Reston

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday — “This weekend, as you move your clocks back one hour to mark the end of daylight savings, don’t forget to check your smoke alarms to ensure they work…If your alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.” [FCFRD]

Self-Driving Vehicles Tested in I-395 Express Lanes — Virginia Tech “researchers and an entourage of public safety, industry and highway officials have been using the stretch of toll road outside the nation’s capital this fall for self-driving demonstrations, hoping to develop solutions to common problems arising in the technology’s deployment. The simulations come three years into extensive research that has resulted in promising findings but has also come with moments of disappointment.” [Washington Post]

School Board Races Test “Parent Rights” Movement — “While Fairfax County tends to vote for Democrats, right-leaning parent activists here played an instrumental role in Youngkin’s surprise victory in 2021, which fueled a national GOP focus on culture war issues in education. Next week’s school board race, which is non-partisan, may test whether voters will reward the Democratic incumbents for holding the line against conservative policies — or whether the ‘parental rights’ movement remains a significant force.” [NBC News]

FCPS Investigating Release of Sensitive Student Info — “Virginia’s Fairfax County Public Schools has launched an investigation into the district’s release of tens of thousands of confidential documents containing sensitive student information to a parent advocate last month and has issued an apology to those affected.” [The 74]

Freeze Watch to Take Effect Tonight — “The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch from late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Temperatures between 26 – 30 degrees are possible. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.” [Ready Fairfax/Twitter]

Renamed Seven Corners Fire Station Welcomes New Engine — “FS28, Fort Buffalo, held a push in ceremony for its new engine, E428. In Sept 2023, the Fairfax County [Board of Supervisors] accepted the recommendation of FS28 members to rename the station from Seven Corners to Fort Buffalo. This is the 1st piece of apparatus to carry the new name.” [FCFRD/Twitter]