Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools will more than double the number of electric buses in its fleet, thanks to a new federal grant.

The local school system has been awarded $16.59 million as a winner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s inaugural Clean School Bus program grants competition. The other winner announced yesterday (Monday) was also from Virginia: Newport News Public Schools will receive $525,000.


Countywide

Bills to Expect From the 2024 General Assembly — “Virginia lawmakers will head to Richmond on Jan. 10 for the start of the General Assembly session, which lasts until mid-March.” Key issues up for debate will include proposed tax changes, funding for Metro and a stadium to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to Alexandria, and data center regulations. [DCist]

Oakton HS Band Wins Metallica Contest — “Oakton High School’s marching band has won the small high school category in the metal band Metallica’s first-ever ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ competition…The choreography and nice touches like a drum solo, liberal use of band members throwing devil horns, and wallets on chains seem to have put it over the top.” [Washingtonian]


Around Town

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of Founder’s Day, Reston’s annual community celebration.

The festivities will be held this year on April 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza North), organizer Reston Museum announced today.


Event

Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!

Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.


Countywide

In case you didn’t get your fill of rain on Saturday (Jan. 6), another downpour could be in store for Fairfax County this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch and a Wind Advisory for the mid-Atlantic region, including Fairfax County and the rest of northern Virginia, ahead of a storm that’s expected to travel up the East Coast tomorrow (Tuesday).


News

An impromptu race at McLean High School has gained some serious online traction.

University of Virginia track star Alahna Sabbakhan was visiting the school at 1633 Davidson Road for a straightforward workout, but then, a friend of her boyfriend claimed that he could beat her in a 400-meter race, despite not being a runner.


Countywide

The current president and a long-serving member of the Fairfax County NAACP has died, the civil rights advocacy organization announced today (Monday).

The exact circumstances of Michelle Leete’s death weren’t addressed, but the organization described her passing as “sudden.”


News

Peter McCandless was living a full life of music, travel and work that he enjoyed when he was killed in a vehicle crash on Reston Parkway late last year.

Police reported that McCandless, 87, died on Dec. 26, 2023 after an SUV driver hit him while he was walking at the Market Street intersection. A preliminary investigation indicated that he was crossing from Reston Town Center to Stratford House, where he lived, according to his son, Kris McCandless.


News

Police have identified two teens as suspects in a spree of postal box thefts that began half a year ago with a mail carrier getting robbed and pepper-sprayed in Vienna.

A 19-year-old man and a younger teen were arrested Friday (Jan. 5) in the 3000 block of Borge Street in Oakton, announced the Vienna Police Department, whose detectives coordinated the search with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Fairfax County SWAT officers.