Duck Donuts is getting closer to opening in the Reston-Herndon area.

The popular Outer Banks doughnut shop is expanding in Virginia. It hopes to have the store at 300 Elden St. (in the former Milwaukee Custard space) open by the end of April, according to its Facebook page.

Crew have been busy renovating the storefront, and over the weekend the big Duck Donuts sign was put in place.

Duck Donuts began as a family-run operation in, of course, Duck, N.C. It later expanded to nearby Kill Devil Hills and Corolla.

Recently, it has been offering franchise opportunities, and Virginia outposts are planned for Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, as well as Herndon. Duck Donuts announced in December it was heading for the area.

Photo Credit: Duck Donuts via Facebook

Reston Association will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, April 21 (6 p.m. at Brown’s Chapel) to answer questions about the planned purchase of the Tetra Building.

RA announced in January it wants to purchase the building at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave. The 3.48-acre property, which features a 3,128-square-foot-building and parking, sits on Lake Newport and served for 20 years as Reston’s Visitors Center.

The 32-year-old building is currently owned by Tetra Partners, a commercial real estate company, as serves as its office space. It is currently zoned convenience center and an addition of more than 6,900 square feet would be permitted to be added if a business bought it.

RA wants to use the building for community and recreational space in general and camp programs, after school care and classroom space in particular. It also forecasts revenue of more than $100,000 annually from event rentals such as weddings, parties and corporate retreats.

RA has put in a conditional contract on the property for up to $2.65 million, but the price could change based on repairs (including a new HVAC, roof and water damage) that need to be done per a recent inspection.

Fairfax County’s most recent tax assessment values the land and building at $1.2 million. RA says in its fact sheet on the purchase that the assessment is different than an appraisal value of $2.65 million, which looks at the “highest and best use of the property.”

The purchase plan needs votes from a member referendum to proceed. The referendum begins April 13 and will run through May 8.

At the meeting, RA staff will address current zoning of the site vs. RA preferred zoning; potential community recreational uses and interior renovations; conditional contract and appraisals; and the building condition based on property inspections, both from Criterium Engineers and RA Covenants administration.

RA members will have a chance to vote on the referendum at the meeting.

Meanwhile, RA has added more information on the building to its Tetra page on the RA website. Among the new files: zoning information, Criterium Engineering’s property condition report, and renderings of past restaurant proposal, which features a large addition overlooking Lake Newport.

Also, a group of Tetra purchase opponents have started a blog called Say No To Tetra and a Twitter feed StopTetraNow!

(Updated Wednesday 3 p.m. to remove legal background info and add quotes from Hunter Mill Golf Park owner)

Hunter Mill Golf Park has closed its doors.

The driving range located at 1627 Hunter Mill Rd. on the Reston-Vienna line, actually quietly locked its gates in late January. But with the arrival of spring in recent weeks, the spot has been missed by are golfers looking to hit a couple buckets of balls at the large (100 tees) range.

The back half of the property was sold years ago to Oakcrest School, a private girls school, to build a new campus adjacent to the golf park site. Construction began over the winter and the new school should open in 2016, according to its website.

It took Oakcrest more than three years — from 2010 to 2014 — to gain Fairfax County approval for alternate access to the school via a driveway on Crowell Road.

Hunter Mill Golf Park had been in business since 1995. Its owner, John Thoburn, made news in 2001 when he was fined and eventually jailed, he said, for zoning violations including not planting enough shrubs and for selling illegal snack foods.

“I was surprised we stayed in business as long as we did,” Thoburn said on Wednesday. He said he had issues with county zoning and with neighbors for years, which made it hard to operate his business.

“I would have liked to have put netting up on the driving range,” he said. “[The county] turned us down on mini golf and on a par-3, 9-hole course. It costs $7 round-trip [on the Dulles Toll Road from the Beltway] to come here and hit a $10 bucket of balls. “

Meanwhile, the closing of the golf park is the latest in a series of golf news in and around Reston. Woody’s Golf Range in Herndon recently announced it would close in the fall. RN Golf Management, the owners of Reston National Golf Course will also find out next week whether their zoning appeal is approved.

RN Golf’s appeal was in response to a 2012 inquiry it made with the county, asking if the 166-acre public course can be considered residential. The county maintains its is open and recreational space and should remain so.

