrived.

Highlights of the McLean performing arts theater’s 2024-2025 Professional Series will include the world premiere of “The Remember Balloons,” a hybrid dance/theater production based on a picture book of the same name.


Countywide

The illness popularly known as “whooping cough” is on the rise in Fairfax County, according to local health officials.

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) shared yesterday (Wednesday) that it’s seeing an increase in pertussis throughout the Fairfax Health District, which also includes the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Cases are also up statewide and nationally.


Event

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News

A 1-year-old girl died today (Thursday) following a police pursuit that started on I-95 in Franconia ended with a crash in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

According to the Virginia State Police, troopers attempted to stop a vehicle headed north on I-95 near the South Van Dorn Street exit at approximately 8:46 a.m. today (Thursday).


News

The Town of Herndon has hired a former top executive from Prince William County as its interim town manager.

Christopher Martino will temporarily assume oversight of the town government’s operations on Sept. 3, taking over from current Town Manager Bill Ashton, who is set to resign effective Sept. 10, the town announced yesterday (Wednesday).


Around Town

Cheddar bay biscuits will continue to be served in Fairfax City — for now.

Red Lobster’s lone Fairfax restaurant, located at 10325 Fairfax Blvd, will remain open despite the company’s ongoing financial troubles.


Countywide
A window of the Hyatt Regency in Tysons reflects the sun (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Driver Charged in Fatal Clifton Crash — Fairfax County police have charged a 21-year-old man from Woodbridge with failure to maintain proper control in connection to a July 15 crash that killed a passenger in his car. Police say the man was driving west on Old Yates Ford Road in a 2003 Honda Accord when he veered over the yellow line and collided with a Volkswagen SUV. [FCPD]

Man Convicted for 2022 Fatal Shooting — “Jordan Cochran was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. He was 20 at the time of the shooting. Kebbren Leigh-Gaye, who was just 18 years old, died after the shooting on Jan. 8, 2022, on Richmond Highway (Route 1) at Dart Drive, in the Hybla Valley area.” [NBC4]

Judge Orders Release of Defense Department Engineer — “A Defense Department engineer accused of mishandling highly classified records should be released from jail to home confinement pending trial, a federal magistrate judge ruled Tuesday…[Gokhan] Gun during the hearing agreed to put up a nearly $500,000 home in Fairfax as bond collateral.” [Washington Post]

Vienna Figure Skater Reflects on Journey — “Now a student at George Mason University, [Ilia] Malinin still lives with his family in Vienna and trains under his parents, former Olympic skaters Roman Skorniakov and Tatiana Malinina, at SkateQuest in Reston…We recently caught up with Malinin during his off-season to talk about his accomplishments and what to expect next.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Road Closure in Centreville Postponed — A planned closure of Stringfellow Road (Route 645) between Route 29 and Centreville Farms Road has been postponed due to weather. Originally set for Saturday, Aug. 17, the paving work is “part of the Route 29 Widening Project, which is making improvements…between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive.” [VDOT]

Georgetown Pike Bridge Closure Rescheduled — “RESCHEDULED: All lanes of Georgetown Pk Bridge over I-495 in #McLean will shift to new northern portion of bridge 8/23-8/26. Motorists are urged to stay away from the area, as lanes will be reduced, and Beltway ramps closed all weekend for work.” [VDOT/Twitter]

New School Board Student Rep Shares Priorities — “Earlier this year, Megan Sawant — a rising senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology — was elected by the countywide Superintendent’s Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board.” Her goals include ensuring “two-way communication” between students and the board. [Gazette Leader]

Vienna Community Center to Close for Cleaning — “All events and activities at the Vienna Community Center will be paused starting one week from today, next Monday, Aug. 19 through Sept. 2, for an annual deep clean and facility maintenance. The lobby, including the front desk and restrooms, will remain open on a modified schedule.” [Town of Vienna/Facebook]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high near 88, accompanied by a mild north wind at about 5 mph. The evening will transition to partly cloudy skies with a low temperature around 68 and a gentle south breeze. [NWS]


News

As part of the five-step student registration process outlined in General Registration Requirements (Grades 1 through 12) or Kindergarten Registration, parents or legal guardians will need to provide proof of immunizations as required by Virginia law for attendance at a public school, Fairfax County Public Schools officials note.

What is required, per the school sytem: