morning notes

County Prosecutor Uses Message-Deleting App — “Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano is using an app called Signal which deletes text messages like Snapchat…Descano is using the Signal app to avoid written communication from being obtained by the public and the press as allowed under the Freedom of Information Act, according to sources close to Descano.” [ABC7]

Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Targeted for Thefts — “On Jan. 14, officers responded to numerous calls for service involving stolen or damaged vehicles in Lorton. The thieves appeared to target Hyundai and Kia vehicles…The increase in calls for service regarding stolen and damaged vehicles is consistent with a pattern seen throughout the county.” [FCPD]

Three Firefighters Injured in Gunston House Fire — Three Fairfax County firefighters received minor injuries while tackling a house fire in the 10900 block of Harley Road on Sunday (Jan. 15). A bystander was also treated for unrelated injuries. Ignited by a floor heater, the fire caused an estimated $123,467 in damages, displacing two residents who were out of town when it occurred. [FCFRD]

Huntington Affordable Housing Now Open — “The Arden, a new seven-story, 126-unit multifamily apartment located a block from the Huntington Metro station at 2317 Huntington Avenue and built by award-winning affordable housing developer Wesley Housing, was officially opened Friday, Jan. 13 with a ribbon cutting, speeches and an open house tour.” [On the MoVe]

Loose Dog Caught on Beltway Near Alexandria — “#VSP received a call Saturday evening (1/14/23) for a dog running loose on I-495 at Eisenhower Ave in Fairfax Co. Thx to an alert motorist, troopers were able to get an exact location & rescue this sweet daredevil. He made himself right at home in the warmth of Trooper S. Barden’s patrol car, as the troopers waited for Fairfax County Animal Control to arrive on scene.” [Virginia State Police/Facebook]

Ex-Police Chief Accused in Sex Trafficking Lawsuit — “Testifying under the pseudonym ‘Jane Doe’ in an explosive civil trial in Alexandria, Va., the woman claimed that now former Fairfax County police chief Edwin C. Roessler, captain James Baumstark and officers Michael O. Barbazette and Jason J. Mardocco violated federal law by obstructing efforts to investigate and prosecute a madam named Hazel Sanchez” [The Washington Post]

Sheriff’s Office Warns of Scam — “A man claiming to be a Sheriff’s deputy named Lt. Myles is calling community members saying he is collecting fines related to charges against them. This is a scam! The Sheriff’s Office will never call you asking for money. You may report scam calls to the police non-emergency number, 703-691-2131.” [Hunter Mill District News]

Person Pulled Out of Crashed Vehicle — “Thursday afternoon, units were dispatched for a vehicle crash w/a person trapped at Westfields Blvd and Stonecroft Blvd. Rescue Squad 421, Fair Oaks, worked diligently to extricate the patient. Two people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Stuff the Bus Returns This Weekend — “The buses are fueled and ready to roll as…the county’s post-holiday food drive, now in its 12th year…hits the road in the fight against hunger in Fairfax County. Beginning on January 14 and continuing weekly through February 18, Fastran busses will visit local grocery stores to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

Family of Teen Killed in Fairfax Station Crash Mourns — “Ariana Haftsavar, 16, was one of the two teens killed, her family confirmed to News4. Haftsavar’s family said she was a passenger in the car and was headed home from SAT class…Haftsavar’s father said she was a wonderful person, and they don’t know how they’re going to live without her.” [NBC4]

Development Proposed in Richmond Highway Area — “Fairfax County officials are opening the Site Specific Plan Amendment process for multiple sites in the county…For Southeast Fairfax County, that could include a new use for the property where the Moon Inn sits on Richmond Highway, big changes to the Rose Hill Shopping Center and Frontier Plaza, and hundreds of new residences, including dedicated affordable units.” [Alexandria Living]

Seven Arrested in Child Solicitation Sting — “In each case, offenders used internet platforms to initiate explicit conversations and solicit sex from police officers posing as children. When each of the suspects arrived at the agreed upon locations, detectives took them into custody. The men ranged in age from 26-52 and were charged with a total of 49 felonies.” [FCPD]

(Updated at 5:15 p.m.) Vienna Area Voters Elect New Delegate Today — “The special election to fill the Virginia House of Delegates 35th District seat is set for Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m… The special election’s candidates are Democrat Holly Seibold and Republican Monique Baroudi.” [Patch]

Stolen Tractor-Trailer Holds up I-495 — “Officers from our Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop on a stolen tractor trailer on I495 SB just past Braddock Rd. The driver is in custody and tow truck [en route]. Lanes temporarily blocked as detectives investigate.” The vehicle was stolen in Florida, police told FFXnow. [FCPD/Twitter]

TikTok Video of Fake Fairfax Bus Sign Goes Viral — “The City of Fairfax does not want you to run over jaywalking pedestrians in order to teach them a lesson…A video posted to TikTok by the user @hamandgreenpepperomelette shows the back of a Fairfax City CUE bus with a bogus sign that reads: ‘Don’t stop for pedestrians if they jaywalk. Let them learn a lesson.'” [Patch]

Route 28 South Closure in Centreville Tomorrow — “Overhead sign installation on Route 28 South approaching I-66 will require overnight closures of the Route 28 South collector-distributor lane, the ramp from Braddock Road/Walney Road to Route 28 South and I-66 East, and the ramp from I-66 West to Route 28 South nightly, Tuesday, January 10, through Thursday, January 12.” [VDOT]

Tysons Corner Center Sees Uptick in Arrests — “Arnest supervises the [Fairfax County Police] Tysons Urban Team. It’s a unit that launched in 2013. Data shared with WUSA9 shows the unit made 787 arrests in 2022. That’s compared to 377 in 2021 and 406 in 2020. They say…those number[s] were likely smaller because of the pandemic.” [WUSA9]

Nashville-Style Chicken Sandwich Chain Coming for Hybla Valley — “A rapidly expanding restaurant chain has plans to open a new location in the Hybla Valley section of Alexandria. Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken recently signed a lease with KLNB to occupy an end space at 7508C Richmond Highway.” [On the MoVe]