Lake Anne and Lake Audubon in Reston are now clear of harmful algae that bloomed on the surface of the lakes last week.
Reston Association staff had reported “potentially harmful” algae in both lakes. Staff worked with an environmental contractor to determine if Lake Audubon was clear of the algae Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 9). Lake Anne was previously reported as safe.
“The bloom began after hot weather allowed cyanobacteria to thrive which was then enhanced further by an influx of nutrients that came from a water main break that flowed into Snakeden Branch last week,” RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk said.
Specifically, Dolichospermum was found — a potentially harmful cyanobacteria. The bacteria found in Lake Anne, however, is not considered harmful.
RA had previously encouraged residents to avoid contact with the lake water. The bloom at Lake Anne was mostly limited to the east of the lake near Wiehle Avenue.
The water main break referenced by Lusk occurred the morning of Aug. 4 behind Hunters Woods Plaza, contributing to the deaths of a number of fish found in Snakeden Branch stream, according to RA.
Updated at 5:45 p.m. — The fish deaths reported at Snakeden Branch stream this morning have been traced to a water main break behind Hunters Woods Plaza, Reston Association says.
“Potable water was discharged and included chlorine, causing the fish kill,” RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk said. “The water main break has been repaired, and the stream is considered safe, and not harmful to humans or animals.”
Earlier: Dead fish were found earlier this morning (Friday) at Snakeden Branch stream, according to a report confirmed by Reston Association.
A foul smell also protruded from the stream.
RA staff are working with the Virginia Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) and the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division to confirm the cause of the incident.
Residents are encouraged to avoid using the stream. Signage has been posted at the stream, which flows from Hunters Woods Village Center to Lake Audubon.
RA is also urging residents to be cautious when using Lake Audubon until the source of the issue is confirmed.
Preliminarily, there is no evidence that the issue was caused by sewage, according to RA COO Peter Lusk.
“These events typically occur when there are malfunctions within wastewater systems, water mains, or occasionally illicit dumping. RA staff will confirm the source of the issue, once identified,” RA said.
(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) Reston Association is monitoring the presence of potentially harmful algae at Lake Anne.
According to a statement released yesterday (Wednesday), the blue-green algae was spotted in some parts of the lake.
There are currently no restrictions on boating and fishing, but it’s best to avoid contact with the lake water, RA wrote in a statement.
RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk told FFXnow that the bloom is limited to the east end of the lake next to Wiehle Avenue.
“With cooler weather predicted the forecast, we are hoping to see this small growth resolve itself soon. Should the extent of the bloom change, or if the bloom last longer than one week, testing will be performed to ensure the lake is safe for all users,” Lusk wrote in a statement.
Blue-green algae has been observed at Lake Anne. This potentially harmful algae is being monitored by RA staff. Swimming is not permitted in the lake, and it is recommended to keep dogs from the lake water at this time. pic.twitter.com/3n2LXEmRUX
— Reston Association (@RestonOnline) August 2, 2023
A wellness center that says it can help people defy the signs of aging, if not the actual process, has set up shop in Vienna.
After a recent soft opening, Restore Hyper Wellness will celebrate its arrival at 214 Maple Ave West more officially tomorrow (Thursday) with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, starting at 10 a.m.
To mark the occasion, the studio will offer some deals on services and memberships through Sunday (July 30), including $125 cryoskin facials, $100 off premium hydrafacials and 50% off the retail rate for select single services, according to a press release.
“Restore addresses the fastest growing segments of wellness, helping people looking to manage persistent pain, defy the signs of aging, boost athletic performance, and dial up their natural defenses,” the company says.
Restore started as a cryotherapy clinic in Austin, Texas, in 2015. While training for a triathlon, its founders turned to the practice involving exposure to extreme cold that proponents say can reduce muscle and joint pain and give a mood boost — though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expressed skepticism of the purported benefits.
Restore’s version of whole body cryotherapy immerses the client in temperatures as low as -165 degrees for up to three minutes. The Vienna location can accommodate up to four people at a time, per the press release.
Other available services include compression, infrared saunas, red light therapy, IV drip therapy and skin-cleansing facials.
Employing about seven staff members, the Vienna center is led by general manager Christopher Pursell, a Manassas resident who worked for PetSmart for 18 years before pivoting to the health and wellness industry.
“What I love about Restore is that there are benefits for everyone — from elite athletes to people like me, who’s just looking to be a better, healthier dad,” Pursell said. “Full-body cryotherapy is like my afternoon coffee — giving me a boost to my mood and metabolism as well as promoting better sleep. I look forward to introducing the many ways Restore can help the Vienna community live life to the fullest!”
The center’s operating hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Restore has hundreds of locations across the U.S., including in Arlington and Alexandria, but this is its first Fairfax County site. The company says it plans to open 500 locations by the end of 2024.
