Electronic display shows a system map at the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Northern Virginia political leaders at the local and state levels seem to have a firm dollar figure associated with the proposal to improve Metro service across the region. There remains a question, however, regarding whether they’ll be able to come up with the funding.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is preparing to adopt a resolution on July 17 acknowledging that Virginia will need to commit an additional $153 million in fiscal year 2027 to implement operational upgrades and keep the transit system on track.
A black bear seen in a Herndon resident's backyard (photo taken by resident, courtesy of Herndon Police)
This week kicked off with a greeting from an unexpected furry face for some Herndon residents.
A black bear was spotted roaming the area around Alabama Drive and Hillwood Court north of Haley M. Smith Park this morning (Monday), the Herndon Police Department confirmed shortly before 9 a.m.
Robeks at the Spectrum at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
South Block is coming to the Spectrum at Reston Town Center, taking the place of another longstanding juice shop.
The rapidly growing D.C.-area chain has applied for a building permit from Fairfax County to renovate the 1,234-square-foot space at 1835 Fountain Drive, which currently houses Robeks.
The W&OD Trail approaching Hunter Mill Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
School Gets Permanent Weapons Scanners — Weapons detection scanners have been installed at Annandale High School and will be in place permanently at all Fairfax County high schools at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. “Fairfax County Public Schools launched a pilot program for weapon detectors this spring, which included a one-day test run at Annandale’s main entrance on May 15.” [Annandale Today]
I-66 Shooter Sentenced — “A road rage clash on I-66 in Northern Virginia nearly claimed multiple lives and left two newlyweds who were expecting a baby shot and wounded. In a story you’ll only see on News4, the couple spoke for the first time about the moment a driver opened fire – and why they’re infuriated by what they called a light sentence for the shooter.” [NBC4]
Reston California Tortilla Closed — “The slow, inexorable disappearance of California Tortilla restaurants in the area continues with the news that the location in Reston has closed its doors. The closure of the California Tortilla in the North Point Village Center reportedly happened in late April.” [The Burn]
New George Snyder Trail Option on Table — The Fairfax City Council will vote tomorrow (Tuesday) on whether to proceed with the approved alignment for the controversial George Snyder Trail, scrap the project or submit an alternate plan to VDOT “that would move the western end of the trail from an off-road path to an on-road path along the University Drive Extension, using wider sidewalks and shared-use paths.” [Patch]
McLean Burglaries Under Investigation — “Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying three suspects connected to two burglaries in McLean.” One burglary reportedly occurred in the 6500 block of Ivy Hill Drive around 3 p.m. on May 15, and around 3:15 p.m. that day, the same people allegedly tried unsuccessfully to break into a home in the 2000 block of Powhatan Street. [FCPD]
Fairfax City to Remove Invasive Plants — “Beginning June 9, patrons at two Fairfax City parks will see debris from non-native invasive plant removal projects. The city has contracted with Invasive Plant Control, Inc., to work periodically at Van Dyck and Kutner parks throughout the summer months.” [City of Fairfax]
Michelin Apparently Unimpressed by Virginia Food — “The $120,000 a year Michelin wanted to charge Virginia to be in its forthcoming Southern restaurant guide was steeply discounted compared with what other Southern states are paying.” Documents suggest the discount was offered because the state’s culinary scene was deemed lacking in “maturity.” [Axios Richmond]
FCPS Worker Retires After 50 Years — “Joyce Sisk started working at Bailey’s Elementary School in 1972 as a cafeteria hostess. At first, she would walk across the street from her house to the school with her three children. This year, Sisk will cross the street for one last time as a Fairfax County Public School employee.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Monday — Patchy fog will clear by 10am, followed by cloudy skies with a high near 82. Night brings a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially after 11pm, with increasing clouds and a low around 68. Expect new precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]
The Fairfax County Public Schools administrative center in Merrifield (file photo)
A Fairfax County School Board committee has pushed off considering any changes to an existing policy on optional school uniforms.
“It should just rest for now. There’s no rush,” Hunter Mill District Representative Melanie Meren said at the May 27 meeting of the board’s governance committee.
The Fairfax County Government Center on Election Day 2024 (staff photo by Jared Serre)
June will be a hectic month for many Fairfax County voters.
In addition to participating in statewide elections, Democratic voters will be faced with choosing their party’s nominee for the 11th Congressional District special election to determine the late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s successor.
Metro general manager Randy Clarke, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn and Northern Virginia Transportation Commission executive director Kate Mattice during a Silver Line station opening in 2022 (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Fairfax County will once again have a voting representative on Metro’s board of directors.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn has been tapped as Virginia’s second voting member on the Metro board, along with Paul Smedberg, who represents the state government. Alcorn will represent Northern Virginia localities, replacing Loudoun County supervisor Matt Letourneau.
Pedestrians on the W&OD Trail near Herndon Caboose Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
After reevaluating plans to clear more trees throughout the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail corridor in the spring, Dominion Energy is revving up its chainsaw once more.
The utility shared yesterday (Thursday) that its forestry team has “identified several areas” along the 45-mile trail in Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun counties where tree removals will be necessary to preserve the electrical grid.
Reston National Golf Course (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A deeply divided Fairfax County Planning Commission voted on Wednesday (June 4) to recommend that the Board of Supervisors authorize staff study the possibility of housing on the Reston National Golf Course site.
The 8-4 split reversed a preliminary 6-1 vote with four abstentions taken on May 15, when commissioners indicated support for county staff’s recommendation not to move forward with the proposal.