Arrests Made After Annandale Barricade — “Fairfax County Police arrested 13 people March 25 following a dispute at the Parliaments Apartments in Annandale. Police responded to a report of a brandishing incident in the 7300 block of Englewood Place at about 8:30 p.m.” A 19-year-old “displayed a firearm, then threatened to shoot” one of the occupants. [Annandale Today]
Trial Underway in Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against FCPS — “A 24-year-old woman told jurors Tuesday that she was repeatedly raped and sexually harassed a decade ago as a seventh-grade student in Virginia, and that school officials reacted to her pleas for help with indifference…The case involving B.R. stretches back to allegations she was raped and harassed as a 12-year-old student at Rachel Carson Middle School in Reston.” [Associated Press]
Virginia Reports Rise in Mpox Cases — “The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is closely monitoring a recent increase in mpox cases in Virginia. Since January 1, 2024, 12 mpox cases have been reported to VDH…Four patients required hospitalization, six were co-infected with HIV, and none had been previously vaccinated.” [VDH]
Herndon Consulting Firm Patents Software — “Herndon fintech and consulting firm Skience has received patent approval for part of its software that makes work more efficient for wealth management professionals and financial advisers.” The technology reduces the “number of programs and portals where advisers need to enter client information,” so it takes less time to open accounts, CEO and co-founder Sanjeev Kumar says. [Washington Business Journal]
Justice HS Teacher Wins National Award — “Congratulations to Justice HS teacher Kirsten Salonga, who has been awarded the 2023 Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). Kristen is one of six winners who has received a cash award of $1,000.” [Fairfax County Public Schools/Facebook]
State Police Launch New Recruitment Program — “The Virginia State Police is offering a first-of-its-kind employment opportunity for those interested in becoming state troopers, but are too young to apply…The agency’s new ‘Pathway to Trooper’ program aims to help people 18 to 20 years old who need to find employment while waiting to apply to the Trooper Basic Session Academy.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Wednesday — Expect rain in the morning, transitioning to potential thunderstorms from noon to 3pm, followed by possible rain and storms later in the afternoon. The high will be near 53, and there’s an 80% chance of precipitation. Cloudy skies will persist at night, along with a 50% chance of rain and lows around 47. [NWS]
Local Figure Skater Wins World Championship — “Ilia Malinin, the 19-year-old from Fairfax, Virginia, put on a dominant display Saturday night in Montreal and took the world figure skating crown in record performance. His free program included a jaw-dropping six quadruple jumps — including his patented quad axel” and setting a record for the competition’s free skate. [WTOP]
Police Investigate “Suspicious Package” in Reston — Sunset Hills Road closed outside of the Reston Town Center Metro station yesterday (Monday) after Fairfax County police got a report of a “suspicious package” in the area at 4:40 p.m. An investigation determined the item wasn’t an explosive device, and there was “no apparent threat to the community at this time.” [Patch]
Data Center Company Sues County Over Reston Facility — CoreSite “has filed a civil suit against Fairfax County, alleging the county has overstepped its authority in demanding it hand over identifying information about its tenants” for tax purposes. The March 8 complaint argues that it’s not CoreSite’s responsibility to “know whether a given tenant is subject to or exempt from the state’s and county’s tax authority” and it would be “overly burdensome” for the company to make that determination. [Washington Business Journal]
Annandale Restaurants Near Launches — “Three new eateries — L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Garden Social, and Tiger Sugar — are tentatively scheduled to have a soft opening the second week of April. All three are located in the same 5,000-square-foot space at 4363 John Marr Drive…in the Eastgate Shopping Center.” [Annandale Today]
Former Auto Dealerships in Tysons Acquired — Asbury Automotive Group “bought the 11.6-acre property at 8525 Leesburg Pike, until recently home to a Priority Nissan and a Priority Mazda, on Feb. 15 for $67 million.” The buyer and seller didn’t comment on the deal, which was reported by CoStar, but the site was once part of the planned Dominion Square West redevelopment. [WBJ]
Space Research Nonprofit Moves HQ to Chantilly — “The non-profit Aerospace Corp., which functions as a federal research lab focused on space, announced last week it relocated its corporate headquarters from El Segundo, California, to the Washington D.C. area.” The corporation’s president says the move “was driven by the evolving space landscape in the U.S. government and a need for closer proximity to key decision makers.” [Space News]
