Before we head off into another weekend with COVID-19 abound, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

1. Suspect Sought in Attempted Rape on Train at Wiehe-Reston East
2. JUST IN: Police Identify Teen Shot and Killed in Reston
3. Exxon Mobil Seeks More Time to Expand Reston Location
4. Fairfax County Police Investigate Abduction Case at Reston Station Boulevard
5. Reston Resident’s Peanut Butter Company Brings Manufacturing Factory to Fairfax County

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your social distancing plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

Be Wary of Deer Crashes — The Fairfax County Police Department is warning residents that fall is breeding season for deer. Deer crashes are a particular safety concern between October and December.  [FCPD]

At-Large Listening Session Set for Next Week — The last of Reston Association’s five listening sessions will take place on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. [RA]

Reston Contractor to buy Alexandria Tech Company — “Reston-based government IT contractor Xenith Solutions LLC announced Thursday it will acquire Alexandria-based tech company TRI-COR Industries (TCI). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.”  [Virginia Business]

Photo via Marjorie Copson

(Updated at 8:30 p.m. on 8/21/2023) Local police have arrested a 21-year-old Reston man in connection with an attempted sexual assault and attempted abduction of a woman who was working inside the Aperture apartments in Reston.

The man was charged with attempted rape and abduction with the intent to defile.

The woman was working inside the building (11400 Reston Station Boulevard) when a man attempted to grab her and attempted to sexually assault her on Wednesday, police said.

The woman was able to fight the man off. He was located after detectives worked through the night to track him.

Additionally, he was arrested in connection with an attempted rape aboard a Silver Line at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. That incident happened on Tuesday.

He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Charges related to the Tuesday incident have not yet been determined.

Earlier (2:30 p.m.):

Local police were on the scene of Reston Station Boulevard to investigate an abduction case Wednesday morning, according to a Fairfax County Police Department crime report.

Residents told Reston Now that between 15 to 20 police officers were on the scene to investigate the incident at 11400 Reston Station Boulevard.

FCPD declined to comment further on the investigation.

In an email to residents, the general manager of the Aperture apartments by Bozzuto (11410 Reston Station Boulevard) said the company is “working closely with law officials to minimize the disruption to our residents.”

The email to residents described the incident as an “attempted assault on Metro Center Drive” near the entrance of the garage.  

More information on the investigation is expected soon.

Photo via FCPD

(Updated at 10 a.m. on 9/14/2023) A Reston man has been arrested in connection with an attempted rape on Tuesday aboard a Silver Line train that left the Wiehle-Reston East Station.

The 21-year-old was taken into custody today (Thursday) at the home of a family member in Virginia.

Metro Transit Police believe the man allegedly attempted to rape an adult woman who was with her child aboard the train between the McLean and East Falls Church locations. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m.

He is expected to face charges of attempted rape by force, threat of intimidation and attempted sodomy by force, threat or intimidation. Both charges are felonies.

Local police were on the scene of Reston Station Boulevard to investigate an abduction case Wednesday morning, according to a Fairfax County Police Department crime report.

Residents told Reston Now that between 15 to 20 police officers were on the scene to investigate the incident at 11400 Reston Station Boulevard.

FCPD declined to comment further on the investigation.

In an email to residents, the general manager of the Aperture apartments by Bozzuto (11410 Reston Station Boulevard) said the company is “working closely with law officials to minimize the disruption to our residents.”

The email to residents described the incident as an “attempted assault on Metro Center Drive” near the entrance of the garage.  

More information on the investigation is expected soon.

Voters in Fairfax County will have more options to cast ballots beginning Oct. 14.

While long lines have plagued the Fairfax County Government Center since early voting began, 13 satellite voting locations will open on that day.

Additionally, a secure drop-off box will be available at the North County Government Center, which is located at 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, on. Oct. 14. Other drop-off boxes will be available at early voting sites during early voting hours only. 

