Local police are investigating an indecent exposure incident that happened this month in Herndon.
According to the Herndon Police Department, a woman said a driver approached her while she was walking down Vine Street toward Ferndale Avenue on Friday, June 14.
When the woman declined to accept his offer for a ride, the man exposed himself to her.
Police described the suspect as a white male, between 40 and 50 years old, and of medium build.
The case is under investigation.
Reston Community Center is launching a major community survey to explore how residents use its program, facilities and services. The survey is the first of its kind since a decade.
RCC is partnering with the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service to complete the survey. It will also explore community opinions on a new performing arts venue in Reston.
The effort is prompted by changes in Reston’s population and projected future growth due to the expansion of the Silver Line.
“Reston depends on RCC for leisure-time options to enjoy; we want to assure that we are in touch with current views about how people want us to serve their needs. In addition, the media landscape has radically changed and we want to know more about how people get information,” said Leila Gordon, RCC’s executive director, in a release. “Along with these issues, this is an ideal opportunity to find out the community’s views about development of a new performing arts venue.”
Respondents selected to participate in the survey will receive an advance letter this month notifying them of the chance to complete the survey. Questionnaire and a postage-paid return envelope will be mailed thereafter. The survey will also be available in Spanish, Russian, Mandarin and Arabic.
Other residents can also participate in the survey, which will be available online for Reston residents and at RCC’s customer service desks.
Surveying will continue in the summer. The Center for Survey Research will submit its analysis of survey responses to RCC in September.
Individuals interested in receiving a copy of the completed report can request one by emailing [email protected].
All email requests will be kept confidential and completely separate from survey responses, according to RCC.
File photo
Change of Location for Reston Association Board Meeting — The Board of Directors will meet at The Lake House instead of its usual location at RA headquarters on Thursday. The change was prompted by utility work planned outside of the building that evening. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. [Reston Association]
Arts in the Parks Continues through August — The series, which organizers describe as a fun alternative to Saturday and Wednesday morning cartoons, offers entertainment for children while teaching them on the importance of protecting national resources. Performances kick off at Frying Pan Farm Park tomorrow. [Fairfax County Government]
Robbery Reported on Last Tuesday on Dulles Court — Two individuals attempted to grab a cell phone from a man who was walking along the 600 block of Dulles Court. on Tuesday, June 18. The suspects are described as Hispanic teenagers. [Herndon Police Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Friends of Reston will hold its annual fundraising campaign for camp scholarships this week.
On Wednesday, June 26, 10 percent of all food and drink purchases made between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Glory Days Grill will go toward scholarships.
The nonprofit organization, which supports Reston Association, raises funds to send students with demonstrated financial need to RA camps this summer.
Glory Days Grill is located at 1400 North Point Village Center.
Over the past 18 years, the organization has launched similar campaigns to raise funds for children seeking to attend summer camps.
Photo via North Point Village Center
Local police say three teenagers robbed a 7-Eleven in Herndon at gunpoint early Saturday morning.
Police responded to a report to the 7-Eleven at 2501 Centreville Road at 3:44 a.m.
According to the report, three African American men entered the store and stole money and merchandise at gunpoint. The suspects are in their early to late teens, police said.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station also reported the following incidents over the last week:
LARCENIES:
1700 block of Ascot Way, golf cart from residence
11200 block of Chestnut Grove Square, wallet from vehicle
2300 block of Corporate Park Drive, cell phone from location
1500 block of Nightshade Court, laptop computer from vehicle
13300 block of Shea Place, purse from vehicle
11800 block of Spectrum Center, merchandise from business
12200 block of Turkey Wing Court, cash from location
Reston Now previously reported on other major crimes that happened in recent days, including a carjacking, a sexual assault near Harris Teeter in the Spectrum Center, additional charges against a former Herndon High School Teacher, and a suspicious death investigation near Hunters Woods Plaza.
Photo via FCPD
Fairfax County has officially completed improvements to a trail at Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park in Herndon.