Photo: Hunter Mill Golf Park/Courtesy Yelp

A Fairfax County Public Library spokesman said claims that library employees are being censored are coming from one employee upset that an intraoffice blog now has moderated comments.

“We support freedom of opinion and free speech,” said Mary Mulrenan, marketing director for the FCPL system. “No one here would ever support censorship.”

Earlier this week, the Fairfax Library Advocates distributed an email to supporters that said library administration was censoring contributions and comments to its “FCPL in the News” blog that were critical of library administration. FLA said “this is wrong and fundamentally against our basic beliefs in regard to freedom of thought and opinion.” The group also put up an online petition saying censorship has no place in the library system.

Mulrenan said the censorship accusations are the result of one employee upset that the blog now has moderators.

“This one employee’s posts were impairing other people from commenting,” she told Reston Now. “There were a lot of posts of a political nature. We have guidelines, such as you cannot post anonymously or of a political nature. So now the software is helping us stick to the guidelines.”

Meanwhile, Mulrenan said she appreciates FLA’s efforts in advocating for more money for libraries from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

The FLA is planning a rally Wednesday afternoon at the 2016 budget meetings at the Fairfax County Government Center.

The Advertised Fairfax County Budget for 2016 includes $27,612,745 for public libraries. The 2015 budget included an adopted budget amount of $27,828,497, but an additional $2 million was later allocated. Read a detailed explanation of the 2016 library and parks budget on Fairfax County’s website.

Mulrenan said the contracting library budget has affected the system in recent years. The system has  had to cut library hours, materials and staffing since 2008, she said. The FCPL has recently eliminated 14 positions by attrition, she added.

“Every agency in the county is facing budget cuts,” she said. “The library continues to take a cut and it hurts. I encourage people to advocate on the library’s behalf.”

Two people were hospitalized on Monday after they had an argument that ended with a stabbing on Monday, Fairfax County Police said.

Officers responded to a call for an injured person in the 12000 block of Waterside View Drive near Bennington Woods Road around 11 p.m. Monday.

Officers determined that the suspect and victim knew each other and had an argument. One individual was stabbed during the altercation, FCPD spokesman Lucy Caldwell said.

Both were transported to the hospital for treatment for their wounds, which were determined to be non-life threatening., said Caldwell.

“This does not appear to be a random incident as the two were acquainted with each other,” said Caldwell.

Charges may be pending against the subject, said Caldwell.

Casino Night For A Cause — The Reston Community Orchestra is hosting its Casino Night fundraiser Saturday at 7 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. Admission starts at $65 and includes food, a starter chip stack and entry for raffle prizes. [Reston Community Orchestra]

Big Acquisition for Maximus — Reston-based Maximus Inc. has completed its acquisition of Falls Church-based technology contractor. Maximus acquired the company for $300 million. [Washington Business Journal]

Ready For Ruling — Attorneys for citizens advocacy group Rescue Reston has submitted more than a dozen documents and pieces of evidence for the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals to take into consideration in advance of its April 15 ruling on Reston National Golf Course. [Rescue Reston]

Storm Still Having Impact in Fairfax County — County 911 operators will get new standards nearly three years after the Derecho that swept through Reston. [WTOP]

Photo: Bloodroot plants in Reston garden/Courtesy of Ken Plum

Fiedler, a search-and-rescue dog whose owner works at Fairfax County Fire Rescue Station 39 (North Point), has some big medical bills he needs to pay.

The dog suffered a bad leg injury in training last week and needed surgery to repair a hind leg and associated ligament damage.

Fiedler specializes in human remains detection. Under the contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, handlers are responsible for costs associated with their dog, said Stephen Haines, who, along with Fiedler’s owner, Sally Dickenson, is a technician at Station 39.

Haines has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money for Fiedler’s medical care. The surgery was successful and Fielder is expected to make a full recovery and return to duty, says Haines.

Wrote Haines on the fundraising page: “Fielder, a search-and-rescue K9 and my buddy, suffered a catastrophic injury during training on April 1st. He fell, hit a rock, and broke his leg, simultaneously disarticulating the joint. He may have to retire from searches.

