Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority officials said they have closed on more than $1 billion in federal loans that will go toward the construction of Phase 2 of Metro’s Silver Line.

In May, MWAA was approved for the $1.28 billion U.S. Department of Transportation ‘Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act‘ (TIFIA) loan to cover the portion of the Silver Line funded by revenue from the Dulles Toll Road.

Overall, the project is expecting $1.9 billion in TIFIA loans, with the remaining portion to come when partners Fairfax County and Loudoun County finalize their segments of the loan, MWAA said. The counties should finalize their loans by this fall. The Airports Authority will be able to begin drawing on its portion of the loan once all closings are final.

“The Airports Authority and our project partners made securing a low-interest TIFIA loan a top priority, because of the financial benefits it offered to the Dulles Toll Road users and taxpayers,” an MWAA spokesman said in a statement. “Thanks to the favorable interest rates the loan provides, as well as the financial commitment from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Airports Authority will be able to hold tolls at current levels through 2018 and limit future toll increases.”

Earlier this year, it appeared the TIFIA funds could be in danger as the federal highway trust fund, which funds the loan, was bordering on bankruptcy.

Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law $10.8 billion in temporary funding for highway and transit construction. That will keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent through May, when lawmakers will have to again find longer-term funding.

Phase I of the Silver Line project opened to the public on July 26. It has five stops in Tysons Corner and one at Reston’s Wiehle Avenue, which will be the end of the line until at least 2018. The $2.9 billion Phase II will have stops at Reston Parkway, Herndon, Route 28, Dulles International Airport and Ashburn. Design planning has begun and Phase II is projected to open in 2018.

Same-Sex Marriages Put On Hold — Hold off on those wedding plans. Same-sex marriage in Virginia is not happening just yet. The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday stopped Virginia officials from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, putting on hold a lower court ruling that said the unions could start on Thursday. [Washington Post]

Metro Boosts Tysons — Metro says 5,000 to 7,000 people are using the Tysons Corner station on weekdays, a rate that is comparable to stations like White Flint, Virginia Square, Stadium-Armory and Van Dorn Street. Some retailers at Tysons Corner Center also say that they have seen double-digit sales increases since the Silver Line opened. [NBC4]

Metro Pays Out $4.2 Million To Settle Case — Metro has paid $4.2 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit in a which a former employee alleged that the transit authority violated federal regulations by awarding a $14 million contract to a Virginia computer-systems company without seeking competitive bids. [Washington Post]

Back To School For Emergencies — The start of a new school year is a good time to re-evaluate your family emergency procedures. Fairfax County has some tips for being prepared. [Fairfax County

Update: Neighbors of the family at 2050 Golf Course Drive said the cat missing in Monday’s townhouse fire has been safely found.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue firefighters rescued one cat from the fire, which broke out Monday afternoon at 2052 Golf Course Drive. The fire, which is still under investigation, caused $180,000 of damage to several townhouses.

The rescued cat was given oxygen at the scene and taken to an animal hospital while firefighters tried to locate the other one.

Firefighters said at the scene that cats are likely to go under furniture in a situation such as a fire. That helps them as there is more air low to the ground.

Neighbors said the missing cat has been reunited with his owners.

Photo: Firefighter examines Marcus, who was rescued from a fire on Golf Course Drive on Monday. His feline companion was located safely on Tuesday.

Meet Lucy, this week’s Reston Pet of the Week. Here is what her owner, Mark, has to say about her:

Lucy is our very special Foxhound that we love very much! She was originally fostered and then adopted through A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation in Chantily, VA and just made the big move to her own home in Reston with us earlier this year. Lucy may have a loud bark, but is a very friendly dog, especially to women. She’s not much for playing, but she loves to sniff.

Her favorite hobbies include eating any and everything, sleeping in various positions, going on walks on the trails and through the woods, swimming in the Reston lakes, but her favorite activity is cuddling next to her Mom and Dad.

Feel free to stop by and say Hi to Lucy if you see her on our walks around the neighborhood!

Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.

In an effort for efficiency, more lanes on the Dulles Toll Road will become E-ZPass only, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said on Wednesday.

Beginning Sept. 2, MWAA will convert 19 exact-change lanes into E-ZPass lanes. First up: Westbound Fairfax County Parkways exit, far right lane.

During the conversion project coin baskets will be removed and replaced by upgraded E-ZPass infrastructure. Conversions are scheduled for unattended “exact change” lanes at the main toll plaza and exit ramps along the roadway, says MWAA. To minimize congestion, lanes will be reconfigured one at a time, with each conversion taking two-to-four weeks. When the project is complete, all toll plazas will still have at least one “full service” lane available.

