Chase Bank is seeking Fairfax County’s permission to add a drive-through ATM to its Herndon location.
The company has submitted a special exception proposal requesting the ability to operate the ATM and a deposit box at Village Center Shopping Center (2401 Centreville Road).
The county’s land use database indicates that the application was submitted on March 14, but as of press time, staff were still awaiting the actual plans.
The location currently has two ATMs, and Chase Bank’s website indicates that it recently opened.
According to a Chase Bank spokesperson, the branch opened in October and was “built from the ground up.”
“All of our branches that have a drive-thru are locations where there is space and demand to give customers a variety of options for their deposit and withdrawal financing needs,” said Carolyn Evert, Chase Bank’s spokesperson for the D.C. region.
The shopping center, which is anchored by Giant, currently has three spaces available. The largest vacant space is a 44,460-square-foot location for a fitness tenant.
Image via Google Maps
The Fairfax County Police Department touted the county’s status as the safest jurisdiction of its size following the release of its year-end crime report.
The report — which is based on violent crime rates among participating agencies evaluated by the Major Cities Chief Association — shows that Fairfax County’s rate is the lowest among jurisdictions of comparable size. Homicide offenses, sex offenses, burglaries, and robberies all declined between 2022 and 2023, according to the report.
“The central message conveyed in this report is clear — Fairfax County stands as the safest large jurisdiction in America. Through data-informed enforcement strategies, FCPD played a pivotal role in reducing violent crime rates,” FCPD wrote in a press release.
At a safety and security committee meeting before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 12, Police Chief Kevin Davis said that all 17 murders last year were solved. Homicides were down 23% over the previous year.
FCPD also stepped up the number of traffic summonses, issuing nearly 40% more in 2023 than in 2022 for violations like speeding, reckless driving, and hands-free violations.
Theft of motor vehicle parts was a major focus this year. The number of thefts decreased from 1,516 in 2022 to 875 in 2023, a trend observed in the FCPD’s mid-year crime report.
But the decrease in the theft of motor vehicle parts was offset by an increase in shoplifting, which rose from 5,799 incidents in 2022 to 8,156 last year. Additionally, 126 more vehicles were stolen in 2023 than in 2022.
Most cars that were stolen were either Kias and Hyundais, particularly in the Mount Vernon District, according to FCPD. They were often later recovered in D.C. or Prince George’s County.
Officers increased their presence in malls during the winter holiday season. Springfield’s Christmas anti-theft team recovered more than $100,000 of stolen merchandise last year compared to $30,000 in 2022, according to the FCPD.
Davis noted that organized groups appear to be targeted high-end merchandise in large quantities, later reselling the items on Facebook Marketplace.
“Everyone is jumping up and down about what we need to do to prevent, mitigate, and hold these really organized groups better accountable,” Davis said, adding that the problem appears to be region-wide.
A one-day symposium is planned in April for regional authorities to explore “innovative” solutions, Davis said.
The department also reported 472 assaults against its officers this year — an increase from 378 in 2022. Davis said 5% of all assault crimes were against law enforcement officers.
“It has our attention and we’re taking steps to mitigate it,” Davis said.
Overall, there were 1,161 assaults between 2022 and 2023, according to the report, although most offenses were not aggravated. Most assaults are “domestic in nature or involve parties known to each other,” the police department says.
“FCPD worked hard to combat this issue by placing over 34,000 criminal charges on over 23,000 individuals responsible for crimes in Fairfax County last year,” the FCPD said in a news release.
While pedestrian fatalities decreased in 2023, which had nine deaths, FCPD has launched a collaborative effort with local transportation officials and other community partners to review pedestrian fatalities and significant injuries. Between 2019 and 2022, 77 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes.
Most incidents happened at night, Davis said.
A Great Falls man pleaded guilty on Friday (March 15) to failing to pay $1.8 million to the Internal Revenue Service.
Rick Tariq Rahim, 55, owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities, and he worked as an Amazon reseller, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Virginia.
“From 2015 to 2021, Rahim did not pay to the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks or file the required quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings,” the office said in a press release.
Authorities say Rahim hasn’t filed a personal income tax return since 2012 despite earning more than $34 million in gross income.
