Scam Alert — The Herndon Police Department is advising residents of an ongoing scam where the caller claims to be collecting money for back taxes, and threatens arrest if the taxes and fines are not paid. In a recent calls the scam artist used a technique known as “caller ID spoofing” to make it appear the call is coming from the Herndon Police Department or another law enforcement agency. [Herndon Police]

New Kids’ Area At Dulles — Dulles International Airport has a new “Fun Way” kids play area. The Fun Way is now open in Concourse B, near gate B70. There are climbing attractions inspired by aviation-themed structures, including “Tommy Tower,” modeled after Dulles International’s air traffic control tower. [Dulles International Airport]

Kudos For Fairfax Search & Rescue Team — Members of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s VATF1-USA1 were honored last week with the prestigious Ben Franklin Award for Valor from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). These members were recognized for their heroic actions during the Nepal earthquake response in 2015. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

Photo: Fishing in Reston/Credit: Ed Schudel

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will host a community meeting on Sept. 8 to discuss the findings of the Fairfax County Police’s Ad Hoc Commission’s Police Practices Review.

In addition to the update, the forum will serve as an opportunity for the public to give their feedback on the Commission’s recommendations, including proposals related to independent oversight of the Fairfax County Police Department

The meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 to 9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston.

The Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission was established to engage the community in an open and transparent process to recommend changes that would help Fairfax County to achieve its goal of maintaining a safe community, ensuring a culture of public trust, and making sure county policies provide for the fair and timely resolution of police-involved incidents.

The commission was created by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in the months following the 2013 police shooting of John Geer in the Springfield District.

“The Board of Supervisors and the Police Department recognize the importance of maintaining that public trust and the importance of always reviewing policies and practices and seeking to improve,” Supervisor Chair Sharon Bulova said in March 2015 in announcing the review committee. “To that end, the Board of Supervisors is taking a hard look at the way Fairfax County handles significant police-involved incidents. “

The report looks at (and makes suggestions for) use-of-force; recruitment and diversity; and communications, among other areas.

Read the final report of the commission on the Fairfax County website.

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins/file photo

This is an op-ed from Vienna resident Jason V. Morgan. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.

Something on your mind? Send an opinion to [email protected]. Reston Now reserves the right to make edits to accepted submissions.

Dear Editor,

I am writing because there was a major misrepresentation of Fairfax County’s budget in the August 4, 2016, commentary submitted by Claude Andersen (Director of Operations, Clyde’s Restaurant Group).

Mr. Anderson opposes the upcoming meals tax referendum, but he is providing very bad information to justify his position. Mr. Andersen erroneously claims that the Fairfax County budget has increased by almost $1 BILLION since 2012.

However, the nominal growth since 2012 is only $442.1-474.8 MILLION, depending on whether one looks at FY2012/FY2016 or FY2013/FY2017. And in inflation-adjusted terms, the growth is only $265.1-298.4 MILLION (2016 dollars). Read More

Recent cases of Hepatitis A may have started with strawberries used in smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Virginia, state health department officials warn.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has 96 Virginia stores, including one at Plaza America in Reston.

The Virginia Department of Health said testing indicates that frozen strawberries that originated in Egypt may be to blame for the illnesses. Four of the 10 cases in the commonwealth have occurred in Northern Virginia, the health department said.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe said it has stopped using those strawberries at all stores.

Tropical Smoothie said this in a statement:

Tropical Smoothie Cafe was notified by the Virginia Department of Health about several foodborne illnesses in the state linked to frozen strawberries sourced from Egypt.

Our cafes and their food handling practices have not been implicated in any way — the health department believes this is a single product issue (strawberries) sourced from Egypt. Egyptian strawberries represent a fraction of our overall strawberries purchased, and were predominantly distributed to stores in the Virginia market.

Today, our strawberries are primarily sourced from Mexico and California.

However, in an abundance of caution, we voluntarily pulled all strawberries sourced from Egypt from every cafe in our system, not only the Virginia cafes. Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members and we will continue to cooperate with the health authorities.”

Virginia health officials are encouraging anyone who consumed a smoothie with frozen strawberries at a restaurant in the last 50 days to watch for symptoms of Hepatitis A: jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light-colored stools.

Additionally, customers who consumed a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries between  Aug. 5 – 8 may still benefit from vaccine or immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A, the health department said.

A vaccine or immune globulin given within two weeks of exposure to hepatitis A virus is effective at preventing the disease, health official said.

Fairfax County Police have identified the deceased and released more details in the case of a man who was shot and killed by a Sheriff’s Deputy at a bus stop near Inova Fairfax Hospital last week.

The man killed was Jovany Martinez, 29, of no fixed address, police said. Martinez had been released from the hospital earlier on Aug. 15, and a few minutes later was at the bus stop when he swung at and struck a security guard with a metal signpost.