“This lane conversion continues the long tradition of providing a convenient, consistent travel option for drivers in Northern Virginia,” Dulles Toll Road Manager Cyndi Ward said in a statement. “About 90 percent of drivers currently using these lanes are already paying with E-ZPass rather than coins. Full-service lanes will continue to be available at all toll plazas along the roadway for those wishing to pay with cash, but we encourage drivers to consider the added convenience of E-ZPass in order to bypass the lines associated with cash payments.”

Don’t have an E-ZPass? Sign up for one at ezpassva.com.

MWAA will announce other lane conversions as they are about to occur so drivers can plan accordingly.

Photo: Dulles Toll Road/file photo

The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reports the following crimes in the last week:

LARCENIES

12000 block of Bowman Towne Drive, sticker from vehicle
12000 block of Bowman Towne Drive, wallet from business
12200 block of Laurel Glade, bicycle from residence
1400 block of North Point Village Center, beer from business
11500 block of North Shore Drive, money from vehicle
600 block of Ellsworth Avenue, wallet and cell phone charger from vehicle
1800 block of Fountain Drive, wallet from business
1800 block of Library Street, wallet from business
2500 block of Reston Parkway, fruit and vegetables from business
12000 block of Bluemont Way, electronic device from business
11900 block of Market Street, money from business
South Lakes Drive/Double Eagle Court, wallet from vehicle
10500 block of Leesburg Pike, electronic device from vehicle
1100 block of Sugar Maple Lane, credit card from residence
12000 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, items from vehicle
1700 block of Torrey Pines Court, license plate from vehicle

STOLEN VEHICLES

2200 block of Centreville Road, 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
12200 block of Laurel Glade Court, Nissan Altima
11500 block of Links Drive, 2014 Chevy Equinox
2000 block of Royal Fern Court, 2000 Chevy Prism

Real Time Silver Line Info — Visitors to Tysons Corner Center now can keep up with Silver Line info while shopping. Silver Line bus and rail info will now be a part of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s traveler information screens located throughout the mall. The screens have been in operation since 2009. [VDOT]

Save The Date: Plum Family Picnic — Del. Ken Plum and his wife Jane will host the annual Plum Family Picnic and Pre-Election Rally from 4 to 6 p.m.on Sept. 6 at the North Hills Picnic Pavilion. Special guests will include Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va. 11) and county supervisor John Foust, who is the Democratic candidate for the Virginia 10th District Congressional seat.

Ready For Same-Sex Marriage — If the U.S. Supreme Court dos not get involved by Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s ruling that Virginia’s laws banning legal recognition of marriages between two persons of the same sex are unconstitutional becomes final. The advocacy group People of Faith for Equality in Virginia has released a list of 66 clergy (or many faiths) in the commonwealth who are ready to perform ceremonies.  There is an entire Northern Virginia section, with many entries for the Reston area. [POFEV]

Photo: Reston Association Community Garden plot

Four candidates will run for three seats in this year’s Reston Community Center Preference Poll.

Residents of Small Tax District 5 (Reston) are asked to cast votes in the annual poll to fill open seats on the RCC Board of Governors.

The community will elect three, three-year positions as the terms of board members Bill Penniman, Cathy Vivona and Vicky Wingert are expiring.

Penniman and Wingert are running for another term on the board. The other two candidates are William Keefe, who served on the RCC Board from 2008-13, and Linda Singer, a longtime Reston resident who has been active in many local and county organizations. Watch for candidate profiles on Reston Now soon.

There will be a candidates forum on Monday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods.

Voting begins on Sept. 12. Each property in small district 5 will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent (a pre-addressed envelope is provided with the ballot; postage is required) no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3.

The RCC Board of Governors guides policy, budgeting and programming for the community center, which has locations at Hunters Woods and Lake Anne. The board may also authorize in the next year a community referendum for a new $30 million indoor pool and recreation center. The board has been studying the feasibility of such a project for several years.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is offering free back-to-school haircuts for children in need next week.

In Reston, the firefighters (and hair stylists) will be at Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Rd. on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will also be haircut events at Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., Alexandria on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Rd., Alexandria, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 26.

The off-duty firefighters are teaming with the Progressive Firefighters of Fairfax County, Inc., WKYS 93.9 FM, Apple Federal Credit Union, Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue, SENTEL Corporation, and local barbers to provide free haircuts for local kids on free or reduced lunch plans.

