morning notes

Fireworks Aimed at Police Breaking up Fight — Two Vienna police officers suffered minor injuries after someone set off fireworks at them while they were responding to a fight “involving a large crowd of high school students” at McDonald’s near James Madison High School on Friday (Sept. 26). Fairfax County and Virginia state police assisted with dispersing the crowd. This isn’t the first student fight to create issues at local McDonald’s, and fireworks were reportedly lit inside the Reston franchise on the Fourth of July. [DC News Now]

Driver Injured in Tysons Crash — Fairfax County firefighters responded yesterday (Sunday) afternoon to “a two vehicle crash at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Tyco Rd. Crews arrived with one patient still inside. The patient was evaluated on scene and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Swastika Found in Vienna School Bathroom — James Madison High School “Principal Liz Calvert informed families Thursday of the swastika etched into a wall in a boys bathroom on the school’s second floor. Staff quickly removed the symbol and started an investigation.” [Patch]

Woman Killed in Accidental Shooting — “Officers responded to the scene of the reported shooting in the row house community in the 4500 block of Derring Lane in Fair Oaks around 3:45 p.m. Friday. The gun ‘inadvertently discharged’ while another person in the house was cleaning it, police explained.” [WUSA9]

Full Impact of Federal Worker Cuts Looms — “When the fiscal year ends Tuesday night, government workers who have been on paid leave for months will be officially out of their jobs. A prolonged shutdown, which could also begin next week, could delay pay for remaining federal workers, too — and contractors, who don’t usually get back pay from shutdowns, would suffer as well.” [Washington Post]

Petition Objects to Potential Magnet School — “Some Fairfax County families are worried that the long-promised new high school in the western part of the district could become a magnet school instead of a traditional, community-based campus. Almost 300 people signed a petition urging Superintendent Michelle Reid and other county leaders to make it a regular public high school.” [WTOP]

Korean Cafe Coming to Annandale — “Dessert 39, a franchise company based in Korea, is coming to 7326A Little River Turnpike. The shop will open in the long-vacant storefront formerly occupied by the Manoa Bakery Café.” [Annandale Today]

Virginia Increases Proficiency Standards — “Virginia students will soon face tougher academic expectations. Nearly a month after school leaders demanded greater transparency, the State Board of Education voted Thursday to support raising the benchmarks — or cut scores — for math and English, setting off a debate over how the changes will affect classrooms.” [Virginia Mercury]

It’s Monday — Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 79 degrees, accompanied by a 6 mph east wind. Tonight, there is a 20% chance of showers after 2am, with cloudy skies and a low of 66 degrees in a light northeast wind. [NWS]

Severe Hunger Increases in D.C. Region — “For the third year in a row, the number of people living in the Washington region facing the most severe form of hunger has increased, with more than 820,000 adults regularly skipping meals and struggling to find food in the last year. The rise in critical need is one of a handful of concerns highlighted in a report released Thursday by the Capital Area Food Bank.” [Washington Post]

Va. License Plate Readers Used by ICE — “As federal immigration officials stepped up deportations, law enforcement conducted nearly 3,000 searches related to immigration enforcement on Virginia’s Flock Safety network over a recent 12-month period, according to an analysis by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO.” [VJIC at WHRO]

Walkinshaw on Potential Government Shutdown — “Newly elected Virginia Rep. James Walkinshaw says that President Donald Trump’s administration’s threat of mass firing was an ‘amateurish attempt to negotiate’ amid a looming government shutdown.” In an interview with WTOP, he calls for “a real bipartisan negotiation to resolve the differences that exist.” [WTOP]

Superintendent Laments Gun Violence — “I am writing to you again as our nation grieves yet another bout of intense gun violence in schools and communities across the country. Now more than ever, we look to parents as critical partners in preventing gun violence and keeping our schools safe.” [FCPS]

Tysons Casino Opponents Assemble — “Now that another bill promoting a casino in Tysons will be introduced in the next General Assembly, opponents are gearing up again to fight it. Leaders of the opposition presented their arguments at an online presentation on Sept. 24.” [Annandale Today]

Reston VC Firm Plans Investments — “Reston growth equity firm Razor’s Edge has closed an oversubscribed $560 million fund to invest in businesses serving the national security sector. Managing Partner Mark Spoto said he expects to deploy the fund — the 15-year-old investment firm’s fourth and largest ever — in full by the end of 2026.” [Washington Business Journal]

