Monroe Street in Herndon has reopened after a downed power line forced the road closure earlier today.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the road was closed between Iron Forge Road and Meadow Hall Drive.
FCPD encouraged drivers to find an alternate route.
TRAFFIC UPDATE: Monroe Street is now open. Thanks for your patience. https://t.co/LIZQTn6PHo
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) October 5, 2020
T-Mobile has submitted plans to build a new telecommunications tower at a Dominion Power substation site.
The company hopes to build a monopole between 120 and 125 feet tall enclosed by a 15 feet by 100 foot long ground equipment facility.
In a report, town staff indicated that the facility is “minimally visible” from Grove Street and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.
Existing landscaping will be removed to make way for the project. New landscaping is planned on the edge of the site to screen the new facility at the ground level.
Prior to approval, town staff recommended a number of design conditions, including matching paint on the antennas and all attached equipment, as well.
The project heads to the Town of Herndon’s Architectural Review Board on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The virtual meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Photo via handout/Town of Herndon
New Roles for County Bus Drivers — Fairfax County Public Schools’ bus drivers are taking on new roles during a hiatus in in-person learning. Some were matched with temporary jobs based on their skill set. [NBC 4]
Volunteers Sought for Laptop and Book Distribution — Volunteers are “greatly needed” to help schools in Reston and Herndon, according to Fairfax County Public Schools. Volunteers can sign up to help with curbside library book distribution, weekend food distribution packing, helping with laptop distribution, and other tasks. [Fairfax County Government]
Virtual Appraisal Roadshow Set for Tomorrow — Reston Association is hosting a virtual appraisal roadshow from 11 a.m. to noon tomorrow (Tuesday). Experts will be on-site to educate the audience about facts and the worth of items selected by residents. [RA]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Stanley Martin is seeking to redevelop four 1980s office buildings on 1145 Herndon Parkway into a residential development.
The plan, which would require rezoning the 8.8-acre property, heads to Town of Herndon’s Planning Commission on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.. The proposal includes 85 townhouses and 56 stacked townhouses, which are also known as two-over-twos, along with 352 parking spaces.
The developer says the buildout of the project would be separated over “a relatively long period of time.” In the first phase of the project, Stanley Martin would retain one office building, which is home to a tenant on a long-term lease. In the second phase, the second office building will be redeveloped.
Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is planning, including a two-way cycle track and sidewalk along Herndon Parkway.
In an Oct. 5 report, the town’s staff indicated it is “keenly interested” in how the development would cater toward those earning within 60 to 100 percent of the Area Median Income, which is often referred to as the “missing middle” for housing affordability.
The town’s staff has not determined its decision on the project due to ongoing evaluation of engineering issues and the continuing Traffic Impact Analysis.
Image via handout/Fairfax County Government
Police have identified the name and age of a teen shot and killed on Sept. 17.
Ponce Garcia, 19, was found with multiple gunshot wounds overnight in the area of Colts Neck Road and Glade Drive.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity was released by the Fairfax County Police Department today (Friday) after next of kin were notified.
The investigation is ongoing and detectives continue to process evidence and conduct interviews.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact FCPD using the following methods:
This remains an active investigation and detectives are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact them at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.
Reston-based Company Lands Huge Contract — “The U.S. Army awarded Reston-based Fortune 100 defense contractor General Dynamics Corp.’s land systems division a potential five-year, $1.22 million contract.” [Virginia Business Monthly]
Committee to Discuss Local Transportation — Reston Association’s Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committees opening the floor fr comment from residents about the state of transportation in Reston. The meeting is set for Oct. 8 via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. [Reston Association]
Traditional Trick-or-Treating Not Recommended by County — “Fairfax County government and the health department will recommend against traditional trick-or-treating but will not cancel it altogether. The county’s guidance is in line with the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for Halloween and other fall activities.” [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Fickr
A dense fog advisory is in effect for most of the area until 11 a.m. today (Friday).
Here’s more from the National Weather Service:
* WHAT…Visibility one-quarter or less in dense fog.
* WHERE…Portions of central, northern and northeastern
Virginia.
* WHEN…Until 11 AM EDT this morning.
* IMPACTS…Hazardous driving conditions due to low visibility.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Please reduce your speed and allow yourself additional distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
NWS encourages residents to use their headlines if driving and leave plenty of distance between vehicles.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
With more residents spending time at home, local and regional nonprofits are being a surge in drop-off donations.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, The Closet of Greater Herndon, a nonprofit organization in the Town of Herndon, has seen a spike in the number of cars arriving with items to donate to its store.
To meet growing demand in an efficient manner, The Closet has launched a new donation and drop-off center.
The center was constructed in collaboration with HomeAid Northern Virginia, which builds and renovates homeless shelters and supportive housing facilities.
“This is a different project than perhaps what is ‘typical’ for our work with HomeAid,” said Jack Gallagher, division president, Mid-Atlantic region, for Richmond American Homes. “But The Closet is a partner organization in need of construction support, and their general mission is well aligned with the same community we serve.”
Here’s more from The Closet on the project:
Led by HomeAid Northern Virginia, construction of the donation center was already fortuitously underway when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, closing the store and slowing the construction process. Through deliberative and creative coordination, HANV worked with its building partners to deploy small crews of essential construction workers at different time intervals to move the project forward. The opening of the new donation center was ultimately (if not intentionally) well-timed to “the great decluttering.”
