Before we head off into the first 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.

1. Men Armed with Machete Attempt to Rob Exxon in Reston
2. JUST IN: Trader Joe’s in Reston is Closed after Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
3. Fairfax County Officials: Report Spotted Lanternfly Intel
4. Bicyclist Robbed on W&OD Trail over Fairfax County Parkway
5. COVID-19 Cases Jump by More than 100 Overnight in 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.

Image via Google Maps

A fire broke out earlier this afternoon in apartments on the 11400 block of North. Shore Drive.

Crews quickly worked to control the fire, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The fire was contained to an apartment unit.

Units currently on scene of an apartment fire in the 11400 block of North Shore Drive in Reston area. Small fire in apartment. Fire is out. Crews working to remove smoke. No reported injuries. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/0JL3xYpzk0

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 10, 2020

Updated at 6:30 p.m. —Fairfax County announced this afternoon that the number of cases totals 778 and there have been 19 deaths.

Earlier: The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the county more than doubled for the first time in more than a week.

Eleven more people in Fairfax County have died from the novel coronavirus, according to information released by the county yesterday (Thursday).

That brings the total number of deaths in the county to 16. As of today (Friday), there are 777 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, up from 690 yesterday.

All individuals who died from the illness were above the age of 50.

In the state, 121 people have died from the respiratory disease and there are a little over 4,500 cases.

This week, the growth rate of cases has increased in comparison to the previous week.

Data from Virginia Department of Health

Pools operated by Reston Association will not open in May, as originally scheduled, due to the current stay-at-home order issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.

In a statement released yesterday (Wednesday), RA said aquatics, programs, events and other pool-related activities “will not be rescheduled at his time.” The association expects to have more information on the situation around June 10.

For now, the association is assuming that pools will reopen sometime this summer. Pre-season maintenance projects are underway.

But RA cautioned that it may take three weeks or more to reopen its facilities from the time restrictions on gatherings and social distancing are lifted.

“Supply chains we rely on for chemicals and pool equipment may be interrupted. In addition, proper training, orientations for staff and other safety measures will need to be in place before any of our pools can resume operations,” RA said.

RA did not immediately respond to a request from Reston Now on how the delayed openings will impact pool passes.

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Trader Joe’s in Reston has temporarily closed for precautionary sanitation due to coronavirus concerns, the grocery store’s manager told Reston Now.

The manager stated that the store will be closed until further notice in order for personnel to conduct deep cleaning of the entire Reston location.

An employee, who last present at the store on April 6, tested positive for the virus

Here’s more from the company:

At Trader Joe’s, there is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our Crew Members and customers. We believe in being proactive and transparent in addressing issues, and we value information and clear communication. With this in mind, we have temporarily closed some stores related to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, including for additional precautionary cleaning and sanitization. We have made sure all Crew Members at the respective locations have been informed and understand the steps to take to best safeguard the health of their communities. While a store is closed, Trader Joe’s pays all Crew Members for their scheduled shifts.

It is unclear when the business will reopen, but the move is expected to be temporary. The business is located at 11958 Killingsworth Avenue.

“We should be open soon,” the manager said.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County continues to increase at a faster rate in the county.

According to state data released this morning, the number of cases jumped from 570 yesterday (Wednesday) to 690 overnight. The highest percent increase of cases was reported this week.

Fairfax County continues to have the most number of cases in the state. Overall, more than 33,000 people have been tested and nearly 4,042 cases have been confirmed. So far, 109 people have died.

The county’s health department cannot provide more geographic information about cases beyond the county level due to privacy laws.

“We believe that all geographic areas of Fairfax County currently are at risk fo disease transmission,” the health department wrote in a statement.

Data via Virginia Department of Health

Wind Advisory In Effect Today — A wind advisory is in effect for today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The National Weather Service encourages caution while driving. Outdoor objects should also be secured. [National Weather Service]

A Request for Local Businesses — The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is conducting an online survey to determine how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting local businesses. Responses are due by tomorrow (Friday) at 5 p.m. [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

Reston Shop Donates Dresses to Coronavirus Responders — Scout & Molly’s in Reston Town Center is donating dresses to frontline responders. When a customer purchases a dress online, the store will donate a dress of equal or lesser value. [Reston Patch]

Northam Pushes Elections Back — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam pushed elections back due to the COVID-19 crisis. The state’s June 9 congressional primary has been delayed by two weeks to June 23. [WTOP]

School Board to Discuss Budget Today — The Fairfax County Public Schools’ board will meet at 10 a.m. today to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the school system’s budget. [Twitter]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

For the last 55 years, Restonians have celebrated Founder’s Day in the spring to celebrate the birthday of Reston’s founder Bob Simon.

