News

New vehicle lanes and a shared-use trail are officially open to travelers on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) after almost five years of construction.

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced last night (Tuesday) that it has finished expanding the roadway from four to six travel lanes — three in each direction — between Riva Ridge Drive in Reston and Jarrett Valley Drive just north of the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons.


Countywide

Man Gets Life in Prison for N. Va. Gang Killings — An MS-13 leader was sentenced to life in prison yesterday (Tuesday) for giving orders that led to multiple murders in Northern Virginia during the summer of 2019. Prosecutors say Melvin Canales Saldana told gang members to kill rivals “more aggressively,” prompting some to target “random civilians so they could increase their status within the gang.” [Associated Press/WTOP]

Tysons Satellite Company Will Be Acquired — “Intelsat SA said Tuesday it has reached a deal to be acquired by SES SA for $3.1 billion in cash…The deal will position SES to better compete with broadband satellites of SpaceX-owned Starlink and Amazon.com Inc. The combined company will have a fleet of more than 100 geostationary and 26 medium orbit satellites.” [Washington Business Journal]


Countywide

Fairfax County is now bringing nature to residents’ doorsteps.

Last week, the Fairfax County Park Authority launched a new, fully electric mobile nature center called the Wonder Wagon. The tricked-out nature-themed van, operated by park staff, is intended to bring outdoor wonders to underserved communities and Title 1 schools.


Around Town

A new pop-up store at Tysons Corner Center hopes to entice shoppers on the lookout for possible Mother’s Day gifts.

Emilia George, a New York-based maternity lifestyle retailer, is running a pop-up kiosk in the mall with clothes and accessories geared toward expecting and current mothers. The shop will operate on the second floor between Sephora and Lush until Friday, May 17.


News

The Town of Herndon has granted Comstock a little more breathing room before the developer needs to move forward with its long-planned downtown overhaul.

A two-year pause in construction that was set to expire today (Tuesday) has been extended to Aug. 15 under a revised comprehensive agreement, the town announced this morning.


Around Town

The Elden Street Tea Shop is almost ready to unveil its new location in Reston.

After closing its original Herndon location in January, the business is set to reopen at 1633A Washington Plaza in Lake Anne Plaza this Saturday (May 4).


News

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has thrown its support behind Maryland’s pursuit of federal funding for a long-awaited replacement of the American Legion Bridge.

At the request of Chairman Jeff McKay and Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, the board approved a letter on April 16 urging U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to fulfill the Maryland Department of Transportation’s expected grant request for its American Legion Bridge and 270 Corridor project.


News

A fourth-grade teacher at Colin Powell Elementary School in Centreville for more than 20 years has been named the Washington Post’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

The newspaper announced last Tuesday, April 23 that Laura Senturia had earned the title — and a $7,500 prize — for her “rare talent for identifying her students’ innermost strengths.”


Countywide

Speed Camera Added Outside Oakton HS — A speed camera has been installed for Oakton High School on Blake Lane near Sutton Road, just days after a driver was sentenced to four years. Fines will be issued after a 30-day warning period. Fairfax County anticipates expanding its pilot program to as many as 50 locations this year. [Fairfax County/Twitter]

Annandale Doctor Pleads Guilty to Over-Prescribing Opioids — “An Annandale doctor pleaded guilty [on Friday, April 26] to maintaining a drug-involved premises.” While working at Fairfax Pain Clinic between 2016 and 2020, he “prescribed high opioid dosing without first confirming diagnoses, performing relevant medical examinations, or reviewing prior medical records.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office]