Morning Notes

FCPS Considers Later Middle School Start Times — Fairfax County Public Schools “is exploring the possibility of starting middle school classes at 8 a.m. or later, it said. Currently, middle schools in the county start classes at 7:30 a.m…The goal is for the new start time to be in place for the 2025-26 school year, the school system said.” [WTOP]

Hybla Valley Man Arrested in Stolen Car — “A Hybla Valley man accused of committing five burglaries in 24 hours was arrested Tuesday. Then released on bond Thursday. Now, he’s back in jail.” When the 22-year-old man was arrested again Friday (Dec. 15), he was in a Hyundai Sonata stolen from the West Springfield Police District station earlier in the day. [WUSA9]

Fairfax Doctor Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud — “A Fairfax doctor pleaded guilty [Friday] and has agreed to pay $3.1 million in taxes and $2.2 million to insurance companies for corruptly obstructing the IRS by underreporting his income and filing false tax returns in connection with his medical practice.” [DOJ]

Local Economic Development Leaders Call for Transportation Investments — “As Fairfax County grows in population, development and jobs, transportation is struggling to keep up…With more people moving to live in the suburbs and returning to their pre-pandemic commutes, real estate leaders and county officials say now is the time to put the pedal to the metal to improve the county’s mass transit and vehicular transportation options.” [Bisnow]

Metro Ends Fare Card Fee for Seniors — “Metro’s Board of Directors approved the elimination of the $2 fee on Senior SmarTrip® cards. Beginning Tuesday, January 16, 2024, Senior SmarTrip cards will be issued at no cost to customers age 65 and older…The elimination of the $2 fee removes the need for a third-party payment collection, which is currently a barrier to participation for social service agencies and other organizations to distribute the card.” [WMATA]

How AOL Shaped Northern Virginia — “In 1996, America Online announced that it would move its headquarters from Tysons to the former British Aerospace building, just east of the Broad Run creek…Currently, the abandoned campus is being demolished, making way for even more data centers…Although AOL’s footprint in Loudoun may soon be erased, the company’s legacy and impact on the community — and especially Ashburn — live on.” [Inside NoVA]

McLean Resident Swims Distance of Earth’s Circumference — “We just had to share this incredible accomplishment from local McLean resident Chuck DiMeglio! He has swam more than 24,901 miles or the distance around the world, and 40% of that swim distance (1,753,030 pool lengths) has happened in Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Center pools!!” [FCPA/Facebook]

FCPD Offers Security Surveys to Faith Communities — “Our Police Department encourages faith leaders to request a security survey for their houses of worship…There hasn’t been an increase in bias related crimes in the county, but there’s a rising trend of bias-related crimes across the country, so the Police Department wants to be proactive and continue efforts to keep the community safe.” [Fairfax County Government]

It’s Monday — Expect showers, mainly before 1pm, with cloudy skies clearing later and a high near 52. It will be windy, featuring gusts up to 44 mph and a 70% chance of precipitation. Tonight, there’s a slight chance of showers after 1am, with partly cloudy skies and a low of 33. [Weather.gov]

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