Before we head off into another weekend with a stay-at-home order in effect, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
- COVID-19 Cases Continue Decline in Fairfax County as State Sees Uptick
- Restonian Opens Gluten-Free, Home-Based Bakery
- Peet’s Coffee Shutters Its Doors in Reston Town Center
- UPDATED: Reston Resident Shoots and Kills ‘Suspected Intruder’
- Madison Reed Opens in Reston Town Center
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.
Photo via Madison Reed
County officials are considering a plan to no longer dispatch police officers to non-violent incidents.
At a meeting earlier this week, Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn pushed the county to dispatch unarmed medical, mental health and human services workers for incidents involving mental and behavioral health issues. The proposal was unanimously approved by the board for consideration.
County staff will review the local dispatch and response system in order to “enhance our Diversion First strategies by implementing systems for the deployment of trained unarmed medical, human services, and mental health professionals in instances where mental and behavioral health are the principal reason for the call.”
The new system would model Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS), an approach adopted in Eugene, Oregon since 1989. The county will determine if a similar approach is suitable for Fairfax County based on potential initial costs, long-term budget savings, overall feasibility, and the expected impact on service.
The county’s Public Safety Committee will review the county’s findings and offer a recommendation to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors by Oct. 1.
Roughly 20 percent of calls that FCPD officers respond to are primarily related to mental and behavioral health crises.
In a board matter, Lusk noted that FCPD should “endeavor to be the smartest” and not only the “safest” jurisdiction of its size in the nation.
Currently, only 40 percent of county officers are trained in crisis intervention.
Body camera footage of a white Fairfax County firing a stun gun at a Black man in Gum Springs led Lusk and Alcorn to push for the board matter. Officer Tyler Timberlake shot La Monta Gladney with a stun gun and used his knee to hold him down. Gladney was speaking incoherently prior to the use of force incident as officers persuaded him to go to a detox center.
A copy of the board matter — without the motions — is below, after the jump.
Reston Association members may have noticed the organization’s website has reverted to a simpler platform.
The old website was taken down and replaced with a temporary platform, which offers members essential information, including board and advisory committee materials, parks and recreation information, and property owner sources.
Mike Leone, RA’s spokesman said, said the website was running on an “old website platform that is extremely outdated and unsupported.”
RA’s IT director asked that the website be taken down in order to facilitate the transition. Leone expects to have some content on the site back today (Friday).
More updates will be gradually implemented over the course of the coming week, he said.
Image via RA
Local police are investigating reports of multiple gunshots in the Town of Herndon shortly after midnight today (Friday).
Officers found several cabins in the area of Grace Street and Fortnightly Boulevard. There were no reports of injuries or damage to property, according to the Herndon Police Department.
“The case is under investigation and appears to be an isolated incident,” HPD wrote in a statement.
Anyone with information should call the department’s non-emergency line at 703-435-6846.
Photo via HPD
Herndon Man Arrested in Assault Case — Davon Anthony Perry, 22, of Herndon was charged with aggravated assault, brandishing a firearm and destruction of property after he turned himself in. Police believe Perry shot a woman he knew with a BB gun multiple times. [Herndon Police Department]
Virtual Career Fairs Connect Job Seekers — “Despite the pandemic, Northern Virginia’s robust job market remains strong–with more than 60,000 job openings in the region, including 34,000 in Fairfax County. But interviewing and hiring can be a challenge because of social-distancing protocols in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) has stepped in with virtual job fairs that connect job-seekers with companies that cannot hold in-person events.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
Second Summer Set Down End in Sight — “Metro tells ABC7 work is going faster than expected at some of the nine stations that shut down this summer as part of its second ‘summer shutdown.’In addition to the entire Silver Line, Metro shut down four Orange Line stations in Virginia back on Memorial Day weekend. The Orange Line stations were shut down in order to do platform reconstruction work.” [WJLA]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
After several deferrals, a proposal for a new cell tower at Herndon High School cleared the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
At a meeting Wednesday night, the commission unanimously voted in favor of the project. Milestone Tower Limited Partnership plans to build a 114-foot monopole and other equipment for the facility, which could be blocked off by an eight-foot-tall fence. The facility is expected to improve cell phone coverage for Sprint customers.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Ulfelder said that Milestone’s latest proposal addresses some concerns raised by residents at public hearings earlier this year.
Ulfelder said he believes the changes, which were reviewed by staff last month, are adequate. He added that he was unsure critics would be happy with project unless it was completely withdrawn.