Skate Park Construction Underway — “The Fairfax County Park Authority began construction on a new skate park this month, with completion slated for this winter. Phase 1 of the Mount Vernon Woods Park renovation was completed earlier this year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

FFXnow Says Goodbye to Reporter — “After seven years at ARLnow — and its Local News Now LLC sister sites ALXnow, FFXnow and the bygone Tysons Reporter and Reston Now — today (Thursday) is Vernon Miles’ last day. He’s departing Northern Virginia’s hyperlocal news scene to work as a writer and producer at FOX 5.” [ARLnow]

It’s Friday — Patchy fog will clear up before 8am, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high of around 81 degrees. A northwest wind will blow at about 6 mph. On Friday night, expect mostly cloudy conditions and a low temperature near 65 degrees with calm wind. [NWS]

Republican Challenges Senator Warner — “Virginia state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, launched his campaign Wednesday for the U.S. Senate, setting up a high-stakes 2026 challenge to three-term Democratic Sen. Mark Warner. Reeves made his announcement on social media, leaning heavily on his background in the military, law enforcement and the General Assembly.” [Virginia Mercury]

Fired GSA Workers Asked to Return — “Hundreds of federal employees who lost their jobs in Elon Musk’s cost-cutting blitz are being asked to return to work. The General Services Administration has given the employees — who managed government workspaces — until the end of the week to accept or decline reinstatement, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.” [Associated Press]

Family Sues Over DCA Crash — “The family of one of the 67 people killed when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday sued the government and the airlines involved, accusing them of failing to recognize the warning signs after more than 30 documented near misses in the area.” [AP/NBC4]

ABC Store Extends Stay in Belleview — “I am pleased to report that initial reports of the demise of the Belleview ABC Store have been rectified and that they have just signed a new five-year lease with the Belleview Shopping Center!” A Virginia ABC spokesperson confirmed to FFXnow that the alcohol authority “is pleased to be able to continue store operations” at 1524 Belle View Blvd. [State Senator Scott Surovell/Facebook]

Alexandria Adding More Speed Cameras — “Alexandria will add three new school zone speed camera locations this fall, bringing the total number of monitored zones to six as the city works toward its Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and severe crashes by 2028.” [ALXnow]

Upcoming Thai Restaurant to Offer Preview — “Dok Khao Thai Eatery is currently under construction at 180 W. Falls Station Blvd, but it will make an appearance at the West Falls Grand Opening and Fall Fest this Sunday. Owner and chef Porntipa Pattanamekar plans to offer free samples before the restaurant’s projected 2026 opening.” [ARLnow]

Reston Community Center Recognized — “Reston Community Center (RCC) is proud to announce that it earned reaccreditation from NRPA’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), solidifying its place among the nation’s top-tier park and recreation organizations.” The designation has only been awarded to 231 agencies nationwide. [RCC]

Providence Day Aims to Build Community — “Families from Fairfax, Merrifield, Oakton, Falls Church and Tysons turned out on Saturday to enjoy the Second Annual Providence Day and Back to School Celebration at George C. Marshall High School.” Organized by Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s office, the event offered a variety of activities and entertainment for kids, while highlighting county and community resources. [Patch]

New Legal Notice — A plaintiff is pursuing a monetary judgment, with notice served by publication due to the defendant’s nonresponse. [Public Notices]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 11am, with a high near 80, south winds of 6-10 mph, and gusts up to 20 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation. Thursday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 2am with a low around 67. [NWS]

Springfield Man Killed in Crash — “A Springfield man died Saturday after his disabled vehicle was struck by another car traveling at high speed on Interstate 395 in Alexandria, according to a Virginia State Police press release.” Police identified the victim yesterday (Tuesday) as 45-year-old Hennry O. Ortuno Flores and said charges against the other driver, a woman from Woodbridge, are pending. [ALXnow]

Rape Suspect Found Unable to Stand Trial — “A man accused of raping a woman on a trail in Herndon has been found incompetent to stand trial during a hearing on Tuesday. Denis Humberto Navarette Romero will have another hearing in December to determine whether he has been ‘restored to competency,’ according to the Fairfax County prosecutors’ office.” [WJLA]

