Man Charged in Beltway Tractor-Trailer Crash — “A 28-year-old man has been charged after a multi-vehicle crash shut down a portion of southbound Interstate 495 in Fairfax County for several hours Wednesday morning…Troopers responded to a crash in the southbound lanes of I-495 where a passenger vehicle and two tractor-trailers collided near Exit 45.” [WJLA]
Annandale Man Killed in Maryland Robbery — “Annandale resident Mohammad Hanif, 50, was murdered following a robbery at the convenience store he owned in the 900 block of Larchmont Avenue in Capitol Heights, Md., on March 5. The Prince George’s County Police Department is offering up to $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.” [Annandale Today]
Regional Cycling Group Rolls Out Crash Tracker — “The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) announced a new crash tracker that lets Alexandrians and residents of other nearby localities track and report dangerous situations.” Northern Virginia, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and D.C. residents can report traffic crashes, near-misses, cars parked in bicycle lanes and “dangerous street locations. [ALXnow]
D.C. Cherry Trees to Be Cut Down for Repairs — “As part of a multimillion dollar rehabilitation project to address flooding issues, officials say 140 of D.C.’s famed cherry trees will be cut down along the Tidal Basin and Potomac River.” The project won’t affect the upcoming 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, but the National Park Service “is encouraging visitors to come see the flowers before construction kicks off later this spring.” [WTOP]
Fort Hunt ES to Launch Principal Search — “Fort Hunt Elementary School is about to start the search process for a new principal following the departure of the school’s top administrator, Lawrence Caines…Mattie Fallen has stepped in as interim principal effective March 6…and Fallen will remain the school’s top administrator until further notice.” [On the MoVe]
McLean Group Calls for Look at County Pensions — “Worried about increasing unfunded liabilities for Fairfax County’s three pension plans despite increased county contributions each year, the McLean Citizens Association’s (MCA) board of directors on March 6 passed a resolution calling on county officials to submit those plans to independent, in-depth ‘stress tests.'” [Gazette Leader]
Students and Sheep Help Clean McLean Park — “A huge shoutout to the student volunteers from Mclean High School’s History Honors Society for rolling up their sleeves and helping us remove invasive plants from the grounds of Clemyjontri Park…Thanks to LambMowers.com for bringing their sheep to provide natural lawn care!” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]
County Puts Out Call for Summer Workers — “Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is now hiring summer leaders! Positions include a $500 sign-on bonus, up to $500 in retention bonuses and the opportunity to transition to year-round employment.” Available positions include summer camp, recreation and food access program leaders. [NCS]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high temperature around 77 degrees, with a calm morning wind turning southwest at around 6 mph. As evening approaches, the sky will be partly cloudy and the temperature will dip to a low of around 58 degrees. [Weather.gov]
County to Update Zoning for Data Centers — “Several board members expressed concern that some zoning districts currently allow for the development of data centers by right…Committee Chair Karen Smith (D-Sully) suggested that the board begin the process of updating the zoning ordinance at its next meeting on March 19, which received unanimous support from the other board members.” [Patch]
Covid Survivors Revisit Inova Fairfax Hospital — “This week marks four years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic and 7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez caught up with two survivors after first sharing their stories in 2020. Titou Phommachanh and Rodrigo Valderrama greeted each other with a hug in front of Inova Fairfax Hospital. Before the two became the faces of COVID-19 in Northern Virginia four years ago, the men had never met.” [WJLA]
McLean Resident Details IVF Experience to Senator — Sen. Tim Kaine hosted a roundtable in Ballston on Friday (March 8) to hear from advocates, doctors and other stakeholders about the importance of in vitro fertilization as an option for prospective parents. Participants included McLean resident Jay Timmons, who used IVF and surrogacy to have children with his partner. [ARLnow]
