Local police are turning to the public to identify a suspect in a robbery that happened earlier this month.
Shortly before 9 pm on Dec. 3, a man allegedly stole property from a woman who was walking in the 13500 block of Virginia Randolph Avenue.
The man is described as dark to medium skinned, between 25 and 35 years of age, medium build, and approximately 5’10” tall.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Reston District Criminal Investigation Section at 7703-478-0208.
Photo via FCPD
An Arlington-based company has closed on the purchase of a 260-unit apartment community near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station.
Snell Properties pursued the acquisition of Lincoln at Wiehle Station, a new development that is located at 11500 Commerce Park Drive. The LEED Silver building was completed at the end of the year.
“We are proud to close out the year by adding such an incredible property to our portfolio,” says Christopher Hanessian, President of Snell Properties. “Lincoln at Wiehle Station is steps away from the Metro and provides incredible access to one of the most dynamic and growing parts of Northern Virginia.”
Peter Colarulli, the company’s Vice President, touted the “prime location” of the new community.
“Reston’s incredible employment growth will continue to attract renters to the area, and additional development in and around Reston Station will only make this property even more desirable.”
The community includes a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom plans. Rents range from $2,110 to $2,380.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lincoln Property Company will manage the property.
Photo via Snell Properties
Apartment Fire on Castle Rock Square Under Control — A fire broke out in the bathroom of an apartment building on the 2200 block of Castle Rock Square late yesterday. No injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Hands-free Cell Phone Laws Go Into Effect — Beginning Jan. 1, it is against the law to hold a phone or mobile device while driving. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Local Reston Heroes Who Went Above and Beyond — Three Restonians were honored for being local heroes by Patch readers. They include a member of the Reston Community Center Board, a childcare worker, and the owners of ArtInsights Gallery of Film and Contemporary Art. [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
The number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Fairfax County as the statewide rollout of vaccines continues.
So far, 4,181 people have been vaccinated in Fairfax County, with a total of 41,709 vaccines administered nationwide. The Virginia Department of Health began releasing vaccine data on Dec. 23. No second doses in the two-round vaccine have been administered yet.
The record highest count of new daily cases. — 897 — was reported on Dec. 21. Following that peak, the moving weekly average of cases has hovered in the 460s. The third highest peak was reported on Dec. 27 when cases stood at 690. Today, the county reported 330 cases.
The number of hospitalizations in the county has increased steadily over the last few weeks, with a moving seven-day average of 16 hospitalizations. In June, hospitalizations peaked when that average stood in the low 30s. Since the pandemic began, 687 residents in the county have died to the pandemic and nearly 3,000 have been hospitalized.
The current positivity test rate for the state is 12.3 percent, roughly two percentage points below the countywide average.
Last week, the Fairfax County Health Department received 5,000 of the Moderna vaccine, which will be administered to healthcare workers who are not affiliated with hospitals.
Earlier this month, staff in the Inova Health System and Reston Hospital Center received vaccine shipments and began vaccinating staff and affiliated providers. Nursing home residents and staff are also covered in the first phase of the vaccination program.
Photo via Unsplash
The county is seeking to gauge the public’s support for pickleball, a new and rapidly expanding paddleball sport that combines elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched an online survey to gauge support for new pickleball activities. The survey is open through Jan. 24. County officials say they’ve received multiple requests to expand the number of pickleball facilities in its parks, recreation centers, and community centers.
The game was invented in 1965 by two dads in Washington who wanted to entertain their kids and use an old badminton court.
A feasibility study is underway on how to address the desire for the sport, identify sites for possible improvements or new facilities, and develop criteria and design guidance used for selecting and constructing pickleball amenities.
The parks at Stratton Woods and Stuart Road (12001 Lake Newport Road) have pickleball facilities. A map of other options available in the county is linked here. Reston Association’s tennis courts also offer some options for pickleball enthusiasts, who appear to be growing in number.