Last week, local and county officials held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of improvements and trail maintenance.
The $400,000 project aimed to address general wear and tear, as well as trail damage due to severe flooding.
More than 12,000 linear feet of trail was milled and repaired. New culverts and riprap were also installed.
Photo via Fairfax County Government/website
Local VA, a gourmet dive bar, originally planned to open by the beginning of this month.
After hitting some roadblocks with permitting and buildout, the business plans to open by late August or early September.
Owner Dylan Clark told Reston Now that the opening date has not been finalized yet.
The business will replace Singh Thai, which closed in March.
Photo by Eve Thompson
(Updated on 06/27/19 at 5 p.m.) Greater Reston Arts Center’s new exhibit “Overlooked” presents the work of an artist who bring awareness to issues that are not a part of “polite conversation.”
The exhibit, which features nine artists, includes work that encourages the viewer to embrace compassion, empathy, critical reflection and healing.
The following artists are part of the new exhibit:
- Leila Abdelrazaq
- Lorenzo Cardim
- Larry W. Cook
- Leigh Davis
- Helina Metaferia
- Matt Storm (Editor’s Note: Link is not safe for work.)
- Julie Wolfe
- Homie House Press
- Red Sand Project
The opening reception is set for Saturday, July 13 from 5-7 p.m. at GRACE. Organizers wrote the following about the exhibit:
Overlooked will present the work of artists who are seeking to bring awareness to issues that are often unnoticed, ignored, or otherwise not part of “polite conversation.” These artists are not necessarily proposing solutions to society’s ills but are alternatively offering an opportunity for the viewer to engage in compassion, empathy, critical reflection, and even healing. Instead of offering a comprehensive exhibition of hot-button issues, Overlooked turns to the artists in our community and beyond to bring awareness to subjects that are important to their lives.
Creative responses are scheduled for July 18 and Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. An expert will respond to work on view by offering a short presentation, which will be follow up by open dialogue. The event, which is sponsored by Reston Community Center, is free and open to the public.
The exhibit will be on display from July 13 to Aug. 31.
Image via Larry W. Cook/Greater Reston Arts Center
On-Demand Transportation for Metro Commuters — Metro just launched a new program to help late-night workers get around between midnight and 4 a.m. Qualified workers will receive a $3 subsidy toward a shared ride on Lyft beginning July 1. [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
Sallie Mae Moving Northern Virginia Offices — “Sallie Mae moved its headquarters from Reston to Delaware in 2010, and has since reduced its leased space in Northern Virginia from 240,000 square feet to roughly 30,000, according to its most recent annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.” [Washington Business Journal]
Silver Line Delay Baffles MWAA — “The latest delays for Metro’s Silver Line construction have baffled the D.C. region’s airport authority, which is hopeful that the timeline for the commuter rail line’s extension to Dulles International Airport will speed up over the next few months.” [WTOP]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association’s Board of Directors will discuss the implications of changes to the organization’s policies regarding lakes, docks, and boats on Thursday, June 27.
The discussion follows a formal presentation last month by a working group tasked with reviewing RA’s guidelines. At a May 23 meeting, the board directed staff to review changes to RA’s resolutions and policies regarding enforcement and oversight issues.
One of the most contentious topics — RA’s 50 percent rule — will be discussed in closed session at the direction of RA’s legal counsel. The rule states that moored boots may take up no more than half of the available lakefront property shoreline.
Some RA members have disputed a recent push to strictly enforce the rule, which they say has not been implemented in the past.
Changes involving use and maintenance standards as well as common area rules and regulations will be discussed at the board’s operations’ committee on July 8.
Similarly, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will discuss whether or not access points around Reston’s lakes should be added.
The board will also discuss a 2019 reserve study and last year’s audit, according to a draft agenda.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Community Center’s leadership is looking ahead to new initiatives by 2021, including launching a comprehensive community survey, redesigning its website, and the completion of the Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center.
