This week, Reston Now will highlight some of the most read-stories of 2015. Here is the top-read story of the year.

The most-read story on Reston Now in 2015 is a tragic one.

The Herndon High community said goodbye to three members of the Class of 2014 who were killed in a car crash in Texas in August.

Read the original story on Reston Now.

Kyle Mathers, 19, Holly Novak, 18, and Dale Neibaur, 19, died in the crash near Greenville, Tex. Two others, Kevin DiCicco, 19, also a HHS grad, and Hannah Galbraith, 18, were badly injured.

The teens were heading to a video game conference near Austin when a wrong-way driver slammed into their car. The driver of that car also died.

The HHS grads were all former members of the HHS Marching Band. Many band members were among the community members who gathered at a memorial service at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon in the days following the crash.

This week, Reston Now will highlight some of the most read-stories of 2015. The second-most read story this year was the shooting in May at Shadowood that left one man dead.

An otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon turned deadly last May when a fight broke out on Stoneview Square at Shadowood Condominiums in Reston.

First reported by police as a home invasion, it later was determined a group of men who knew one another got into a fight. One person fired a gun. A man was dead and another injured.

Rashad Kejuan Daye, 24, was killed in the altercation at the residence of Kevin Baldwin, 22. Baldwin was not charged in the incident, police said, because the shot was fired in self defense in his home.

Others are facing charges, though the death is not being investigated as a homicide.

Jalan Merrill, 21, of Herndon, was charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Also arrested were Eddie Rodriquez, 22, of Woodbridge, and South Lakes High School student Dominique May, 18, of Reston. Both were charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Whether to pursue May’s and Rodriguez’s cases are still being pursued by a Fairfax County Grand Jury. Merrill’s was considered Nolle Prosequi (the case will not continue) by a judge several months ago.

More than three months after a fire damaged an electrical substation near Stadium-Armory, Metro’s Silver and Orange line service is back to six-minute rush hour service, says Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld.

“I want to thank the Metro customers who stayed with us despite less frequent service and crowding, and we know there is more work ahead to rebuild rider confidence and make service reliable,” Wiedenfeld said in a statement.

Orange and Silver line trains began consistently departing endpoint terminals at six-minute intervals on Monday, for the first time since the Sept. 21 substation fire, Wiedenfeld said. The trains had been running every eight minutes since November.

More from Metro:

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Metro was forced to take several steps to protect the remaining power system, including reducing the number of trains on the line by running Orange and Silver line trains every eight minutes during rush hours, limiting acceleration, and restricting how many trains were in the area of Stadium-Armory.

While these actions were necessary to prevent an even more significant disruption in rail service, customers were subjected to more crowded, less frequent trains and frequent “stop-and-go” sluggish rides during rush hours. Metro experienced a significant drop in both on-time performance and rider satisfaction in the wake of the incident.

The restoration of normal rush-hour headways follows weeks of recovery, cleanup, testing and commissioning of new equipment. Working with PEPCO, the Stadium-Armory substation was reconnected to the power grid about a week ago and began feeding electricity to the third rail.

After the fire, Metro used smaller substations to power the Stadium-Armory area. To avoid overloading the system or disrupting service, Metro had to reduce train speeds and limit the number of trains passing through the area.

After the fire, Metro’s initial assessment said it would take at least six months to completely rebuild the substation.

After a more thorough examination, it was determined that engineers would be able to restore two of the three transformers to factory-quality condition and return them to service on a temporary basis. This allowed Metro to restore normal service this week. Eventually, all three transformers will be replaced with new custom built traction power equipment, said Metro.

Book Signing With Kwame Alexander — Reston author Kwame Alexander, recent Newbery Award winner for The Crossover will sign books at Scrawl Books at Reston Station Saturday at 2 p.m. [Facebook]

New Year’s Closings — Here are some reminders of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day hours for county services and locations. [Reston Now]

Happy New Year — Reston Now won’t be publishing New Year’s Day. Have a safe and fun holiday.

Metro Is Free For a Few Hours New Year’s Eve — Metro is waiving fares Thursday night into Friday to get New Year’s Eve revelers safely home. Free rides are from midnight to 3 a.m. [Reston Now]

A Conservative advocate and a Fairfax County Public Schools student are suing the school system in the wake of FCPS adding protections for transgender students in its nondiscrimination policy earlier this year.

The Washington Post reports that Andrea Lafferty, a leader of the Traditional Values Coalition, and an unnamed high school student, filed the suit in Fairfax County Circuit Court last week.

The suit argues that the FCPS school board overstepped its bounds when it changed the policy to bar discrimination of students and staff based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. The suit asks for an injunction to stop the board from implementing the policy, the Post reports.

In May, the school board voted 10-1 (with one abstention) to add gender discrimination to its policy. The vote came after impassioned testimony by community members on both sides of the issue.

