Bonchon is back in Herndon.
After temporarily closing last year amid customer complaints, the Korean fried chicken chain reopened its franchise at Franklin Farm Village Center (13320 Franklin Farm Road) in the Oak Hill area on Wednesday, Dec. 18, under new ownership.
Undocumented immigrants in Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia could face threats on two fronts in the new year, with both national and state elected leaders proposing policies targeting that population.
As incoming president Donald Trump plans mass deportations, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin unveiled a budget proposal this week that would require local governments to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and withhold funding from those with cooperation-limiting policies, including Fairfax County.
Potential economic and political headwinds are unlikely to derail sales and price increases Northern Virginia’s 2025 housing market, industry experts believe.
That’s good news for prospective sellers, but purchasers, especially first-time homebuyers, could face continued challenges, according to a 2025 housing market forecast publicly unveiled on Tuesday (Dec. 17) by George Mason University researchers and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR).
A Reston man is facing criminal charges for his involvement in a recent fatal crash on Fairfax County Parkway.
The Fairfax County Police Department says Ayaan Usmani, 23, was drunk and speeding when he lost control of the 2019 BMW M850I he was driving near Elden Street around 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 23.
GMU Student Charged With Plotting Anti-Israel Attack — A freshman at George Mason University “faces one count of demonstrating how to manufacture an explosive with intent to murder internationally protected persons.” Investigators that the 18-year-old was planning “an attack on Israel’s general consulate in New York using a bomb, assault rifle or suicide vest.” [Washington Post]
Police Investigate Reported Drone Sightings — “The drama over drones that began in New Jersey has led to thousands of sightings nationwide, including hundreds in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. In Virginia, the Virginia Fusion Center, located within the Homeland Security Division of the Virginia State Police, said it has received more than 150 tips regarding drone activity in the Commonwealth.” [WTOP]
Flu Vaccine Rates Down for Children in D.C. Area — “Fewer kids are getting flu shots so far this season in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, per new CDC data.” In Virginia, vaccine coverage is at 45.1% so far this year, compared with 49.9% last year — a lower decline than what has been reported in D.C., Maryland and nationwide. [Axios D.C.]
Local NAACP to Host Casino Discussion — The Fairfax County NAACP will host a panel discussion on the proposed Tysons entertainment complex at the Gum Springs Community Center on Jan. 7, 2025. Participants will include potential developer Comstock, the No Casino Coalition, the Northern Virginia Labor Federation and George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis Director Terry Clower. [Patch]
New Owner for Seven Corners Apartment Building — “The Jefferson, a 310-unit apartment building in Seven Corners, has changed hands, the Washington Business Journal reports. Eagle Rock Properties acquired the complex, at 6166 Leesburg Pike, on Nov. 20 from Capital Investment Advisors LLC for $65.65 million.” [Annandale Today]
Glasgow Middle School Names New Principal — “Fairfax County Public Schools named Lisa Barrow the new principal of Glasgow Middle School. She has served as principal of Cooper Middle School in McLean since 2020 … Barrow was principal of Sleepy Hollow Elementary School from 2011 to 2016.” [Annandale Today]
Over $2M Donated to County Parks — “The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board joined with members of the Park Authority Board and Fairfax County Supervisors Andres Jimenez (Mason District) and Rodney Lusk (Franconia District) to commemorate the more than $2.1 million in monetary contributions received in 2024 to support park programs and initiatives throughout the county.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 43 and a calm wind turning northeast at 5 mph in the afternoon, coupled with a 50% chance of rain. The chance of rain will lessen to 30% before 1 am, while temperatures dip to around 32. The northwest wind will increase to 6-11 mph with gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]
Fairfax County has shared the initial design for a “Circles of Memory” memorial to recognize the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, the Fairfax County Arts Committee’s project team submitted a zoning interpretation application to allow the memorial’s construction in front of the Herrity Building and Public Safety Headquarters at 12055 Government Center Parkway.
During their final meeting of 2024, members of the Fairfax County Planning Commission paid tribute to their colleague John Ulfelder, who is departing his post as the Dranesville representative.
Ulfelder “is very balanced in his view of all the cases,” Braddock District Commissioner Mary Cortina said at the Dec. 11 meeting. “He looks out for the people in his community as well as the rest of Fairfax County.”
Though Herndon’s downtown revitalization push has stalled, a key piece of the town’s vision for development outside its Metro station reached a milestone last month.
The Town of Herndon Architectural Review Board (ARB) gave its approval on Nov. 20 to architectural and landscape design plans for the first phase of Fairfield Residential’s 555 Herndon Parkway project, a multifamily residential building with retail that will later be complemented by an office building.
Youngkin Proposes School Voucher Program — “Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on Wednesday proposed spending $50 million to start a scholarship program that would give lower-income families money to pay for private K-12 schooling. Called ‘opportunity scholarships,’ the program would allocate $5,000 scholarships to 10,000 students across the commonwealth to pay for private school tuition, fees, uniforms and supplies.” [Washington Post]
Man Convicted of Shooting Ex Faces Prison Time — A jury recommended a sentence of 23 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for Collins Agyei, who was convicted on Tuesday (Dec. 17) of shooting Esther Arko at a Mount Vernon apartment complex on Feb. 7, 2023. Final sentencing will be determined in April. [Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano/Bluesky]
Route 29 Lane Closes for Construction — “Beginning at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, the right through lane of southbound Route 29 between Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) and Meadow Estates Drive/Hampton Forest Way will be closed until summer 2025 to facilitate construction for the Route 29 widening project.” [VDOT]
Development Considered at Franconia Triangle — “Change has been slow to come in Franconia but it’s picked up speed lately,” with a study “focused on a triangle of land bordered by Franconia Road, Beulah Street and Grovedale Drive.” Fairfax County is looking at a plan amendment to allow affordable housing on the current Franconia Governmental Center site as well as “63 townhouses, 30 multi-family units and retail sites facing Franconia Road.” [The Connection]
Vienna Police ID Alleged Hit-and-Run Driver — Police have identified the driver who allegedly struck a pedestrian on Park Street on Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) as a man from New Kent County. Charged with a felony hit-and-run, the man turned himself in on Dec. 11, and was held in custody on a $10,000 secured bond. [Vienna Police]
Nearby: Arlington Adds More Speed Cameras — “Eight new school zone speed cameras are being installed around Arlington. The new cameras will start issuing warnings with the start of school after winter break, before issuing $100 tickets to speeders starting Feb. 5.” Arlington introduced speed cameras this summer, as Fairfax County announced plans to expand its program. [ARLnow]
Fire Department Names New Deputy Chief — “Fire Chief John Butler is pleased to announce the promotion of Battalion Chief Scott Schermerhorn to Deputy Chief. He will lead Division 1, A-Shift. Deputy Chief Schermerhorn has been a proud member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for over 21 years.” [FCFRD]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 45 degrees and a northwest wind ranging from 6 to 10 mph. As night falls, the sky will transition to increasing clouds and the temperature will drop to around 31 degrees, accompanied by calm winds. [NWS]
Herndon leaders past and present are surveying the aftermath of Comstock’s decision to officially pull the plug on its long-percolating downtown redevelopment project, but so far, they’re not blaming the developer.
With details of its separation from Comstock still being worked out, including the fate of the Arts Herndon building that would’ve been demolished, the Town of Herndon declined to comment beyond interim town manager Chris Martinez’s announcement last Tuesday (Dec. 10).