The county’s feasibility study will be completed by the spring of 2021. Currently, the county has 15 parks with either a tennis or basketball court lined for pickleball. Within these parks, there are 28 courts available to play the game.
Photo via Joan Azeka/Unsplash
Toiletries Drive to Benefit Cornerstones — Reston Community Center is collecting supplies on behalf of Cornerstones to support local families. Items needed included shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and deodorant. The drive runs from Jan. 4-18. [RCC]
Vaccination Numbers Available By Locality — ‘The Virginia Department of Health is tracking COVID-19 vaccination numbers as vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are being distributed around the state under FDA emergency use authorization. As of Sunday, 38,172 vaccine doses have been administered in Virginia. No one has received the second dose, which both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines require.’ [Reston Patch]
Around Town — Input Sought on American Legion Bridge — ‘The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Maryland Department of Transportation recently finished a study on the American Legion Bridge’s future, and are now asking the public for comment on the findings.’ [WTOP]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
While it may be tempting to throw caution into the wind as 2020 winds to a close, local and state police are emphasizing the need for people to drive safely during the winter holidays, when alcohol-related crashes often spike.
Data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office shows that the Commonwealth has recorded more fatalities from traffic crashes related to speed and drunk driving so far this year than in all of 2019, the Virginia State Police reported on Monday (Dec. 21).
“Virginia is on pace to have more total fatal traffic crashes in 2020 than in 2019,” VSP Superintendent Col. Gary Settle said. “…Overall traffic crashes in Virginia this year are down significantly. This means each crash has been deadlier – deadlier because of speed, alcohol, distractions, and individuals not wearing seatbelts.”
The increase in deaths from crashes comes even as the COVID-19 pandemic kept many people off the roads and confined to their homes.
According to toll operator Transurban, traffic on the Interstate 95, 495, and 395 Express Lanes was down 80% in April – when Virginia had stay-at-home orders in place – compared to that same time period in 2019. While traffic has gradually increased since then, it remained 39% below 2019 levels as of November.
Police say that drunk-driving related fatalities and crashes typically go up nationwide during the holidays.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 839 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S. in December 2018. 285 of them died during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period, the VSP says.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s traffic division steps up its patrol for people driving the influence every year with an annual campaign against drunk driving that runs from the end of November to the new year.
“Although this campaign only runs until January 1, we are fortunate enough to have a dedicated DWI Squad to continue enforcement throughout the rest of the year,” the FCPD said in an email, adding that Virginia DMV recorded 336 alcohol-related crashes, 215 injuries, and seven deaths in the state from Nov. 30 to Dec. 15, 2019.
Health officials have been discouraging people from attending parties or gathering with people outside their immediate household, but for anyone who decides to travel during the holiday season, the Virginia State Police has some recommendations:
- Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver, call a friend or family member, or use a cab or public transportation.
- If you know someone has been drinking, do not let them drive. Arrange an alternative, safer way home.
- Call police if you see an impaired driver on the road. Dial #77 to contact the nearest VSP emergency communications center.
State police will also have new grounds to crack down on distracted driving in the new year. It will be illegal to use a phone or other handheld communications device while driving on highways in Virginia starting on Jan. 1.
“Virginia State Police is urging every motorist on the road this holiday season to be responsible, obey the traffic laws, ditch distractions, and wear a seatbelt,” the VSP said in its news release. “Whether heading to the grocery store, the post office, or delivering gifts to family and friends, choose to do it safely and do it responsibly.”
Photo via FCPD, map via Virginia DMV
With Christmas just around the corner, many government offices and services will be closed for the remainder of the week, as employees take Thursday and Friday off for the holiday.
Fairfax County government offices will officially close at noon on Thursday (Dec. 24), and they will be closed for the entirety of Christmas Day.
All county parks and recreation facilities, including golf courses and RECenters, will be closed on Christmas.
However, all RECenters will be open until noon on Christmas Eve, and other facility hours vary that day depending on the specific location.
Reston Association offices, including the Central Services Facility and the Nature House will be closed Wednesday through Friday. No RA news will be distributed on Friday.
