Reston | FFXnow - Part 474

Morning Notes

Published August 12, 2022 at 7:30AM

People walk by Caffi Field, a football field in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Driver in Fatal Franconia Crash Charged With Manslaughter — Sara Flores, 20, of Lorton was charged with involuntary vehicular manslaughter yesterday morning (Thursday) for a May 12 crash in Franconia where she allegedly drove into a telephone pole, killing a passenger. Police had already obtained a warrant charging Flores with driving under the influence. [FCPD]

Developer Pleads Guilty in Teen’s Death — “The owner of a Virginia construction company that specializes in luxury homes pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 16-year-old boy who was killed while working for his company in 2019. Thomas Digges, of Digges Development Corporation, operated the Fairfax County job site where a trench gave way and buried Spencer Lunde, of McLean, on July 23, 2019.” [NBC4]

Countywide

NEW: As Fairfax County heats up, advocates seek more options to cool off unhoused residents

By Matt Blitz

Published August 11, 2022 at 3:00PM

Sun glare with clouds (via Ritam Baishya/Unsplash)

With the D.C. area’s summer heat in full swing, local organizers worry that there are too few options for unhoused residents in the county to cool down.

Last month, the Fairfax County NAACP approved a resolution calling on Fairfax County to improve heat relief services for low-income residents and those experiencing homelessness in the county.

Countywide

Utility poles collapse after vehicle crash, closing Herndon Parkway for hours

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 11, 2022 at 1:30PM

Town of Herndon police (courtesy Herndon Police Department)

A car crashed into a utility pole on the 900 block of Herndon Parkway yesterday (Wednesday) evening, resulting in an ongoing, hours-long road closure.

Shortly before 5 p.m., a driver lost control of his car in the heavy ran and crashed into a utility pole.

Countywide

Northern Virginia arts agencies join forces for new collective

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 11, 2022 at 11:45AM

The organizations that make up the new collaborative, Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies (courtesy ArtsFairfax)

Arts agencies from Fairfax County, Arlington and Alexandria are forming a supergroup.

Unveiled Monday (Aug. 8), the newly created Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies (NVLAA) consists of ArtsFairfax, the Alexandria Office of the Arts, and the Arlington Cultural Affairs Office. Its initial ambitions are modest, centered mostly on professional development, but the pooled resources could be a boon for the local arts community.

News

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse to open this fall in Reston Station

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 11, 2022 at 11:00AM

An Italian steakhouse is set to open next month (Photo via Valerie Rose/Facebook).

Reston Station, a massive mixed-use project at the door of the Wiehle-Reston Metro Station, is poised to welcome another big restaurant this year.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse is slated to open this fall, according to signage at the front of the 11,000-square-foot restaurant at 1902 Reston Metro Plaza.

Countywide

Personnel emergency declared as FCPD tackles staffing challenges

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 11, 2022 at 9:30AM

The department has 144 total vacancies (Photo via McKay).

The Fairfax County Police Department is under a personnel emergency amid a staffing shortage that has continued for several months.

In a temporary shift, police officers are transitioning to two 12.5-hour shifts and working mandatory overtime, according to the FCPD. That departs from the standard staffing model of three 11.5-hour shifts.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published August 11, 2022 at 7:30AM

Looking up at Tysons Tower outside Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Route 7 Traffic Shift Starts Today — “During the daytime hours on Aug. 11 and the overnight hours on Aug. 15, lane closures and temporary detours will be in place along Route 7 while crews continue paving operations at Carpers Farm Way and Colvin Run Road (east) and shift westbound Route 7 traffic to the new Difficult Run bridge.” [VDOT]

Pro-Nazi Social Media Posts Excluded from Reston Murder Trial — “A Virginia judge has ruled that prosecutors cannot tell the jury in an upcoming double-murder trial about the defendant’s social media posts containing praise for Adolf Hitler and support for Nazi book burnings and the neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Division, according to newly unsealed court records.” [The Washington Post]

Countywide

Flash Flood Warning in for Fairfax County, as storm takes out power

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 10, 2022 at 5:20PM

A power outage is affecting Pimmit Hills on Aug. 10, 2022 (via Dominion Energy)

An ongoing thunderstorm has taken out power for hundreds of Fairfax County residents, as the threat of flash flooding looms.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the D.C. region that is set to remain in effect until 8 p.m.

News

Major mixed-used development approved near Herndon Metro Station

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 10, 2022 at 1:30PM

The proposed Parkview development near the Herndon Metro station (via Lerner Enterprises)

A major piece of the Town of Herndon’s vision for development around the Herndon-Monroe Metro Station has officially been approved.

The Herndon Town Council unanimously voted to approve Lerner Enterprises’ proposal for the Parkview development, which would bring a little over one million square feet of development to the north entrance of the Herndon-Monroe Metro Station.

Countywide

Morning Poll: How are you dealing with this August heat?

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 10, 2022 at 10:15AM

A giant inflatable duck looking cool in a pool (via john labelette/Unsplash)

It’s August, and we have fully arrived at the hell’s front porch portion of the D.C. area’s seasonal cycle.

Over the past week or so, thermometers have been clocking in the upper 80s and 90s, but with the humidity adding an extra 10 degrees to every day, the summer heat offers an almost tangible reminder that, despite all the concrete, asphalt and landscaped lawns, Fairfax County is still a wetland at heart.