morning notes

Published March 1, 2022 at 7:30AM

A Metro rider uses an updated fare gate at the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reminder: Old Metro Cards Stop Working Today — “SmarTrip cards purchased before 2012 are no longer compatible with new, faster, modern faregates already installed in many stations. In an announcement more than 10 months ago, Metro advised customers that the old cards would need to be replaced as stations are equipped with new faregates.” [WMATA]

County Circuit Court Ends Mask Requirement — Fairfax County Circuit Court Chief Judge Penny Azcarate announced yesterday (Monday) that masks will be optional to enter the Courthouse effective immediately in accordance with the county’s new policy. Rules in courtrooms “are at the discretion of the presiding judge.” [Circuit Court]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 28, 2022 at 7:30AM

Angelika Film Center and Cafe in the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPS Will Start COVID-19 Rollback Plan Tomorrow — Masks will be optional for both students and adults, including staff and parents, in Fairfax County Public Schools after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its health metrics so that the county is now considered to have low transmission. FCPS said on Friday (Feb. 25) that masks would be optional for students, as ordered by a state law, but still mandatory for adults. [FCPS]

Judge Calls TJ Admissions Discriminatory — The Coalition for TJ on Friday (Feb. 25) won its lawsuit against the Fairfax County School Board over changes to admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The judge found that the shift from a standardized test to “experience” factors was done in a way discriminatory to Asian applicants. The school system intends to appeal. [The Washington Post]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 24, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:27PM

A boat on Lake Audubon in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Trucker Convoys Could Affect Capital Beltway — Traffic on the Capital Beltway could become clogged in the coming weeks as truck drivers plan to descend on D.C. to protest Covid-related health rules. One convoy reportedly left Scranton, Pennsylvania, yesterday (Wednesday), but the organizer has backed off plans to shut down the Beltway. [NBC4]

Police Union Unhappy with Proposed Budget — The Virginia Police Benevolent Association Fairfax County Chapter president criticized the proposed county budget for not giving officers 15% raises, saying this could worsen vacancies. Board Chairman Jeff McKay countered that the plan presented on Tuesday (Feb. 22) increases the average police pay by 8%. [ABC7]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 10:36AM

The CIA headquarters at Langley seen from the air (staff photo)

D.C. Residents Convicted in Local Armed Robbery — A federal jury convicted a D.C. man and woman Friday (Feb. 18) on charges of robbery, carjacking, and possession of a firearm during crimes of violence. Douglas Damon Whitley, 39, and Kendal Robinson, 35, allegedly robbed Peloton delivery van in a 7-11 parking lot in Fairfax on August 25, 2021.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office]

Police Civilian Review Panel Director Named — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed Steven Richardson as executive director of the panel charged with reviewing reports of police misconduct. The first person in the new position, Richardson previously served as operations captain for the George Washington University Police Department. [Fairfax County Government]