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]


News

The Town of Vienna is moving ahead with plans for a second mini roundabout, this time at an intersection where a pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash last month.

As an initial safety measure, the town will install stop signs at all three sides of the Church Street and East Street NE intersection, which currently only requires drivers on Church Street to stop, Vienna Public Works Director Brad Baer told the town council at a meeting on May 6.


Countywide

Pre-Dawn Northern Lights Glimpsed in D.C. Area — “Because of pesky clouds, the D.C. area initially missed out on a rare and magical opportunity to the see the northern lights Friday night. But during the pre-dawn hours Saturday, between about 4 and 6 a.m., the skies opened up just enough for an exceptionally rare view.” [Washington Post]

Local Judge to Decide If Embryos Can Be Property — “A trial is underway in Virginia that will determine whether state law allows frozen embryos to be considered property that can be divided up and assigned a monetary value. Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Dontae Bugg heard arguments Thursday from a divorced couple who disagree over the ex-wife’s desire to use two embryos that they created when they were married.” [NBC4]


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