After a Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy (the are assigned regular prisoner duty at the hospital) and Fairfax County Police Officers arrived at the scene, Martinez continued to lunge at officers. He was shot by the deputy and taken back to the hospital, where he died several hours later.

Here is what FCPD says led to the incident:

On Aug. 15, at 1:55 p.m., a uniformed patrol officer in a marked police cruiser was parked in front of a gas station in the 7100 block of Little River Turnpike in Annandale. A man later identified as Martinez, approached the officer and engaged him in conversation.

During that conversation the officer “became concerned for Mr. Martinez as it appeared he was either experiencing a medical emergency due to the extreme heat conditions and/or suffering from some form of mental health issue,” an FCPD spokesman said.

The officer then requested that medics from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department respond to assess Martinez. Upon arrival of medics at 2:04 p.m., they transported him to Inova Fairfax Hospital for further evaluation. The officer also responded to the hospital to ensure hospital staff could provide a mental evaluation in case the officer needed to transport Martinez to the Merrifield Center for help.

Once the medical staff advised the officer that Martinez was not in mental distress, the officer concluded the medical transport investigation around 4 p.m., and Martinez was left in the care of medical staff. Martinez was eventually discharged from the hospital about 10 p.m., and security staff assisted him in locating the bus stop for transportation.

A short time later, the security staff received reports of a suspicious man at the bus stop and that is when security staff observed Martinez apparently in mental crisis with the signpost he eventually used to strike one of the security guards.

Police said officers issued commands to Martinez to drop the signpost, which was being used as a weapon, and he failed to follow the commands and continued to charge at the deputy with the signpost. The deputy discharged his firearm several times, striking Martinez.

The deputy who shot Martinez was an 18-year veteran of the department who had crisis negotiation training, Sheriff Stacey Kincaid said at a news conference last week.

The criminal investigation by detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Division remains very active, police said.

Detectives are aware of several witnesses who observed Martinez prior to the shooting. They should contact Detective Hinson at 703-246-7800, or the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131. You may also contact Crime Solvers electronically by visitingwww.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637) or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477).

Work on utilities for Phase 2 of Metro’s Silver Line will affect traffic on Sunrise Valley Drive near the Polo Fields subdivision beginning today and lasting two weeks.

Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project crews will conduct utility location work along westbound Sunrise Valley Drive and the sidewalk on the north side of the road in that time frame.

Be aware:

The right lane of Sunrise Valley westbound between Thunder Chase Drive and Hitchcock Drive will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.

Work activities along the sidewalk will take  place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The sidewalk will remain open for use, pedestrian traffic will be diverted around small work zones, and the Fairfax Connector bus stop just west of the Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride facility will remain open.

Graphic courtesy of Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

Olympic Art — The 2016 Summer Games are over, but this Herndon artist is keeping them alive through artwork. [Modern Reston]

Rec-PAC Makes Big Donation — Rec-PAC, Fairfax County’s summer recreation program, recently donated 1,000 Pounds of Food to the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) Food Pantry. The donation was part of Rec-PAC Gives Back Week.

Reminder To RSVP — The Hillary Clinton campaign’s Reston office at Lake Anne Plaza’s grand opening party is tomorrow (Aug. 23) evening. Organizers are asking you RSVP if you want at to attend. [HillaryClinton.com]

A car crash with injuries snarled traffic on Reston Parkway Friday afternoon.

Fairfax County Police said the crash occurred southbound on Reston Parkway near Fox Mill Road about 3:30 p.m.

As of 4:30 p.m., police were still clearing the scene and traffic remained jammed.

Meanwhile, many side roads in the Reston-Herndon-Dulles area are already seeing heavy traffic because parts of the Toll Road are inaccessible because of 1,500 motorcycles rolling through here on the 9/11 Ride.

Sit tight or make alternate plans if you are planning to take these roads home this afternoon.

With paid parking set to go into effect at Reston Town Center on Sept. 12, Reston Now last week asked readers to name some of their favorite restaurants located elsewhere in Reston.

We got 80 comments on that post (and more than 100 on the Reston Now Facebook page), with many great suggestions. Here are some of the spots readers gave lots of mention:

• Cafesano (South Lakes Village Center)
• Red’s Table (South Lakes Village Center)
• Glory Days (North Point Village Center; Fox Mill Shopping Center)
• Gregorio’s Trattoria (North Point Shopping Center)
• Kalypso’s (Lake Anne Plaza)
• Ariake (Hunters Woods Village Center)
• La Ong (Fox Mill Shopping Center)
• Cafe Montmartre (Lake Anne Plaza)
• Silver Diner (Reston)
• Amphora (Herndon)
• A Taste of the World (Herndon)

Which brings us to this weekend’s discussion: Where to go for a drink?

While “technically” there are no standalone bars according to Virginia law (only restaurants that serve alcohol), there are places in Reston, Herndon and nearby areas that are more popular for cocktails/beer/wine than for their meals.