In addition, Rahim filed two personal income tax returns where reported owing “substantial” taxes but did not pay them when they were due. When the IRS attempted to contact him, he submitted a false form that omitted assets he owned, including a helicopter, property in Great Falls and a Lamborghini, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
From the press release:
Approximately two weeks later, Rahim transferred ownership of that Great Falls property to his wife. He also paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts, including more than $889,000 toward his mortgages and more than $669,000 to purchase or lease cars, including three different Lamborghinis. In addition, Rahim withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank.
His sentencing is scheduled for June 21.
Photo via Google Maps
Woman Fatally Shot Near Inova Fairfax Hospital — “A man shot and killed his ex-girlfriend in a parking lot in Northern Virginia, and police arrested the suspect in Maryland after a short manhunt Friday evening, police said. The victim had a protective order against the suspect, but he showed up outside the medical office in Annandale where she worked, police said.” [NBC4, WUSA9]
Metro Police Start Fare Evasion Crackdown in D.C. — “Metro police will crack down on fare evasion in the District starting Monday, issuing fines of up to $100 or arresting people who refuse to pay for rides. Until now, Metro Transit Police officers have only been able to ask fare evaders to pay their fare or leave the station, according to Metro.” [Washington Post]
Warm Weather Leads to More Pollen — “This year, abnormally warm weather has boosted average tree pollen counts to near-record levels in the D.C. area. The counts have already climbed into the high range on eight days this year. So far, the peak daily count was 1,171 pollen grains per cubic meter of air measured in early March.” [Washington Post]
County Seeks Input on Bicycle Parking Updates — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host a virtual meeting on the updated Bicycle Parking Guidelines on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 6 p.m.” The county is developing guidelines for “rate of short-term to long-term bike parking spaces, acceptable rack and facility design and location guidance, and optional enhancements to improve user comfort.” [FCDOT]
Senators Warn Against Adding Long National Airport Flights — “The four U.S. senators from Virginia and Maryland are urging Congress to keep the current rules for long distance flights from Reagan National Airport (DCA) as they are.” The senators reiterated that the airport is “already overburdened” and adding more long-distance flights could affect the larger Dulles and Baltimore airports. [WTOP]
Transportation Officials Give Update on Richmond Highway Projects — “Vanessa Aguayo, project manager of the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, and Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Dan Reinhard, lead project manager for the Richmond Highway Corridor Improvements project, provided updates March 14 at the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast.” [On the MoVe]
Former McLean HS Student Publishes Debut Novel — “Small-town skullduggery, eccentric characters, humor and a gritty tone are staples of Southern crime fiction and former Great Falls resident Peter Malone Elliott was happy to indulge in them all in his debut novel, ‘Blue Ridge.'” [Gazette Leader]
Local Volunteers Bonded by Helping Feed People — “It may look like Mona Tatum works at an outdoor market along Route 1 in Alexandria. But the bounty in front of her of fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, and so much more, stems from a remarkable story of friendship between Ed Moore and Deacon James Myers…A friendship that blossomed four years ago during the pandemic’s darkest days.” [WJLA]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 51, with a west wind blowing between 9 and 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. In the evening, the sky remains mostly clear with a low temperature around 34. A northwest wind of 11 to 13 mph will continue, gusting as high as 22 mph. [Weather.gov]
Fairfax County residents don’t have to head to D.C. to experience the flair of cherry blossoms.
Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon will be the site of a spring celebration to celebrate the arrival of cherry blossoms on Saturday, April 6.
The event, “Into the Woods,” is a free, self-paced tour that will include interactive stations that include fairy-house building and other crafts.
“Discover the magic of Frying Pan Farm Park’s woods, where the combination of spring sunshine and rare soil creates a vibrant ecosystem,” the Fairfax County Park Authority said.
The event is free and open for all ages. Registration is open online to help the park authority manage park volume. Attendees can choose from different program start times at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon.
Frying Pan Farm Park is located 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon.
Kids’ parties in Reston are about to get more buoyant, as Bruno’s Bounce House expands its services to the community.
The Gainesville-based company, which sells party and event entertainment gear, announced yesterday (Thursday) that it will offer its inflatable rental services to Reston.