Lorton Thrift Shop Plans Refresh — “Lorton’s Attic, the thrift store at Williamsburg Square Shopping Center operated by the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), will close for the first two days of April before reopening April 3 with a new layout, fresh inventory and expanded hours.” [On the MoVe]
Homeless Shelter Clients Beautify County Gardens — “The gardens at the Herrity Building on the Fairfax County Government Center Complex have been given a renewed lease on life this spring, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Operation Stream Shield and guidance from landscape architects of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division.” [DPWES]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 55 and an east wind around 6 mph. Moving into Tuesday night, there is a 30% chance of rain, primarily after 2am, and the temperature will drop to around 44 with a southeast wind at 7 mph. [NWS]
Developer Suggests Combining Casino and Arena — “With Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s plan to build a $2 billion arena in Alexandria for the Washington Capitals and Wizards in jeopardy, three political and business figures have been pitching an unlikely Hail Mary: an idea to pair the sports arena with a new casino in Fairfax County…The idea has been flatly rejected by Youngkin (R) and the teams’ owner, Monumental Sports & Entertainment.” [Washington Post]
No Injuries in Transformer Fire Near NRA HQ — “Just after 7am [Saturday] morning #FCFRD and City of Fairfax Fire Department responded to the 11200 Blk of Waples Mill Rd for a reported building fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find an outside transformer on fire. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire preventing any exposure to the building.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Arrest Made in Online Scam of Vienna Resident — “On August 14, 2023, a citizen reported that he was defrauded out of almost $1 million during an online scam that unfolded over several years. A subsequent investigation by police revealed that a Maryland man was involved in the scheme, which aimed to deceive the victim into believing that they were assisting someone in distress.” The Hyattsville man was arrested on March 19. [Vienna Police]
Virginia Makes To-Go Cocktails Permanently Legal — “Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed sixty bills on Wednesday, including one that permanently allows the sale of cocktails to-go in the Commonwealth. To-go cocktails were temporarily allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic but were set to expire as of July 1.” [WUSA9]
Vienna-Based Credit Union Seeks Dismissal of Lawsuit — Navy Federal Credit Union said last week that an “external review…found no race-based decision making in our mortgage underwriting,” attributing differences in approval rates to “legitimate, non-race factors.” The same day the review’s conclusion was announced, the firm that’s defending the credit union filed a motion to dismiss in a class-action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. [CNN]
County Appoints New Environmental Office Leader — “John Morrill has been appointed director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), effective immediately. Morrill brings over 30 years of experience in energy and environmental issues and has served as acting director of the OEEC since March 2023.” [Fairfax County Government]
Park Authority Plans Solar Eclipse Events — The Fairfax County Park Authority “has prepared extraordinary eclipse viewing activities at locations throughout the county on Monday, April 8. Join us for a safe viewing experience that will include both pre- and post-eclipse activities, games and demonstrations.” [FCPA]
Reston Player to Compete in Pickleball Championships — Mani Vaghedi will soon “compete on a national stage after being selected as one of 3,000+ amateur and professional pickleball players who will gather in Naples, Fla., from April 13-20 to compete in the largest and most prestigious pickleball tournament in the world — the 2024 Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships.” [Fairfax County Times]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 56 accompanied by a northeast wind at about 8 mph. As the night approaches, the skies will turn partly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 38, with an east wind at 6 mph. [NWS]
Third Arrest Made in McLean Home Burglary — Yesterday (Thursday) morning, Fairfax County police detectives arrested a 24-year-old Lorton resident in Bailey’s Crossroads, identifying him as the third suspect in an armed burglary of a house in McLean. All three men charged in the incident, which occurred in the 1300 block of Spring Hill Road on Nov. 27, are in custody. [FCPD]
Police Union to Oppose FCPD Use of A.I. — “The Fairfax chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association will issue a position soon opposing Truleo, citing privacy and workload concerns, a representative said.” The Fairfax County Police Department said earlier this month that it will use Truleo’s artificial intelligence-based platform to analyze body camera footage. [Gazette Leader]