The Reston Historic Trust & Museum, which hosts the annual celebration and community gathering, has canceled this year’s event.

As a stay-at-home order remains in effect ad gatherings are limited to less than 10 people, Lake Anne Plaza will not be busy with activities, a moon bounce, exhibits and performances.

“We are very sorry for the disruption, and, like you, we hope life will return to normal sometime soon. In the interim, be safe and be kind,” the museum wrote on its website.

The museum will remain closed through June. But executive director Alex Campbell said that the organization is pushing out new online resources and content.

On Monday mornings, the museum posts tidbits of history in a series called #museumfromhome. Residents can also take advantage of kids’ activities, artifact collections, online history books, and an online exhibit.

Campbell said that the organization is adjusting its budget to remain financially stable.

“We are hopeful we can still engage with the community during our big fundraisers: the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta and Reston Home Tour.”

Founder’s Day is made possible with support from Reston Community Center and co-sponsorship by Public Art Reston.

The death of a loved one typically defies all social distancing norms for family and friends who wish to offer condolences and mourn.

But as the coronavirus public health crisis continues to unfold, local residents are adapting to new ways of mourning.

At Chestnut Grove Cemetery, a 35-acre historic cemetery in the Town of Herndon, pallbearers now carry the casket to the grave as family and loved ones watch the burial service far from the area. Official graveside services are suspended.

The Adams-Green Funeral Home, a family-owned business that is nearing its 20th anniversary with new owners next month, owners Chris and Kathryn Adams are taking things day by day.

“The biggest change has been that families are not able to have the time of healing that they need,” Chris Adams told Reston Now.

To comply with state orders, services are limited to less than 10 people. The funeral home recently began offering live services and webcasting, thanks to equipment the small business happened to purchase prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some families have opted for immediate creative services in hopes of setting a memorial service at a later date when large groups can gather to mourn and offer support.

That often means closure may be months away.

The funeral home is also operating with fewer staff in case one or more staff members get infected. Adams and other staff members conduct family briefings and one-on-one sessions with clients while wearing a fabric mask. Staff is also stepping up cleaning and infecting practices as more requests for services pour in.

“I never thought I would interact with a family like that in a mask,” he said. “And I’ve been in this business for more than 30 years.”

Adams hopes business will return to normal as the 20th anniversary of the funeral home approaches next month. He bought the business nearly 20 years ago, although it officially opened in 1885.

As guidelines and policies on social distancing and COVID-19 continue to evolve, the funeral home is taking operations on a day-by-day basis.

“We’re always hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.”

Image via Town of Herndon; Adams-Green Funeral Home

Like other jurisdictions across the country, the Town of Herndon is shifting to essential and core services, according to town manager Bill Ashton.

At an online Herndon Town Council meeting yesterday (Tuesday), Ashton said that the town ‘s top priority is continuing essential services like police, water and sewer, road networks, and public safety.

“Our focus has been on the continuity of core services throughout this crisis and beyond so that we have the ability to serve the community,” he said.

The town is encouraging staff to telework when possible. Staff who must interact directly with the public are practicing social distancing measures and taking protective measures.

“We just want to make sure that we are staffed to meet these needs,” Ashton said.

The town has also suspended hiring unless related to public safety and frozen capital expenditures unrelated to grant-funded projects. Private home visits are also restricted unless they are related to public safety. A moratorium is in effect on overtime as well.

The council is also considering plans to delay real estate tax due date to August 28 and delay transit occupancy taxes for hotels

Photo via Town of Herndon/Facebook

Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill is pitching major revisions to his budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The revised budget, which was released yesterday evening, eliminates a proposed three-cent tax rate increase and fee increases across-the-board in order to relieve pressure on the county’s taxpayers. Hill’s proposal also shifts spending to essential services only and removes all salary increases.

