Countywide

Northern Lights Seen Over National Mall — “Rare, possibly one-of-a-kind video has emerged of the northern lights dancing over the National Mall and Washington Monument. Even though clouds in the D.C. area mostly obscured the epic display of auroras…a short window opened up just before dawn Saturday when the clouds parted. [Washington Post]

Tysons Auto Dealerships Up for Sale — The Koons dealership site at 2000 and 2050 Chain Bridge Road, which was considered for redevelopment by Comstock, “is now being marketed for sale as a Home Depot-anchored mixed-use district.” Marketing materials say the property is available “for three different opportunities: a ground lease, a sale and a joint venture.” [Bisnow]


Around Town

Paul Mitchell’s beauty school is departing Tysons Corner Center after almost two decades of providing hair care services and training at the mall.

After halting acceptances of new students, the school is observing its last day of business today (Wednesday).


Sponsored

The Dragons Concord is a tabletop roleplay gaming center that focuses on providing a safe and professional roleplay and miniature wargaming experience.

Our themed private gaming rooms, free public gaming tables, and growing staff of professional game masters, are all oriented toward one goal — to make roleplay gaming as accessible and fun as we can for everyone! We’ve had an amazing reception by the community since we first opened our doors last June, and to celebrate we’re hosting a special event at our store in Fairfax on June 1st.


Countywide

Depression-Era Building in Groveton Set for Demoliton — “A historic building in Groveton will soon be demolished in preparation for the construction of the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit system. The property at 6821 Richmond Highway…is described in Fairfax County documents as a two-story Colonial Revival commercial building of domestic origin that was built in 1934.” [On the MoVe]

Virginia to Study College Policies After Protests — “The Virginia House of Delegates has formed a select committee on maintaining campus safety and allowing students to exercise their First Amendment rights, after more than 125 arrests at four of Virginia’s college campuses” where students staged protests of Israel’s war on Gaza. [Virginia Mercury]


Countywide

Virginia has implemented new guidelines to establish a unified rating and improvement system to assess the commonwealth’s publicly funded early childhood care providers.

Approximately 75% of child care programs that received public funding previously did not participate in the state’s voluntary quality measures, according to Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, who co-patroned 2020 legislation that led to all publicly funded providers being required to participate.


Around Town

After a successful preview at last month’s Taste of Vienna, the men behind Evelyn Rose seem confident that their upcoming restaurant will prove worthy of its location.

The brainchild of owner Sam Schnoebelen and chef Nick Palermo, Evelyn Rose is on track to open in late May at 111 Church Street NW, replacing Bazin’s on Church after the bistro ended an 18-year run on April 27.


News

Police arrested two people over the weekend for allegedly stealing merchandise worth thousands of dollars from Tysons Corner Center and Fair Oaks Mall.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives with its Tysons Urban Team (TUT), which focuses on retail theft and other mall-related crimes, received an alert at 1:07 p.m. on Saturday (May 11) that a “retail theft crew” had been spotted at Fair Oaks Mall (11750 Fair Oaks Mall).


Countywide

Facing lower-than-expected revenue from the county and state, Fairfax County Public Schools is considering a proposal to reduce staff pay raises.

Under Superintendent Michelle Reid’s new proposal, presented at last week’s school board meeting, all school employees would receive a 3% pay increase instead of the initially planned 6%, which would’ve made starting teacher salaries in Fairfax County the highest among surrounding jurisdictions.


Countywide

Feedback Sought on National Airport Noise — “Alexandria, Fairfax County and Prince George’s County have hired Vianair Consulting to spearhead a collaborative effort with members of the community and staff from various airport agencies to recommend changes to DCA airspace and flight procedures. Vianair is currently running a survey of residents south of DCA.” [ALXnow]

Gov. Youngkin Signs New State Budget — “Weeks of Virginia state budget drama ended Monday with pledges of bipartisan goodwill as the General Assembly passed a compromise two-year spending plan that boosts funding for education and other priorities without increasing taxes.” [Washington Post]


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