Two people stand on the Van Gogh Bridge at Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Harmful Algae in Burke Lake — A blue-green algae bloom that could pose health risks to people and animals has been identified at Burke Lake, prompting the Fairfax County Park Authority to advise avoiding contact with the water “until further notice.” The park authority says it’s “monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and local health officials.” [FCPA/Facebook]

ICE Arrests in Annandale — “Four people were arrested by ICE on June 10 inside the immigration court in Annandale. They had been waiting for their cases to be heard, reports John Cano, a senior organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center … As of [Wednesday], there was no information on whether the individuals taken by ICE had their cases dismissed or where they live.” [Annandale Today]

Anti-Trump Protests Coming — “The protests coincide with the day of Trump’s planned military parade in DC. The parade, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday, is being held on the same day as Trump’s birthday.” More than a dozen protests are planned in Northern Virginia, including in Fair Lakes, Alexandria and Arlington. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Falls Church Movie Theater Opens — “A new movie theater in Falls Church is opening its doors tomorrow (Friday). The new Paragon Theaters at 112 Founders Avenue will offer $8 movie tickets now through June 30 to welcome its first guests. The location originally planned to open over Memorial Day weekend.” [ARLnow]

New Restaurants Along Richmond Highway — “First Watch, a restaurant chain specializing in made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch, opened its new Alexandria location in Groveton June 9, according to a company spokesperson.” Over in Penn Daw, prolific D.C.-area chef Peter Chang has leased space for a restaurant at South Alex. [On the MoVe]

Planned Bicycle Path Wins Support — “A proposal to add a 10-foot-wide path for bicyclists along Haycock Road has won informal support from the Falls Church Planning Commission … The effort is being conducted in coordination with transportation-safety improvements along Shreve Road just to the south, also under the direction of Fairfax County officials.” [ARLnow]

Positive Start for Automated Metro Trains — “The safety oversight panel monitoring Metro’s rail system said in the first 10 days of automated train operation on the Green and Yellow Lines, there have been significantly less station overruns than when the system was implemented earlier on the Red Line.” [WTOP]

It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 3pm, with a partly sunny high of 89°F and south winds of 3-6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation at night, which will be mostly cloudy with a low of 71°F. [NWS]


Countywide

Facing funding threats at both the state and federal levels, Fairfax County leaders have publicly maintained confidence in their policies banning voluntary cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

As President Donald Trump’s administration began ramping up ICE activities to support his campaign threats of mass deportations, however, the Fairfax County Police Department quietly revised its policy governing officer interactions with immigrants.


News

Arguably the most famous of all Fairfax County residents turned up Tuesday (June 10), as the local Board of Supervisors ramped up planning for the nation’s 250th birthday bash.

Escorted by a procession that included fife-and-drum accompaniment, George Washington himself strode into the Fairfax County Government Center’s Board auditorium in the person of Daniel Cross.


News

Herndon officials had a grave discussion earlier this week about plans to build out the remainder of Chestnut Grove Cemetery (831 Dranesville Road).

With people evidently dying to get in, the cemetery is running out of space for graves, but in response to public feedback, town staff have proposed nixing some of the planned new burial spots.


Countywide

A new initiative reporting crime data from across the D.C. region in “near-real time” has won praise from local leaders and will provide new tools for policymakers, public safety agencies and the public.

“It’s the only one we’re aware of in the nation,” said Eli Russ, a senior public safety planner for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), who serves as project manager for the effort.


A fawn spotted in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Air Quality Alert Issued — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for tomorrow, June 12” in the D.C. region. Ozone pollution is expected to make the air “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” who are advised to limit outdoor activities and watch for symptoms of respiratory issues. [COG]

Police ID Body Found in Tysons — “Fairfax County Police have confirmed the body recovered Tuesday in a retention pond near Tysons Galleria is 19-year-old Kyle Coleman from Prince William County. The Morehouse College student went missing after a car crash last Friday night near Tysons Galleria.” [NBC4]

Possible ICE Raids Coming — “Northern Virginia is reportedly among the ‘five cities run by Democratic leaders’ that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to deploy tactical units to, according to MSNBC.” The other cities are New York City, Seattle, Chicago and Philadelphia. [ALXnow]

Metro Service Plans for Army Parade — Metro has announced its service plans for the Army’s 250th birthday celebration and parade on Saturday (June 14). “Metrorail is running Saturday service frequencies. Trains run every 4-6 minutes at most core stations during the day. At stations further out, trains arrive anywhere from every 8 minutes to every 12 minutes.” [WMATA]

Police Investigate Robbery — A Fairfax County police helicopter “briefly” circled around Annandale yesterday (Wednesday) to assist with a robbery report at 12:04 p.m., in the 7100 block of Murray Lane. Police said an unidentified man “approached the victim and forcefully took a piece of jewelry from them. Detectives are on scene investigating.” [FCPD]

Fairfax City Trail Project Moves Forward — “Fairfax City Council voted 5 to 1 Tuesday night not to adopt the hybrid option for the George Snyder Trail Project, which would have only built the western portion of the trail.” After a failed vote to cancel the project, the council voted 4-2 to construct the trail as previously approved. [Patch]

Military Bases Return to Old Names — “Seven Army bases whose names were changed in 2023 because they honored Confederate leaders are all reverting back to their original names, the Army said Tuesday.” That includes forts A.P. Hill, Pickett and Robert E. Lee in Virginia, though the monikers in each case now officially refer to service members who share the same last names. [Associated Press]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 93 during the day, with a calm wind turning west around 5 mph in the afternoon. On Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low around 71, with the south wind at 5 mph calming down in the evening. [NWS]


News

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is preparing to leave Reston.

The community college will phase out its Reston Technology Center at 1821 Michael Faraday Drive, relocating classes to other campuses before vacating the premises by December 2027, NOVA spokesperson Kathy Parkinson says.


Countywide

New home sales data for Fairfax County and the D.C. region show continued buyer wariness, but there’s no sense of impending doom.

“The [region’s] housing market has been slower-than-typical this spring, but it has fared much better than some expected in the face of cuts to the federal workforce and general economic uncertainty,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.


News

A wholesale redevelopment of Reston National Golf Course for housing is off the table — at least for now.

Going against a recommendation by the Fairfax County Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (June 10) not to add the site to a list of potential Comprehensive Plan amendments for staff to review.


Countywide

Fairfax County leaders are tapping the brakes on a plan to potentially oversee trash collection in single-family neighborhoods countywide.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay announced yesterday (Tuesday) that a planned June 24 public hearing on the proposal to establish unified sanitation districts will be delayed until Oct. 14.


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