The Virginia General Assembly allowed drop-off boxes in anticipation of increased demand for absentee voting in this election. Ballots can be returned at any election site from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In-person early absentee voting will run through Oct. 31.

There's no line to use this secure #ballotdropbox outside the Fairfax County Government Center. Come at your convenience, 24/7.#election2020 #2020election #votebymail #mailinballot #trump #donaldtrump #joebiden #bidenharris2020 #vote #vote2020 pic.twitter.com/bdHaghrZ0j

— Fairfax County Votes (@fairfaxvotes) September 30, 2020

County Expands Early Voting… Early —  The Fairfax County Government Center will be open for early voting his Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., one week earlier than planned. A total of 14 locations will open on Oct. 14. [Fairfax County Government]

Reston Cybersecurity Firm  Acquired by Baltimore’s ZeroFox — “Cyveillance, a Reston-based business unit of LookingGlass Cyber Solutions Inc., has been acquired by Baltimore cybersecurity firm ZeroFox.ZeroFox CEO James C. Foster said his company will absorb Cyveillance’s more than 130 employees and over 100 customers through the acquisition.”  [Washington Business Journal]

FCPD Visits Communities for National Night Out — “National Night Out is a way for residents to connect with their local police officers and engage in fun activities with neighbors. Fairfax County Police Department had more than 40 events scheduled throughout the county tonight, including a parade in Reston to stop and visit with community members.” [Local DVM]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

(Updated at 4:25 p.m. on 9/14/2023) Police are asking the public’s help in identifying a man they believe attempted to rape a woman on a train at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station.

Metro Transit Police say the incident happened in between the McLean and East Fall Church Metro stations around 11:30 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday).

After boarding at Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, the suspect allegedly assaulted the woman, attempted to remove her clothing and exposed himself.

The victim, who was with her young child, escaped the train at East Falls Church Station where Metro Transit Police responded. The suspect appears to have exited the system at Foggy Bottom Metro Station.

He was last seen wearing a dark shirt with the words “Piranha Joe” on the left sleeve and a logo of a circle and a fish on the back and left breast areas of his shirt.

Anyone with information about this incident or the person of interest shown is urged to contact Metro Transit Police detectives by calling (301) 955-5000. Tips may also be sent via text message to “MyMTPD” (696873).

Photo via Metro Transit Police

Solar panels could be coming soon to the rooftop of Reston Community Center.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will host a public hearing to discuss the issue on Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m.

Sigora Solar hopes to install solar panels to generate on-site electricity on several county sites, including RCC’s Hunters Woods location (2310 Colts Neck Road).

If approved by the board, Sigora Solar would sign a solar power purchase agreement with county entities. The company would design, install, permit and operate the rooftop solar panels and sell the generated electricity to facilities like RCC at a fixed rate.

In meeting materials, county staff indicated that the agreement would allow the county to purchase on-site renewable energy “with little or no upfront or operational costs.”

“As the average cost of utility-delivered electric power is expected to increase over time, the savings are expected to increase, as well.”

Sigora Solar has locations in Virginia and North Carolina.

Photo via Unsplash

Reston Association’s Board of Directors is working through various funding options for the planned renovation of Lake Thoreau Pool.

Although most residents appear to agree on a plan presented by design consultant Kimley-Horn, RA must now determine the best way to finance the multi-million project.

At previous community meetings, members have expressed support for a lean design concept that would largely work within the existing footprint of the aging site.  A zero-depth wading pool would be installed on the facility’s deep end, the parking lot would be expanded, and the bathhouse would meet county and federal code requirements for individuals with disabilities. A lounge observation deck is also planned in the new design.

The first concept is expected to cost between $2.9 and $3.5 million while a more extensive rehaul. Would cost between $3.8 million and $4.6 million, according to meeting materials.

RA staff recommends that the board adopt the first concept and split project costs between fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Other major projects above $250,000 would be pushed forward by two years.