Dozens of dogs at Fairfax County’s animal shelter have become infected recently by a respiratory illness known informally as “kennel cough.”
While it’s common to see some canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) cases, the current wave has been exacerbated by more dogs staying in the shelter for longer periods of time, according to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FCAS).
As of yesterday (Thursday), 42 of the 67 dogs in the shelter at 4500 West Ox Road were symptomatic with CIRDC, which has cold-like symptoms such as coughing and a runny nose, Fairfax County Department of Animal Sheltering Director Reasa Currier told FFXnow.
“Every dog has received an individualized treatment plan from our veterinarian and most dogs are improving quickly without the need for medication,” Currier said, describing the symptoms as generally mild.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, CIRDC comes from a variety of viruses and bacteria and is spread through respiratory droplets. Dogs can catch it through close or direct contact with infected animals, sneezing and coughing, and exposure to contaminated objects, such as toys or water bowls.
Kennel cough doesn’t affect humans and other kinds of animals, but it can spread quickly in congregate settings like a shelter, in part because it’s contagious before symptoms appear. The illness also thrives in humidity and is “exacerbated by stress,” FCAS says.
The shelter says it has “robust daily cleaning protocols,” and staff have been “carefully monitoring all dogs for symptoms,” separating those that are symptomatic from the healthy animals.
However, the biggest challenge has been the size of the shelter’s dog population, which neared 100 dogs earlier this summer.
“[There are] more dogs in our care than the staff and facility can adequately support and dogs remaining in our care for extended periods of time,” Currier said. “Our animal population has increased by 25% over the same period last year while the number of days animals spend in our care has also increased as adoptions have slowed.”
Crowding is an issue at shelters nationwide, as some of the over 23 million households that reportedly adopted a pet during the COVID-19 pandemic reevaluate that decision.
The surge in pet surrenders reflects “complex social and economic circumstances,” led by people moving or encountering other housing-related challenges, Currier says. Though 70% of renters in Fairfax County own a pet, many apartments don’t allow pets, place restrictions on the size or breed, or require a fee or deposit.
Increasing costs for veterinary care and pet supplies, particularly food, may also affect someone’s ability to keep their pet, according to Currier.
In the hopes of encouraging adoptions and reducing surrenders, FCAS is promoting its available pets more frequently, reviewing its adoption process to reduce barriers, and providing more resources to pet owners, including free or low-cost vet care and free temporary boarding for those in crisis.
The shelter is also seeking volunteers who can foster large dogs and asking anyone planning to surrender a dog to try to postpone it for at least two more weeks. Owners are advised to ensure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations before turning them in.
“There is not one easy solution to the increase in homeless animals, but it is something we must tackle through multipronged efforts,” Currier said. “We appreciate the support we receive from our generous community who keep our pet food pantry stocked and our team of dedicated volunteers and fosters who allow us to continue to provide exceptional, individualized care to every animal who come in the shelter’s doors despite the growing need.”
A man who was hospitalized while in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center has died, triggering a police investigation.
Todd Matthew Gleason, 51, died Tuesday morning (July 4) just hours after a magistrate approved his release, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. He was taken to a hospital from the jail on Monday after telling sheriff’s deputies that he had “pain to his stomach and leg,” police said.
Gleason sustained injuries after being hit by a car, an incident that occurred before his arrest, according to the Fairfax County Office of the Public Defender, which was representing him.
Gleason was arrested on June 17 for a petit larceny that allegedly occurred on June 15, according to Fairfax County General District Court records. Mount Vernon District patrol officers also served him a warrant for failure to appear on a felony offense, the FCPD said Wednesday.
“There was no force used during Gleason’s arrest,” the department said. “Following his arrest, Gleason requested to be taken to the hospital for a preexisting injury. Officers facilitated his request, and he was medically cleared by hospital staff the same day.”
However, Gleason was still experiencing medical issues from his injuries while in custody at the Adult Detention Center, the public defender’s office says.
“Mr. Gleason continued to have medical issues from those injuries during his incarceration,” Fairfax Public Defender Dawn Butorac said by email. “He advised his attorneys of such and it is my understanding that he also advised the jail staff as well. It appears that his complaints were not taken seriously until July 3rd.”
That morning, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office requested an ambulance to take Gleason back to the hospital, according to the police.
Police say a magistrate granted Gleason a release on recognizance at 9:22 pm on Monday, July 3, a date confirmed to FFXnow by a General District Court clerk.
“Any medical complaints are taken seriously and fully addressed by our medical team,” Casey Lingan, general counsel for the sheriff’s office, said.
Noting that the county jail “is nationally accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care,” Lingan said the office can’t provide any information about medical care given to individuals in the facility, citing confidentiality laws under HIPAA and the Code of Federal Regulations.