At its annual meeting this month, RCC’s leadership presented highlights, challenges, and ongoing plans for the coming years. Initiatives in the works include the following:
- Scheduling accreditation visit and achieving Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accreditation
- Continuing to explore new performing arts venues and plan for capital reinvestment in existing facilities
- Building community awareness, pride and cohesion
- Move programming closer to Reston residents and employees
- Launching a comprehensive community survey by next month
The ongoing renovation of the aquatics center is expected to be completed by October. The most difficult aspect of the project — timing of materials and crews, as well as hiring and training — lies ahead.
RCC is governed by a nine-member board appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Rendering via Reston Community Center
Señor Ramon Taqueria opened today (Monday) in the former location of Hibiscus Thai Cuisine (11790-A Baron Cameron Avenue).
The Mexican restaurant, which serves street-style food, will offer items like tacos, empanadas, street corn, and sliders. It is similar to other locations in Leesburg, Sterling, and Chantilly.
It will be open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today (Monday).
The sign for the storefront will not be installed for another two weeks, a company spokesperson told Reston Now.
Photo via Señor Ramon Taqueria/Facebook
Todd Hitt, the CEO of Kiddar Capital, a Falls Church asset management firm, will serve a 6 1/2 year prison sentence for securities fraud.
His family will pay $20 million to investors Hitt defrauded, including $17 million he secured from investors to purchase a five-story office building next to the future Herndon Metro Station.
Earlier this year, Hitt admitted that he lied to friends and investors to secure investments for his firm and other Northern Virginia real estate projects.
Here’s more from the office of U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger:
The investments included Hitt’s solicitation of approximately $17 million from investors in order to purchase a five-story office building adjacent to a planned future stop on the Silver Line in Herndon. Hitt made false statements and material omissions to investors by failing to disclose that a significant portion of the monies raised were commingled with other unrelated investment projects, used for personal spending to support an extravagant lifestyle and new investor’s funds used to pay off old investors in a Ponzi-like scheme. Hitt’s fraudulent conduct resulted in investor losses of approximately $20 million.
According to the Washington Post, Hitt acknowledged that he used money from new investors to pay off earlier ones while “buying himself jewelry, sports tickets and vacations on private jets.” He donated money to charities in “hopes of boosting his image as a developer,” the report stated.
Hitt has forfeited his Arlington home as part of his plea deal.
Photo via Kiddar Capital
Loc
al police are looking for a man who sexually assaulted a 49-year-old woman on June 11.
The woman told investigators she was attacked by a man she briefly spoke with at Harris Teeter in the Spectrum Center at around 11 p.m.. The woman said the man hit her from the back as she walked along a path away from the grocery store.
The woman was treated for her injuries at a local hospital. Local police were unable to locate the victim’s cellphone and belongings, which were left in the area, according to court documents.
The suspect is described as a white male who is between 50 and 60-years old. He has a skinny build, gray wavy hair, light colored eyes, a wrinkled face and possibly wears glasses.
Anyone with information should contact FCPD’S Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800.
Local Nurse Earns Award for Excellence — Abby Desesso, a clinical coordinator and senior charge nurse at Reston Hospital Center, won the HCA Excellence in Nursing Award for Compassionate Care. It is the highest honor given to one nurse each year across HCA Healthcare facilities. [Reston Hospital Center]
DMV2Go at Reston Town Center — The DMV’s wireless office on wheels will be onsite at the pavilion in Reston Town Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Services offered include driving records, driver’s license and ID card applications, vehicle titles, plates and decals. [Reston Town Center]
Sunrise to Host Creative Conversations — “USA Today editorial page editor Bill Sternberg will visit Sunrise Senior Living in Reston to help launch an evening speaker’s series program that will be open to the public. The program, called “Creative Conversations,” will be the first of many such evening events that bring together noted journalists, authors and “literary luminaries” to Sunrise Senior Living for conversation and sharing of ideas.” [The Connection]