At a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, RA’s board will discuss whether or not the project should be fully funded within the next two fiscal years. Other planned topics. Of discussion include eliminating or repurposing facilities that do not offer value to members and are costly to operate.

The discussion comes as RA tackles current and anticipated projects. In a 2019 reserve study, consultant DMA Reserves identified more than 1,300 capital assets and offered a suggested replacement plan.

Between 2021 and 2031, RA hopes to tackle ten major pool and tennis projects that would cost more than $250,000. Some projects have been deferred.

For example, renovations to the Lake Newport Tennis Court have been deferred until 2022 until a “more intensive renovation” will be conducted, according to meeting materials.

The board will also discuss other issues, including a review of the role of the Recreation Facilities Working Group and an analysis of the 2019 reserve study. The meeting takes place via Zoom.

Photo via handout/RA

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting today (Tuesday), the board will consider an ordinance to approve shelters. The move would also authorize a streamlined process to approve temporary changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, the county has identified four hypothermia shelters, including the North County Human Service building (1850 Cameron Glen Drive). Three other backup locations have been identified in Fairfax.

If approved, the county would be able to set up facilities as a place for transient overnight housing.

The county’s Housing Crisis Response System serves more than 1,000 people who seek shelter from cold every winter. The program operates from November through March.

In previous years, the county has taken support from faith communities.  But due to the pandemic, many faith organizations are either unable to take part in the program or can participate with significantly reduced capacity.

The county is anticipating more demand due to the pandemic. The ordinance would also streamline the approval process, which would otherwise be time-consuming and highly individualized.

“The Board of Supervisors has expressed its desire to remove unnecessary obstacles to businesses that seek to stay in business while following state and other governmental COVID-related requirements,” according to meeting materials.

The meeting is set to begin at 2 p.m. today.

Photo via Fairfax County Government

Technical issues with Fairfax County’s car tax payment portal drew ire from residents this week, forcing some to make payments in-person and adding to already long lines for early voting.

In response to website issues, the county has waived penalties and interest on personal property payments made by 11:59 p.m. today (Tuesday).

According to Tony Castrilli, the county’s communications director, the county is working with its vendor to resolve the issue. “To make adjustments that will ensure as many payments as possible can be processed,” he said.

Some residents told Reston Now the issue compounded already l long lines at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway).

Payments can be made online, by mail, by phone, and in person. In Reston, residents can drop off payments at Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive). Payments postmarked on or before today (Tuesday) are considered on time.

“We apologize for the inconvenience,” Castrilli added.

Photo by Michael Monaco

Senior Girl Scout Builds Turtle Platform — Mercer Thomas built a turtle platform on Lake Thoreau as part of her Gold Award to help the turtle population in Reston. Thomas needs the community’s help to track her project. [Reston Association]

Final Construction of STEAM Project Underway — Students from South Lakes High School’s STEAM team is working on the final construction phase of “Part & Parcel,” a temporary sculpture to be installed in the Lake Thoreau spillway in Reston. [Public Art  Reston]

Metro Plans Next Phases of Reconstruction, Capital Projects — “Metro will rebuild deteriorating outdoor platforms at Arlington Cemetery, Addison Road, and four Green Line stations north of Fort Totten next year, continuing its robust capital program to keep the system safe and reliable for the next generation of riders.” [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]

Reports of Stolen Campaign Signs Increase — “With less than a month until Nov. 3, and 2020’s contentious political climate, local police and sheriff’s departments are fielding reports of stolen, damaged and vandalized campaign signs.” [WTOP]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Exxon Mobil is seeking more time to expand its location on 1818 Wiehle Avenue.

In a letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a company representative said that construction has been delayed due to “many items,” including “pandemic-related issues.”

The company is requesting an additional one year to complete the project, which was approved in 2017.

Once construction is completed, the gas station would include an expanded quick-service food store and the replacement of an existing car wash.

The extension request heads to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors tomorrow (Tuesday) for a vote.

Image via Google Maps