An autopsy to determine the manner and cause of Gleason’s death is being conducted by Northern Virginia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The final results could take 12 or more weeks, depending on the complexity of the case, according to the office.
Fairfax County court records show a string of previous charges against Gleason, dating back to Oct. 24, 2020. It’s unclear whether any of them resulted in convictions.
The charges are mostly misdemeanors, including multiple petit larcenies, trespassing, public intoxication and failures to appear in court. There are two felony drug possession charges, most recently for an April 8 offense, and one felony for wearing a mask.
Gleason had been scheduled for an adjudicatory hearing on Sept. 14.
The Fairfax County Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney said it had no comment on the case at this time, but called Gleason’s death “a tragedy.”
No other deaths have been reported at the county jail this year, but three people died while incarcerated last year.
That includes 65-year-old George Redmond and 55-year-old Kyung Pil Chang, who died within two days of each other in late March 2022. Glenn Meyer, who was charged in a Pimmit Hills shooting in 2020, died last July after a medical emergency, police said at the time.
Black residents have experienced worse health outcomes than other populations across Northern Virginia, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report found.
Commissioned by the Northern Virginia Health Foundation (NVHF) and conducted by the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Fairfax County section of the “Dying Too Soon” report found “stark” disparities across the county in the rates at which people die before the age of 75.
The report attributed the dramatic differences in life expectancies — from 76.5 years to 91.1 years — to an individual’s race, ethnicity and address, reflecting the influence of socioeconomic conditions on health outcomes.
According to the report, a lack of access to health care contributed to 66% of premature deaths in the county from 2015-2019 that were avoidable with preventative measures or treatment.
Throughout Northern Virginia, premature deaths are more concentrated within “islands of disadvantage,” where residents experience poor living conditions, higher mortality rates, and food and housing insecurity, the report says.
Residents of these neighborhoods are more likely to be people of color and immigrants, a disparity resulting from “the region’s history of segregation and systemic racism” and policies that “systematically block access” to health opportunities and increase exposure to unsafe health conditions, the report said.
Prior to the pandemic, Black people in Fairfax County had a premature death rate of 221.0 per 100,000 residents, exceeding the rates for white people (165.8 per 100,000), Hispanics (126.2 per 100,000) and Asians and Pacific Islanders (112.4 per 100,000).
Those disparities were consistent throughout the region, which “exhibits smaller racial-ethnic disparities” that other parts of the U.S., according to the report.
Though Fairfax County is often touted as one of the richest counties in the U.S., with a median income of $133,974, many of the wealthiest census tracts are located just a few blocks from islands of disadvantage.
In fact, the study says one census tract in Springfield has a premature death rate twice as high as that of a census tract in Franconia only two miles away. Each census tract also showed drastically different education and poverty rates and racial and ethnic compositions.
“I don’t think there’s a sense among the general public that these kinds of health inequities exist in a wealthy area like Northern Virginia, which in aggregate is doing quite well and has a very high quality of life,” Dr. Steven Woolf, lead study author and director emeritus of VCU’s Center on Society and Health, told FFXnow. “But when you zoom in like this to see what’s actually happening, neighborhood by neighborhood, you expose these these pockets of disadvantage that we want the public to know about.”
Census tracts with the highest premature death rates were in Seven Corners/Bailey’s Crossroads and Route 1 regions, according to the report’s summary. The study also reported that poverty rates in Seven Corners/Bailey’s Crossroads, Mount Vernon and Oakton “exceeded 20%, higher than poverty rates in countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Peru, Tajikistan, and Uganda.”
The Covid pandemic only worsened inequitable health outcomes, according to data collected in 2020-2021. The report says the county’s islands of disadvantage “experienced higher COVID-19 death rates,” and Northern Virginia as a whole saw “much higher” death rates among Hispanic and Black populations compared to Asian and white groups. Read More
(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) Lake Accotink is off limits entering the Fourth of July holiday weekend after an upstream sewage spill potentially contaminated the water.
Fairfax County has shut down all activities on the North Springfield lake, including fishing and boating, while the water is tested for bacteria.
The closure took immediate effect and will remain in place “until further notice,” the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) said in a news release:
The Fairfax County Wastewater Management Program has identified a sewage spill upstream of Lake Accotink. Out of an abundance of caution, immediate closure of lake activities is recommended for activities involving contact with the lake, such as swimming and fishing, as the water may be contaminated. The closure is in effect until further notice.
Bacterial testing of the water is underway, and results are expected within 24 hours. Updates will be provided when the analysis is complete.
Precautionary signage is being placed near the area of the spill.
According to DPWES, the sewage spill came from “a blockage in a pipe carrying untreated sewage to a treatment plant.”
“As soon as the spill was detected, staff cleaned up any untreated sewage identified,” DPWES spokesperson Sharon North said, noting that the cleanup was completed by 12:30 p.m. “Follow-up testing is done in waterways to determine if downstream contamination occurred and to confirm when surface waters recover from spills.”
