The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (file photo)
A former Fairfax City property manager will serve two years in prison for embezzling money from the 70-plus homeowners’ associations she served.
Rose Kasande Bailey, a 60-year-old Warrenton resident, was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday (Tuesday) after pleading guilty in August to wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.
The Washington & Old Dominion Trail bridge over Center Street in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
County Shares Holiday Giving Guide — “There are many ways to support your neighbors and community this holiday season. We’ve rounded up a list of giving opportunities right here in Fairfax County.” Options include the Toys for Tots campaign, a Winter Gear Donation Drive hosted by the Providence District office, and gift card and food donations. [Fairfax County Government]
Help Wanted for Annandale Fire Victim — “Deveri White has launched a fundraising drive to support her friend and coworker, Catherine ‘Kitty’ Dragonera, who was injured in a fire at her apartment in Annandale in the early morning of Nov. 23. The fire totally destroyed Kitty and her husband Matthew’s apartment at 4925 Americana Drive, and they lost everything.” [Annandale Today]
Undeveloped Tysons Site Sold — “A piece of the 40-acre Scotts Run development that was approved for a high-rise apartment project has traded hands for the second time in five years. Northmarq announced Friday it brokered the $18.5M sale of the 1.3-acre site, and a spokesperson for the brokerage told Bisnow the buyer was Falls Church-based Rushmark Properties.” [Bisnow]
Fairfax City Ice Cream Shop Reopens With New Owners — “Earlier this year, Sugar Mama’s Ice Cream closed [its] doors, but new owners Neel Vaidya and Palak Pael decided to reopen the long-time Fairfax City favorite. The couple also owns and runs Troy’s Italian Kitchen in Arlington … On Friday, the couple celebrated Sugar Mama’s grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.” [Patch]
Groveton School Hopes to Phase in Montessori Program — “Administrative leaders from Bucknell Elementary School (ES) in Groveton recently informed FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid that based on feedback from the school community, they would recommend phasing in a Montessori program for Pre-Kindergarten through third grade students from the 2025-2026 through the 2028-2029 school years.” [On the MoVe]
Police Make Arrest in Woodlawn Robbery — A 36-year-old man was charged with robbery, drug possession and obstruction of justice after allegedly robbing a woman at knifepoint on Nov. 22. The victim told police who responded to the 8200 block of Richmond Highway around 3:58 p.m. that the man “approached her with a knife, pushed her to the ground, and took her handbag.” [FCPD]
Springfield Record Factory Keeps Vinyl Alive — WTOP recently got a backstage tour of Furnace Record Pressing, one of the world’s largest independent vinyl record pressing companies. “Metallica bought a majority stake in Furnace’s operation about a year ago, and the Northern Virginia team said they’re grateful that the heavy metal giants have allowed them to continue to make records their way.” [WTOP]
It’s Wednesday — Expect increasing clouds and a high of 54 with calm winds in the afternoon. Rain will begin late tonight, accompanied by patchy fog and a low of 45; precipitation chances are 90%, with up to a quarter-inch expected. On Thanksgiving Day, rain will continue until early afternoon, followed by dissipating fog by 10am. The high will be around 54. [NWS]
Commuters wait for a train at the McLean Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
It’s something that hasn’t been seen in nearly five years: A large percentage of the federal workforce exclusively back in the office — with many using Metro to get there.
But the incoming Trump administration has signaled it plans a major back-to-the-office push, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) leaders are watching carefully to see how it plays out.
Herndon Police Department (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A 17-year-old boy from Alexandria has been arrested after allegedly shooting another teen in Herndon’s Cavalier Park neighborhood last night (Monday).
The Herndon Police Department received multiple 911 calls around 8:33 p.m. yesterday for shots fired in the 1000 block of Cavalier Drive. While investigating, officers got a call from a hospital that said a teen had come in with “multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body,” according to a news release.
A United Airlines flight attendant (via United Airlines)
United Airlines is building a new facility to train its flight attendants based at Dulles International Airport and elsewhere in the D.C. region.
Construction is now underway on the 20,000-square-foot Inflight Training Center, a $16 million investment that’s expected to open sometime next year, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) announced yesterday (Monday).