Residents Encouraged to Turn Off Lights — “LIGHTS OUT FAIRFAX! Turn off your outdoor lights this Saturday, March 23 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. and reconnect with the beauty of #DarkSkies! Help combat light pollution together and enjoy a magical night under the stars. Spread the word, invite your neighbors, friends and family for this powerful connection with the natural world!” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]
Compass Coffee Gets Approval for West Falls Church Cafe — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 19 unanimously granted Compass Coffee LLC a special exception to install a coffee shop with two drive-through lanes at a former BB&T Bank branch” in the Shops at West Falls Church. “Compass Coffee will contribute $11,587 toward future construction of a 10-foot-wide trail along Route 29, which will replace the current 4-foot-wide sidewalk.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons and Reston Companies Named Startups to Watch — “Tysons-based Aravenda and Reston-based TruWeather Solutions placed on DC Inno’s list of ’10 Startups to Watch in Greater Washington’ — its annual list of companies that are ‘setting the pace and challenging the status quo.'” Aravenda provides resale software to businesses, while TruWeather Solutions supplies “weather data analytics and weather risk management products to federal agencies.” [Fairfax County EDA]
Governor Vetoes Criminal Justice Bills — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced vetoes on nearly two dozen criminal justice-related bills…including a measure to prohibit declaring a child under age 11 to be a juvenile delinquent and one requiring the development of standards for when it is permissible to lie to a suspect during police interrogations.” [Washington Post]
Former Apple Engineers Launch Vienna Startup — “A Vienna software startup founded by a cohort of former Apple Inc. engineers has emerged from stealth mode after landing $47 million in fresh funding…Antithesis Operations LLC, which develops a technology that can automatically find bugs in software used across companies or organizations, will use the proceeds largely to build out its team of engineers and software developers.” [DC Inno]
South Run Trail to Be Paved — Work will begin next Wednesday (March 27) “on a trail paving initiative along a 550-foot section of the South Run Stream Valley trail system. The paving will occur between the new fiberglass bridge (Preakness Bridge) and the culvert closest to Lee Chapel Road underpass. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed within approximately one week.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high of 53 today. Tonight, rain will arrive mainly after 11pm, accompanied by patchy fog after 2am and a low temperature around 46. There is a 100% chance of precipitation with rainfall amounts ranging from half to three-quarters of an inch. [NWS]
Brush Fires Break Out Around D.C. Area — “Fires in Virginia and Maryland brought a smoky haze into the D.C. region Wednesday evening, as a combination of strong winds and low humidity created conditions that the National Weather Service could fuel more blazes…Fairfax County fire officials reported that crews were working ‘six outside fires’ and that dispatchers fielded calls for reports of smoke blown into the county” from other areas. [Washington Post]
FCPS Updates Covid Guidance — “In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department have updated school COVID-19 recommendations. The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended.” Students can now return to class if they’re “fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication” and their symptoms “have improved or resolved.” [FCPS]
Residents Move Into New Senior Living Complex — “Woodleigh Chase, the massive new independent-living complex on Braddock Road in Fairfax, has already welcomed 25 residents, although it will take five years to complete the build-out. The development is restricted to people at least 62 years old. When completed, the 43-acre Woodleigh Chase complex will have 1,500 units in nine buildings and two clubhouses, says Sales Director David Taylor.” [Annandale Today]
Design Wrapping Up on Joint Health and Community Center — “Fairfax City and Fairfax County are jointly redeveloping the county’s Joseph Willard Health Center and the City’s Sherwood Community Center into a single location for healthcare, wellness, fitness and arts, plus programs for children and seniors.” A consultant for the city recently reported that it’s “now wrapping up the schematic design, and construction is expected to be finished, the end of 2027.” [The Connection]
Sidewalk Not Required for New Vienna House — “Most new houses in Vienna must provide certain public improvements – including sidewalk, curb and gutter – but that will not be the case for a home that’s planned to be built in the Windover Heights Historic District. The Vienna Town Council on March 18 voted 6-0 (member Charles Anderson was absent) not to require those usually requisite upgrades at 288 Windover Ave., N.W.” [Gazette Leader]