Annandale Mourns Community Leaders — “Two people well-known in the community who helped make Annandale a better place passed away in recent days. Everett (Kip) Germain III, the president of the Annandale Boys & Girls Club, died suddenly on March 6 at the age of 67. Don DiSpirito, a longtime volunteer with the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), passed away on Feb. 26, at the age of 90.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Residents Meet New School Board Rep — “The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) welcomed new School Board member Robyn Lady (Dranesville District) to its March 6 board meeting and promptly peppered her with questions on school renovations, safety and enrollment.” Topics included the planned Dunn Loring elementary school. [Gazette Leader]
Warm Weather Accelerates Cherry Blossom Blooming — “Boosted by exceptionally mild weather, the cherry blossom buds continue to race toward peak bloom at near record speeds. On Tuesday afternoon, the National Park Service announced that the blossom buds reached Stage 4 out of 6, or ‘peduncle elongation’…This means we could be close to peak bloom by the weekend and hitting peak early next week.” [Washington Post]
New Vienna Restaurant Wins Over Post Critic — “Right this minute, though, the place I’m most smitten by unfolds in a former Greek diner in the Virginia suburbs. Named for the street it’s on in Vienna, the Maple Room is brought to you by real estate developer Christos Sarantis and his wife, Effie, who also own four casual SouvlakiBar establishments in the area.” [Washington Post]
Coffee Vendor Sets Up Off-Season Shop in Hybla Valley — “The McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market won’t officially reopen until April 17, but vendor Brandon Berryhill of the Traveling Shepherd Coffee Company faithfully shows up every week in the offseason to provide customers with their favorite brews.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 71 degrees and a west wind of 5 to 8 mph. The evening will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 47 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind of 3 to 5 mph. [Weather.gov]
South Lakes HS Wins State Basketball Title — South Lakes High School’s varsity boys team handily defeated Patriot High School 65-39 on Saturday (March 9) to win the Class 6 state boys basketball championship. The Seahawks won with a “stellar supporting cast” led by junior guard Jordan Scott, who scored a game-high 23 points. [Washington Post, Inside NoVA]
Virginia’s Prison Population Drops — “Virginia’s prison population shrank 10.5% between 2021 and 2022, per the latest Justice Department data…That’s the greatest decline of any state during a period when the U.S. was seeing its prison population increase for the first time in nearly a decade.” [Axios Richmond]
Justice HS Searches for New Principal — “Fairfax County Public Schools has begun the process of finding a new principal for Justice High School, following the announcement that Tiffany Narcisse is leaving. FCPS Region 2 Assistant Superintendent Megan Vroman will host a virtual meeting for staff and community members on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m., to discuss the hiring process and answer questions.” [Annandale Today]
Elected Representatives Highlight Legislative Wins — “Several members of the U.S. Congress and Virginia General Assembly who represent local districts recently highlighted their legislative successes,” including funding for a “Mason Neck Trail — Northern Segment” project in Lorton and a bill signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin that codifies the right of LGBTQ Virginians to marry. [On the MoVe]
Former Congressman Buys McLean Mansion — “A former Missouri congressman who made the successful leap to lobbyist life recently plunked down $2.95 million for a 10,000-square-foot McLean mansion. Alan Wheat, chairman of D.C.-based Wheat Shroyer Government Relations, acquired a seven-bedroom, 10-bath home on Alvermar Ridge Drive in late February.” [Washington Business Journal]
Area Restaurants Offer Special Meals for Ramadan — “Ramadan just began and several D.C. restaurants are serving special meals” through April 9, including Fava Pot in the Shops at West Falls Church. Ticketed dinners at Joon in Tysons and the Marriott in West Falls Church will, respectively, raise money to help Syrians in need and provide aid in Gaza. [Axios DC]
Reston Association Corrects Board Candidate Statements — “Reston Association Elections Committee Chair Ed Abbott today issued a statement regarding candidate profiles in the current 2024 Board of Directors Election.” A sentence in one profile “was inadvertently omitted in candidate information that was sent to RA voters in their ballot packets,” Abbott said. [RA]
Meet Dulles Airport Security Dogs — “Airport security dogs play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of airports everywhere, including at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. They have a remarkable sense of smell, allowing them to sniff out even the faintest traces of explosives, narcotics or other prohibited substances.” [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high around 68 degrees, accompanied by west winds ranging from 9 to 14 mph and gusts reaching 22 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 45 degrees, as west winds decrease to 3 to 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
