Fairfax County Animal Control Officers are investigating two reports of animals that have bitten people in or near Riverbend Park in Great Falls in the last few days.
The first incident occurred at Riverbend Park Wednesday around 8 a.m. A woman was running on a trail from the nature center to the river when she encountered and was bitten by a fox. She self-reported to Reston Hospital Center and is undergoing preventative treatment for potential exposure to rabies, police said. The trail has been temporarily closed.
The second incident occurred at around 9 a.m. the same day, in the 9100 block of Potomac Woods Lane, which is close to Riverbend Park. A woman told police went to check on her chickens and was confronted and bitten by a fox. She too self-reported to Reston Hospital Center for appropriate treatment. The fox is still at large.
There was a third animal bite incident in Fairfax County this week, on the other side of the county. The third incident was at about 11 a.m. on Thursday. A man reported that he was awakened by a raccoon in his home. He fought the raccoon off and was bitten during the struggle. He was eventually able to place his foot on the raccoon’s throat until it stopped breathing. He bagged and transported the animal to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and then sought medical treatment.
Police confirmed on Friday the raccoon was rabid.
Animal Control says that it is unknown right now whether or not the fox/foxes are rabid, however aggressive tendencies such as those exhibited in these cases are one of the signs of rabies. They would also like to remind residents to keep their dogs on leash when walking in public areas.
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can infect both people and animals. People usually get rabies when they are bitten by an animal that is sick with the disease. The best way to protect yourself and your family from rabies: stay away from wild animals and be sure pets are vaccinated against rabies every year.
If bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention right away. In Fairfax County, residents should also immediately report animal bites, as well as sick or injured animals, to Animal Control Services at 703-691-2131 , TTY 703-877-3715.
Photo: Fox/Jans Canon via Flickr
Update, 1:50 p.m. Friday — Fairfax County Public Schools confirm that three FCPS high (McLean, Herndon and Westfield) schools were targeted with a bomb threat, but the threat was not credible.
“Police are investigating, and have determined the threats are not credible, and are intended only to disrupt the school day,” school officials said in a statement. “We do not believe any of our students are at risk. We are continuing with normal school operations for the rest of the day.”
Original story, 1:15 p.m. Friday — Seven Northern Virginia schools — including Herndon High School — reportedly received bomb threats on Friday, law enforcement officials said. WRC-TV reports that the following schools received bomb threats:
- Herndon High School in Herndon
- McLean High School in McLean
- Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn
- George Mason High School in Falls Church
- Falls Church High School in Falls Church
- Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington
- Westfield High School in Chantilly
Students and staff at Bishop O’Connell, Stone Bridge and George Mason have been evacuated.
Earlier this week, students at McLean High were evacuated due to a bomb threat.
Fairfax County Police determined about 1 p.m. Friday that the threats were a hoax.
1/2 Several bomb threats received in Fairfax County and throughout the region. All appear to be non-credible at this time.
— FairfaxCounty Police (@fairfaxpolice) March 4, 2016
2/2 Schools continuing normal operations and safe. Investigation underway
— FairfaxCounty Police (@fairfaxpolice) March 4, 2016
Reston Association had been running Q-and-As this week with the five candidates for the 2016 RA Board of Directors elections. Voting begins Monday. Today’s chat is with Eve Thompson, who currently serves as Lake Anne/Tall Oaks Director but is running for re-election to an At-Large seat. Editor’s note: Thompson’s business, Reston Real Estate, is an advertiser on Reston Now.
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
Eve Thompson: Great question — I would say that the main reason is the desire to serve and the feeling that it’s important. Contributing to the governance of the community is important work.
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
ET: I think our biggest challenge is to maintain and strengthen what makes Reston “Reston” in the midst of so much development. I think one of the keys to maintaining the things that make Reston unique will be in the development of the Urban Guidelines for application within the “corridor” that runs from above Wiehle Ave and Sunrise Valley to Monroe. That is a major initiative to be accomplished in the next 12 – 18 months.
RN: How can RA members better understand what the board does and how can they be better involved in improving our community?
ET: It’s amazing that with untold volumes of information available to us that it is so hard to keep up with what’s happening. RA tries hard to make everything available in as many formats as possible. We have an outstanding website that has lots of information about the Board goals, programs, new development, etc. We have a weekly e-mail newsletter that covers a whole host of topics. And of course we have RestonNow, providing very current, topical information on the issues that are consuming RA’s time and attention.