His surgery was April 2nd and he is recovering. The bill for the operation will be around $5,000. I was hoping to help his owner with this expense if I could. This dog is a hero and has helped bring loved ones home many times, including several times for our military members. If you can help at all it would be appreciated, anything raised over this amount will be used for his rehab.”

Last year, Fielder was deployed to Oso, Wash., to look for mud slide victims. Fielder also went on a Department of Defense mission to Kyrgyzstan to help find a missing American airman’s remains following an aerial refueling tanker crash.

Photo: Fiedler/Courtesy Go Fund Me

The Fairfax County Park Authority is expected to vote on Wednesday in favor of the land deal that will clear the way for an indoor recreation center and other community space at the area known as Town Center North.

The park authority will hold a public hearing on the subject at 7:30 p.m. at the Herrity Building, at 12055 Government Center Parkway.

The 47-acre Reston Town Center North area is bounded by Baron Cameron Avenue, Fountain Drive, Town Center Parkway and Bowman Towne Drive.

The park authority deal involves a land swap between the county, the park authority and Inova.

The deal seeks “Conveyance of the Reston Towne Green property to the Board of Supervisors in consideration for a potential 2.6-acre urban Central Green; commitment to provide approximately 90,000 square feet of density for the indoor facility within one of the new urban blocks; and other items for consideration that may be advantageous to the Park Authority mission.”

The park authority’s plans call for a 90,000-square-foot recreation facility to be built on the same block as the new North County Government Center, which recently opened on Cameron Glen Drive.

The recreation center would be owned and operated by the park authority, however, officials still do not know who would pay to construct the building or how much the facility will cost.

Park Authority Board Chair Bill Bouie says the rec center would primarily be funded with bonds. There are two upcoming bonds to be voted on — an $87.7 million bond to be put to voters in 2016 and an $88 million bond on the ballot in 2020, said Bouie. He added the park authority would seek developer proffers to help pay for the facility. Typical proffers are around $800 per residential unit, he said. 

The Town Center North plan means the idea to build a new Reston Community Center at Baron Cameron Park, which had been discussed for more than two years, is pretty much dead. Bouie, who also serves on RCC’s Board of Governors, said he hopes RCC will be involved in the planning in order for Restonians to get top priority for facility use.

RCC officials said last year that Town Center North would be the only other good spot for such a facility because it is located close to other public facilities, is in the center of Reston growth and is easily accessible.

The Town Center North area is still about a mile from the future Reston Town Center Silver Line Metro station, which will open in late 2018.

Bouie said RCC will not be involved in the Town Center North plan “unless the RCC Board decides to partner with the park authority on programs that are needed to supplement offerings, especially swimming.”

If you wish to speak at the hearing you may sign up in advance by calling the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or via email at [email protected]. You may also sign up at the hearing. Organizations may have one official speaker for five minutes; individuals may testify for three minutes.

Have a question for the Fairfax County Police Chief about crime in Reston?

Then make plans to attend the FCPD Reston District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting on April 16 at 7 p.m.

Chief Ed Roessler will be attending the meeting to talk with the residents of the Reston District.

The meeting is at the new police headquarters building at 1801 Cameron Glen Dr. The new station is located directly next to the old station and parking is available on the street along Cameron Glen Drive.

The CAC is an open forum meeting to enhance communication between residents and the FCPD, police said.

Paolo’s Ristorante, a mainstay of Reston Town Center for two decades, will close for good Sunday night.

Capital Restaurant Group announced last month that the Reston Paolo’s will morph into a Mediterranean-themed spot. The Georgetown location will remain.

Paolo’s in Reston will become Neyla, which was formerly located at 3206 N St. in Georgetown. Neyla, also part of CRG, closed in August after 15 years at that location. The owners said at that time they were “actively looking for a new location for Neyla.”

Neyla was praised in Yelp reviews for its Lebanese food — as well as the belly dancing show.

Paolo’s employees said on Monday it will take about a month to make the changeover to the new concept.

Reston Town Center’s Mercury Fountain has scaffolding around it so it can undergo spring cleaning and maintenance.

After its spring scrub, the fountain will be ready for a big birthday.

There will be a celebration of the fountain’s 25th year on Wednesday, April 22 at 1 p.m.