County Appoints New Human Rights Office Leader — “Michael L. Simms has been appointed director of the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), effective immediately. Simms has served as acting director of the office since December 2023, following the retirement of OHREP’s former director, Kenneth Saunders.” [Fairfax County Government]
Fairfax City Lets Students Design “I Voted” Stickers — “Even though they may not be old enough to vote, K-12 students in the City of Fairfax can still contribute to the 2024 election by designing the stickers that will be given to voters on election day…The 2024 Sticker Design Contest kicked off on Jan. 15 and all entries must be received on or before April 12.” [Patch]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 48 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind of 9 to 14 mph and gusts up to 21 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 32 degrees, and a northeast wind of 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]
Man Charged With Indecent Exposures at Local Malls — A 29-year-old man from Maryland was arrested on March 15 for allegedly exposing himself at Five Below in Springfield Town Center on Oct. 12 and again in Spencer’s at Fair Oaks Mall. Police believe there may be other victims “due to the repeated nature of these offenses.” [FCPD]
FCPD Shares Locations of Sobriety Checkpoints — “The Fairfax County Police Department will be conducting sobriety checkpoints around the county throughout the year to identify and remove impaired drivers from local roadways. The checkpoints, hosted by the department’s dedicated Driving Under the Influence squad and district stations, will occur between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.” [Gazette Leader]
Get Sneak Peek of Future Metrorail Cars — “Out with the old, and in with the new! Metro is set to showcase its newest trains and railcars on the National Mall from March 20 to April 3. At Fleet of the Future Expo, visitors can walk inside a mock-up rail car to experience their future ride on an 8,000-series rail car.” The trains aren’t expected to be deployed “en masse” until 2026. [NBC4, Washington Post]
Fairfax Station Road to Close for Pipe Work — “Fairfax Station Road (Route 660) between Colchester Road (Route 612) and Route 123 (Ox Road) will be closed to through traffic, weather permitting, Monday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day to replace drainage pipes…Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
County Transportation Department Labeled “Bicycle-Friendly” — “The League of American Bicyclists recently recognized the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) with a silver level Bicycle-Friendly Business designation. The recognition was awarded after an extensive review of FCDOT’s facilities and programs to support its two-wheeled commuters, along with how the agency works to encourage bicycling in the community.” [FCDOT]
Jobs Agency Renews Reston Office Lease — “Employment agency Quadrant has renewed its 23,000-square-foot lease at 1881 Campus Commons Drive in Reston, Va. TF Cornerstone acquired the 245,755-square-foot office building in September for $25.1 million, adding to a larger campus it has been assembling since 2015.” [Commercial Observer]
Workforce Hub Could Help Military Veterans — The Workforce Innovation Skills Hub, which opened in Hybla Valley in fall 2022, is finalizing a program to provide entrepreneurship training to spouses and “transitioning” military personnel from Fort Belvoir. Conducted with George Mason University’s business school, the program “will train local residents and students on how to start their own businesses and provide them with options — either to work for a company or to start their own.” [On the MoVe]
Author Details History of Local Mixed-Race Community — “All that remains of Ilda is a historic marker and the name of the Ilda Community Recreation Association on Braeburn Drive…Tom Shoop, a former resident of that area, felt there was a lot more to the story and wrote a book, ‘A Place Called Ilda: Race and Resilience at a Northern Virginia Crossroads,’ which was published this year by the University of Virginia Press.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 62 degrees and breezes. Winds will start at 8-13 mph, then increase to 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Night will be mostly clear with a low of about 32 degrees, featuring northwest winds of 13-17 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. [NWS]
Annandale House Fire Under Investigation — “Dozens of Fairfax County firefighters responded to a large fire early Monday morning that tore through a house in Annandale, Virginia. Initial 911 calls from neighbors just before 4 a.m. reported the sound of an explosion along with the fire in the 4200 block of Ann Fitz Hugh Drive,” but investigators said they haven’t found evidence of an explosion. [WTOP]
