Fairfax County to Seek Flood Recovery Funds — “At its July 16 meeting, the county’s Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency for Fairfax County as a result of the July 8 torrential rainstorm that caused substantial damage to both public and private property. The heavy rains caused several county closures, numerous road closures, damage to homes, businesses, roads and dams as well as multiple rescues from our fire and rescue personnel of motorists stranded in flooded roadways.” [Fairfax News]

Previous Charges for Sex Offender in Custody for Assault in Reston — Gregg MacDonald reports that the suspect arrested in connection with a June 11 sexual assault was originally convicted of a sex crime in Greenville, S.C. in 2006. He is listed as wanted in the Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. [Fairfax County Times]

Free Yoga on Reston Station Plaza Today — Beloved Yoga hosts a free yoga session for all at Reston Station Plaza today from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Yoga sessions continue throughout the summer. Attendees should bring water, a mat and a “zen-ready mind,” according to event organizers. [Reston Station]

Photo by vantagehill/Flickr

Local police have made an arrest in connection with the report of a sexual assault near Harris Teeter in the Spectrum.

Steven Edwards, 62, was arrested and charged with abduction with the intent to defile for the incident on June 11, police said. The Fairfax County Police Department made the arrest around 1:30 p.m. in Fairfax today (Wednesday).

Edwards is a registered sex offender, according to police. Police believe that he was involved with the abduction of a 49-year-old woman he briefly spoke with at Harris Teeter that day, according to court records.

Police found the woman near Reston Parkway and Baron Cameron Avenue around 11 p.m. She said she was hit from behind and sexually assaulted. She was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.

According to FCPD, a sketch produced by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office helped local police find the suspect.

Photo via FCPD

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a plan Tuesday (July 16) to scale back residential development at Woodland Park Crossing.

The mixed-use development, which has been proposed by NVR, Inc., is located near the future Herndon Metro Station. The developer sought to break up a previously approved 148-unit residential building into four condominiums.

The multi-family building, which had been approved for 210,715 square feet of development, would be divvied up into four, five-story condominiums with 185,000 square feet.

The county board first approved the project in March 2017. The site borders the Dulles Toll Road to the north and Monroe Street to the east. It is owned by Tishman Speyer.

Woodland Park Crossing is currently under construction.

Photo via handout/Fairfax County Government

County staff are exploring ways to curb panhandling by prohibiting pedestrians from engaging with cars on medians or intersections. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff to create a draft ordinance that would limit curb to curb interactions between drivers and pedestrians on Tuesday (July 16).

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Braddock District Supervisor John Cook proposed the board matter in response to reports of increased panhandling in the last two years, including several areas in Reston.

In 2017, the Fairfax County Police Department received more than 2,100 calls related to panhandling, including issues related to safety, fear of suspicious people and traffic issues.

“It is unsafe and detracts from our neighborhoods,” Braddock District Supervisor John Cook, the proposal’s co-sponsor, said in a news release. “We have good programs in this county and many nonprofit groups who help the homeless, and that is a better way to help.”

Here’s more from the proposal by Herrity and Cook:

In the past two years, there has been a noticeable increase in panhandling on medians and intersections throughout the County. While there are some who panhandle because they need to, many more take advantage of the generosity of our residents through panhandling rings. Investigation into these rings has proven that many panhandlers in our County are coming from outside the County and even outside of the state, attracted by the wealth and generosity of our residents.

The Board has sought to help those panhandlers in need by committing a significant portion of the County budget to providing services for those residents who are down on their luck. The Board has encouraged residents to direct panhandlers to these County resources including shelters, food banks, health and job matching services, instead of giving small amounts of money. It is vitally important that we connect those in need with the right services and disincentivize panhandling.

Asking for money is a protected First Amendment right. In public areas, seeking money does not violate any laws.

FCPD encourages residents to report concerns about panhandlers who may have committed traffic offenses or be in involved in criminal activity to police.

The board will consider the proposal at the Public Safety Committee’s meeting on Sept. 17.

It’s unclear how the proposed policy will maintain protected speech.

To what extent do you think panhandling is a problem in Reston and Herndon? Let us know in the comments below.

File photo

Reston Association’s Design Review Board deferred a decision on the proposed renovation of Sheraton Reston Hotel last night (Tuesday).

Board members said that some proposed renovations to the 298-room hotel (11810 Sunrise Valley Drive) were tacky and departed significantly from conceptual plans that the DRB approved in mid-October.

As the direction of the project changed, hotel representatives said they dropped several natural wood tone elements and wood-printed screens on the facade of the building in favor of green paint on the fins. Darker gray tones to the building were also proposed.

The green paint is intended to bring in tones from the landscape into the building, according to project representatives. In October, the design had more wood-based elements and lacked a vertical strip of repeated chevron patterns where the sign of the hotel is currently situated.

W. Neal Roseberry, the DRB’s vice chair, said he had a “visceral reaction” to the proposed green color, which he said does a disservice to one of Reston’s most iconic buildings and departs significantly from the previously proposed wood elements that were “a wow.”

“I think its not what Reston needs to be doing to its older iconic buildings,” Roseberry said.