Children will also be provided backpacks with school supplies.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is investigating the source of a fire that caused $180,000 in damage to two townhouses on Golf Course Drive on Monday.

Firefighters responded to 2052 Golf Course Drive, an end-unit townhouse, at 4:15 p.m. on Monday.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the two-story home, said department spokesman Dan Schmidt.

Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack from both the exterior and interior and brought the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes.

A preliminary investigation showed the fire originated on the read outdoor deck of the home, officials said.  The adjacent home at 2050 Golf Course was also damaged, and other homes in the row of attached homes have some smoke damage as well, officials said.

Five occupants of the two homes have been displaced. They had already escaped unharmed by the time units were on the scene.

Firefighters rescued an adult cat from 2050 Golf Course. The cat was given oxygen at the scene and taken to his veterinarian’s office as a precaution. Another cat was missing at that home, and Schmidt said Tuesday he did not know if the second cat had been found.

Solar Planet Tanning Salon, located at Hunters Woods Village Center since 1999, will be closing on Tuesday.

Owner Karen Brutsche said in an email to customers that the shop will close Aug. 19 at 9 p.m. Customers who have purchased tanning packages and other deals will have their purchases and points honored at Palm Beach Tan, 625 Post Dr. in Herndon (703-668-0340).

She said she failed to reach a new lease deal with Edens, the company that owns the shopping center.

“We opened the Reston shop in the International Center in 1983 and have been in our current location since 1999,”Brutsche wrote. “After 32 years, I decided that I could not sign another five-year lease. As our lease was nearing an end, I talked to our landlord about the possibility of a month-to-month lease. They seemed agreeable and knowing there were other empty spaces, I thought that we would be able to remain for a while without a five-year commitment.

“Unfortunately, they found a new tenant. I have to be out by the end of August. This was much sooner than I had anticipated and I apologize to you that I’m not giving you more notice.”

Photo: Solar Planet’s front desk/Credit: Solar Planet

More For ComScore — Reston’s ComScore, which measures Internet traffic, has purchased MdotLabs of Wisconsin. A look at what the deal means for Web Bots. [Capital Business]

Volunteer Help Wanted — Fairfax County’s Meals on Wheels needs Korean speaking volunteer drivers in Reston and Centreville. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 pm. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 703-324-5406. [Fairfax County]

Save the Date: Reston Home & Garden Expo — Reston Association headquarters will be the site of the Reston Home & Garden Expo on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. The expo will feature products and services available to Reston homeowners. The event is free for residents. [Reston Association]

Award for Fairfax County’s Water Treatment — Fairfax County’s wastewater treatment plant received a Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for meeting federal pollution control standards 100 percent of the time 16 years in a row. Federal rules strictly control more than 100 substances that are present in wastewater. The plant’s achievement helps protect the water quality of the county’s streams and watersheds, as well as the Chesapeake Bay. [Fairfax County]

Fairfax County firefighters rescued a cat from a fire that damaged a row of townhomes on Golf Course Drive on Monday.

Marcus, an older male tabby, was removed from his home at 2050 Golf Course. Rescue crews gave him oxygen and Animal Control took him to his veterinarian’s office as a precaution. Another cat remained in the home and had not been located as of about 5:20 p.m. Monday.

Firefighters were called to 2052 Golf Course, the end unit in a row of homes, about 4:30 p.m. said Fire Chief Richard Bowers.

Bowers said a preliminary investigation showed the fire began in the rear of 2052 and spread to 2050. Homes at 2048, 2046 and 2044 also suffered smoke damage, said Bowers.

The fire was put out quickly and there were no injuries.

The amount of damage and the cause of the fire are not yet known.

The MinuteClinic located inside the renovated and expanded CVS store at South Lakes Village Center expects to open by the end of this week, staffers said.

The MinuteClinic will be the first one located in Reston. Hours will be weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Frontier Airlines is offering a chance for travelers to win free flights on the carrier for one year — but you have to get to Dulles International Airport Tuesday morning for a chance to win.

The low-cost carrier is holding the contest as part of the celebration of  its new service from Dulles, where it will offer 17 routes to places such as Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Cancun, Atlanta and Chicago.

Here is how to enter:

Entries can be made at the airport on the departure level between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug.19. The winner does not need to be present to win, but must enter the contest in person at the airport. The drawing will be held at 11:45 a.m.

The winner will be selected by random drawing and will win a year of flights on Frontier to any of the airlines’ 18 destination. The winner will receive up to 50 round-trip tickets for travel to be used by the winner for travel until Aug. 19, 2015. Full details of the contest will be provided at the entry site.