What Members can do is to come and hear and speak, either in person or via email to the Board on the topics that concern them. Member input is invaluable.
RN: Some of the criticism of RA recently is wasteful spending, lack of transparency and rising assessments. What can be done to improve or at least improve perceptions of all of these things?
ET: I’ll take transparency first. The claim that the RA Board suffers from a lack of transparency is I believe, an enormous source of frustration for all of the current Board Members. It’s also a charge that’s very difficult to fight. The truth is that with very few exceptions everything that’s going to be discussed is discussed in open meetings. The use of Executive Session is limited to Personal and Contractual matters. It’s like being asked “So when did you stop beating your wife?” It’s a loaded question that presumes guilt — as a current Board Member I’m saying “Not guilty!” Read More
In the wake of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passing an advertised tax rate of $1.13 per $100 of home value, Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins says she remains committed to the citizens of Fairfax County and the Fairfax County Public Schools.
The supervisors passed the maximum 4-cent tax hike on Tuesday, but school advocates say the increase is not enough. Each penny accounts for an additional $23 million in revenue, which will fall short to fully fund FCPS Superintendent’s request for nearly $2 billion from the county for 2017.
Garza said in January that a fully funded budget would mean raises for teachers, a commitment to keeping elementary class sizes under 30 students and no cuts to programs. FCPS may now have to consider cuts.
After the supervisors passed the tax rate increase 7-3 on Tuesday — supervisors Dan Storck (D-Mt. Vernon), Kathy Smith (D-Sully) and Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) voted no — Hudgins made a motion that the board look into a county meals tax to generate additional revenue. The motion passed.
And hours later, the board was asked by Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) to consider voting again on the tax hike and getting another shot at raising it to 5 cents. That was met with a contentious discussion before the board ultimately voted again. The do-over resulted in a 5-5 tie (Hudgins voted no), so it failed.
Here is the full statement from Hudgins:
I remain committed to all our county residents and to our school system and would like to share the following information.
As you may know, the annual real estate tax is a combination of the January 1 assessed property value and a real estate tax rate determined each year by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
This year Fairfax County property increased 1.2% over last year’s assessed values. In Hunter Mill District, as a whole, property values do better than the county average; our increase was 1.6%.
On March 1 2016, at the General Meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the Board voted to advertise
a maximum Real Estate Rate of $1.13 per $100 of assessed value of property. This is an increase of $0.04 from the previous year.
As in past budget cycles, the Board of Supervisors tried to set the Real Estate Tax Rate at a level sufficient to fund the service needs of the county, which includes the needs of Fairfax County Public Schools. Before casting my vote on the rate to be advertised, I heavily considered the impact to all the real estate taxpayers. My challenge is how to serve all residents who depend on county services while the impact on the taxpayer.
In the FY2017 budget, the County Executive recommended a 3% increase in the funds transferred to the school system. It was, and remains, my belief that our school system requires additional support, and we must have a serious conversation about those needs, the county’s needs, and the ability of our residents to support our collective needs.
A word of explanation – In this budget, each penny in the Real Estate Tax rate produces approximately $23 million in revenue. Therefore, the Board approved advertised rate of $0.04 higher at $1.13 will raise the average home owner’s tax bill $303.86 over last year’s tax bill.
As a taxpayer and supervisor, I recognize and share concerns regarding the increase to our tax assessment. I hope you share my concern in the limited taxing authority Fairfax County has compared to Virginia’s cities and towns, and the Board of Supervisors inability to diversify our revenue streams. In order to alleviate some of the burden from our home owners, we must minimize overdependence on the Real Estate Tax revenue.
Therefore, at 1 March Board meeting, on my motion, the Board directed county staff to provide the following information regarding
a. An updated report from the 2014 “Meals Tax in Fairfax County Task Force;”
b. A timeline of implementation of the meal tax for the restaurant industry should a meals tax referendum be successful;
c. An explanation of the cost relating to implementation to help the industry prepare for implementation should a meals tax referendum be successful; and
d. An implementation timeline for the Board of Supervisors and steps necessary to be in compliance for a November 8, 2016 voters referendum.
