An abundance of rain in recent weeks has alleviated the drought plaguing Northern Virginia, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says.
The department announced this morning (Monday) that it has lifted drought advisories for the entire Commonwealth, including a drought watch for Fairfax County and the rest of Northern Virginia that had been in place since September.
An alligator wandered free on the grounds of a Huntington motel for some time early this morning (Monday).
The reptile appeared to break free from its enclosure in the parking lot before pacing around the grounds of the Budget Host Alexandria on Richmond Highway, according to scanner traffic. Fairfax County police officers responded to the incident at 12:10 a.m.
Fairfax County Public Schools is taking over King Abdullah Academy’s campus in the Floris area south of Herndon.
The Fairfax County School Board voted 9-0 with three abstentions last Thursday (June 12) to approve a $150 million acquisition of approximately 30 acres at 2949, 2950 and 2954 Education Drive, where the Islamic private school will cease operations after July.
The Virginia Department of Health has been notified of a confirmed case of measles at Dulles International Airport and the Washington metro area earlier this month.
The patient is an international traveler visiting the D.C. area, the VDH said in a Saturday news release.
Fairfax Residents Join Anti-Trump Protests — “Large crowds of protesters gathered at street corners and along roads across Fairfax County on Saturday to exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully demonstrate against the policies of President Donald Trump.” [Patch]
Speed Cameras Start on Fairfax County Parkway — “Work zone cameras will be installed along a stretch of Fairfax County Parkway between Popes Head Road and Burke Center Parkway. A 30-day warning period begins June 15. Starting July 15, violators will be subject to fines up to $100, sent in the mail.” [Fairfax County Government]
Detour on Route 123 in Vienna — “This Monday, June 16, at 7 a.m., crews will begin replacing the handicap ramps and brick crosswalks at the intersection of Maple Avenue and East Street. Traffic will be impacted, and a detour will be in place from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. daily.” [Town of Vienna/X]
Annandale Pickleball Facility Opens — “Down the Line, a state-of-the-art pickleball facility in Annandale, will have a soft opening on Sunday, June 15. It’s located in a completely renovated building at 4311 Ravensworth Road that had been vacant for years since Kid’s Choice Sports Center closed.” [Annandale Today]
Talk About FBI Academy Relocating — “The Washington Post reported an anonymous source claims that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is considering plans to relocate its National Academy” from Quantico to Huntsville, Alabama. “The rumblings are drawing concern and opposition among Virginia lawmakers, who cite the loss of jobs to the area and the cost of relocating the academy.” [Potomac Local News]
Fort Belvoir Celebrates Army’s B-Day — “Fort Belvoir commemorated the United States Army’s 250th birthday Thursday with a celebration and messages of heritage, honor and commitment … The event brought together military leaders, local officials and community members to reflect on the Army’s journey since its founding in 1775.” [Inside NoVA]
What to Know About Democratic AG Primary — “Jay Jones, a former state lawmaker from Norfolk, and Shannon Taylor, the longtime elected prosecutor in the Richmond suburb of Henrico County are running.” With primary voting coming tomorrow (Tuesday), two reporters “take a closer look at the candidates and break down whether there’s much difference between them.” [WTOP]
Meet McLean Entrepreneur Behind Sweet Leaf — “Sweet Leaf co-founder Arita Matini, 37, was just 21 when she opened her first restaurant back in 2009 … Sweet Leaf now has six locations — five in NoVA and one in DC — and Matini says she’s constantly looking for new opportunities to expand.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Monday — Showers are most likely between 2pm and 4pm, with cloudy skies and temperatures reaching around 73°F. The chance of precipitation is 50%. At night, expect another chance of showers after 8pm, as it remains cloudy with lows near 66°F. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation during this time. [NWS]
The Fairfax County Police Department is boosting patrols near the homes of legislators in the wake of the fatal shooting of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota.
From the FCPD:
The Town of Herndon is expanding its summer programming this year with a new “Town Square Tuesdays” concert series.
The free, outdoor concerts will kick off next Tuesday, June 17 on Herndon’s Town Square patio (730 Station Street) with Mystic Warriors, a band based in the D.C. area that plays Andean music.
By RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press
A panel of experts called Wednesday for policy and cultural changes to prevent deaths linked to heat and exertion at the nation’s police academies, and insisted that urgent action is needed to save the lives of recruits.
Fairfax County supervisors wrapped up the 2024-2025 Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) cycle at their meeting on Tuesday (June 10) with a few tweaks to recommendations from the Planning Commission.
Projects that made the cut will now be placed on a county staff work plan for further review and community outreach. Rejected submissions can return in the next cycle, expected to start in about 18 months.
There’s a chance it might rain on the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade in D.C. tomorrow (Saturday).
Scheduled to roll down Constitution Avenue starting at 6:30 p.m., the military parade championed by President Donald Trump will follow a full day of festivities — and protests — that could be hit by a storm system expected to pass through the region this weekend.