The uptick in donated items expands the ability of The Closet to support local Northern Virginia nonprofits. Founded by local churches/faith-based organizations 25+ years ago, The Closet’s profits supports local organizations such as Shelter House, Cornerstones, Fellowship Square, and Helping Hungry Kids. The Closet also provide clothing and other household goods free to families and individuals referred from several Fairfax County public and private human service agencies, as well as awards annual scholarship grants to select students from five area schools in Fairfax and Loudoun counties (South Lakes, Herndon, Oakton, Park View & Mountain View High Schools).
The architecture of the structure draws inspiration from the Town of Herndon’s railroad history and the Washington & Old Dominion railroad, which is just steps away from the facility.
Photos via The Closet
Reston Residents Enjoy Small Town Feel — Restonians interviewed by The Connection said that they love the small town, community connection in Reston. The interviews were conducted at the Reston Farmers Market. [The Connection]
Local Resident Charged in Connection with Assault — Omar Alexander Ayala Molina, 42, of Herndon was charged with aggravated assault, robbery, and gang participation in connection with the assault of two victims. The incident happened on Sept. 5 on the 1100 block of Elden Street. [Town of Herndon]
Herndon Man Accused of DUI in Reston Crash — “Fairfax County Police arrested a Herndon man Monday night in connection with a single-vehicle crash in Reston, according to 2nd Lt. Erica Webb of FCPD’s Public Affairs Bureau. Public safety personnel responded around 8:27 p.m., for the report of a crash near the intersection of Reston Avenue and Wiehle Avenue.” [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A malfunctioning surge protector caused a townhouse fire in the 2400 block of Pyrenees Court in Reston, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature.
The incident happened a little before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Smoke alarms alerted two occupants about the fire in the bedroom.
Officials estimate the fire caused $18,750 in damages. No injuries were reported.
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to bring a long-awaited traffic light to the intersection of Fox Mill and Pincecrest Roads.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the board approved a resolution that authorizes a partnership to install a light signal and construct left-turn lanes in the intersection.
The intersection has been the site of 38 accidents in the past five years and has drawn concern from residents due to lack of safety.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said he looks forward to the completion of the project.
“This has been a while coming but it is here,” he said.
Preliminary engineering for the project is expected to cost $900,00, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. That phase is expected to begin in the fall.
The county will likely be responsible to pay $4.8 million for the right-of-way and construction phases of the project. But additional sources of funding may reduce out-of-pocket costs from the county’s coffers.
Image via Google Maps
Reston Association’s biannual Approach Roadshow typically allows patrons to uncover treasures already in their possession during an in-person event.
This year’s treasure hunt experience will go virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Residents will get the change to present one valuable such as jewelry, coins, porcelain, artwork and heirlooms.
Appraisal experts will offer facts and information on the item, its worth and what can be done with it. Participants should email a photo of their item to [email protected]. Private appointments with experts are also possible.
The event takes place on Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to noon. Members pay $14 while all others pay $16. Registration is open online.
Photo via Reston Association
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering a move to allow closed or partially-closed tents for outdoor dining in Fairfax County as temperatures continue to dip in the coming weeks.
At a board meeting on Tuesday, Board Chairman Jeff McKay proposed an emergency ordinance that would allow restaurants and fitness businesses to set up the tents.
“This is an important step we can take to safely help our local restaurants through this difficult time,” McKay wrote.
Currently, restaurants and fitness businesses are allowed to use outdoor areas, including portions of parking lots and sidewalks. That ordinance is set to expire six months after the county’s state of emergency ends.
A public hearing on the matter is set for Oct. 20.
Today, I asked that the Board to authorize a public hearing to extend the ordinance and to allow tents to be partially or completely closed to help as weather cools. This is an important step we can take to safely help our local restaurants through this difficult time. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/nmZ7DBuXde
— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) September 29, 2020
Photo via Melissa Walker Horn/Unsplash
Public Safety Input Set Set for Today — Fairfax County public safety officials will hold an input session today at 6:30 p.m. Residents and organizations will offer testimony on various public safety issues. [Fairfax County Government]
Urbanist Issues in Town of Herndon Elections — Silver Line development issues are at the forefront of what most candidates are talking about, including two candidates running for mayor and eight candidates running for all of the six seats on the council. [Greater Greater Washington]
Cool Green Bags of Food for the Need — “Sixty-one volunteers will be fanning out over Northern Virginia this Saturday with one simple mission — to pick up green bags packed with food donations to help people experiencing food insecurity.” [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association’s Environmental Advisory Committee is in the process of developing a pilot program that will encourage local restaurants to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
The voluntary program is currently in the planning stages by the committee, according to a recent news release by RA.
With the program in the background, the committee hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of using single-use plastics, which are made from petrochemicals and are made to be used once. Examples include bottles, straws, plastic cutlery, and bags.
Here’s more from RA on the issue:
By 2050, plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish, according to sources cited by the EAC. Single-use plastic comes at a steep price to the environment, which we will be paying for millennia. For example, a single plastic bottle can take 450 years to degrade.
The Green Education Foundation offers a number of tips on how to use less plastic. They include refraining from using plastic straws, particularly in restaurants. The foundation also recommends reusable produce bags for grocery shoppers. Plastic bags can take 1,000 years to degrade.
Details on the pilot program will be released on the program has launched, according to RA.