Options for rentals include bounce houses, dry and water slides, obstacle courses and interactive games.
“We are thrilled to bring our exceptional inflatable rental services to the Reston community,” Bruno’s Bounce House owner Gary Kwitkin said in a press release. “Our mission is to provide safe, entertaining, and memorable experiences for children and adults alike. We believe that our wide selection of inflatables will be a hit at any event, adding excitement and joy to every occasion.”
The family-owned business also offers tables, chairs, tents, and concession machines for rent. Delivery, set-up and take-down services are provided by the company.
Pilot on Flight to Dulles Tried to Open Airplane Door — “A student pilot tried to open the door of an Alaska Airlines cockpit multiple times while the plane was in the air…The flight was traveling from California to Virginia on March 3, according to an affidavit filed by federal air marshal Thomas G. Pattinson and reviewed by CBS News.” [CBS News]
Senior Living Apartments Now Open in Tysons — “Mather…earlier in March opened the doors on its eponymous The Mather, 670,000 square feet of side-by-side glass towers rising as high as 27 stories at 7929 Westpark Drive.” The Chicago-based not-for-profit organization is “actively reviewing sites” for a possible expansion in Northern Virginia, but CEO Mary Leary “wouldn’t say precisely where.” [Washington Business Journal]
Condo Project in McLean Gets Endorsement — “A proposal to rezone and redevelop McLean Professional Park with a 104-unit condominium building received strong support March 6 from the McLean Citizens Association’s (MCA) board of directors…The proposed development would straighten out the site’s entranceway, which is shared with adjacent Sunrise of McLean Village,” according to MCA’s planning and zoning committee chair. [Gazette Leader]
D.C. Region Population Growing After Pandemic — “The D.C. area’s rebound from the pandemic continued last year as the District and its surrounding counties continued to see steady growth — and their most significant population gains since 2018 — even as other major American cities contracted, according to estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.” [Washington Post]
Park Authority Introduces Summer Intern Program — The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking applicants for its new summer internship program, which is open to high school and college students, recent graduates, people looking for a career change and anyone else interested in gaining experience in marketing, history, nature and other areas. It could lead to seasonal, part-time or full-time employment. [FCPA]
Reston Climate Tech Firm Partners With Panda Express — “GridPoint Inc., a Reston company that develops technology to help businesses reduce their energy costs, has brought in three new executives to help guide it through its next growth phase…GridPoint recently expanded its partnership with Panda Express from a 200-store pilot program to a national rollout of about 2,500 locations in the coming years.” [DC Inno]
Fairfax HS Reverses Plan for Graduation — “After an apparent backlash from Fairfax High School families over a change in venue and the number [of] tickets that would be available for the school’s June 4 graduation, Principal Georgina Aye announced that the ceremony would be held at the school’s football stadium.” City of Fairfax Public Schools said earlier that the ceremony would be “moved inside due to construction at Stalnaker Field.” [Patch]
Reston Software Company Celebrates 20th Anniversary — “ScienceLogic recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at an event for employees, customers, and partners. At the event, co-founders Dave Link and Richard Chart shared some of their favorite memories, looking back at two decades of ScienceLogic’s success as a pioneering software and services provider.” [Fairfax County EDA]
It’s Friday — Expect showers with a possible thunderstorm after 2pm and a high around 74°F. An 80% chance of precipitation is forecast with less than a tenth of an inch of rain. At night, anticipate showers and potentially a thunderstorm before 8pm. Nighttime lows will be around 48°F. [Weather.gov]
The Reston-based German Armed Forces Command partnered with Food for Neighbors to help tackle food insecurity among teenagers on Saturday (March 9).
The office, which serves as the German military’s liaison to the U.S. and Canada on issues related to defense technology and weapons, helped sort nearly 3,400 pounds of donations at Herndon Middle School. It also presented a donation of more than $5,500 to Food for Neighbors.
A local nonprofit organization that provides food to middle and high school students, Food for Neighbors plans to use the funds to address teen food insecurity in partnering schools throughout Northern Virginia.