The motion to add protections for transgender students, teachers and employees was introduced by At-Large board member Ryan McElveen. McElveen said at the time it is important for the largest school system in Virginia to make a statement “that we unequivocally protect, value and embrace all of our students and employees for who they are.”

Earlier in 2015, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring issued an opinion that granted local school boards the authority to include sexual orientation and gender identity in non-discrimination policies.

But the new lawsuit argues that the Virginia General Assembly has never given school boards the authority to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

In the fall of 2104, the school board also voted to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Much of the discussion in the Reston Now comments section leading up to and in response to the May school board vote had to do with privacy issues if students identifying with another gender are using school bathrooms and locker rooms.

The Post reports that the student — called “Jack Doe” in the suit — described being “terrified of the thought of having to share intimate spaces with students who have the physical features of a girl, seeing such conduct as an invasion of privacy.” The suit said the student is also distressed because the school board has not defined “gender identity” or “gender expression,” and worries that he could be disciplined for “unknowingly violating the ambiguous code of conduct.”

This week, Reston Now will highlight some of the most read-stories of 2015. The No. 3 story was the death of Reston founder Bob Simon.

Even though Robert E. Simon — who envisioned Reston where others saw just muddy pasture in the mid-1960s — was past the century mark, he lived his last years as active as a man half his age.

In any given week, Simon was at development meetings, Reston Association meetings, IPAR receptions. He could be seen on a his daily walk around Lake Anne Plaza or at his usual table at Cafe Montmartre. In May, he even filmed a Geico commercial, doing multiple takes under a blazing hot sun.

That’s why it came as such a shock to many when he died on Sept. 21 at his Heron House condo after a very short illness.

Read the original Reston Now obituary, as well as many other reflections of what the man meant to our community. Among them:

The Bronze Bob turns into a makeshift memorial.

A candlelight memorial for Simon.

Reflections from Sen. Janet Howell,  Del. Ken Plum and Reston Now editor Karen Goff on Simon’s death.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says the newly built third lanes in each direction on Route 7 from Rolling Holly Drive to Reston Avenue are now open.

The $34 million project to widen the mile-and-a-half stretch of Route 7 also includes shared-use paths, lengthened turn lanes, a new signal at Redberry Court and intersection improvements at Georgetown Pike and Seneca Road. All work is scheduled to be complete in early January.

Drivers can expect some intermittent daytime lane closures as crews work on the project’s final details, says VDOT.

The expanded lanes should alleviate traffic tie-ups from Reston through Great Falls to Sterling.

There is a chance to tell Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston) and Sen. Janet Howell (D-Reston) what issues are important to you as the 2016 Virginia General Assembly session nears.

Howell and Plum will hold their annual pre-legislative session town hall on Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. The 60-day legislative session begins in Richmond on Jan. 13.

Plum, in office since 1982, enters the 2016 session as the most senior member of the Virginia House. He is co-sponsoring several pre-filed bills, including one requiring employers with more than 25 employees to offer paid sick leave to employees. He is also co-sponsoring two bills regarding ethics and conflict of interests.

Howell is the chief patron of several bills this session, including one that would alter the sex offender registry by removing employer information from the part of the system available to the public.

Another Howell bill would prohibit a person who is subject to a protective order from possessing a firearm; currently, laws prohibit such people only from purchasing or transporting a firearm.

Other Howell-sponsored bills include establishing a Virginia Student Loan Refinancing Authority and criteria for redrawing election districts, among others.

Howell is also the co-sponsor of bills repealing the Virginia constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and removing the requirement that women undergo an ultrasound prior to an abortion.

Janet Howell and Ken Plum/file photo by Chip McRea

Fairfax County’s Next Recreational Amenity — Is a high ropes course heading for a county park? [Washington Business Journal]

Hearts of Hope — Langston Hughes Middle School bus driver raises bullying awareness with unique craft project. [Fairfax Times]

Best Baker — Check out Great Falls’ Matthew Merril, a sixth grader who will be a contestant on a Food Network baking show starting Monday, Jan. 4. [Fairfax Times]

The Reston Sprint Triathlon won’t take place until June, but the time to sign up is almost here.

Registration for the June 5, 2016 Sprint Tri opens Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. There are 900 spots for the race, but it often sells out — if you are certain you want a spot, save the date.

Here is what you need to know:

The race begins at Lake Newport Pool in North Reston

The course is a “sprint distance” — quarter-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and three-mile run.

Cost to enter is $150.

Proceeds benefit Reston nonprofit Cornerstones.

The race must be completed in two hours.

For more information and the register, visit the Reston Sprint Triathlon’s website.

Photo courtesy Reston Sprint Triathlon

New Year’s Eve is Thursday. Are you still looking for something to do? The usual Reston restaurants will be open and ready for revelers, but here are a few places with a little something extra for ringing in 2016.

Neyla 
Reston Town Center

Middle Eastern restaurant Neyla is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with a five-course menu, belly dancers and champagne. Seating is at 8 p.m. and is $85 per person. Reservations required.