The closure comes as the community grapples with long-term threats to Lake Accotink Park, one of the county’s most popular recreational destinations. A task force charged with determining whether to maintain the lake through dredging, convert it into a wetland or develop a hybrid option met for the first time on Monday (June 26).
The park’s playground is also out of commission while the Fairfax County Park Authority installs new equipment, replacing a facility that was deemed unsafe.
Updates will be provided when the analysis is complete.
— Supervisor James Walkinshaw (@JRWalkinshaw) June 30, 2023
(Updated at 9:30 p.m.) A Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for the D.C. region.
In Fairfax County, conditions are expected to worsen to an air quality index (AQI) rating of 164 tomorrow (Thursday), due primarily to particulate matter drifting down to the U.S. from ongoing wildfires in Canada, according to AirNow’s air quality forecast.
A Code Red — which is a step higher than the Code Orange seen today — “means air quality is unhealthy for everyone in Fairfax County and the region,” the county said in a post on its emergency information blog.
With hundreds of wildfires reportedly blazing in Canada, particularly Quebec and British Columbia, the area’s air quality will likely continue to fluctuate “over the next several days,” the county says.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is encouraging residents to limit their outdoor activities as much as possible.
“If outdoor activities cannot be rescheduled, the EPA recommends limiting time outdoors, taking frequent breaks indoors in places where the air is clean, and choosing a mask that will protect you like an N95,” COG said.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has canceled many outdoor activities for the day, including summer camps and classes, and outdoor water parks and pools will be closed.
The AQI is currently forecast to drop to 84 — a Code Yellow — on Saturday (July 1), according to AirNow, which uses data reported by the Environmental Protection Agency and other local, state and federal government entities.
It doesn’t look like the pollution will quite reach the concentrations seen in early June, when the D.C. area recorded its worst air quality on record as a result of Canadian wildfires.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, three new fires started today, and there are 476 active blazes, about half of which remain out of control. The agency has recorded 2,988 fires in 2023 so far that have burned through 8 million acres of land.
If outdoor activities cannot be rescheduled, the EPA recommends limiting time outdoors, taking frequent breaks indoors in places where the air is clean, and choosing a mask that will protect you like an N95. Learn more: https://t.co/pY6aKkuh0E
— COG (@MWCOG) June 28, 2023
🚨 FCPA outdoor camps, activities, programs, pools, amusements, and facilities are impacted or closed on Thursday, June 29, 2023, due to the “Code Red” air quality alert. Please check the website or call the facility directly for updates before visiting: https://t.co/mv3MG2V0md pic.twitter.com/3eIoZOqkge
— Fairfax County Parks (@fairfaxparks) June 29, 2023
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) will soon be a more common sight at Reston Association ballfields and buildings.
At a meeting Thursday (June 22) night, RA’s Board of Directors approved a motion to purchase the devices for community buildings and three major ballfield complexes at Brown’s Chapel, Hook Road and Lake Newport Soccer.
According to the American Red Cross, AEDs analyze the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electric shock to restablish an affective rhythm. The average response time for first responders after a 911 call is made is between 8 to 12 minutes.
The odds of survival drop by 10% each minute defibrillation is delayed, according to RA.
The cost of the project is $18,000. Staff noted that they plan to seek additional funding for more units during the 2024 and 2025 budget process and from Friends of Reston, the nonprofit that helps fundraise for RA.
Board president John Farrell urged the board to explore the issue at January meeting when he spoke as a member. He referred to football player Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills going into cardiac arrest on Jan. 2 after attempting a routine tackle. Doctors described it as a perfect storm when the chest is struck in a particular point when the heart is relaxed and with a specific amount of force.
“We ought to be able to figure out a way to have an AED available,” Farrell said.
Currently, all RA pools have AEDs during hours of operation, along with a backup aquatics unit, and there is one in the Central Services Facility building.
At a March board meeting, the board unanimously passed a motion directing the CEO to research viable solutions related to the issue, along with reaching out to Friends of Reston for funding. RA staff would install and manage the devices.
At last week’s meeting, board director Irwin Flashman failed to get enough votes to pass a motion to consider the decision of AEDs at ballfields separately from AEDs in RA buildings.
Flashman said he was concerned about how the devices would be housed.
“My concern is that there no building to store it,” Flashman said, adding, “We don’t know where they’re going to be placed and how they’re going to be secured.”
Staff noted that an installation and storage plan is in the works and would require approval from RA’s Design Review Board.
Board member Jalal Mapar — who was elected at the meeting to fill a vacant seat — said he was “baffled” by the discussion over how staff should install the devices.
“The staff already has a plan,” Mapar said. “They know what they need to do.”
“We don’t tell staff where to put diving boards either,” board member Mike Collins said.