“I feel honored and privileged to present this donation as our contribution to your outstanding and very important cause,” Col. Joerg Dronia, commander of the German Armed Forces Command in the U.S. and Canada, said. “The funds were raised at the 2023 Christmas Market at our HQ here in Reston. The women and men serving there, nominated your charity organization as the prime recipient. I am more than pleased to follow their suggestion to support those in need.”
This is the second year that the German Armed Forces Command worked with Food for Neighbors after the organization participated in a similar sorting event in January 2023.
Dronia said the organization sees itself as an integral part of the local community.
“I have to repeat what I said already last year: Although, we are far away from home, you all make us feel at home here in Reston,” he said at the collection and sorting event.
Food for Neighbors founder and executive director Karen Joseph said the organization currently helps 7,500 students in 47 schools.
“In addition to representing one of our greatest NATO allies, the German Armed Forces Command is an excellent example of what it means to be a good neighbor,” Joseph said. “We are one of many organizations that have benefited from their giving spirit, and we thank them for all that they do to help our most vulnerable community members.”
Nearly 65% of Herndon Middle School’s students qualify for free and reduced-price meals, according to the Virginia Department of Education.
“Our students don’t need fancy shoes. They need food and love. By coming together over food, we create a community,” Herndon Middle School Family Liaison Salazar Laske said.
Overall, the effort sorted and collected more than 26,500 pounds of food and toiletries.
Townhomes in Reston’s Waterview cluster are among the Lake Anne residences served by RELAC (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The air-conditioning system that has long served many homes in Reston’s Lake Anne area will still be required for 343 homes after a referendum failed to pass.
Only 165 of the 343 residents who received a ballot from Reston Association voted to revoke a provision of RA’s covenants that required those living within specific residential clusters to use the Reston Lake Anne Air-Conditioning Corporation’s (RELAC) cooling services.
The referendum needed 229 votes — a two-thirds majority — to succeed, RA board president John Farrell said when announcing the results at a special meeting last night (Wednesday).
RELAC announced in December that it will cease providing services after 2023. The State Corporation Commission-governed utility served 625 residential and commercial properties, though condominiums weren’t included in the referendum since they’re outside the lot line.
In response to RELAC’s suspension of service, Reston Association launched the referendum vote to repeal a portion of Reston’s deed that currently prohibits individual AC units in residential clusters where central air-conditioning service is available to the lot line.
At last night’s special board of directors meeting, Farrell noted that a “substantial number of people” did not take part in the referendum. Only 89 members voted against repealing or revoking the provision in question.
At the special meeting, some members said they’ve been left with no other viable options as temperatures begin to warm up.
A community-driven effort to re-establish RELAC under a co-op structure is currently underway. But some members said the future viability of that option is unclear.
“RELAC as it stands right now is in very poor shape,” said local resident Max Goodman, noting that a lack of funds continue to be a problem for the new co-op structure.
Farrell emphasized that RA has no direct involvement in RELAC, either in its original form or the new co-op. He directed Goodman and others to take their questions to RELAC, adding that the co-op told RA that it plans to begin operating this spring.
Similar referendums to revoke the RELAC requirement failed to pass in 2015 and 2008.
Residents of the clusters required to use RELAC can obtain a medical exemption from RA’s covenants committee if they have a medical need. They must apply for the exemption before submitting any application for an HVAC system to the Design Review Board, RA says.
“Properties without an approved medical exemption will not be permitted to install exterior HVAC systems,” RA said.
Dozens of restaurants and breweries from across Northern Virginia will descend on the Fort Belvoir area this spring.
The National Museum of the U.S. Army (1775 Liberty Drive) will host this year’s Taste of NoVA, a relatively new food festival produced by Northern Virginia Magazine as a celebration of its annual 50 Best Restaurants list.
The inaugural festival was held in May 2023 at Segra Field in Leesburg.
Tickets for the 2024 tasting event on May 19 are currently available for early bird prices of $145 for general admission tickets or $170 for VIP tickets, which include early admission and access to a VIP lounge with specialty cocktails by Tiki Thai.
“We have only a limited number of tickets available for Early Birds, so you’ll want to get in on this deal,” Northern Virginia Magazine Director of Events James McFadden said in a press release. “The best of the best will be at this event, and you’ll be able to talk with the region’s most celebrated chefs.”