Again, I remain committed to our county residents and to our school system.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins/file photo
Graduation Day — Mark your calendars if you have a FCPS Class of 2016 student. The graduation schedule has been released. [FCPS]
New At The Top — Fairfax County has appointed Tom Fleetwood as Director of Housing and Community Development. Fleetwood has worked for the county since 2005. [Fairfax County]
Choir Honors — Students from Herndon and South Lakes High Schools are among those selected to represent Fairfax County Public Schools at the 2016 Virginia All State Chorus. [FCPS]
Closing Nearby — The Sports Authority at 21070 Southbank St. in Sterling is on the list of stores the company says it plans to close. Sports Authority says it is closing 140 stores nationally as part of Chapter 11 reorganization. [Washington Business Journal]
On Fridays, we take a moment to thank our sponsors and advertisers:
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the business community for the vibrant region.
BLVD, Comstock’s new apartments at Reston Station.
The Harrison, luxury apartments near Reston Town Center.
Berry & Berry, PLLC, Reston law firm specializing in federal employment, retirement, labor union, and security clearance matters.
Reston Real Estate, Eve Thompson of Long & Foster Real Estate specializes in Reston homes.
Becky’s Pet Care, offering friendly pet services in Northern Virginia.
Reston Community Center, Serving Reston’s recreational and cultural needs.
MakeOffices, shared work spaces with five area locations, including Reston.
Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten, educating Reston’s young minds for more than 50 years.
Boofie O’Gorman, Top Producer Realtor at Long & Foster Reston.
Goldfish Swim School, specializing in children’s swim lessons year-round.
Small Change Consignment, serving Reston’s kids for more than 30 years.
A Cleaning Service, professional residential and commercial cleaning.
BASIS Independent McLean, Independent school for K-12 located in McLean.
Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston’s visual arts center.
Update, 5:30 p.m. – Fairfax County Police have re-opened Reston Parkway and Fox Mill Roads in all directions. However, traffic will likely be impacted throughout rush hour.
Update, 4 p.m. — The roads are still closed heading into rush hour. If you are planning to head that way, use Fairfax County Parkway or other routes as an alternative.
Reston Parkway is blocked in both directions from Glade Drive to Fox Mill Road as of 1:15 p.m. Thursday due to emergency repair of a gas line.
Fairfax County Police said construction crews hit a four-inch gas line on Fox Mill near Reston Parkway just before 1 p.m. Crews are working to repair the leak, but it may take more than an hour.
Westbound Fox Mill also closed until the leak is repaired, police said.
Spring means it is time for Reston Runners’ Women’s Training Program.
Reston Runners annually offers the eight-week program that helps women runners train in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Many women sign up year after year, moving from the beginning walking group to the run/walk group to an advanced running group. Each group has several coaches to guide and support runners.
Sessions are held on Monday evenings from 6:30 – 8 p.m., April 18 to June 6 at South Lakes High School. Participants need to be 16 or older.
Meetings begin in the cafeteria, with speakers on fitness, gear, nutrition and other topics of interest. Then participants move outside to the nearby trails for a workout with coaches.
This year, the program is offering a Fresh Start program for women who are truly just beginning a walking or walk/run routine. There are also levels for intermediate and fast walkers, walk runners and beginning and advanced runners. Each group is guided by experienced coaches. Many participants enter a Reston-area 5K at the end of the session.
Registration is now open online. The $45 fee covers a program technical shirt plus an end-of-session celebration June 13 at the Reston Community Center.
Photo: Women’s Training Program participants after 5K in 2014/Courtesy Reston Runners
It’s March, but there is still time for some more winter.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Reston and the rest of the Washington, DC, area from 10 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday.
Precipitation will move in initially as a rain and snow mix early this evening before transitioning to all snow late tonight. Snow is expected overnight impacting the morning commute. Snow is expected to taper off by midday Friday. Total accumulation: one to three inches, says the NWS.
A winter weather advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties including slippery roads resulting in hazardous travel conditions. This could affect your Friday morning commute.
Light snow at Lake Anne/file photo
Chick-fil-A plans to tear down the former Burger King building at North Point Village Center in order to make way for a new building to house the restaurant.
Chick-fil-A has filed a Planned Residential Community application with the Fairfax County Planning Commission, which will be heard at the planning commission’s March 16 meeting.
The new PRC plan is necessary so that Chick-fil-A can have a slightly bigger restaurant with an expanded drive-thru, land use attorneys told the Reston Planning and Zoning committee last month.
The Burger King space at 1490 North Point Village Center has been vacant since March of 2014. Chick-fil-A filed its applications with the county in November. Chick-fil-A has an existing location at 12160 Sunset Hills Rd., about 2 1/2 miles away.
