Police are investigating a suspicious death after a man’s body was found near the Hunters Woods Shopping Plaza.
Fairfax County Police found the body after responding to a call about shots fired around 1:45 am. on Sunday.
The body was found in the woods near a walking trail. No other information was immediately available.
Photo via FCPD/Twitter
Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now this week.
- Report: Amazon Moves to Acquire Herndon Property
- Taste of Reston Kicks Off Tomorrow in Reston Town Center
- Local Police Identify Juvenile Victims Unlawfully Recorded by Former Herndon HS Teacher
- During Special Meeting, Reston Association Mulls Fixes to Covenants and Design Review Process
- UPDATED: Police Respond to Domestic Incident at Lake Newport
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.
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Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
Photo by Don Renner
Reston Regional Library and Scrawl Books are partnering to host an author talk and book signing with Julie Langsdorf and Angie Kim tomorrow (Saturday).
Langsdorf will discuss her first novel “White Elephant” while Kim will discuss her first novel “Miracle Creek.”
The event runs from 2-3:30 p.m. at Reston Regional Library.
Both authors have earned national praise for their work. Langsdorf lives in the District and teaches yoga. She has also won four individual artist awards from the Maryland State Arts Council.
Kim, a former editor of the Northern Virginia with her husband and three sons.
Tomorrow (June 22)
- Habitat Heroes (10 a.m. to noon) — Help Reston Association track down invasive plants like English ivy. Participants should park along North Shore Drive between Northgate Square and Wiehle Avenue. But be warned: there is poison ivy on this site.
- Family Fun Entertainment Series (10-10:45 a.m.) — Enjoy a one-woman circus by “Wheelie itty Wacky Silly Suitcase.” Parking is free on weekends at Reston Town Center.
- Robotics Workshop (1-4 p.m.) – Participants between ages 6 and 18 will learn how to build and program robots from legos and metal at Reston Regional Library. The event is presented by the Teen Advisory Board.
- Reston Concerts on the Town — Hard Day’s Night brings Beatles’ tunes to Reston Town Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to grab a spot at the pavilion.
Sunday, June 23
- Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) — Byron Jones, an associate professor of voice, performs a selection of classic songs from American musical theatre at Reston Town Square Park. The event is free and open to all.
- Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy a performance by Zig Zag the Magic Man at this weekly summer series at Reston Station Plaza. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro parking garage.
Plans are in the works to install a project inspired by pathways and connection at the Colts Neck Underpass.
The project, which was approved by Reston Association’s Design Review Board this week, is composed of hundreds of sharpie-based drawings created by workshop participants and local students.
On Saturday, June 29, artist Ben Volta will hold his last workshop for the project at Hunters Woods at Trail Edge.
Participants will have a chance to help create the artwork. So far, seniors and students from Dogwood Elementary School, Hunters Woods Elementary School, Southgate Community Center and Hunters Woods Fellowship House have participated in the effort.
Volta will use drawings created by participants to form the overall artwork, which could have more than 30 colors. The concept is inspired by the connections created through pathways.
The workshop runs from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ice cream will be served and the event is free and open to all.
Public Art Reston hopes to install the project by September.
Photo via Public Art Reston
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider three major mixed-use developments in Reston next week.
If approved, the vote, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, would bring hundreds of additional residential units, as well as office space and retail to Reston’s Transit Station Areas.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave all three proposals a green light in previous weeks.
On the southwest corner of the intersection of Dulles Airport Access and Toll Road and Reston Parkway, Reston Crossing developers seek to build up to 1,194 residential units, 890,000 square feet of office space and 50,000 square feet of retail in a seven-building development project. Overall, the project would have up to 2 million square of development.
Developers for two other projects are requesting modifications to previously approved plans. Halley Rise, a 31-acre site previously approved by the county, could see some changes in the eight development blocks proposed on the 4.2 million-square-foot development. The project is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Reston Parkway. Currently, grading is underway for the first phase of the development.
The developer seeks to shuffle the makeup of hotel, residential and retail uses throughout the eight blocks of proposed development. Overall, the intensity of development will not change.
Similarly, the team behind Reston Heights (11830 Sunrise Valley Drive) is seeking to reduce the amount of office space that was previously approved by the county.
Renderings via handout/Fairfax County Government
Virginia State Police arrested a Caroline County Man and a juvenile in connection with a carjacking that started in Reston on Wednesday (June 19).
Police believe Jaquan McNeil, 21, of Ruther Glen, and a juvenile suspect, assaulted a man as he was leaving his car on the 11400 block of Isaac Newtown Square at around 5 a.m.
The suspects then stole the BMW X5 and sped down I-95 when state police spotted them, according to police.
An officer spotted the car traveling south near a line marker in Prince William County and called more troopers to help. As police approached, the car swerved suddenly to the right shoulder and sped away from approaching law enforcement.
