ChalkFest at Reston Town Center has been canceled due to Hurricane Florence. The event, which challenges professional artists, amateur artists, businesses, families, and kids of all ages to design chalk drawings, was set to take place on Saturday.
Public Art Reston, which organizes the event, posted the following update about the cancellation earlier today:
With Hurricane Florence approaching the East Coast and the heavy rain predictions we have decided for safety reasons to cancel ChalkFest at Reston Town Center. The event will not be rescheduled.
We wish to thank our sponsors: Reston Town Center, Boston Properties, Reston Community Center, Leidos, Cooley, and Reston Association.
Hurricane Florence is expected to bring between four and eight inches of rain beginning late Thursday and into early Friday. County officials warn that the hurricane could bring potential flooding over the weekend.
“Rain and flooding impacts could last into early next week as flood waters from areas north and west of the county will move our way even after Florence passes. This is a potentially long-term flooding event for Fairfax County, so please pay attention to trusted sources for information,” the county wrote in a statement.
The county is providing sandbags for residents at Reston Regional Library today until 7 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday).
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Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store is expected to take over part of the former Kmart footprint in Herndon, adding a second organic grocer to the Herndon Centre. The natural and organic grocer would join a shopping plaza that is also home to MOM’s Organic Market.
Demolition of the facade of the 84,000-square-foot store (494 Elden Street) is underway as Florida-based real estate investment firm Sterling Organization divides the former big box store into several businesses. The company purchased the location for $7 million in August last year. The rest of the shopping plaza is owned by A.J. Dwoskin & Associates Inc.
Renderings of the project submitted to the Town of Herndon show the site will be the future home of LA Fitness, MOD Pizza, and IHOP. No overnight commuter parking will be allowed in the shopping plaza.
Town officials said they’re working with the developer of the property to add signalize the intersection near the shopping plaza, as new businesses are expected to generate additional traffic. The company has committed $165,000 in proffer funds to help install a future signal. The town expects to fund the remainder of the project through existing funds from its capital improvements program and future grant funding.
A representative for the project declined to comment on the development, including details about the project timeline.
Photos via Sterling Organization and Fatimah Waseem
The Herndon Police Department is investigating an attempted abduction that took place in early September on the 900 block of Locust Street.
Police said a woman was walking home at around 8:30 p.m. on September 4 when a man tried to convince her to leave the area with him. When she refused, the man grabbed her and tried to lead her away. She escaped and ran away from the man.
The suspect then approached the woman a second time and attempted to carry her away. A witness intervened, prompting the man to leave the area to an unknown location.
The police department issued the following description of the suspect:
The suspect is a Hispanic male, 20-23 years old, with short, black hair, facial hair, a black t-shirt, khaki/light brown shorts, and off-white shoes.
The investigation is ongoing.
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‘Dog Days of Summer’ is today — Dogs and their owners can frolic in the pavilion as it’s transformed into an off-leash play area from 4-7 p.m. The dog days of summer event will take place every Wednesday through September 26 at the Reston Town Center pavilion. [Reston Town Center]
Florence is coming — Invited or not, Hurricane Florence continues to barrel its way towards us. Four to eight inches are expected to begin late Thursday into early Friday. Here’s what you need to know to prepare. [Fairfax County Government]
Crime update in Herndon — In early September, Jose Quintanilla Romero, 25, of Herndon, was arrested on five felony accounts of sexual abuse against a victim known to him. In a separate incident, a man said he was robbed by several suspects on September 6 near the 600 block of Center Street around 11 p.m. [Herndon Police Department]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Local police continue to investigate several recent incidents in the last several days, including the apparent double murder and suicide that happened in Herndon last week.
As we reported, police believe Noera Ayaz, a 42-year-old attorney, killed her sons and then turned the gun on herself. Funeral services for the three family members were held late last week.
The Fairfax County Police Department is also continuing to investigate an attempted malicious wounding that happened on September 5 on the 2400 block of Centreville Road. A man driving a car shot another man who was riding a bicycle with a gun. Police said the two men knew each and other had been fighting earlier before the incident occurred. No injuries were reported.
In a separate incident, local police are also seeking leads to help identify a man after a public exposure incident happened on the 1600 block of Hiddenbrook Road. The man exposed himself to two teenage girls, according to police.