John Martinez, Development Manager with Chick-fil-A, Inc., told the Reston P&Z committee the new location will have 96 seats and a children’s play area. There will be outdoor seating for approximately twenty diners, he added.
Martinez also said the North Point location will be a custom project, slightly smaller than is typical for Chick-fil-A because of the size and layout of the site.
There will be 15 dedicated parking spaces at the restaurant, as well as shared parking in the main parking area of the village center, Martinez said.
The new building will be slightly lower (19 feet compared with 21 feet) than the current one, but will contain an additional five feet for standard Chick-fil-A “tower components.”
Two trees will be removed due to configuration of the parking area, but additional landscaping is planned, the Chick-fil-A representatives said.
P&Z Committee members expressed concern that it would involve a complicated U-turn to get from the end of the drive-thru to the village center’s exit lane. Martinez said the exit lane will be widened to 12 feet, but that the area between the drive-thru and the village center exit would not be changed.
A county staff report featuring renderings will be made available next week.
Shuttered Burger King location at North Point/file photo
A 30-year-old Reston man was killed last week when he crashed the stolen car he was driving in Rockbridge County, Virginia State Police officials said.
State Police said the crash happened Friday around 5:50 a.m. on Route 850 near Lexington, Va.
Authorities said the 2007 Lexus Rx-350 involved in the crash was stolen from Fairfax County last week.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Bradley Charles Kilpatrick of Reston. State police say Kilpatrick was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
According to Fairfax County Court records, Kilpatrick had a long list of driving and car theft charges in the last several years. Among them: Grand Larceny Auto Theft (three charges), driving with a suspended license, and fugitive from an arrest warrant.
Photo courtesy of Virginia State Police
Reston’s Not Trump Country — Restonian takes a look at Super Tuesday here. [Restonian]
BLVD’s Grand Opening — Comstock’s BLVD apartments at Reston Station will have a grand opening celebration on March 8. [Facebook]
Cherry Blossom Time — Peak bloom in DC — and on trees in Reston — is March 31 to April 3 this year. [Hill Now]
Governor Vetoes Common Core Bill — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed House Bill 259, which prohibits the state Board of Education from replacing the Standards of Learning with the Common Core Standards. McAulliffe indicated the bill is unnecessary in light of the fact that Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) already exceed the rigor of the Common Core State Standards. [WTOP]
Photo: Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences students will be performing in the musical Shrek, Jr. this weekend: Liam D’Souza-Bohannon (Lord Farquaad); Ireland DiBacco (Ogre Princess Fiona); Spencer Line (Shrek); Maya Berry (Donkey); and Randi Willis (Dragon)/Photo by Kimberly Berry
A few hours after passing a motion for an advertised 4-cent hike in real estate taxes for Fiscal Year 2017, some members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors asked for a practically unprecedented do-over.
That led to a tense discussion and vote to reconsider at the end of Tuesday’s seven-hour Board of Supervisor’s meeting — as well as a supervisors’ shouting match after the meeting adjourned.
Though a vote to reconsider is allowed under Roberts Rules of Order, it had not been put into use in nearby 20 years. Supervisor Penny Gross (D-Mason) said she could not remember one since 1997.
“I am troubled by this,” said Gross. “I don’t think we should be considering voter’s remorse on the same day [as we passed a motion].” Read More
At the suggestion of Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will be taking another look at instituting a meals tax.
Hudgins made the motion after a sometimes emotional supervisors meeting on Tuesday, where the board passed an advertised 2017 tax rate rise of 4 cents. Some supervisors advocated for a higher maximum tax rate of 5 or 6 cents per $100 of real estate value. Read More
Update: Rescue Reston says the event has been canceled.
Rescue Reston is holding a fundraiser to help boost its legal defense fund.
The group, which advocates for open space in Reston, is expecting the owners of Reston National Golf Course to file an appeal with the Virginia Supreme Court of the 2015 Fairfax Circuit Court ruling that vacated a previous decision regarding the golf course’s zoning.
Rescue Reston is raising money for the supreme court case, should the Virginia Supreme Court decide to hear it.
Rescue Reston’s fundraiser is Thursday March 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
Guests are invited to enjoy appetizers, beverages, and camaraderie while being led in painting a 16 x 20 painting of a weeping willow tree. Painting instruction will be provided by Pinot’s Pallete Dulles.
Refreshments include a slider bar by JJ Deli and wine, beer and soft drinks.
Admission is $70; $20 of the admission fee will be donated to the legal defense fund. Register online.