Fairfax County libraries will close at 1 p.m. on Thursday for the holiday weekend.
The Town of Herndon is also implementing a new trash and recycling collection schedule through the beginning of the New Year. Government offices in the town will also run on an abridged schedule. Offices will close at noon on Thursday and remain closed on Friday and Jan. 1.
Fairfax County will not provide any trash and recycling collection services on Christmas Day. Customers who typically have their waste collected on Fridays will instead get service on Saturday (Dec. 26). In addition, the county’s recycling and disposal centers at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Rd.) and the I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Rd.) will close at 1 p.m. on Dec. 24 and stay closed throughout Dec. 25.
For transit users, Fairfax Connector will operate on Christmas Day according to its Sunday service schedule. Information about specific routes can be found here.
With students on winter break since Monday (Dec. 21), Fairfax County Public Schools has put its meal distribution services on hold starting today through Jan. 1. Yesterday, FCPS offered four days of breakfast and lunch to students who picked up meals at bus stops, and students who used Grab & Go locations or meal kits sites received 14-day meal kits.
Bus route meal distributions will resume on Jan. 4, while distribution at Grab & Go locations and meal kits sites will return on Jan. 5 and 6, respectively.
Photo via Reston Farm Market website
More students and teachers in the Fairfax County County Public Schools system have been identified as victims of a ransomware attack that took place in September.
In a letter to parents, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said his staff has identified more people who may have been impacted by the attack.
”In line with our commitment to providing credit monitoring and identity restoration services to those who may need them, we have distributed additional individualized notices to ensure all eligible members of our community who wish to utilize these services have access to them,” Brabrand wrote in a letter to parents and students last night.
On Sept. 11 — just a few days after virtual learning resumed — hackers posted personal information of some students and staff on the dark web. Maze, a group of cybercriminals, claimed responsibility for the attack, which uses ransomware to prevent users from accessing files. In some cases, data is extracted and held hostage until a ransom is paid.
While the incident remains under investigation, Brabrand said that the school system is working with the FBI and Virginia State Police to investigate the attack.
Brabrand’s complete letter is below, after the jump.
Reston is officially one step closer to getting a new athletic field.
Hunters East LLC has granted the Fairfax County Park Authority a little over seven acres at the northeast intersection of Hunter Mill Road and the Dulles Toll Road, according to a county release.
The proffer agreement calls for the property to be used as an athletic field or other recreational amenities. The agreement is intended to ensure that residents of Brookfield Properties’ Halley Rise mixed-use development have enough green space.
The 36-acre redevelopment project is set to open its first phase of residential units in early 2022. The project is located at 12010 Sunrise Valley Drive.
The plan calls for the full-size rectangular athletic field to be constructed on the land. The project will also include an 80-space parking lot, picnic pavilion, stormwater pond, and an area for an unidentified recreational amenity.
FCPA did not indicate when the field would be constructed. Construction is contingent on available funds from proffers, park bonds and other funding sources.
Hunters East paid 8.4 million for the property in 2018. The county did not immediately return a request for comment.
Reston Company Lists Millions in Liabilities –‘A Reston-based corporate housing provider owed nearly $90 million to a wide range of creditors from across the country before filing for bankruptcy late last month, including the owners of the Apartments at CityCenter and the 672 Flats in Ballston, representatives for the company disclosed in court documents filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Alexandria on Friday.’ [Washington Business Journal]
Business Robbed on Worldgate Drive — A business on the 1300 block of Worldgate Drive was robbed around noon on Thursday, Dec. 17. The subject entered the business and stole cash. [Herndon Police Department]
Fox Mill Road Closed in Both Directions — The road is closed between Lawyers Road and Steeplechase Drive due to a fallen tree on utility lines. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for most of the area on Christmas Eve tomorrow.
The watch will remain in effect from Thursday afternoon through late Friday night.
Here’s more from the National Weather Service on the alert.