Five Caught Breaking Into Langley HS — Fairfax County police responded to the high school in McLean at 2:33 a.m. on Sunday (March 17) after school security reported “multiple activation alarms inside the school. When officers arrived, they found the school had no damage.” With the help of a helicopter, police caught five juveniles seen fleeing on foot in security videos. Petitions are pending for the juveniles, who were released to their parents. [FCPD]
County Launches Resource Portal for Business Owners — “Fairfax County officials on March 12 launched a new portal, Fairfax CORE (Connecting Opportunities & Resources for Entrepreneurs), which provides information and support to business owners of all ages.” The portal provides free resources from over 115 organizations about “counseling, support, education and even events.” [Gazette Leader]
Prank Planned for YouTube Leads to Arrests — Fairfax City police officers were called on March 5 “for the report of a person with their mouth covered in duct tap and wrists bound together lying inside the trunk of a vehicle in the Lowes parking lot.” Police determined that the person in the trunk and two people outside the vehicle “were recording a prank that they were going to post on YouTube.” [Patch]
Bill to Ban Invasive Vine Has Died — “Efforts to stem the spread of English Ivy in…Virginia continue on several fronts, despite the Virginia governor’s recent rejection of a bill introduced by a local legislator. Delegate Paul Krizek’s bill would have allowed local governments like Fairfax County to ban the sale of the plant,” but another bill that would require invasive species to be labeled is still awaiting a decision by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. [On the MoVe]
Hunter Mill Budget Town Hall Tomorrow — “I want to hear from you about the county executive’s proposed budget. Attend my in-person town hall this Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m., at the Patrick Henry Library. Or join the virtual town hall on March 25 at 7 p.m.” [Walter Alcorn/Twitter]
N. Va. Maintains Lead in Data Centers — “Northern Virginia remains, by far, the largest data center market in the world, according to a new report from real estate firm JLL, but the market is facing growing constraints — specifically land and availability of power…Data center leasing activity in 2023 reached a record high.” [WTOP]
Student Raises Money With Art Exhibit About A.I. — “Leah Zhang, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, organized pop-up exhibition at Reston Art Gallery and Studios earlier this month that raised more than $3,000 to help people with disabilities. The exhibit, entitled ‘AI & Us,’ featured 22 works that were submitted by 15 artists that addressed the impact of artificial intelligence.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly sunny skies, reaching a high of 55 degrees during the day, accompanied by 10-14 mph west winds and gusts up to 23 mph. As for Tuesday night, skies will be partly cloudy, dipping to a low of 40 degrees with a calming southwest wind around 7 mph. [Weather.gov]
Woman Fatally Shot Near Inova Fairfax Hospital — “A man shot and killed his ex-girlfriend in a parking lot in Northern Virginia, and police arrested the suspect in Maryland after a short manhunt Friday evening, police said. The victim had a protective order against the suspect, but he showed up outside the medical office in Annandale where she worked, police said.” [NBC4, WUSA9]
Metro Police Start Fare Evasion Crackdown in D.C. — “Metro police will crack down on fare evasion in the District starting Monday, issuing fines of up to $100 or arresting people who refuse to pay for rides. Until now, Metro Transit Police officers have only been able to ask fare evaders to pay their fare or leave the station, according to Metro.” [Washington Post]
Warm Weather Leads to More Pollen — “This year, abnormally warm weather has boosted average tree pollen counts to near-record levels in the D.C. area. The counts have already climbed into the high range on eight days this year. So far, the peak daily count was 1,171 pollen grains per cubic meter of air measured in early March.” [Washington Post]
County Seeks Input on Bicycle Parking Updates — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host a virtual meeting on the updated Bicycle Parking Guidelines on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 6 p.m.” The county is developing guidelines for “rate of short-term to long-term bike parking spaces, acceptable rack and facility design and location guidance, and optional enhancements to improve user comfort.” [FCDOT]
Senators Warn Against Adding Long National Airport Flights — “The four U.S. senators from Virginia and Maryland are urging Congress to keep the current rules for long distance flights from Reagan National Airport (DCA) as they are.” The senators reiterated that the airport is “already overburdened” and adding more long-distance flights could affect the larger Dulles and Baltimore airports. [WTOP]