General Assembly Approves State Budget — “Virginia lawmakers wrapped up their 60-day legislative session Saturday by approving a two-year budget that includes pay raises for teachers and state employees, increases education funding and extends the state sales tax to cover digital services.” [Associated Press]
Man Gets Prison for Killing Lorton Landlord — “A Prince William County man was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for slaying his 72-year-old landlord in Lorton. Brian Sayrs Jr., 28, pleaded guilty in August to second-degree murder and concealing a body in the June 2021 killing of Emily Lu, who was found dead about 50 days after she vanished following what authorities said was a rent dispute with Sayrs.” [Washington Post]
County and Herndon Police Chiefs Clash — Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard asked last week for graduation certificates for her officers to be reissued with an English signature after Fairfax County Police Criminal Justice Academy head Maj. Wilson Lee signed them in Chinese. DeBoard says Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis “inappropriately accused me of being racist,” while the FCPD said it doesn’t plan to reissue the certificates. [NBC4]
Man Sentenced to Prison for Tysons Carjacking — “A Maryland man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a series of carjackings and an attempted carjacking in 2022.” The 22-year-old man from Hagerstown pleaded guilty to carjacking four people at gunpoint between May 15 and June 1, 2022, including one incident in Tysons, and attempting a fifth carjacking on June 6. [WTOP]
Architecture Firm Moves Out of Tysons Office — “This week the firm [KTGY] began working out of the 15,000-square-foot home it designed for itself in Alexander Court, 2001 K St. NW, cementing a long-planned move from Northern Virginia that firm leaders say will play a role in reinvigorating downtown.” The company’s D.C. area office had been at 8609 Westwood Center Drive since 2010. [Washington Business Journal]
Volunteers Wanted for Earth Day Celebration — “Join us for Fairfax County’s largest official Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 20, at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly…The event attracts nearly 5,000 people from across Fairfax County annually. Volunteers are needed to fill shifts throughout the day in a variety of capacities.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Former Tysons Area Delegate Honored — Former delegate Mark Keam returned to the Virginia State Capitol on Friday (March 8) when his successor, Del. Holly Seibold presented a resolution “commending” his 13 years as a state legislator. Keam says he “can’t thank my Delegate enough for being so thoughtful and kind to do this, even though it was not at all necessary.” [Mark Keam/Facebook]
Fairfax Symphony Premieres New Composition — “Among the things to admire about the [Fairfax Symphony Orchestra] is its commitment to variety…Saturday night’s concert at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts represented a particularly well-struck balance: two sizable portions of music from Syrian American composer Malek Jandali, including the world premiere of his ‘Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra,’ followed by a heroic dose of Beethoven.” [Washington Post]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high of 53 degrees, accompanied by strong northwest winds of 26 to 28 mph, and gusts reaching up to 47 mph. The clear night will bring a low temperature of around 40 degrees, with west winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. [Weather.gov]
Prospect Iffy for Wiz and Caps Stadium in Alexandria — “A visibly frustrated Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a last-minute appeal to the Virginia legislature to support the Potomac Yard arena ahead of the General Assembly adjourning on Saturday…Senate Finance and Appropriations Chairwoman L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) told the Washington Post [on Wednesday] that the Potomac Yard arena won’t be in the budget compromise.” [ALXnow]
Design of Route 1 BRT Stations Under Revision — Fairfax County’s “Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project team continues to work on art design concepts for five of the nine future BRT stations…The county finalized artwork for windscreens to be located at the Lockheed, Hybla Valley, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir stations” based on concepts submitted last year by high school students. [On the MoVe]