According to McFadden, there’s a limited quantity of early bird tickets but no set date for when the promotion will end. At full price, general admission tickets cost $165, and VIP tickets are $190.
All ticket-holders will get complimentary samples and sips from the participating restaurants, wineries and breweries, along with a one-year subscription to Northern Virginia Magazine. The event will also feature live entertainment, giveaways, recreational activities and access to the Army Museum.
Supported by Northern Virginia Food Rescue, a nonprofit created during the pandemic that “rescues” food waste and distributes it to those in need, the 2024 Taste of NoVA will run from 1-4 p.m. with VIP ticket-holders getting a head start at noon.
More than 40 restaurants and 25 wineries, breweries, and spirits vendors have lined up for the event, including the winner of Northern Virginia Magazine’s “Best Restaurant” designation for 2023: West Falls Church’s 2941 Restaurant.
A full list of the participants is below.
Restaurants
- 2941 Restaurant
- Harrimans Grill
- Ellie Bird
- NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese
- Trummer’s Restaurant
- TRIO Grill
- The Study
- Thompson Italian
- The Black Sheep
- Virginia’s Darling
- The Ashby Inn & Restaurant
- The Salt Line
- Agora
- Carmello’s of Old Town Manassas
- Celebration by Rupa Vira
- Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano
- Sense of Thai St.
- SER Restaurant
- Trattoria Villagio
- Ambar
- Buena Vida Gastrolounge
- Ruthie’s All Day
- Honest Grill
- Kirby Club
- Sfoglina Pasta House
- Semifreddo Italian Cuisine
- Ada’s on the River
- Café Colline
- Kismet Modern Indian
- Sabores Tapas Bar
- Ingle Korean Steakhouse
- Local Provisions
- Roadhouse Momo & Grill
- Yume Sushi
- Le Bistro
- Joon
- Padaek
- Ometeo
- Surreal
- ALIAS
- Jake’s Ice Cream
- Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn
- Tiki Thai (VIP lounge cocktails)
Wineries/Cider
- Crimson Lane Vineyards
- King Family Vineyards
- Arterra Wines
- Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg
- 868 Estate Vineyards
- Barrel Oak Winery
- Bluemont Vineyard
- Quattro Goombas Winery
- 8 Chains North Winery
- Lost Boy Cider
Breweries
- Aslin Beer
- Lost Rhino Brewing
- Dynasty Brewing
- Port City Brewing
- Bunnyman Brewing
- Juicy Brewing
- 2 Silos Brewing
- Honor Brewing
- Water’s End Brewery
- Eavesdrop Brewery
- Fair Winds Brewery
- Quattro Goombas Brewery
- Lost Barrel Brewing
- Crooked Run Brewery
- Remnant Farm Kombucha
Man Charged in Beltway Tractor-Trailer Crash — “A 28-year-old man has been charged after a multi-vehicle crash shut down a portion of southbound Interstate 495 in Fairfax County for several hours Wednesday morning…Troopers responded to a crash in the southbound lanes of I-495 where a passenger vehicle and two tractor-trailers collided near Exit 45.” [WJLA]
Annandale Man Killed in Maryland Robbery — “Annandale resident Mohammad Hanif, 50, was murdered following a robbery at the convenience store he owned in the 900 block of Larchmont Avenue in Capitol Heights, Md., on March 5. The Prince George’s County Police Department is offering up to $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.” [Annandale Today]
Regional Cycling Group Rolls Out Crash Tracker — “The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) announced a new crash tracker that lets Alexandrians and residents of other nearby localities track and report dangerous situations.” Northern Virginia, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and D.C. residents can report traffic crashes, near-misses, cars parked in bicycle lanes and “dangerous street locations. [ALXnow]
D.C. Cherry Trees to Be Cut Down for Repairs — “As part of a multimillion dollar rehabilitation project to address flooding issues, officials say 140 of D.C.’s famed cherry trees will be cut down along the Tidal Basin and Potomac River.” The project won’t affect the upcoming 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, but the National Park Service “is encouraging visitors to come see the flowers before construction kicks off later this spring.” [WTOP]
Fort Hunt ES to Launch Principal Search — “Fort Hunt Elementary School is about to start the search process for a new principal following the departure of the school’s top administrator, Lawrence Caines…Mattie Fallen has stepped in as interim principal effective March 6…and Fallen will remain the school’s top administrator until further notice.” [On the MoVe]
McLean Group Calls for Look at County Pensions — “Worried about increasing unfunded liabilities for Fairfax County’s three pension plans despite increased county contributions each year, the McLean Citizens Association’s (MCA) board of directors on March 6 passed a resolution calling on county officials to submit those plans to independent, in-depth ‘stress tests.'” [Gazette Leader]