No net increase in the county’s revenues is expected.

The proposal maintains funding increases for the county’s health department the school’s health programs, as well as coordination for programs for those with developmental disabilities, and IT infrastructure for the November elections.

Roughly $9.6 million will be set aside in reserve funds to address the pandemic, in addition to eight new positions in the health department to address the county’s response.

“Protecting the jobs and current pay levels of the county’s existing employees continues to be of utmost importance as we progress through these challenging times,” Hill wrote in a letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Hill cautioned that uncertainty about the extent of the economic downtown complicates the budget process.

“At this time, we are unsure how long the current economic downturn will last as we do not yet know how long it will take for our country to begin to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

The county expects next year’s general fund revenues will rest at the 2020 level of $4.5 billion. This estimate assumes that the health crisis is over by July and that gradual recovery prompts the resumption of economic activity, according to the county.

Major hits to revenue streams like the sales tax, transit occupancy tax, and business occupancy tax are also expected. These losses are expected to offset an expected real estate tax revenue increase of 3.7 percent or $107.4 million. Hill said it was unlikely the state would be able to absorb the impact of revenue losses without adjusting allocations to local jurisdictions.

Here’s how revenue streams could be impacted:

• Personal property tax: Decrease of $9.5 million or 1.5 percent
• Sales tax: Decrease of $26.7 million or 13.5 percent
• Transient occupancy tax: Decrease of $7 million or 30 percent
• Business, professional and occupational licenses: Decrease of $17.2 million or 10 percent
• Land development services building and inspection fees: Decrease of $4.2 million or 10 percent
• Interest on investments: Decrease of $36.7 million or 62.6 percent

Fairfax County Public Schools will receive 0.3 percent more than last year’s budget, a fraction of the previously proposed 3.65 percent increase.

Residents can provide testimony on the budget via video, phone or online for upcoming budget hearings, which are rescheduled to April 28-30. The county board is expected to adopt the budget on May 12, after a mark-up meeting on May 5.

“As Fairfax County finds itself in a different reality, we will need to think about changes that may be necessary to maintain our premier status. Our future may be leaner, and will certainly be more efficient, as we use different tools to provide the services that are needed for our community,” Hill said.

Alcorn to Host Virtual Budget Town Hall Today — Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn is hosting a town hall today form 7-9 p.m. on the updated budget. Christina Jackson, the county’s budget director, will join Alcorn during the meeting via Crowdcast. [Crowdcast]

Fairfax Connector Scales Back Service — The county’s transportation department is reducing service on several routes due to reduced ridership. Changes will go into effect on Saturday, April 11. [Fairfax County Government]

Hold on to Your Yard Waste — The county is strongly discouraging from taking their yard waste to the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill in order to allow employees to focus on collecting trash and encouraging social distancing. [Fairfax County Government]

New Grocery Store Changes — Harris Teeter and Giant will limit the number of shoppers in their stores. Giant is also implementing one-way aisles. [Washington Business Journal, WTOP]

Photo by Marjorie Copson

Charges are pending against two men who police believe attempted to rob an Exxon gas station in Reston on Monday (April 6).

Police believe that two men, who have not been identified, threatened a gas station employee with a machete and demanded cash at the Exxon on 11808 Baron Cameron Avenue. The employee was able to take control of the weapon.

The men attempted to escape but were found after a helicopter-assisted search.

The Fairfax County Police Department says that charges are pending “further investigation.”

Image via Google Maps

The number of unemployment claims in Fairfax County skyrocketed last month, according to the most recent unemployment numbers.

Claims jumped from a mere 145 the week of March 14 to 4,345 the following week. As of March 28, that number ballooned to 12,109 claims. The latest numbers offer a glimpse into the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as thousands of county residents lose their jobs.

The county’s unemployment insurance claims data are similar to the statewide picture. The number of claims filed during the week ending on March 28 was 110,397 higher than the comparable 2019 week, representing a 5,000 percent increase.

The Virginia Employment Commission says initial claims measure the clear economic impact of the COVID-19 virus. Although many areas are reporting layoffs in service-related industries like accommodation and food services, the commission notes that there are indications that layoffs “are bordering to affect a wider range of industries.”

Photo by Evan Wise/Unsplash; Map via Virginia Employment Commission