The pursuit continued for some time until the car crashed into a curve on the exit ramp and struck the guardrail.
McNeil fled the scene on foot, but was arrested a short while later. He was charged with one felony count of eluding police, one count of driving on a suspended license, one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of reckless driving. McNeil is being held at the Stafford County Jail.
The 15-year-old passenger was taken into custody without incident. Both suspects declined medical assistance for injuries that happened during the crash.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
Logo via Virginia State Police
New Developments in Herndon High School Filming Case — Police unveiled 10 felony warrants against former Herndon HS drama teacher Raphael Schklwosky after residents contacted the police department with information about unlawful filming at the school. So far, police have identified 10 victims that can be recognized based on pictures and videos. [Fairfax County Police Department]
A Welcome to Expel — Herndon-based Expel secured $40 million in funding. The company offers cloud-based security services. Overall, it has rounded up more than $67 million in funding. [Citybizlist]
Get in the Groove at Reston Station — Scott Kurt and Memphis 59 will perform at Reston Station Plaza tonight from 7-9 p.m. This week’s performance also includes live dance instruction. [Reston Station]
Learning Tree Branches Out — Herndon-based Learning Tree International and Columbus Technologies and Services have partnered up to expand their modern learning solutions audience. [Citybizlist]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
The Fairfax County Planning Commission struck down a plan to bring a 13-story building with 58 residential units near Reston Regional Library.
During a meeting yesterday (Wednesday) night, Commissioners noted that the plan by NS Reston would exceed the density and guidelines allowed for the area, which is known in planning jargon as “Part 5.”
In a report, county staff noted the property has been “marketed as a park for over 20 years.” Staff also stated that the plan was not in conformance with Reston’s comprehensive plan.
Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner John Carter said that the commission cannot simply approve plans that do not conform with land use and density requirements. If the parcel is to be developed, it should be consolidated with the Reston Regional Library parcel to the north.
“I can’t imagine that we just disregard the comprehensive plan,” Carter said.
NS Reston is seeking to build a 180-foot residential structure on the site with a partially underground parking garage. An urban park will include public art, a wall bench and a recreational lawn.
John Hart, the commission’s vice chairman, stressed that it is within the purview of the commission to assert that a development area is too small and that maintaining the location as open space is too important to allow development at the intensity proposed.
John McGranahan Jr., the applicant’s representative, said that the development history on the site was complicated.
Despite this, McGranahan said changes between recent approvals of the comprehensive plan indicate that the proposal could be allowed.
He also disputed the way the county calculated whether or not Part 5 would be pushed beyond its development capacity if NS Reston’s plan was approved.
The project is located on the north side of New Dominion Parkway roughly 300 feet west off of Fountain Drive.
The developer did not indicate if they will appeal the decision.
Renderings via NS Reston/Fairfax County Government
Global firm IDEMIA, a company specializing in augmented identity, officially opened today (Thursday). The company moved its North America & Security headquarters from Billerica, Mass. to Reston Town Center.
The move brings 90 new jobs to Reston. Gov. Ralph Northam announced IDEMIA’s move to Reston in December last year.
IDEMIA develops, manufactures and markets security technology products and services for the telecommunications, payments and identity markets.
It defines augmented identity as “identity that ensures privacy and trust and guarantees secure, authenticated, and verifiable transactions.”
Photo via IDEMIA/Facebook
Herndon residents are banding together to host the first-ever “Herndon WinterMarkt,” a traditional German-style Christmas Market with a family focus.
The event, which is set for Dec. 14 from 12 p.m to 8 p.m., will include vendors, food, crafts and entertainment linked to European traditions.
Kevin LeBlanc, an event organizer, said the idea was inspired by the large number of German and Austrian natives living in the area. Discussions to organize the event quickly gained momentum after residents partnered up with the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce to launch the event.
Organizers say Herndon’s historic downtown area naturally lends itself to community gatherings typically held in small grounds and villages.
“Historic Herndon lends itself to that kind of an atmosphere, both because of the historic town center and a strong sense of community that the town house.”
So far, the event will include Gluhwein and German beer. A majority of vendors and entertainers are German or Austrian. and the event will also coincides with the Herndon Model Trail show.
It will take place at the Herndon Depot Museum (717 Lynn Street).
More information will be available on the event’s Facebook page.
Photo via Herndon WinterMarkt/Facebook
A former Herndon High School teacher recorded dozens of illicit videos of students with hidden cameras around the school for more than a year, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
During a news conference on Wednesday (June 19), police said Raphael Schklowsky, 36, of Reston will face additional charges in connection with filming multiple students. Schklowsky is currently in jail due to previous charges for unlawful filming and possessing child pornography.
Maj. Ed. O’Carroll, commander of FCPD’s Major Crimes Bureau, said that FCPD has not determined the new charges yet. He says female students were filmed while undressing.