Transportation Officials Give Update on Richmond Highway Projects — “Vanessa Aguayo, project manager of the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, and Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Dan Reinhard, lead project manager for the Richmond Highway Corridor Improvements project, provided updates March 14 at the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast.” [On the MoVe]
Former McLean HS Student Publishes Debut Novel — “Small-town skullduggery, eccentric characters, humor and a gritty tone are staples of Southern crime fiction and former Great Falls resident Peter Malone Elliott was happy to indulge in them all in his debut novel, ‘Blue Ridge.'” [Gazette Leader]
Local Volunteers Bonded by Helping Feed People — “It may look like Mona Tatum works at an outdoor market along Route 1 in Alexandria. But the bounty in front of her of fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, and so much more, stems from a remarkable story of friendship between Ed Moore and Deacon James Myers…A friendship that blossomed four years ago during the pandemic’s darkest days.” [WJLA]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 51, with a west wind blowing between 9 and 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. In the evening, the sky remains mostly clear with a low temperature around 34. A northwest wind of 11 to 13 mph will continue, gusting as high as 22 mph. [Weather.gov]
Pilot on Flight to Dulles Tried to Open Airplane Door — “A student pilot tried to open the door of an Alaska Airlines cockpit multiple times while the plane was in the air…The flight was traveling from California to Virginia on March 3, according to an affidavit filed by federal air marshal Thomas G. Pattinson and reviewed by CBS News.” [CBS News]
Senior Living Apartments Now Open in Tysons — “Mather…earlier in March opened the doors on its eponymous The Mather, 670,000 square feet of side-by-side glass towers rising as high as 27 stories at 7929 Westpark Drive.” The Chicago-based not-for-profit organization is “actively reviewing sites” for a possible expansion in Northern Virginia, but CEO Mary Leary “wouldn’t say precisely where.” [Washington Business Journal]
Condo Project in McLean Gets Endorsement — “A proposal to rezone and redevelop McLean Professional Park with a 104-unit condominium building received strong support March 6 from the McLean Citizens Association’s (MCA) board of directors…The proposed development would straighten out the site’s entranceway, which is shared with adjacent Sunrise of McLean Village,” according to MCA’s planning and zoning committee chair. [Gazette Leader]
D.C. Region Population Growing After Pandemic — “The D.C. area’s rebound from the pandemic continued last year as the District and its surrounding counties continued to see steady growth — and their most significant population gains since 2018 — even as other major American cities contracted, according to estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.” [Washington Post]
Park Authority Introduces Summer Intern Program — The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking applicants for its new summer internship program, which is open to high school and college students, recent graduates, people looking for a career change and anyone else interested in gaining experience in marketing, history, nature and other areas. It could lead to seasonal, part-time or full-time employment. [FCPA]
Reston Climate Tech Firm Partners With Panda Express — “GridPoint Inc., a Reston company that develops technology to help businesses reduce their energy costs, has brought in three new executives to help guide it through its next growth phase…GridPoint recently expanded its partnership with Panda Express from a 200-store pilot program to a national rollout of about 2,500 locations in the coming years.” [DC Inno]
Fairfax HS Reverses Plan for Graduation — “After an apparent backlash from Fairfax High School families over a change in venue and the number [of] tickets that would be available for the school’s June 4 graduation, Principal Georgina Aye announced that the ceremony would be held at the school’s football stadium.” City of Fairfax Public Schools said earlier that the ceremony would be “moved inside due to construction at Stalnaker Field.” [Patch]
Reston Software Company Celebrates 20th Anniversary — “ScienceLogic recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at an event for employees, customers, and partners. At the event, co-founders Dave Link and Richard Chart shared some of their favorite memories, looking back at two decades of ScienceLogic’s success as a pioneering software and services provider.” [Fairfax County EDA]
It’s Friday — Expect showers with a possible thunderstorm after 2pm and a high around 74°F. An 80% chance of precipitation is forecast with less than a tenth of an inch of rain. At night, anticipate showers and potentially a thunderstorm before 8pm. Nighttime lows will be around 48°F. [Weather.gov]
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]
