Fairfax County police are searching for six people who allegedly stole over $100,000 worth of handbags from a department store at Tysons Galleria on Tuesday (June 25).
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives responded to a robbery “at a high-end retail store” in the 2000 block of International Drive at 3:42 p.m.
Animal Shelter Waives Fees for Small Critters — “The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is currently caring for a higher-than-usual number of small animals. To encourage adoptions and find loving homes for these pets, the shelter is hosting an ‘It’s a Small World’ fee-waived adoption event for all small pets from Thursday through Sunday, June 27 through 30.” [FCAS]
Some Parents Object to FCPS Early Release Days — “During a community meeting Tuesday, about a dozen Fairfax County parents and community members told the leader of Virginia’s largest school district that the decision to add extra elementary school early release days next year is disruptive and will impact their students’ learning.” [WTOP]
Compass Coffee Faces Unionization Battle — “Unionizing Compass workers allege the recent influx of new hires — 124 across five stores in total — is an attempt from Compass Coffee CEO Michael Haft to stymie the unionization push, as workers across the chain’s DC and Virginia locations seek higher wages and more workplace protections.” [Washingtonian]
Pickleball Lines Officially Gone From Annandale Courts — “Contractors hired by Fairfax County removed the pickleball markings from the courts in Kendale Woods Park June 25, as a security guard stood watch and a reporter from WUSA9 interviewed pickleball players…Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole said pickleball was removed from the courts because the residents of one nearby home complained about the noise.” [Annandale Today]
Tysons and Route 1 Boosters Share Vision — The Tysons Community Alliance and Southeast Fairfax Development Corp. “serve different constituencies, but are using similar techniques to foster ‘placemaking’ and business growth.” They shared their strategies, which utilize public art, parks and gathering spaces, and events to promote their areas, with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at an economic initiatives committee meeting. [Gazette Leader]
Board Chair Voices Support for Extending I-495 Express Lanes — While Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson expressed concern that express lanes “would make future rail plans unfeasible,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at a recent Northern Virginia Transportation Authority meeting that “toll lanes were a stepping stone toward rail rather than an obstacle.” [ALXnow]
Uyghur Restaurant to Expand to Falls Church — “Dolan Uyghur Restaurant will open its second NoVA restaurant and its third in the DMV in early September in the Falls Church spot where Pizzaria Orso was.” The business currently has locations in Chantilly and in D.C.’s Cleveland Park neighborhood. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Traffic Safety Crackdown Produces Thousands of Tickets — “FCPD’s Road Shark campaign has successfully wrapped up its third wave. Officers and Troopers issued over 8,500 citations and warnings, with over 200 citations for reckless driving on our roadways.” A fourth wave of the initiative, which aims to improve traffic safety, will begin on Aug. 5. [FCPD]
It’s Thursday — Showers are possible before 8am, followed by cloudy conditions until mid-morning when skies will gradually clear. The high is expected to be around 88. The chance of precipitation stands at 30%. For Thursday night, expect mostly clear skies, a low of approximately 69. [NWS]
Fairfax County is considering creating a specialized agency to enhance its recreational facilities and boost sports tourism.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a board matter yesterday (Tuesday) directing County Executive Bryan Hill to explore the establishment of a Public Recreational Facilities Authority.
Future high school students across the U.S. may find it easier to register to vote, an expansion of access that would be made possible in part by some current students at Marshall High School.
A group of students at the Pimmit Hills school spent the past year advocating for federal legislation that would designate all high schools as voter registration agencies, allowing them to host registration drives and receive reimbursement for the costs.
A fire blazed through multiple units of an apartment complex in Idylwood this morning (Wednesday), prompting a heavy response by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Units were called to the Falls Church Gardens Condominiums in the 2700 block of Hollywood Road around 9:15 a.m. for what turned into a two-alarm apartment fire.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is looking to fund upgrades for its aging public safety facilities and transportation network through bond referenda that may appear on the November ballot.
The supervisors unanimously endorsed a plan yesterday (Tuesday) to seek voter approval for a $306 million investment that would modernize Metro facilities, refurbish old fire stations and build a new police training center.
Uptick in ER Visits During Heat Wave — “Heat-related visits to emergency rooms in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore region were up during the current heat wave that brought sweltering temperatures to Northern Virginia last week, according to federal health data.” [Patch]
Metro Converting Buses to Vinyl Seats — “Nearly 40 buses have had their cloth seats replaced with modern, easier-to-clean and maintain vinyl, similar to the material used on Metrorail trains. Customers have long asked for more sanitary material that doesn’t absorb spills, stains, and odors.” Metro hopes to finish the seat replacements on all 1,500-plus buses in 2025. [WMATA]
Transit Enthusiast Evaluates Walkability of Tysons — “Walking in Tysons feels like horror without end. Or like central Paris. One of those two. It’s hard to say and it depends on where you are and who you ask. Here’s a look at the state of walkability in Tysons after 34 years of attempted reform, and a couple of suggestions.” [Greater Greater Washington]
Vietnamese Restaurant Closes Hybla Valley Location — “Lotus Pho & Grill, a Vietnamese restaurant that opened in September 2022, is no longer in business at its Hybla Valley location, though its original site at Shoppes of Lorton Valley on Ox Road remains open.” In the same shopping center, Sun Sew Vac will close for good this Saturday (June 29). [On the MoVe]
Local Woman Opens Skin Care Studio in Fairfax City — “Fairfax City business leaders, elected officials, and family members joined Stephanie Dallojacono celebrate the grand opening Friday of Smiley Skin Beauty, a skin care and spray tan studio…Located upstairs at 10373-B Democracy Lane, Smiley Skin offers Glo2Facials and air brush tanning by appointment only.” [Patch]
Excavation Underway on Tysons Housing Project — “At The Exchange, crews…for Bethesda, Maryland-based Clark Construction currently are at work on excavation, which the contractor expects to finish by the end of August, a company spokesperson told Construction Dive. On the broader timeline, the project is eyeing a summer 2027 completion.” [Smart Cities Dive]
Meet Library Poetry Contest Winners — “We are celebrating the winners of the library’s Poetic Musings 2024 Contest! Meet the winners and listen as they share their poems.” The celebration will take place at 7-8:15 p.m. today (Thursday) in the meeting room at Burke Centre Library. [Fairfax County Public Library]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected after 2 pm, with a high of 98 and a heat index of 101. There’s a 50% chance of precipitation. At night, the chance of precipitation increases to 70% with thunderstorms likely before 11 pm and a low temperature around 72. [NWS]
The owner and founder of The Fermented Pig, a beloved mainstay at local farmers’ markets, has died.
Josh Plante died unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 12, the artisanal meat supplier announced a day later on social media. Most of The Fermented Pig’s operations, including the recently opened Merrifield retail store, have closed “until further notice.”
Researchers found that some complex toll roads in Northern Virginia are “less understandable” for people who drive high occupancy vehicles and that inconsistent toll signage in Virginia may also cause driver confusion. The findings come after a months-long study into easing vehicle traffic congestion, specifically on popular Interstates 81 and 95, and possible ways to stop rising toll costs.
Cost concerns
With Route 7 still years away from getting a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, regional transportation planners want to improve Metro’s existing service in the corridor from Tysons to Alexandria.
In response to feedback suggesting the process could be sped up, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is developing a strategic implementation plan that considers short-term enhancements for Metrobus 28A, even as it keeps studying how to eventually convert the route into a higher-capacity, higher-frequency BRT.