“The case remains active. Detectives have been working diligently on this case and our other important cases to bring justice and closure,” he said.
So far, police contacted nine people after identifying them from photos of videos taken by the former drama teacher. Videos were taken between May 2017 and June 2018, according to O’Carroll.
Some photos were taken outside the area, including New York, O’Carroll said. Authorities in other jurisdictions are conducting their own investigations.
Charges against Schklowsky have slowly built up as police discover new details about the investigation. Previously, police discovered over 3,500 videos on various devices.
At a hearing in May, he was charged with 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography and one felony charge of unlawful filming.
He has been on leave since his arrest, according to a spokesperson for Fairfax County Public Schools. His next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6.
Any individual who think they may have been recorded by Schklowsky should call the police at 703-246-7800.
Summer Food Service Program Kicks Off — County schools are participating in a program to ensure that students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals continue to receive meals when school is out of session. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Foster Care Information Meeting — Learn more fostering or adopting a child in during this information meeting at Reston Regional Library from 6:30-8 p.m. The meeting will be led by Patricia Aviles-Cubillos from the Fairfax County Department of Family Services. [Reston Regional Library]
Take a Break Concert Tonight — Bad Influence takes the stage today at Lake Anne Plaza from 7-9 p.m. The blues and roots performance is open to audiences of all ages. [Reston Community Center]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association’s Design Review Board approved Philadelphia-based artist Ben Volta’s vision to transform the Colts Neck Road underpass into public art.
At a Tuesday meeting, the DRB approved a conceptual design of the project. The final version will use between 600 and 1,000 designs created by seniors from Hunters Woods Fellowship House and more than 800 students from Southgate Community Center and Hunters Woods and Dogwood elementary schools.
Inspired by Reston’s 55 miles of pathways, Volta asked participants to use sharpies to draw a path that invokes joy, love and reference. In a proposal to the DRB, he describes the project as a “colorful connector that reverberates collective energy and rhythm.”
The DRB reviewed a conceptual rendering of the project with just 10 drawings replicated over and over again to give the panel a feel for the direction of the design.
During the meeting, Richard Newlon, the DRB’s chairman, said the project was “stunning.”
“You take something as mundane as a tunnel and its almost too bad that tunnels weren’t designed with more fun in mind,” Newlon said.
Panel members briefly considered asking Volta to return to the DRB for final approval once the design was near finalization. Instead, Volta will submit a final rendering of the project as a courtesy to the DRB.
However, W. Neal Roseberry, a DRB member, questioned the need to transform underpasses into public art.
“I’ve never fully enjoyed that we use our infrastructure for our artwork,” Roseberry said.
Public Art Reston hopes to install the project by September. Anne Delaney, Public Art Reston’s executive director noted that the master plan for public art in Reston envisions transforming the community’s underpasses into art.
Volta says will use colors selected by workshop participants, but anticipates tweaks to the color to ensure the piece is balanced. A strip of LED lighting will line both ends of the tunnel.
“I’m kind of along for the ride as well,” Volta said, adding that he’s open to collaborating more with the community for piece of art created through collaboration.
The artwork begins six inches above the ground in order to prevent splattering from dirt and mud. Because of its location, the underpass has drainage issues.
The project is made possible with a proffer commitment by Atlantic Realty Companies to improve the exterior of the underpass as part of its development at Hunters Woods at Trails Edge. The developer is pitching in $60,000 for the art.
Other community partners include ARTSFairfax, Reston Community Center, JBG SMITH, Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Pat & Steve Macintyre, and Lake Thoreau Entertainment Association.
Renderings via handout/Reston Association
Local police have new leads on a pornography and unlawful recording case involving a former drama teacher at Herndon High School.
The Fairfax County Police Department is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday) after they identified juvenile victims unlawfully recorded by Raphael Schklowsky.
Schklowsky, who already had earlier charges related to unlawful filming, is facing 20 felony charges of possession of child pornography and one felony charge of unlawful filming.
Detectives discovered more than 3,500 videos on multiple electronic devices, police said. Schklowsky, 36, was originally charged with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful filming on April 8.
Schklowsky has been on leave since his April 8 arrest. He was initially charged in early April when a woman told police she found a hidden camera inside an air conditioning vent in a home where she was working. Detectives found evidence of unlawful filming and arrested Schklowsky.
No other information was immediately available.
Photo via FCPD
Jerry’s Subs & Pizza in North Point Village Center reopened this month after a fire forced the business to close in January.
The manager of the Reston location said reopening took some time because of construction and replacements required for kitchen hoods.
“We’re excited to be open. Business has been good so far,” the manager told Reston Now.
The fast-casual cheesesteak, sub sandwich and pizza franchise has more than two dozen locations in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware, according to its website.
Image via Google Maps
