Reston | FFXnow - Part 596

Morning Notes

Published March 7, 2022 at 7:30AM

I-495 South under Route 7 overpass in Pimmit Hills (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Woman Dies in Crash on I-495 — Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash on I-495 near the Eisenhower Avenue Connector in the Rose Hill area. The crash occurred at 9:27 p.m. on Saturday (March 5) when a sedan hit a disabled vehicle, causing it to catch fire. The driver of the disabled vehicle died at the scene, while the sedan driver suffered minor injuries and was arrested on multiple charges, including driving under the influence. [Virginia State Police, InsideNova]

Trial for McLean Murder Suspect Begins — “Fairfax County police quickly announced that what unfolded inside the large, yellow home in McLean in 2017 appeared to be a tragic murder-suicide…But after a 16-month investigation, police offered a stunning turnabout: what initially appeared to be a murder-suicide was allegedly a double killing. They claimed the scene had been carefully staged by the real perpetrator.” [The Washington Post]

Countywide

JUST IN: FCPS seeks pause in TJ admissions changes, pending appeal

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 4, 2022 at 5:25PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County Public Schools has asked a federal court to let its current Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology admissions process stay in place while a legal battle over the new system continues.

U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton issued an order last Friday (Feb. 25) invalidating the school system’s overhaul, calling the elimination of a standardized test and other changes intended to increase student diversity at the magnet school discriminatory against Asian Americans.

Countywide

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: Feb. 28-March 4

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 4, 2022 at 3:45PM

The extension could open in time for Thanksgiving travel.

The weekend is almost here. Before truck convoys potentially disrupt traffic in the D.C. area or you head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:

Countywide

Jeff Bezos’ moon mission is landing in Reston

By Matt Blitz

Published March 4, 2022 at 12:45PM | Updated March 4, 2022 at 1:01PM

Blue Origin jobs open house flyer (Image via screenshot/Facebook)

Jeff Bezos’ mysterious moon mission is landing in Reston.

The space flight company is opening a facility and office in Reston sometime in the “first half of the year,” reads the website.

Join The Kensington Reston open house weekend

By Sponsor

Published March 4, 2022 at 12:00PM

We invite you to our weekend open house! Featuring pretzels and brews from Lake Anne Brew House, come tour the community and meet our team!

The Kensington Reston is a place “where everybody knows your name.” Where there’s always a listening ear, a laugh to be shared, a smiling face looking back at you. Where friends become your family. The moment you step into our community, you’ll feel The Kensington Reston difference: an indescribable sense of warmth, belonging and home. Join us for our Open House and experience it for yourself!

Countywide

County will seek funding, project manager for ‘Safe Streets’ program

By Rick Horner

Published March 4, 2022 at 11:15AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:03PM

Fairfax County is developing a program to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety (staff photo by Scott Fields)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation intends to pursue funding next year to expand a budding program to improve street safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other forms of active, or non-motorized, transportation.

The money would be used to hire a program manager and implement priorities, such as speed reduction measures and improved road design standards, FCDOT Active Transportation Engineer Lauren Delmare told the county Board of Supervisors at its transportation committee meeting on Tuesday (March 1).

News

Herndon police implement new electronic parking ticket system

By Brandi Bottalico

Published March 4, 2022 at 10:30AM

Herndon Police Department has implemented a new electronic parking ticket system (courtesy of Herndon Police Department)

Hopefully, you’re not a habitual Herndon parking ticket recipient, but anyone who does wind up with a ticket may notice a difference in the citations.

Herndon Police Department has implemented a new electronic parking ticket system. While there are still handwritten tickets, you may come across the new type that appear more like a store receipt, the department says.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 4, 2022 at 7:30AM

The Tysons Metro station across Chain Bridge Road at night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro Gets More ARPA Funding — “Another $120 million in federal pandemic relief money is being released to Metro to keep the transit system running and its front-line workers on the job, congressional leaders announced Thursday.” [The Washington Post]

Multiple I-66 Closures Start Today — Construction on a new I-66 East access ramp will reduce the highway to a single travel lane approaching Cedar Lane in the Dunn Loring area during overnight hours, starting at 10 p.m. today (Friday) through Wednesday (March 9). Construction will also close the I-66 West ramp to Nutley Street in Vienna from 10 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. Monday (March 7). [VDOT, Town of Vienna/Twitter]

Countywide

Inova’s plan to demolish former Cameron Glen Care Center meets opposition

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 3, 2022 at 2:15PM

Advocates want the former Cameron Glen Care Center to become transitional housing for now (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Inova Health Care Services is moving forward with the demolition of the former Cameron Glen Care Center, a 150-bed nursing and rehabilitation facility that shuttered in 2014.

The demolition — which is slated to happen as soon as possible — would pave the way for the site’s incorporation into Reston Town Center North, a 47-acre area in the heart of Reston’s urban core slated for redevelopment.

Countywide

Fairfax County conducts survey of older adults, seeking input on future services

By David Taube

Published March 3, 2022 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County is mailing out a survey to learn about older adults' needs and how they use county services (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County is updating its aging plan, gathering public input to address key issues for older adults.

The county started sending out postcards last month to notify a random sample of households chosen to participate in its Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults, which was last conducted in 2019.