Students and Sheep Help Clean McLean Park — “A huge shoutout to the student volunteers from Mclean High School’s History Honors Society for rolling up their sleeves and helping us remove invasive plants from the grounds of Clemyjontri Park…Thanks to LambMowers.com for bringing their sheep to provide natural lawn care!” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]
County Puts Out Call for Summer Workers — “Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is now hiring summer leaders! Positions include a $500 sign-on bonus, up to $500 in retention bonuses and the opportunity to transition to year-round employment.” Available positions include summer camp, recreation and food access program leaders. [NCS]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high temperature around 77 degrees, with a calm morning wind turning southwest at around 6 mph. As evening approaches, the sky will be partly cloudy and the temperature will dip to a low of around 58 degrees. [Weather.gov]
The Fairfax County Police Department will utilize automated technology to analyze body-worn camera footage in real time.
Seeking to improve its training and interactions with the public, the FCPD is the first jurisdiction in Virginia to sign on with Truleo, the Chicago-based technology company announced yesterday (Tuesday).
According to a press release, the technology uses artificial intelligence to process body camera footage, automatically detecting events like use of force, pursuits and frisks. The technology also screens for “professional and unprofessional” language by officers “so supervisors can then praise or review officers’ conduct.”
“We are proud to begin our work with the Fairfax County Police Department and Chief Kevin Davis,” Truleo co-founder and CEO Anthony Tassone said. “Through our work with various law enforcement agencies across the country, we’ve seen how implementing body-worn analytics helps to increase public trust and ensures that police officers meet not just law enforcement standards but also the expectations of the communities they serve.”
Launched in 2021, Truleo uses technology that Tassone and co-founder Tejas Shastry originally developed on Wall Street in 2013 “to analyze employee phone calls and text conversations,” according to the company’s website.
Since launching, the company has partnered with the FBI’s National Academy Associates program and numerous local police agencies, starting with the Alameda police in California in 2022. Other partners include the New York City Police Department and the Paterson Police Department in New Jersey, but police in Seattle discontinued their program in February 2023 after a police union leader was recorded laughing about the victim of a fatal police shooting.
Truleo’s platform generates transcripts of audio recordings captured by body cameras, using natural language processing to detect words or phrases that may signal a notable interaction. A searchable report is then sent to the officer’s supervisor.
Truleo asserts that its technology can reduce workloads for law enforcement agencies, which otherwise analyze less than 1% of body camera footage due to limited resources. However, some civil rights advocates and researchers have raised concerns about privacy and the potential for the technology to be misused.
Studies have found that AI-powered speech recognition tools are less accurate at interpreting Black voices and people speaking a language other than English, since they’re often trained on biased data.
In Fairfax County, police supervisors can’t actively review footage from body-worn cameras due to the department’s auditing process.
At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors safety and security committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday), Police Chief Kevin Davis said the combined power of the FCPD’s technological commitments will provide greater transparency on community sentiment and officer performance.
In response to Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s concerns about privacy, Davis emphasized that Truleo won’t activate unless the body-worn cameras are turned on.
“The Truleo is only on when the body worn camera is activated,” Davis said. “When the body camera is not on, Truleo will not be on.”
The FCPD already uses My90, a community engagement tool that uses a post-incident survey to complainants requesting police help. It also has an automated speed enforcement helicopter and drones, per Davis’s presentation.
The department is also expanding its use of automatic license plate readers, which were first tested in November 2022. Davis said the program has quickly become a model for the region, allowing the FCPD to promote regional collaboration and provide officers with more information.