Red trees line Strawberry Lane leading into the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
ICYMI: Hayfield Drops Out of Football Playoffs — Fairfax County Public Schools announced last night (Monday) that Hayfield Secondary School has withdrawn its football team from playoff contention as the fallout of alleged improper student-athlete recruiting practices continues. The Eagles were set to play Fairfax High School tonight at 7 p.m. [FCPS]
Reston Woman Killed in Maryland Car Crash — “Montgomery County police identified a Reston, Virginia, woman as the victim of a fatal single-vehicle collision Thursday evening in Gaithersburg, police said Monday in a statement. Alyssa Marie Clark, 42, was driving a blue 2007 Toyota Camry westbound on Darnestown Road near Bondy Lane when the car left the roadway and collided with a wooden utility pole.” [MoCo360]
GW Parkway Ramp to I-495 Closed — “The northbound GWMP exit ramp to I-495 north toward Maryland will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26 through 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 to continue curb demolition and reconstruction and asphalt paving … Motorists should continue along the detour route to access I-495.” [National Park Service]
Supervisor Advocates for Keeping Leaf Vacuuming — “Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez told Annandale Today he is working to ensure Fairfax County permanently retains its leaf vacuuming service. Jimenez is also urging the county executive to make the program more accountable by picking up leaves in a timely manner.” [Annandale Today]
Interactive Map Shows County’s Progress on Climate Goals — “We’re tracking our progress as a community toward a greener future with the Climate Action Viewer from our Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination … Use the map to find opportunities for climate action near you including where to bring compostable waste, recycle glass and charge your electric vehicle.” [Fairfax County Government]
Architectural Firm Opens New Reston Office — “The M Group Architects, an architectural firm specializing in data centers, corporate interiors and industrial projects, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 7, 2024, to celebrate the relocation of its office within Reston to RTC West.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
Local Nonprofit Seeks Thanksgiving DayVolunteers — “Nonprofit The 25th Project says you can put your name on the list to volunteer with them on Thursday morning in Fairfax County.” The group will hopes to assemble enough meals at the Burke Community Church to feed 2,500 people, though it’s also still seeking donations of turkeys and ham. [WTOP]
Tysons Hotel Hosts Postpartum Care Center — “Nationwide, there are only a few places like Sanu — which opened this year inside the Watermark Hotel in Tysons, Virginia — that offer pampering and rest and a temporary village for those who may be far from family. But stays there don’t come cheap. Some can cost as much as $1,500 a night. Sanu’s nightly rate tops out at $880.” [Washington Post]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly cloudy skies until mid-morning. The skies will then gradually clear, and the temperature will reach a high near 61°F. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation, but any new rainfall will likely be less than a tenth of an inch. Night will be mostly clear with a low around 36°F. [NWS]
Hayfield Secondary School has withdrawn its football team from playoff contention, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced tonight (Monday).
According to Reid, the decision was made by Hayfield principal Darin Thompson as questions continue to mount about the recruiting practices used by head coach Darryl Overton and his staff and how FCPS has responded to the allegations.
Reston Association headquarters building sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Reston Association members will once again see an uptick in the annual assessment that they pay for the services and facilities provided by the homeowners’ organization.
The RA Board of Directors voted at its meeting on Thursday (Nov. 21) to adopt a $23 million budget for 2025 and implement a $848 assessment fee — a $31 or 3.8% increase from the current rate of $817, according to a memo from RA staff to the board.
Silver Line signage at Reston Town Center station (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Riders on Metro’s Silver Line and other lines serving Fairfax County could see a number of service improvements coming down the track.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s board of directors got a first look at the transit agency’s fiscal year 2026 budget conditions and, if funding allows, potential service improvements at a meeting of its finance and capital committee last Thursday (Nov. 21).
Northbound Fairfax County Parkway over Elden Street (via Google Maps)
Fairfax County police believe speeding and alcohol both contributed to a crash on Fairfax County Parkway in Reston that killed a woman over the weekend.
Officers and medical personnel were dispatched to northbound Fairfax County Parkway over Elden Street around 2:40 a.m. on Saturday (Nov. 23) for the single-vehicle crash.