How FCPD Defused Barricade Situation — “It was a bitter cold February night, and the townhouse community along Butterfield Lane in Annandale was flooded with officers…responding to a call of shots fired inside of one of the homes that quickly escalated into a barricade situation. The first responders on the scene, however, were not alone in de-escalating the situation.” [WJLA]
FCPS Adopts Guidelines for Meditation Spaces — “FCPS has developed a regulation to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division.” The regulation took effect on March 1 and sets guidelines for designated areas where students and staff can “engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
GMU Gets Donation for Domestic Violence Research — George Mason University “received a $4.85 million gift to help continue…research in detecting injuries caused by domestic violence, which will now include the use of artificial intelligence…The anonymous donation will allow researchers to build a new AI software that can help identify bruising injuries with a database of different skin colors.” [WTOP]
Vienna Council Reverses Rejection of Sidewalk Project — “The Vienna Town Council, in an unusual third vote taken one week after two previous tallies came up short, voted 5-2 March 4 to proceed with design work for a sidewalk on Johnson Street, S.W.” The council previously voted against awarding a contract, with opposing members “citing opposition to the project from some residents on the street.” [Gazette Leader]
Tree Rescue Event Coming to Park Near Lake Barcroft — “Community members are invited to gather in Sleepy Hollow Park on Sunday, March 10, 12-2 p.m., to learn how to rescue trees being strangled by invasive vines…Participants will learn how to save trees in their yards and take the first steps toward doing this restorative work in local parks. All are welcome; you don’t need experience.” [Annandale Today]
Prep for St. Patrick’s Day With Dancing in Fairfax — “On March 10, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish social dancing. From 3-5:30 p.m., dancers of all levels are invited to step onto the Sherwood Center’s dance floor to live music by the Shepherd’s Pie Ceili Band…Cost is $12/adults, $6/youths” [City of Fairfax]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies, with temperatures reaching a high near 59 degrees. An initial northeast wind of 5 to 7 mph will shift to southeast in the afternoon. Tonight, there’s a 30% chance of showers after 1am, and the cloudy conditions will continue with a low around 43 degrees. [Weather.gov]
Fairfax Connector to Restart Service Friday — Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 voted yesterday (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending their strike after 15 days, the union announced. The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8). [FFXnow]
Annandale Man Charged in Baby Son’s Death — “Detectives from the Mason Police District arrested Shane Frye, 37, of Annandale, in connection with the overdose death of his 4-month-old son. Officers responded to the 4200 block of Americana Drive in Annandale on June 15, 2023, for an unresponsive baby, who was being cared for by Frye.” [Annandale Today]
Casino Opponents Got Help From MGM Owner — “A coalition of political and business leaders, including the owners of MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino in Maryland, paid for a phone survey and provided buses to take Tysons casino opponents to Richmond.” Leaders of opposing community groups say they were already organizing volunteers to testify before state lawmakers when a PR firm tied to MGM offered to help with expenses. [Patch]
Animal Shelter Needs Help Getting Dogs Adopted — “We currently have over 100 dogs in our care, and our shelters are quickly running out of space. We need our community’s assistance in finding loving homes for these wonderful pups. With so many adorable faces waiting to meet you TODAY, there has never been a better time to adopt!” [Fairfax County Animal Shelter/Facebook]
County Board Appoints Police Review Panel Liaison — “Craig Miles has been appointed Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel (PCRP) liaison by the Board of Supervisors (BOS), effective Monday, March 11.” Replacing the panel’s one-time executive director, the liaison will advise, support and coordinate activities with the panel and manage “the intake process for complaints against officers and employees of the FCPD.” [Fairfax County Government]
Police Warn About Cryptocurrency Scams — “Detectives and investigators with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division warn community members of Bitcoin and crypto-related scams being reported within the county. Criminals are exploiting people into depositing money into crypto ATMs and defrauding them of their money, police said.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons Hotelier to Sponsor Golf Competition — Hilton McLean Tysons will be the official hotel for the 2024 Solheim Cup, a biennial women’s golf competition that “pits the best U.S. players against their European counterparts.” Hilton Worldwide Holdings has signed on as a global partner for the event, which will be held Sept. 10-15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville. [Washington Business Journal]