In 2023, the department recovered 134 vehicles and arrested 222 individuals with the help of license plate reader alerts. The arrests have led to 480 felony charges and 244 charges classified as misdemeanors. The FCPD was also able to find 19 missing persons.
Lake Anne resident Alec Berry was excited when he learned a new pizza restaurant planned to move in underneath his condominium in Reston.
But that excitement and goodwill dissipated once construction started, and Berry discovered that Fairfax County planning staff had mistakenly approved plans for an exterior ventilation shaft to be installed along the side of the building — right outside his window.
“They put the shaft in and bolted it to the sidewall,” he told FFXnow. “I was given no notification of this and at roughly 7:30 in the morning, they have an impact drill into the side of my bedroom wall… So, that has soured my opinion of this whole thing.”
According to the county’s Department of Planning and Development, the application for a new Deli Italiano at 1631 Washington Plaza was processed through the county’s old planning and land use system, FIDO.
However, the system bypassed what should’ve been a required review by the Architectural Review Board (ARB) for exterior modifications because it was labeled as a “new tenant layout,” which typically implies no external changes.
“Fairfax County takes the preservation of its historic districts very seriously, requiring that any exterior modifications to buildings within these areas receive approval from the Architectural Review Board,” a county spokesperson said in a statement. “Unfortunately, in this case that did not occur due to an oversight in the approval process that did not flag the exterior changes.”
The county’s new system, PLUS, which launched with some hiccups in 2022, uses GIS technology to flag all applications in Historic Overlay Districts for review.
Nevertheless, the ARB can’t retroactively rescind its approval of Deli Italiano’s application, according to the spokesperson.
“We are dedicated to enhancing our processes and leveraging technology to uphold the integrity of our historic districts and ensure that such oversights do not occur in the future,” they said.
The central question now is whether Deli Italiano owner Yasser Baslios can continue construction after Berry appealed to the Lake Anne of Reston Condominiums Unit Owners Association (LARCA) and the Reston Association Design Review Board (DRB) — separate entities from the ARB — to stop the project.
Both the DRB and LARCA approved Baslios’s initial application for exterior modifications, including a mechanical duct with a rooftop exhaust fan, records show. But the DRB voted last month to defer a vote on Berry’s appeal to give staff more time to review the case.
Cara O’Donnell, RA’s director of communications and community engagement, told FFXnow there is no firm date yet for a decision on the appeal, but she anticipates it will come within the next few months.
“The DRB will determine if the project is permitted to remain as submitted and move forward with completion,” she said in an email.
In the meantime, Baslios is moving forward with construction as planned.
“We will follow the rules and regulations set by Fairfax County,” he told FFXnow.
Baslios disputes Berry’s recounting of events, including his description of constant construction noise in the early morning and on the weekends. He also noted the ventilation shaft is “not even close to being done.”
“We’re gonna come in as good neighbors,” he said. “We love the community very much and that’s why I keep…trying to do my best just to be in this community. I do appreciate this community, and then hope they understand that I’m doing all this just because I wanted to be at this community to make a big difference.”
Deli Italiano originally hoped to open at Lake Anne Plaza by early December 2021. The pizza chain has since opened a location in Herndon, and it can also be found in Great Falls.
Fairfax County Public Library is giving away free solar eclipse viewing glasses in anticipation of next month’s event, but to snag a pair, you’ll have to move fast.
Each branch will have “a very limited allotment” of a few hundred glasses at most, FCPL Board of Trustees chair Brian Engler confirmed. Though some branches received shipments early, the glasses were expected to be ready for distribution at all locations today (Wednesday), according to FCPL Director Jessica Hudson.
“As they are available at the branch, they will be distributed on a first-come/first-served model,” Engler said.
A total solar eclipse is slated to cross over North America on April 8, traveling northeast from Mexico’s Pacific coast through Texas and the eastern side of the Midwest up to Maine and Newfoundland, Canada. The journey will last from 11:07 a.m. to around 5:16 p.m., according to NASA.
Though Fairfax County isn’t in that path of totality, a partial eclipse will be visible, similar to what the area experienced during the August 2017 eclipse. In that event’s peak, about 82% of the sun was blocked by the moon.