He also noted that the blue colors of the EXO apartment building — which is not within the DRB’s purview — often produces criticism from the community. If approved, the green paint would likely do the same.

Richard Newlon, the DRB’s chairman, also noted that the broader issue was very different from the original conceptual plan and could stand-alone as an entirely new project.

Wurzak Hotel Group, a Philadelphia-based company and DoveHill Capital Management acquired the property in March 2018. The DRB preliminary approved a conceptual renovation plan in October 2018. 

Photos via handout/Reston Association

State crews are working on several road construction projects along the Route 7 Corridor this summer.

The speed limit has been reduced to 45 miles per hour in the project’s active work zones.

Construction of a third left turn lane from westbound Route 7 to southbound Baron Cameron Avenue is expected to be complete by the end of the summer.

Crews are also continuing work to widen the shoulders on westbound Route 7 between the Colvin Run Mill area and Reston Avenue. Once work is completed, the westbound lanes will shift to the right to give crews space to construction temporary eastbound lanes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation cautions drivers to watch out for signs indicating changes to traffic patterns in the area.

Other minor work including pipe installation, median excavation, utility and temporary signal work is ongoing in the median of Route 7 between the Colvin Run Mill area and Reston Avenue.

Photo via VDOT

The sun is expected to beat down in most of the Northern Virginia and surrounding regions today (Wednesday).

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Heat index values are expected to hover around 105 degrees Fahrenheit with temperatures in the mid-90s.

NWS cautions that high temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses.

Here’s more from the alert:

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency – call 911.

The heat is expected to continue throughout the week. Residents are advised to check up on the elderly and sick, as well as limit strenuous outdoor activities.

A HOT day ahead! According to the @NWS heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities each year. Heat related deaths are totally preventable. Practice #heatsafety wherever you. More: https://t.co/3Tb8Y3O8S9 #SafeFairfax #KeepYourCool pic.twitter.com/UxWq6uIKiq

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) July 17, 2019

Photo via NWS_BaltWash/Twitter

Reston Metro Center II Acquired — Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. has acquired the building, which is located at 12180 Sunrise Valley Drive for $18.6 million. It is currently fully leased to a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation, one of the largest defense contractors in the world. [GlobalNewswire]

Rainbow Flag Flies Again — A new pride flag was installed at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston on Wednesday, July 10. The flag, which is on a pole at the entrance of the church, was stolen three times in the last three months. [The Connection]

Creative Response on ‘Overlooked’ — Callie Hawkins, director of programming at President Lincoln’s Cottage, will respond to the exhibition, which is currently on view in the gallery tomorrow. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Greater Reston Arts Center. [GRACE]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Two Restonians took home top honors at the National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico last month.

Regina and Bill Bouie won gold medals during the games, where more than 14,000 athletes from around the country convened for two weeks to compete against one another in a mix of sports.

The residents qualified for the competition after earning awards in the state games.

During the games from June 11-25, Bill and his partner Steve Quatro won the gold in the men’s 65 doubles. Quatro also won gold in the men’s 65-69 singles. The Bouies won the gold medal in mixed 60 doubles and Regina won the gold medal in the women’s 50-54 doubles.

Regina is a personal trainer whose practice focuses on helping seniors above 50 remain active. Bill is the chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority.

“As we continue to grow and age in the County, it is important that we recognize that people recreate in different ways, so we continue to try to meet those challenges by offering as many programs as we can and try to have something for everyone, from cradle to grave,” Bill wrote in a statement.

According to its website, the games are a 20-sport, biennial competition for men and women age 50 and over. It is the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors.

Photo via Sky Communications

Sissy Sheridan, a 15-year-old social media influencer, will perform in Baltimore in early August.

Sheridan, who has a combined following of more than 70,000 people, is set to perform at the Girls’ Life Fashion Bash on August 5.

She is known for hosting Nickelodeon’s web series “DIY with Me” and “Brat’s Chicken Girls.” She is also known for playing Angie in  “Chicken Girls,” a children’s web series. She also appeared on the Netflix show, “Maniac.”

The Girls’ Life Fashion Bash is a concert and fashion festival taht is organized by Girls’ Life magazine and iHeartRadio’s z104.3, according to its website. The bash will star Anna Cathcart, a Canadian actress, and Hayden Summerall, a singer and entertainer.

Photo via Sissy Sheridan/website

Bakari Sellers, a political commentator and attorney who is the youngest African American elected official in the nation, will headline Reston Community Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. event next year. Seller’s keynote address is set for Monday, January 20 as part of RCC’s newly announced professional touring artist series for 2019-2020.

The season includes a mix of new and familiar artists to CenterStage. Reston residents and employees can purchase tickets beginning on August 1. Tickets will open up to the public on August 8.

“The Reston Community Center thrives at 40 because the arts have been at the center of building this special community,” said Paul Douglas Michnewicz, RCC’s Director of Arts and Events. “We know the season ahead will only deepen Reston’s love of the arts and the power they have to bring us together.”