Clyde’s of Reston
Reston Town Center

The New Year’s Eve Gala includes a premium open bar with heavy appetizers, a DJ and dancing. Champagne and party favors will be provided at midnight. Black tie/cocktail attire. $125. Reservations required.

Kalypso’s Sports Tavern
Lake Anne Plaza

Starting at 4 p.m., Kalypso’s will serve a three-course dinner with wine pairings. A DJ will spin dance music, while more than 30 HDTVs show the ball dropping in Times Square. Complimentary party favors and champagne toast will be provided.

Jammin Java
227 Maple Avenue E, Vienna

Want to celebrate with the kids? The ninth annual Rocknoceros New Years Eve Party is a family-friendly event that begins at 1:30 p.m. Popular childrens’ band Rocknoceros will do a countdown with an apple juice toast. A full lunch and drink menu is available. Tickets: $10.

Red’s Table
South Lakes Village Center

Red’s is open for dinner New Year’s Eve. There is a fixed-price menu ($69), and the regular menu will be available as well. Reservations recommended.

The Melting Pot
Plaza America, Reston

The Melting Pot has a special three-course fondue meal, including complimentary champagne with dessert.

ArtSpace Herndon
750 Center Street, Herndon

Herndon’s downtown art center hosts an annual New Year’s Eve arts-focused event with activities for children and adults.

2:00-4:00 p.m.: Children’s Crafts and Dance Workshop
Children ages 5 to 12 will enjoy celebrating the New Year at ArtSpace Herndon’s Crafts and Dance Workshop. The two-hour program includes a fabric design craft activity and children’s dance led by local artist Acoatzin Torres. $5 per child, register in advance.

10:00 p.m.-12:30 a.m.: A Night of New Orleans Jump Blues with Herbie D and the Dangermen
Dance to traditional and New Orleans-style blues while enjoying food and beverages and champagne toast. $25 per person, register in advance.

Photo: Neyla/file photo

This week, Reston Now will highlight some of the most read-stories of 2015. At No. 4 is the closing of Reston Kabob.

Reston restaurants come and go pretty often.

But no business closing of 2015 had quite the readership and reaction like the one for Reston Kabob, which was located at the International Center shops for more than a dozen years.

Read the original story on Reston Now.

The family owned spot at 1844 Sunrise Valley Dr. had to close in late July due to the upcoming redevelopment of the shopping center.

The building was finally torn down this month, and the stretch along Sunrise Valley will be redeveloped by JBG Companies into a new mixed-use property. The owners of Reston Kabob say they may be interested in returning to Reston Heights, as the new development will be called, when it opens in a few years.

Meanwhile, the operate Grill Kabob at 905 Herndon Pkwy in Herndon.

Fairfax County Police report two burglaries in Reston last week.

The first was in the 12000 Waterside View Drive at 8:57 a.m. on Dec. 23. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.

The second was in the 11800 block of Shire Court at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 24. A resident reported that someone entered the residence and took property.

In other crime news in the Reston District Station:

LARCENIES

• 1700 block of Clubhouse Road, bag from residence
• 11700 block of Indian Ridge Road, wallet from residence
• 800 block of Sherlin Lane, phone from business
• 11300 block of Stones Throw Drive, decorations from residence
• 11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, beer from business
• 12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, property from residence
• 1900 block of Upper Lake Drive, phone from residence
• 13600 block of Venturi Lane, phone from vehicle

Trump Vs. Virginia — Presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) is peeved at the Commonwealth because of its party pledge requirements in March 1’s presidential primary. [WTOP]

Kids’ Stuff — Reston Association is presenting a puppet show for little ones Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Walker Nature Education Center. The show is geared for children ages 5 to 12. Reservations and fee required. [Reston Association]

Senior Singers Needed — Reston’s Encore Chorale for singers ages 55 and over is gearing up for its winter season. Under the direction of Reston Chorale conductor David Lang, singers will learn proper breathing and vocal technique at weekly rehearsals (Tuesday afternoons) and will perform with other area Encore Chorales.  No audition required. [Reston Community Center]

If you are partying hard on New Year’s Eve, get home safely.

SoberRide, a project of The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), is offering its Holiday SoberRide program all through the holidays, up until early on New Year’s Day.

Free cab rides are available for fares up to $30 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

People who have been drinking and need a safe ride home can get their free ride by calling 1-800-200-TAXI toll-free. Those who have AT&T cellular service can also dial #WRAP to get the service.

“Last December, nearly 1,200 Greater Washington residents did the right thing and availed themselves of this lifesaving service rather than possibly driving home impaired,” said WRAP President Kurt Gregory Erickson in a statement.

Erickson said on New Year’s Eve last year alone, SoberRide gave 420 rides — or removed a would-be drunk driver from the road every 68 seconds.

To see more specifics on SoberRide (where it will pick up and drop off, participating cab companies), visit the WRAP website.