* ONE AND HALF TO TWO AND HALF INCHES OF RAIN ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND THURSDAY NIGHT. THIS IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS AND POSSIBLE RIVER FLOODING
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Multiple lanes are closed on the Dulles Toll Road just after Reston Parkway after a 40-gallon fuel tank leaked earlier this morning.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department expects three or four lanes to remain shut down for roughly an hour, according to a statement released earlier today.
No injuries have been reported and the leak is under control.
⚠️ Traffic Alert (7:45 a.m. Wednesday): Due to an overturned truck, multiple lanes are blocked on the Westbound Dulles Toll Road at Exit 12.
Expect delays and follow police direction.
The ramp to Exit 12 (S.R. 602/Reston Parkway) is also blocked .
— Dulles Toll Road (@Dulles_Toll_Rd) December 23, 2020
Units on scene of a box truck on its side on Route 267 Westbound just after Reston Parkway. 40 gallon fuel tank was leaking. Leak has been stopped. No injuries reported at this time. 3 of 4 lanes are shut-down – potentially for an hour. Seek alternate route. #FCFRD #traffic pic.twitter.com/Y6Jc64x2Oi
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 23, 2020
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Reston Association CEO Hank Lynch touted recent successes in cost-cutting and collaboration with the community at a recent Board of Directors meeting.
Lynch said that RA’s management is on the path to deliver a surplus of roughly $380,000 for the year, even though the COVID-19 pandemic “literally sparked $3.2 million in cost reductions this year.”
The pandemic results in a decline in non-assessment revenue of more than 2.8 million, Lynch told the board on Thursday. RA’s revenue took a big hit due to the cancellation of summer camps, low sales of recreational passes, the cancellation of sponsorships, and other programming restrictions.
RA is currently holding off on filling any vacant positions, among other cost-cutting measures like reducing printed paper products and mailed products. The organization also sold more than 500 Camps in a Box programs, a new initiative that was created after the pandemic hit.
“We all here have an incredible staff here at Reston Association,” he said.
Lynch also said he was satisfied with the RA’s collaboration with community organizations and other entities to foster Reston-wide community spirit. His team continues to look for ways to improve two-way communication between RA and its membership.
In addition to more communication about covenants administration and processing, Lynch said RA began tracking social media analytics this year. In recent budget discussions this year, some board members highlighted concerns about spending for communications and marketing due to limited return on investment.
In July, RA abruptly took down its website and launched a temporary platform due to a “potential security risk” to RA members, according to Lynch’s draft presentation. The platform was outdated and used Dot-Net-Nuke, an outdated platform, according to RA’s spokesman Mike Leone.
The organization is in the midst of moving all of its technology platforms from local servers to the cloud. A new website will launch next year.
RA also completed major renovations at Lake Anne, including a refurbished dock and the removable and nearly 750 tons of sediment from the lake.
Still, more big-ticket capital expenses are lining up.
Lynch hopes that a needs assessment of RA’s amenities — which is currently being completed by an RA workgroup — will help the organization identify major amenities in need of renovation or replacement over the next five to 10 years.
He also aims to get a better understanding of how to use existing amenities so they are utilized year-round, identify lacking amenities, and determine a major new project that Friends of Reston can support financially.
The recreational amenities analysis is expected to be complete in the spring of next year.
Lynch’s complete end-of-year presentation is also posted online.
Photo via Reston Association
County Considers Replacing Parking Lots with Affordable Housing — The county is considering a plan to swap some of its extra parking space at the Fairfax County Government Center for affordable housing. [Greater Greater Washington]
Cloth Mask Donations Exceed 2020 Goal — Fairfax County has exceeded its goal for cloth face mask donations for this year. Overall, 77,010 face coverings were donated and distributed this year after the county put out a call in May. [Fairfax County Government]
South Lakes Senior Organizes Toy Drive Remotely — Amanda Smith, a senior at South Lakes High School, planned a toy drive through the National Honor Society. Nearly 500 donated toys were taken to Arlington for Santa’s workshop. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