GOP Makes Big Early Voting Push — “Early voting in Virginia began just last week, but the first wave of ballots already shows Republican-leaning House of Delegates districts pulling ahead of their Democratic counterparts.” Eleven of the 20 districts with the most votes cast in the Nov. 4 statewide elections so far “are strongly Republican or lean Republican” based on data from the Virginia Public Access Project. [Virginia Mercury]

Woman Injured by Falling Tree Branch — A woman was transported to a hospital yesterday afternoon after she suffered possible back and neck injuries reportedly from a “large, falling tree branch” while walking on the Pimmit Run Trail in McLean. “The incident happened around 2 p.m. on the trail, which runs along Pimmit Run near the Arlington-Fairfax County border.” [ARLnow]

Youngkin Takes Issue With Power Grid — “Governors of more than a quarter of U.S. states pushed on Monday for greater influence over PJM Interconnection, the country’s biggest power grid, where electricity prices are surging as AI data center demand outpaces the connection of new supplies.” [Reuters]

Local Ice Cream Shop Founder Honored — “Robin Rinearson, the founder of Jake’s Ice Cream, was honored with the Illinois College of Optometry Alumni Association’s Humanitarian Award earlier this month for her support of people with disabilities.” [Annandale Today]

How D.C. Region’s Colleges Rank — “The latest U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings didn’t have dramatic changes from last year, but a few D.C.-area colleges saw some surprising shifts.” Virginia institutions on the list include the University of Virginia (no. 26), the College of William & Mary and Virginia Tech (in a four-way tie for no. 51), and George Mason University (no. 117 in a seven-way tie). [WTOP]

Great Falls Mansion Hits Market — A 11,222-square-foot estate on Mine Run Drive in Great Falls recently entered the housing market for a list price of $14 million. “The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home is surrounded by a carefully landscaped 5.44 acres that features a brick motor court driveway, several fountains, and a Haddonstone garden gazebo.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies with an 81°F high and calm winds. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation, including potential showers and storms before 11 pm, with a low of 69°F. [NWS]

Family of Man Killed in Woodlawn Seeks Support — “The sister of Jaylin Theodore Hartless says the family is struggling to process the sudden loss of the 21-year-old Alexandria man who was fatally shot Friday morning in Fairfax County’s Woodlawn area.” The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral expenses. [ALXnow]

Alexandria Joins FCPS Appeal — “Alexandria City Public Schools escalated its legal battle against the Trump administration Monday, filing a motion to intervene in Fairfax County’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and requesting emergency injunctive relief to halt federal funding restrictions tied to the district’s transgender student policies.” [ALXnow]

Kirby Club Successor Now Open — NAJA, the Lebanese restaurant taking over for Kirby Club, opened yesterday (Monday) at the Mosaic District in Merrifield. New owner Tariq Alaeddin “who grew up between Beirut and Herndon, is trying to introduce more Lebanese flavors to a broad audience.” [Washingtonian]

WTOP Reporter Dies From Cancer — “WTOP business reporter Jeff Clabaugh, whose steady-paced voice conversationally delivered money news to the D.C. region for three decades, has died at 63. Following a yearlong battle with cancer, Clabaugh died Thursday night in his home, with his long-term partner, Russ Rader, at his side.” [WTOP]

Contractor Leases Reston Building — “CACI International Inc. has quietly leased a whole building in Reston just a stone’s throw from its headquarters near Reston Town Center, according to a real estate source and online Fairfax County information. Permits filed in late August … show the government IT contractor (NYSE: CACI) is building out all six floors at Reston Commons at 11487 Sunset Hills Road.” [Washington Business Journal]

Police Share Autumn Safety Tips — “As the sun sets earlier, our officers want to remind everyone that safety on the road is a shared responsibility. Whether you are walking, running, or driving, taking a few extra precautions can help prevent crashes and save lives.” [FCPD]

New Tysons Gaming Venue Tested — “Looking for a new spot for date nights or weekend fun? Then make plans to visit Level99, Tysons Corner Center’s new immersive gaming spot that opened in August … My husband and I set off to check it out and see if it was worth the hype.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Showers are possible between 4pm and 5pm, followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Expect increasing clouds and a high near 85. Precipitation chance is 30%. Night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 66. [NWS]