Milestone submitted several revisions earlier this year, which the county’s staff recommended for approval in an addendum to their initial report.
The project heads to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a vote later this month.
Photo via Sprint
Background Checks on Gun Sales — “A Virginia judge has ruled that most of the state’s new law requiring background checks on all gun sales does not violate constitutional rights, except for a wrinkle that effectively bans people between the ages of 18 and 21 from buying handguns.” [Inside NoVa]
Free COVID-19 Testing in Herndon — The Fairfax County Health Department is offering free testing on Thursday, July 23 at Holly Cross Lutheran Church in Herndon from 2-8 p.m. Various time slots are available. No doctor referral is needed and identification is not necessary. [Fairfax County Health Department]
Slower Sales for Scout & Molly’s in Reston — “Like many small business owners, Jane Abraham has had to make some hard decisions this year due to the coronavirus pandemic just to try and keep her business afloat. Abraham and her daughter, Betsy, own and operate two Scout & Molly’s dress franchises, one at Reston Town Center and the other at Ballston Quarter in Arlington. When Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered all non-essential businesses to close in March, Abraham was forced to lay off her four employees.” [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Dulles Toll Road Revenue is Down — “The Dulles Toll Road generated just under $8.45 million last month, roughly half of what it pulled in during June 2019, according to documents issued by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority ahead of its upcoming board meeting.” [Washington Business Journal]
Neighbor to Neighbor Program Serves 100th Resident — “The Fairfax County Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) Shopping Program just served its 100th resident! Thanks to the overwhelming dedication and effort of the Fairfax County Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue volunteer personnel, the program proudly announces that it has reached this milestone.” [Fairfax County Government]
UPDATE: One person has died from injuries sustained in the Walker Rd crash. Follow our blog for more info: https://t.co/kqhVbluBkV https://t.co/jMtBB9J73X
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) July 14, 2020
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A new shop selling cannabidiol, a natural remedy commonly known as CBD, has officially opened its doors in the Town of Herndon.
Root Source CBD opened last week at 1108 Herndon Parkway. The store — which has another location in Falls Church — offers products that are infused with CBD, including edibles, beverages, topicals, tincture oil, vape cartridges and smokeable hemp flower.
CBD is a chemical compound called cannabidiol, which can be extracted from marijuana or hemp.
Here’s more from what the company told Reston Now on why they chose the Town of Herndon for a CBD spot:
We chose Herndon because we love the tight-knit feel of the community, its surrounding area and what it has to offer. It’s an area that is continuing to grow. It provides a diverse mix of businesses, families and young professionals. We felt we could have a positive outreach here allowing us to promote the benefits of CBD for improved health and well being in people’s lives.
The store opened on Thursday, July 9.
Photos via Root Source CBD
Motorists may see some congestion relief at a busy intersection in Herndon.
The Virginia Department of Transportation added a new left-turn lane at the intersection of Frying Pan Road and Sunrise Valley Drive in Herndon.
The improvement, which cost roughly $24,000, makes it easier for drivers coming from Route 28 to turn onto Sunrise Valley Drive. Previously, the road had two left-turn lanes.
Roughly 41,000 vehicles travel through this intersection daily, according to VDOT.
Photo via VDOT
While construction is underway for Aslin Beer Co.’s new location in the Town of Herndon, the company will go before the Town of Herndon’s Heritage Preservation Review Board tomorrow (Wednesday).
The company is seeking to revise exterior updates, which were previously approved, to the new location at 765 Elden Street.
In a July 10 memo, Town of Herndon staff voiced concerns about exterior materials being used on the site. The memo notes that the cladding proposed for the site is more simplified than originally planned.
“There is concern regarding the durability of this material. The mock-up already has chips along the edges,” the memo states.
However, staff said they had no problem with the following requested changes:
Reduce the height of the second story portion of the CMU screen wall, which would exceeds the capabilities of the existing and proposed structural footings.
Remove the 8′ tall roof terrace screen on the southerly portion of the west elevation and on the south elevation. This screen was implemented in the original design as a safety feature for a previous bocce court on the roof deck that is no longer feasible due to the floor plan changes approved through HPRB #19-02. The roof terrace screen will be replaced with the cable railing specified for other areas of the roof deck of the last approved design.
The second-floor stairwell near the front of the building was extended several feet closer to the front façade to accommodate a larger landing and meet code required clearances.
The HPRB will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Herndon Council Chambers building (765 Lynn Street).