An annular or “ring of fire” eclipse also occurred last Oct. 14, but clouds and rain ultimately put a damper on the event in the D.C. area. Even if the weather had been clear, viewers would’ve seen the moon’s shadow covering only about 40% of the sun.
According to NASA, the 2024 eclipse will pass over more populated areas than the one in 2017 did, and the totality will last longer. In the D.C. area, more of the sun — about 87.4% — will be blocked, so the eclipse “will be noticeably darker,” Fairfax County Park Authority spokesperson Benjamin Boxer says.
Based on NASA’s projections, the eclipse will start around 2:04 p.m., peak at about 3:20 p.m. and end at 4:32 p.m.
“We may even see a slight temperature drop during the event,” Boxer said by email. “…Since, in Northern Virginia, we are not in totality it is not safe to view without special solar glasses or using a projection method.”
Volunteers with the Analemma Society will share tips on how and where to safely view the eclipse at the park authority’s upcoming preview on March 25 at Turner Farm Park’s Roll-Top Observatory (925 Springvale Road) in Great Falls.
Scheduled for 7:30-8:30 p.m., the event is already full after opening registration back on Jan. 30, but a waitlist is available for those hoping to potentially get a spot. The event has an $8 fee.
Celebrations on the day of the eclipse are planned at Turner Farm Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly, Burke Lake Park and Historic Huntley Meadows. As of press time, seats remained available for all sessions.
The Ellanor C. Lawrence and Burke Lake celebrations are scheduled for 2-4 p.m. and will feature “related games, activities and demonstrations” before and after the eclipse, along with a limited availability of viewing glasses and sun spotting scopes.
The Historic Huntley and Turner Farm events will take place from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and focus on the science behind eclipses. Attendees will get a free pair of viewing glasses, according to the FCPA.
For those who aren’t able to obtain glasses or would prefer a less direct viewing method, the park authority has instructions for creating a pin-hole mirror or using a colander to see the crescents of light created by the partial eclipse. Cereal boxes were popular viewing tools during the 2017 event.
Next month’s solar eclipse will give scientists a rare opportunity to study the sun and its effects on nature and Earth’s atmosphere, according to the Washington Post. The continental U.S. isn’t projected to get another total solar eclipse until 2044.
A plan to renovate Reston’s Armstrong Elementary School is coming to fruition.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is set to consider a proposal tonight (Wednesday) to expand the school at 11900 Lake Newport Road with several additions and amenities.
Built in 1985, the school’s current enrollment is 360 students — far below its design capacity of 786 students — but the building is in need of “significant” improvements, according to the application.
The plans call for a 27,250-square-foot expansion of the school building, including a one-story, 7,250-square-foot administrative suite, a two-story, roughly 11,500-square-foot classroom addition, and a one-story, 8,500-square-foot addition for a library on the west side of the building.
Three new playgrounds are planned on the southern end of the property, along with a 6-foot-wide asphalt trail on the east side of the softball field and soccer field. An additional 36 parking spaces will also be provided, giving the site a total of 146 spots.
Scheduled to wrap up in the summer of 2026, the renovation is not expected to impact outdoor activities. A staging area for construction is proposed at the existing sports field, and four temporary classrooms, including a trailer with a bathroom, and a temporary playground will be provided during the renovation.
“School outdoor activities will be maintained during the renovation and coordinated by the School,” the application said. “Modular classrooms may be necessary during the renovation but will be removed upon completion of the construction.”
A bus parking area with five spaces will be added in front of the school’s main entrance. Fairfax County Public Schools reduced the maximum number of buses that can fit in a queue from 14 to 13 after the Virginia Department of Transportation raised concerns about overflow onto Lake Newport Road, according to a county staff report.
“While this is an improvement, applicant should continue to demonstrate at the time of site plan that sufficient queuing exists on-site for all 13 buses without conflicting with pedestrian and vehicular circulation,” the report said. “A development condition has been proposed to address this issue.”
County staff have also suggested that a stop bar and buffer strip be added in the bus area to better separate it from pedestrians.
Other recommendations in the staff report include the provision of a noise study at the project’s site plan phase “to ensure that students are not exposed to harmful levels of noise given that new fields and playground areas are proposed.”
Rendering via FCPS