The celebration, presented in conjunction with Reston Community Center, will feature live music and refreshments.

(Updated, Tuesday 3:43 p.m. with correction on date of rally).

Advocates for Fairfax County’s public libraries, who will be rallying at Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors’ 2016 budget hearing, say the library staff is censoring its employees.

While library budget cuts have been in the news for more than a year, the group, Fairfax Library Advocates, now says library administration is also preventing staffers from speaking freely about changes in the system on an employees-only blogs.

Fairfax Library Advocates said in an email to supporters:

There is no room for censorship in a public library system.

Despite this commonly held belief, library staff themselves are being censored here in Fairfax County. Staff have traditionally been encouraged to share any and all news about our library system with each other on the “FCPL In The News” site. Recently library administration has censored stories and comments that may seem negative toward the current administration. This is wrong and fundamentally against our basic beliefs in regard to freedom of thought and opinion.

Fairfax Library Advocates have joined a coalition dedicated to advocating around budget issues. Invest in Fairfax is a broad coalition of businesses, non-profits, human service providers and advocates dedicated to the proposition that Fairfax County, Virginia is an excellent place to live. Libraries are an essential part of Quality public services in Fairfax County. The members of the Invest In Fairfax Coalition believe that Excellence is at risk in our community.

The FLA is gathering in Rooms 2 and 3 between 4 and 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax. Several members will be speaking to the supervisors in support of quality libraries and services in Fairfax County.

The group also has a petition supporters can sign.

The Advertised Fairfax County Budget for 2016 includes $27,612,745 for public libraries.  The 2015 budget included an adopted budget amount of $27,828,497, but an additional $2 million was later allocated. Read a detailed explanation of the 2016 library and parks budget on Fairfax County’s website.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

If your dog barks late at night you and your neighbors complain, you could get a ticket under proposed new Fairfax County noise ordinance changes.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on Tuesday to authorize a public hearing on changes to the noise ordinance that will aim to guarantee residents a little peace and quiet at night.

The public hearing will be held May 12 at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. If approved, the changes will go into effect the next day.

Here are some of the changes county staff seeks to make:

Activities on School and Recreational Grounds — Advertise a decibel range of 60 to 72 dBA for limiting the maximum noise level for cumulative noise, when loudspeakers are used.

“People Noise” — Begin prohibition on noise that can be heard in residential districts (read: party noise) at 11:00 p.m. on weekends and the day before a holiday.

Dog Parks — Begin dog park hours at 8:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays. This may be good news to residents of Longwood Grove in Reston, who in 2014 filed an injunction against the dog park at Baron Cameron Park, saying the excessive noise begins at 5:30 a.m.

Animal Noise — Any owner or person in control of any animal that allows or otherwise permits any such animal to  bark, howl, bay, meow, squawk, quack, crow or make such other sound between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. that is plainly audible in any other residence with doors and windows closed could be in violation. There are exceptions and time rules. Read more details on the updated propoal.

Operation of Power Lawn Equipment — Permit the use of power lawn equipment, except leaf blowers, beginning at 5:30 a.m. for golf course maintenance when located more than 50 yards from a residence.

Trash Collection — No changes to current proposal.

Maximum Sound Levels — No changes to current proposal.

See all changes, exceptions and conditions in this chart from the county.

The county is seeking to use a proposed new Noise Ordinance to replace the current Noise Ordinance and the provisions that were put in place in 2013.

In late 2013, the supervisors adopted the Excessive Sound Generation in Residential Districts provisions that allowed police to ticket a resident with misdemeanor charges if neighbors complain about noise.

In early 2014, county staff presented the first draft of a new Noise Ordinance (Chapter 108.1 of the County Code) to a Board of Supervisors’ committee.

The county held a series of public hearings in 2014, and in February 2015 developed an updated draft noise ordinance amendment and summary chart and requested guidance on several issues.

Baron Cameron Dog Park/file photo

What’s missing from Market Street at Reston Town Center?

The Gap and Gap Kids closed at 11924 Market St. in late January, giving up prime real estate on town center’s main street.

There are renovations planned for the space, but current Fairfax County construction permits show it is for an “unknown tenant.”

What do you think would be a good fit for the space? Tell us in the comments.