Vienna Sets Date for July 4 Fireworks — Vienna will hold “its Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show on July 2 at Yeonas Park…Like several other Northern Virginia communities, Vienna in recent years has been holding its Independence Day celebration earlier than the traditional July 4 because of difficulties in securing fireworks vendors.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Thursday — There’s a 20% chance of rain before 10am, and skies will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures reaching up to 61°F. There’s a 20% chance of precipitation. The skies will be partly cloudy at night with the temperature dropping to about 43°F. [Weather.gov]
ICYMI: Fairfax Connector Workers to Vote on Contract — Members of ATU Local 689, the union that represents Fairfax Connector bus drivers and mechanics, will vote today (Wednesday) on whether to ratify a tentative contract agreement with operator Transdev. If the deal is approved, it would end a nearly two-week-long strike that disrupted travel for thousands of bus riders. [FFXnow]
Ohio Murder Suspect Arrested in Springfield — “A man wanted on murder charges in Columbus, Ohio, was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Monday night after police said he fled from a traffic stop and struck multiple police vehicles before authorities took him into custody.” Police said the man and “multiple police officers sustained minor injuries during the arrest.” [WTOP]
Police ID Suspect in 1989 Homicide — “Police in Stafford and Fairfax counties say they arrested a suspect in the slayings of 18-year-old Amy Baker and 32-year-old Jaqueline Lord in 1989 and 1986, respectively.” Baker, a Stafford resident, disappeared while visiting family in Falls Church on March 29, 1989. Her family found her body two days later near the I-95 exit ramp to Backlick Road in Springfield. [Potomac Local News, FCPD]
Driver in Fatal Route 29 Crash Charged — A 22-year-old Fairfax resident has been arrested on DUI-related manslaughter and reckless driving charges for a fatal crash that occurred on Dec. 5 at the intersection of Route 29 and Clifton Road near Centreville. Police say the man was drunk and driving over 110 mph when he crashed into a Hyundai, killing Manassas resident Sohail Iqbal. [FCPD]
Dentist to Open Practice in Fort Belvoir — “Gentle Dental Fort Belvoir…will open soon at Belvoir Square and hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with refreshments March 16 at noon. The practice’s founder and general dentist, Dr. Duy Nguyen, graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke.” [On the MoVe]
Local Women-Owned Restaurants Join Festival — “More than 40 bars and restaurants around the D.C. region are celebrating Women’s History Month together…The third annual Women’s History Month Festival is the biggest celebration to date. It’s organized by the nonprofit group Regarding Her, which started in Los Angeles and now includes the women who own bars and restaurants in D.C.” [WTOP]
Rep. Don Beyer Proposes A.I. for Suicide Prevention — “The congressman said that he is trying to figure out a way to use artificial intelligence to improve suicide hotlines. After enrolling part-time at George Mason University to pursue a master’s in AI, to learn how to regulate its use, he said he realized that AI could be beneficial in other areas.” [ARLnow]
It’s Wednesday — Expect rain to begin mainly after 1pm, with patchy fog clearing by 8am and a high near 58°F. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation, with up to half an inch possible. Rain will continue mainly before 1am on Wednesday night, dropping to a low around 51°F. [Weather.gov]
Polls Open for Presidential Primaries — Super Tuesday has arrived in Virginia and 15 other states that will help determine each party’s prospective nominee “ahead of the Republican National Convention from July 15 to 18 and Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19 to 22.” Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. An acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person, and all precincts will accept drop-off ballots. [Patch]
Burke Resident Advocates for Renaming — “The namesake of the unincorporated town of Burke has a dark history associated with slavery, leading some to speculate whether the time has come to change the name.” Resident David Martosko proposes renaming the area after Fenton, an enslaved child bought by Silas Burke, “but keeping the street names and shopping center names in order to force a conversation.” [WUSA9]