Weekend parking will remain free at town center, so many drinking spots will see see do a brisk business. But what about a weekday drink? “Monday Night Football” viewing? Let us know where you will grab a pint if you want to park for free come September.

Photo: Beer taps at Red’s Table

Fairfax County Police cars are getting a new look for the first time in more than 20 years — and just the seventh time in the department’s 76-year history.

Actually, FCPD has been working on the facelift since 2011, when it began a search to replace the discontinued Ford Crown Victoria.

The current police cruiser markings were introduced in 1993.

Since the redesign project was approved, members of the department’s Resource Management Bureau (RMB) developed and considered several design options and patterns, narrowed it down to six possibilities then conducted a number of presentations throughout the county to share information about the project and solicit feedback.

The two most well-liked designs were put up for final discussion within the Advance Design Review Group, a committee comprised of various patrol officers, RMB staff, department leadership, police retirees and CAC members.

Read More

Reston Town Center is going to paid parking next month, and more than 6,000 signatures protesting that development are very unlikely to change that at this point.

More than 6,600 people have signed a Change.org petition organized by Reston’s Suzanne Zurn. The petition is titled “Stop Paid Parking at Reston Town Center.”

Rob Weinhold, Boston Properties’ spokesperson for mobile pay parking and mobile safety communications programs, says he is aware of the pushback and welcomes feedback, but the $2-an-hour system is a done deal beginning Sept. 12.

“Boston Properties deeply respects the various perspectives of those who passionately care about this issue,” Weinhold said in an email. “The Reston Town Center management team is listening; in fact, several policies were enacted based, in part, on customer feedback:  free weekend and holiday parking, free parking for retailers and a soft touch approach to enforcement.”

However, Boston Properties, which owns Reston Town Center, is not bending on paid parking in general. A significant investment has already been made in developing the app-based system, putting signs in place, and installing electronic garage signs and pay kiosks, Weinhold said.

“Beginning on Monday, Sept. 12, those who patronize the Reston Town Center will experience two state-of-the-art technologies accessible through free downloadable apps to enhance their living, working and shopping experiences,” Weinhold said.

“Both technologies were thoroughly researched, investments have been made and the systems will be put into operation on Sept. 12.”

Read More

Three candidates — including two incumbents — will run for three seats open in the 2016 Reston Community Center Board of Governors Preference Poll.

The board members are voted on by the community, but then appointed to the three-year term by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Seeking new terms are Beverly Cosham and Michelle Moyer. Paul Thomas, a former Reston Association Board of Directors member, is also seeking a spot.

According to county rules, the Preference Poll must be conducted every year regardless of the number of candidates filing to run.

Voting begins on Sept. 9. Each property in Small District 5 (SD5) will receive a ballot in the mail.

Online voting is available via RCC’s website; the “VOTE” button will be on the homepage at the beginning of the Poll. Mail-in ballots must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29. Ballots may be dropped off in ballot boxes at either RCC facility no later than 5 p.m. on Sept. 30.

A Candidates Forum will be held on Thursday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods.

The Board of Governors helps develop policy and provide financial oversight for RCC.

Meanwhile, keep reading to learn a little bit about each candidate from their candidate statement.

Read More

Metro Investigation — Metro announced the opening of the official investigation into last month’s derailment of a Silver/Orange line train near East Falls Church. [Metro]

More Amenities For Better Office Space — Northern Virginia suburban office parks — including ones in Reston not near/at Reston Town Center — may have to add community amenities in order to compete with buildings adjacent to transit, commercial real estate brokers and developers say. [Bisnow]

Police Ride Along For Citizens — Fairfax County Police are offering residents a chance to see what their officers to by participating in a ride along. [FCPD]

Kids Still In Need — Britepaths, formerly Our Daily Bread, says it still needs about $10,000 in monetary donations in order to help thousands of Fairfax County Public School students get supplies for the school year. [Britepaths]

Reston Company Supports Therapeutic Riding — Reston-based IBC in the Platinum sponsor of the Aug. 22 Sprout on the Green Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Aldie’s Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center. Sprout provides equine assisted learning, socialization, recreation and therapy to area youth with special needs. [Sprout]

Photo: Public art at Reston Town Center/Reston Town Center via Instagram

First sign of the end of summer 2016: Reston Association goes to a compacted schedule beginning Monday, Aug. 22.

Turning to RA’s “Season 4” is an annual event as many of the staff members return to college in mid-to-late August.

All 15 RA outdoor pools will be open through Sunday night on their regular schedules.

Beginning Monday, here is where to swim:

Glade Pool – Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekends, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Lake Newport Pool – Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekends, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.

North Shore Pool – Weekdays and weekends, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.

Ridge Heights Pool – Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekends, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Thursdays.

Season 5 will begin on Sept. 6, with Ridge Heights and North Shore remaining open after school (4 to 7 p.m.) weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends through Sept. 25.

See the RA website for more details.

Photo: Lake Newport Pool/file photo