The police department also reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
2500 block of Centreville Road, wallet from location
9800 block of Georgetown Pike, backpack from vehicle
2100 block of Monaghan Drive, purse from vehicle
1800 block of Presidents Street, wallet from location
11800 block of Spectrum Center, laptop computer from business
2400 block of Centreville Road, stolen bicycle
11500 block of Leesburg Pike, beer from business
10700 block of Park Ridge Boulevard, laptop computers from business
13100 block of Parcher Avenue, cigarettes from business
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, keys from vehicle
11500 block of Leesburg Pike, beer from business
1900 block of Sagewood Lane, cash and keys from residence
11100 block of South Lakes Drive, merchandise from business
11800 block of Spectrum Center, laptop computers from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
The county’s deer management archery program also began late last week. Overseen by the local police department, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Park Authority and NOVA Parks, the archery program will take place in parks and other locations in the county. The program ends on February 23, 2019.
The results of the 35th annual Reston Triathlon are in the books. The community race, which happened on Sunday, drew contestants and participants despite the rain.
A harmful algae bloom on Lake Audubon, discovered on Thursday, forced Reston Association to cancel the swim portion of the triathlon. As of Monday (September 10), RA advises against touching the water, which has algae that can produce toxins that are lethal to livestock, fish, and people.
The overall winners in the male division were:
- Sean Pinkney, 34: 2 hours, 3 minutes, 16 seconds
- Jacob Gilden, 30: 2:07:25
- Noah Kennedy, 21: 2:07:30
In the female division, overall winners were:
- Raquel Torres, 37: 2 hours, 10 minutes, 17 seconds
- Ekaterina Pinkney, 34: 2:23:26
- Kristine Wooten, 30: 2:28:18
In the individual age groups, the winners were:
- Sean Pinkney, 34, Male: 2 hours, 3 minutes, 16 seconds
- Jacob Gilden, 30, Male: 2:07:25
- Noah Kennedy, 21, Male: 2:07:30
- Bryan Rivera, 34, Male: 2:08:25
- Andrew Gyenis, 24, Male: 2:08:54
- Raquel Torres, 37, Female: 2:10:17
- Kevin Wright, 29, Male: 2:11:33
- Wiehan Peyper, 32, Male: 2:16:52
- Paul Cutler, 50, Male: 2:18:31
- Ryan Luczak, 17, Male: 2:18:31
Neil Medoff and Rich Uhrig also received an award for perfect attendance. They attended every Reston Triathlon for the last 35 years.
Photos via Reston Triathlon/Facebook and Brian Kent
Reston Bike Club holds annual century — “The locally-based nonprofit organization, Reston Bike Club, held their annual RBC Century on Sunday, Aug. 26 with distance options for cyclists of Half-Metric-33.3 miles, Metric- 64.9 miles, Century-80 -77.9 miles and Century-102.9 miles. The planned routes took cyclists through parts of Fairfax and Loudoun counties.” [The Connection]
Fog advisory in effect until 10 a.m. — Areas of dense fog will cause reductions in visibility and rapidly changing travel conditions. Visibility may often be reduced to less than one-quarter mile. [National Weather Service]
A piece of the Pentagon — The Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department were honored with a piece of the Pentagon to display in the museum of the Fairfax County Public Safety Department’s headquarters. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
After more than 30 years of business in the Herndon community, the Herndon Animal Medical Center is gearing up for an expansion.
In a proposed before the county up for a vote by the Town of Herndon’s Planning Commission tonight, the center is seeking a special exception to allow a veterinary clinic in land zoned for office and light industrial uses. If approved, the new clinic would move to 360 Herndon Parkway.
“Our current space limits our ability to see patients and practice easily with modern equipment and modern handling techniques,” wrote Kristan Gutowski, the center’s owner.
The building will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday; between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. The clinic, which employs 15 people, could expand its hours to accommodate more clients and patients.
Gutowski said the new facility will allow staff to continue practicing a handling technique called “Fear Free” that aims to reduce patient anxiety by separating patients from each other in separate exam rooms away from other animals and noises. The move will also allow the center to avoid odors from its current neighbor, a boarding facility that Gutowski said has “negatively affected” the center’s work environment.