State Senate to Consider Metro Funding — “Funding for Metro is back on the table in Virginia as budget talks continue…Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. L. Louise Lucas posted on X that she has decided to put extra funding into the senate’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year after commitments for long-term reform from Metro leadership.” [WTOP]
County Proposes Raising Permit Fees — “Fairfax County building and rezoning fees could rise as much as 35 percent under a proposal drafted by county staff. Bill Hicks, the director of Land Development Services, told the Board of Supervisors’ Land Policy Committee that the fees have to be raised because of inflation, increased staffing, increased employee compensation, and the requirement that fees have to cover the department’s expenses.” [Annandale Today]
Mount Vernon Reps Question Proposed FCPS Budget — “Elected officials from the Mount Vernon District have made it clear they will not automatically be green-lighting the initial $254 million budget ask from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for fiscal year 2025.” School board member Mateo Dunne and Supervisor Dan Storck urged school officials to find ways to trim costs, while stressing “the need above all else to get more public-school funding from the state.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Church to Add Solar Panels — “Aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the leaders of Church of the Holy Comforter (Episcopal) in Vienna are advancing with plans to build a solar array on the site’s lower parking lot. Leaders of the church…are seeking permits from Fairfax County and the town of Vienna, but hope to break ground on the project in mid-April and have it finished sometime this summer, said Rev. Jon Strand, the church’s rector.” [Gazette Leader]
Dog Adopted After Long Stay at County Shelter — “An animal shelter employee’s lunch order led to an incredibly happy ending for one patient rescue dog. On Saturday, Feb. 10, Grubhub driver Alan Moncayo delivered lunch to a manager at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s Lorton, Virginia, campus. When he walked in Moncayo saw a dog in the front window…Jihoo had been at the shelter for 240 days since his owners surrendered him.” [People]
Vienna Opens Applications for Annual Photo Contest — “Snap to it! Put your skills to the test in the Vienna Photo Show! Enter your best pieces in the contest at the Vienna Community Center (VCC) from 5-8 p.m. on March 14 and 12-3:45 p.m. on March 15. Applications are available online or at the VCC.” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]
It’s Tuesday — Rain is likely, mainly before noon, with patchy fog between 7 and 11am. The sky will gradually clear up to be mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Expect a 70% chance of rain. At night, there’s a slight 20% chance of rain after 4am, with increasing clouds and a low around 50. [Weather.gov]
Free Bikeshare Rides Offered During Bus Strike — “Fairfax County is offering free Capital Bikeshare rides for the duration of the Fairfax Connector work stoppage. Enter promo code TRYCABIFFXMAR24 for a free 45-minute ride on a classic bike. This is just one transportation alternative. Please visit our website…for more travel options.” [Fairfax Connector/Facebook]
Fairfax Connector Strike Disrupts Commutes — “On Thursday evening, a succession of Fairfax County residents took refuge in bus shelters next to the Vienna-Fairfax Metrorail station, bracing themselves against frigid temperatures and piercing winds…After learning about the strike from a reporter, the Fairfax residents waiting at the bus stop pulled out their phones and booked rides home on ride-share apps.” [Washington Post]
Norovirus Outbreaks Reported in County — “Norovirus spreads very easily and quickly. There have been recent reports of outbreaks across the county. Help prevent infections by washing your hands, practicing food safety, and taking steps to avoid spreading it to others if you do get sick.” The U.S. sees about 2,500 reported outbreaks of the sickness every year. [Fairfax County Health Department/Twitter]
Tysons Rents Highest in Region — “Apartment rents in Tysons are the highest in the Washington area, according to new data from Apartment List. With a median rental price of $2,495 for the preceding month — $2,269 for one-bedroom units and $2,720 for two bedrooms — Tysons edged out Arlington for top spot among dozens of Washington-area communities part of the survey.” [Gazette Leader]
County to Reveal Route 29 Improvements Survey Results — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will present feedback compiled from the recent Route 29 Study survey at a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 7 p.m. The study focuses on the Route 29 corridor between Buckleys Gate Drive/Summit Drive near the Fairfax County Parkway (VA 286) and Jermantown Road.” [FCDOT]