Photo via Town of Herndon
An online petition created by two Fairfax County Public Schools graduates is calling on the school system to improve its Black history curricula.
Tyler Hensen and Rachel Murphy, who are both graduates from 2012, launched the change.org petition, which states that the school system’s curricula are insufficient to address “systemic racism.”
Here’s more from the petition, which has gained 804 signatures so far:
FCPS has played an important role in providing a safe and encouraging place for us to grow as students and world citizens. We have each had our lives positively impacted by the care of hardworking teachers and staff who opened our minds to a range of issues, fields, and passions. In a school system that is home to students who speak over 200 languages, FCPS prides itself on the racial and cultural diversity of its students and staff. However, there is a deficiency in our classrooms regarding education on issues of structural, institutional, individual, and systemic racism. Thus, we are calling for action to be made in the existing curricula and culture, for this action to be overseen by a committee that is responsible and responsive to all stakeholders in the County, and a public statement released by the FCPS School Board committing to lasting change.
We know that this proposal is the beginning of an ongoing conversation between our administration, community, and student body. The basis of justice, equity, and change begins with a properly educated and informed generation. We propose a list of tangible actions which are available to be read here.
In a recent statement, FCPS said teachers are working hard to improve the social studies curriculum:
A group of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) teachers have been collaborating with colleagues from five other Virginia school districts to create a social studies curriculum that presents diverse perspectives and challenges students to critically examine materials, events, and institutions for bias, identity, and multiple perspectives. The new curriculum will be available to students in grades 3, 4, 6, 7, and 11 as soon as this fall.
Beginning in 2018 under the umbrella of the Virginia Inquiry Collaborative, FCPS teachers worked with colleagues from Albemarle County, Virginia Beach City, and Charlottesville, and later Madison County and Powhatan County Schools, to collaborate aroundcurriculum development designed for use across Virginia, beginning with a focus on fourth grade Virginia Studies.
According to a WUSA 9 report, the students said they believe their understanding of slavery and racism represents a “tremendous deficiency in the understanding that we are then released into the world as young adults with this really deficient understanding of how we are perpetuating a problem.”
They want the new curricula to emphasize the historical impact of Black leaders, writers, artists, and thinkers.
The petition also calls on FCPS to create a committee that oversees the implementation of “anti-racism” into the curricula and culture.
Photo via Sam Balye/Unsplash
Public Comment Sought for Reaccreditation Process — The Town of Herndon’s police department is seeking public comment on the department’s ability to meet with established accreditation standards. [Herndon Police Department]
Reservations Relocated for Golf Course Island — All reservations for Golf Course Island pool are being relocated to Tall Oaks pool as repairs are being completed. All reservation holders will be notified via email. [Reston Association]
FCPD Switches to Weekly Roundup — The department was pivoted from a daily roundup of crime incidents to a weekly roundup, which will be posted on Friday afternoons. [FCPD]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Madison Reed opened in Reston Town Center over the weekend.
The color bar welcomed visitors to its new location on Saturday. It was expected to open in June but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a company spokesperson told Reston Now.
Clients are being spaced every other chair and appointments are being staggered to allow for cleanings.
Patrons can book appointments in advance and will get texted-in to their appointments once they check-in. Walk-ins for retail purchases are welcome.
Two other locations are also opening over the weekend in Tysons and Rockville.
“After everything that has happened in the world, to be able to have these openings to serve our clients now seems even more special–we’re thrilled with our new homes, ” said Amy Errett, founder, and CEO of Madison Reed.
The openings come as growth for the brand balloons.
“During the peak of the pandemic, Madison Reed saw its new customers increase dramatically to 12X pre-COVID-19 levels, even as its Color Bars closed,” according to a press release.
Catherine Douglas Moran contributed reporting to this story
Photo via Madison Reed
Peet’s Coffee has permanently closed its doors a little over one year after opening in Reston Town Center, according to a company spokesperson.
The Reston location, which is tucked away by the Signature Apartments (11830 Freedom Drive) failed to meet the company’s business expectations.
Here’s more from the coffeehouse chain on the closure:
We deeply value the relationships we have built with our customers over the many years of operating at our Reston location and we, too, are sad to permanently close this location.
As part of any retail business, it’s important that we continually evaluate our current markets and make adjustments to ensure profitable, long-term growth. After our assessment for the Reston location, we’ve decided to focus on our best-performing stores and close those that haven’t met our business expectations. While this is not an easy decision, it’s critical that we continually evaluate our fleet to effectively manage resources.
The location opened in March last year.
File photo