“We do everything we can to control an unpleasant odor that can occur with pets,” Gutowski said.
Town of Herndon staff recommended approval of the project.
Photo via Town of Herndon Government
County officials are seeking the public’s feedback on how to increase housing affordability in Reston and surrounding areas.
At a meeting on September 20 (Wednesday), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and Tom Fleetwood, director of the Fairfax County’s Department of Housing and Community Development, will discuss the second phase of the county’s Housing Community-wide Housing Strategic Plan.
The meeting will take place in the lecture hall at South Lakes High School from 7-9 p.m.
The second phase of the plan aims to offer ways resources can”act as a catalyst for new affordable housing production and quality affordable housing preservation and rehabilitation,” according to the county.
The overall plan, recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors, was drafted by county staff and a group of stakeholders, including nonprofit leaders and the business community, to pitch strategies to address future housing needs. The policy is designed to reinforce the county’s economic development strategies and approaches to ensure racial and social equity across all county services.
The plan seeks to end homeless in a decade, provide affordable housing to special needs population, meet affordable housing needs for low-income, working families and increase workforce housing through creative partnerships and policy arrangements.
Phase one of the plan includes 25 short-term strategies that can help create more housing options without major policy changes or significant revenue sources. Phase two of the plan will offer longer-term strategies to develop new tools, policies, and resources to boost affordable housing options.
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Finn Thai Restaurant and Bar, a Thai restaurant, is coming soon to North Point Village Center.
The restaurant has one location in Purcellville and a second location in Martinsburg, West Virginia. It will take up space formerly occupied by Payless. (1466 North Point Village Center), which closed in April last year after the company announced plans to file for bankruptcy.
A restaurant representative from the Martinsburg location told Reston Now that the opening day could be several weeks from now. But an exact date was not known yet, the representative said.
Photo by Twitter user @GigiBennett_DC
Walmart Labs adds jobs — The company is planning to double its workforce at its Reston office and is seeking software engineers and data scientists to build new platforms for the company. [DC Inno]
Voting now open for Reston Community Center preference poll — Five candidates are running for three positions on the nine-member Board of Governors. A candidates’ forum will be held tonight at 6:30 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods. [Reston Community Center]
Two men arrested in connection with a string of larcenies — “Two northern Virginia men are in custody after a multi-jurisdictional investigation, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office authorities announced Friday afternoon. The men, Edward L. Campbell, Jr., 25, of Ashburn, and Craig Nipper-Duval, 22, of Herndon, are suspected of being involved in a rash of larcenies from vehicles in Loudoun County and the Town of Herndon.” [Loudoun Times-Mirror]
Flooding threat in Northern Virginia late in the week — “Hurricane Florence is expected to become a major hurricane on Monday as Virginia prepares for a major flooding threat later this week. As of 5 a.m. Monday, Florence was 625 miles southeast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Rapid strengthening is expected, and Florence could become a major hurricane Monday morning. It is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday.” [Inside NOVA]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Foulger-Pratt, a Potomac-based developer, is seeking to build a 1.5 million-square-foot project on Reston Association Drive, joining a long list of developers honing in on land near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station.
The project, one of several major mixed-used developments near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, will include up to 907 residential units, an assisted living facility, an office building and ground-level retail. The developer envisions contributing funds for the right-of-way road the Soapstone Drive overpass and construction of the southern portion of the new roadway.
The Washington Business Journal reported that the project is expected to cost $400 million. The existing office park, which contains seven office buildings built in the early 70s and 80s, will be transformed into a transit-oriented development with eight development blocks. The project is located on the north side of Sunrise Valley Drive, west of its intersection with Wiehle Avenue.
Plans for each development block are as follows:
- Block 1: An assisted living facility on the southwestern corner of the site along Sunrise Valley Drive and the western side of the future Soapstone Drive overpass. The eight-floor building will include 210 units. A healing garden will be available for use by patients, visitors, and staff.
- Blocks 2, 3 and 4: A combination of townhouses and two-over-two flats totaling roughly 138 units. A central green, gateway park, cycle park, and neighborhood park are also proposed.