Huntington Condo Considers Security Updates — “The Montebello Condominium Unit Owners Association (MCUOA) has considered over a dozen ways to improve on-site security since a Jan. 25 carjacking in a parking garage tower and has begun implementing several…measures,” including a license plate reader that “will scan vehicles entering the property, transmit data to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) and flag stolen vehicles.” [On the MoVe]
Lincolnia Gets New Afghan Restaurant — “A new Afghan restaurant has opened in Landmark Plaza in Lincolnia. Its name, ‘Afghan Restaurant,’ reflects the original Afghan Restaurant that operated in Crystal City from 1993 to 2010. That was the first Afghan restaurant in Northern Virginia and was founded by the father and uncle of Amanullah Abbasi, the owner of the new place.” [Annandale Today]
Reston Restaurant Assists With Marriage Proposal — “A local couple got engaged at The Melting Pot in Reston. That’s a restaurant that specializes in cheese fondue among other delicious menu items. And that’s exactly where a lucky guy named James decided to pop the question to his girlfriend Kristen Thursday night.” [WUSA9]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly cloudy day with a high around 66 and calm winds. Rain is likely at night, mainly after 1am, accompanied by a low of about 47. The chance of precipitation is 70%, with potential rainfall amounts between a quarter to half an inch. [Weather.gov]
Peak Bloom for Cherry Blossoms Predicted — “The cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin will reach peak bloom from March 23 to 26, 2024, the National Park Service announced at a National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference on Thursday…No matter when the flowers decide to bloom, this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from March 20 to April 14.” [Washingtonian]
Still No Resolution to Fairfax Connector Strike — “Fairfax Connector bus service will remain suspended through Friday, March 1 as unionized workers continue to strike, demanding a new contract with the bus’ contractor group…Negotiations between Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 and bus operator Transdev continued Thursday, though the session ended without a new contract for workers, according to union officials.” [WJLA]
Hybla Valley Gun Store Burglarized — “Early [Thursday] morning at 1:59 a.m., officers responded to a burglary in progress at 7524 Richmond Highway at H&F Arms in Hybla Valley. Security footage captured two masked individuals force entry into the business through the front door. The suspects took six handguns and two airsoft pistols before exiting the store.” [FCPD]
State Legislators Pass Marijuana Sales Bill — “Virginia lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday that if approved by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin would allow recreational retail sales of marijuana to begin next year…The legislation would create the state’s first retail market in a ‘responsible and thoughtful way,’ said Del. Paul Krizek of Fairfax County, who carried the House version.” [Associated Press/WTOP]
Watchdog Raises New Metro Safety Concerns — The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission said in a new report that “Metro is listing some train operators as being ‘certified’ even though they have not demonstrated they can handle certain dangerous situations, including when smoke fills train cars.” An incident near L’Enfant Plaza in 2015 killed one passenger and left others sick. [WTOP]
Bren Mar Residents Rally Against Data Center — “In 2022, residents successfully mobilized against a rezoning proposal for a data center at Plaza 500, an industrial/business park at 6295 Edsall Road…The developer has now submitted a site plan for a by-right data center on the section of the property zoned I-5. The proposed two-story data center would be 466,000 square feet and 70 feet tall.” [Annandale Today]
Hybla Valley Post Office to Relocate — “The lease for the U.S. Post Office located at Mount Vernon Plaza in Hybla Valley has expired, and the community branch plans to move to a new location in Groveton, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service.” Retail services will remain available at Mount Vernon Plaza until the new location at 2923-A East Lee Avenue opens on a “to be determined date.” [On the MoVe]
Space Available in Park Authority Camps — “When schools close for student holidays and spring break, fun and engaging Park Authority camps are in session! This year, spring camps will be held” from March 25-29, April 1-2, Wednesday, April 10 and Friday, May 3. “Camps are hosted all year and many spaces remain open for both spring and summer camps.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Clouds will gradually increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 52 degrees. Rain is expected on Friday night, with a low around 42 degrees. Precipitation is certain, with new amounts ranging between a quarter and half an inch. [Weather.gov]