RCC highlighted the following events:

• Peter Kageyama (Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m.): “Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places and Love Where You Live: Creating Emotionally Engaging Places, will bring his expertise to an exploration of how Reston exemplifies his ideals.”
• Jeffrey Stewart (Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.): “Author Jeffrey C. Stewart sits down with Dr. Jane Censer, Professor Emeritus of History at George Mason University, to discuss his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke, a panoramic view of the personal trials and artistic triumphs of the father of the Harlem Renaissance.”
• Fran Lebowitz (Saturday, Sept. 21): “In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our funniest and most insightful social commentators. ”
• Dr. Azar Nafisi (Wednesday, Nov. 6): “The Iranian American best-selling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi has electrified readers with a compassionate and often harrowing portrait of the Islamic revolution in Iran and how it affected one university professor and her students.”
• Boys Don’t Cry (Tuesday, March 3): “Boys Don’t Cry is inspired by text from Chantal Thomas and is a funny and tender reflection on what it means to dance when you are a boy from North Africa and the Arab world.”
• Lulu Fall (Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m.): “A product of Senegalese and Cameroonian parentage, Fall creates music that reflects her global perspective by way of her American sensibilities.”
• The Phantom of the Vaudeville House (Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m.): “It’s magic, mayhem and laughter when Buddy “Mr. Vaudeville” Silver is faced with yet another hilarious dilemma. Is the CenterStage Motion Picture and Vaudeville House haunted?  Come cheer the good guys, boo the bad guys and keep the phantom from stealing the show!”

Box office business hours are from 4-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday. The office is also open two hours before the curtain time of each performance.

Photo by Frédérique Calloch, Red Molly, Kia LaBeija

Local Company Seeks Emoji Status — Electrify America, a local electric vehicle charging company, has submitted a formal proposal to the Unicode Consortium to introduce an emoji that represents an electric vehicle and the stations that charge them. [Cision]

Reston Community Center Seeks Budget Input — “A few days before Reston Community Center (RCC) held its Annual Public Hearing on June 17 for its FY20/FY21 Programs and Budgets, RCC Executive Director Leila Gordon and Chairman of the RCC Board of Governors Beverly Cosham shared information about RCC’s funding sources, significant budget and program highlights, and opportunities.” [The Connection]

Farmers & Makers Market is Today — Reston Town Center hosts the weekly market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The market, which runs through November, features a mix of products from local farmers and artisans. [Reston Town Center]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

The state fined Reston Association $12,000 for violating child labor laws late last year.

The state’s Department of Labor and Industry issued fines in October 2018 after an investigation found “numerous violations” regarding minors employed as aquatics attendants or lifeguards, according to an August 2018 inspection report obtained by Reston Now.

Child labor law violations included minors working more than eight hours a day and more than 40 hours a week. The investigation also found that some minors were working without any indicated breaks, employment certificates or lifeguard certificates.

The most common violation cited in the investigation was allowing minors to work more than eight hours a day. Virginia’s child labor laws allow minors between ages 14 and 15 to work a maximum of eight hours per day on a non-school day. Work hours depend on school schedules and the type of occupation.

Mike Leone, RA’s spokesperson, declined to release any information about the citation, including whether or not it was disputed by RA or how RA is working to ensure issues flagged by the investigation do not occur again.

“As previously communicated, RA does not comment publicly on personnel-related matters,” Leone wrote in an email. Additionally, RA’s policy states that only RA’s board president, CEO and spokesperson are authorized to speak to media.

Sources told Reston Now that the investigation was discussed in closed session during a Board of Directors meeting at a date that was not identified.

In recent years, RA has struggled to staff pools due to a shortage of lifeguards — an issue that is part of an industry-wide shortage of lifeguards.

Due to the lack of qualified candidates, some aquatics facilities were changing hours or closing facilities as they step up efforts to hire for seasonal positions.

Staff shortages when schools were in session prompted the closures of several pools operated by RA. Leone told Reston Now the shortages were resolved on June 23 when 14 of the 15 pools operated by RA were open. New applicants were on-boarded and completed training courses, and more employees were available due to the end of the school year, Leone said.

A source familiar with the state’s labor law investigation and on-boarding of lifeguards, however, said that part of the reason for delays in opening the pools was because lifeguards did not have required safety certifications to begin working — an issue that was spotted by administrative staff “far too late” once pools were already scheduled to open. Certifications were expired or still in the process of being received, the source said.

Others chose not to return due to alleged mismanagement of aquatics facilities.

“Some people felt they were overworked and thrown into the job without on-boarding,” a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, said.

Leone said that some staff members were unable to begin working or register for courses due to personal schedules and commitments until the end of the school year. Once courses were completed, the shortage was alleviated.

“In light of our short window of operation (four months [from] May-Sept.) and onboarding process, we do conduct some interviews prior to applicants’ completion of lifeguard training classes for efficiency to avoid delays, an offer is contingent upon completion of the certification course and skill assessment,” Leone wrote.

As the number of lifeguard applicants has declined over the last five years, RA moved to change staffing structures by hiring desk attendants and pool operators to serve as stand-alone positions from lifeguards.

In the future, RA plans to address staff shortages at pools by exploring increases in hourly rates for lifeguards, changes to the pool schedules during peak hours and other recruitment and retention efforts.

Photo by vantagehill/Flickr