- Block 5: A residential condominium with 154 units with a “variety of price points to encourage first time home buyers,” according to the project’s statement of justification. The ground floor will contain 6,000 square feet of on-site retail. A five-story office is also pitched as an alternative to the residential building.
- Block 6: A 14-story office building with 6,166 square feet of ground-level retail and five levels of parking. Outdoor plazas with seating and other amenities are also planned.
- Block 7: A seven-story residential building with 360 units and a fenced dog park.
- Block 8: Around 45 units, likely a combination of townhouses and two-over-two flats. A garden park is located in this block.
In documents submitted to the county, the developer indicated the project is intended to be a “community-focused site with an abundance of quality open spaces intended to invite and activate those living, working and visiting there.”
“By placing parks of a variety of scales throughout the site, all are invited to travel throughout the community exploring the different spaces. The entire site becomes the ‘backyard,’ a shared space meant for the community to gather, play and relax,” according to the development plan.
Photos via Handout/Fairfax County Government
Child dies after medical emergency on school bus — A young boy died in Herndon Thursday after experiencing a medical emergency on a Fairfax County Public Schools bus in the 2300 block of Dulles Station Boulevard. The boy was pronounced dead at the hospital and no other kids were on the bus at the time. [NBC 4]
A back to school report — School principals in Reston give an update on what’s new this year and their one-sentence message to the community. [The Connection]
The fight for control — Canaan Merchant writes about how Reston Association is asking Fairfax County to give it more control over future growth. Although the Silver Line has brought growth to the area, many residents aren’t happy, Merchant writes. [Greater Greater Washington]
Dog paddle set for today from 4-7 p.m. — Bring your dog for a dip in the pool before it’s shut down for the season. A current dog license is required and registration is $6 for Reston Association members and $8 for all others. [Reston Association]
Photo by Twitter user Mary Dominiak
Local police are seeking the public’s help to identify a man who exposed himself to two teenage girls yesterday (September 5) in the 16000 block of Hiddenbrook Road.
The two girls were approached by a white man, approximately six feet tall, with an athletic build, brown hair and a scruffy beard, according to police. The man made comments to the teens as they walked from a local pool and exposed himself to them. The girls reported the incident to an adult.
In a separate incident on Monday (September 3), a white man, also six feet tall, with an athletic build and brown hair, followed to two teenage girls on their bikes on a trail from Herndon Parkway near Winterwood Place. Police said the man made comments to the teens but did not expose himself. Police searched the area after the teens told their parents, but no one was found.
The police department issued the following information:
There could be other incidents that have occurred involving this man that we are unaware of. We are asking anyone with information related to similar events contact our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800.
Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS. They can also be sent in via text by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). Text STOP to 274637 to cancel, or HELP to 274637 for help. Message and data rates may apply. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 if their information leads to an arrest.
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The deaths of a mother and her two children, who were found in a Herndon home Wednesday evening, are being investigated as a double murder and suicide, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Noera Ayaz, 42, and her sons were found in the home on the 1000 block of Safa Street around 6:20 p.m. yesterday, according to reports received by Reston Now. The Washington Post also reported the identity of the woman, although the police department has not released the identities or relationships between any of the deceased.
Police believe Ayaz killed her two children and then killed herself. The findings are preliminary and an investigation is ongoing.
The incident was being investigated as a “domestic-related incident” and no threat to public safety was noted. The homeowner, the father of the two children, discovered the bodies when he arrived home Wednesday evening around 6:20 p.m. Police searched the home and found Ayaz upstairs with what police said appeared to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The family, who is Muslim, was active in the local Muslim community and the incident has shaken many local community members.
Ayaz was an accomplished attorney who fought for the rights of immigrants and women. During her early legal career, she worked at the law firm of Baker Botts, LLP, where she worked on intellectual property cases and represented Mulsim women with immigration issues.
She traveled across the world and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Brown University. She received her law degree from Columbia Law School. In the local community, Ayaz was known for her work as the director of Women in Islam, Inc., an organization that aimed to address issues linked to the Muslim community and build understanding across cultural boundaries.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, police said. Crime scene detectives searched the home to gather information about the incident after executing a search warrant, police said. Detectives continue their investigation to determine what led to the shooting.
No other information was immediately available.
Photos via FCPD
