(Updated at 12:25 a.m.) A right-wing legal group led by Stephen Miller, a former advisor to Donald Trump when he was president, is challenging Fairfax County Public Schools over its policies supporting transgender students.
America First Legal filed a complaint against the Fairfax County School Board on Monday (March 4) arguing that the school system is discriminating on the basis of sex and religion by letting students use the names, pronouns and bathrooms that match their gender identity.
The complaint was submitted to the Fairfax County Circuit Court on behalf of an unnamed female student. It identifies “Jane Doe” as a current high school senior who has attended FCPS since 2014, when she was in third grade.
Her opposition to the regulations that the school board originally adopted in October 2020 stems from her beliefs as a “practicing Roman Catholic” that “rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person,” the filing says.
According to the lawsuit, the student supports her peers using the name and pronoun they’re “comfortable with” and “having access to the use of private restrooms” if they don’t want to use ones that correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.
However, she objects to being “compelled” to address other students by their “chosen” names and pronouns, and she says sharing bathrooms with transgender girls “makes her feel unsafe and uncomfortable.”
“The Petitioner lives in daily fear that if she speaks in a manner that is consistent with her sincerely held philosophical and religious beliefs, she will be subject to discipline, chastisement, and/or social ostracization,” the complaint said.
Last updated on April 21, 2022, FCPS Regulation 2603.2 says all students should be treated in accordance with their gender identity “to ensure that all students, including gender-expansive and transgender students experience a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment.”
FCPS leaders maintained their support for the policy last year after the Virginia Department of Education released “model policies” directing public schools to treat students based on their “biological sex.” The state’s proposed policies prompted student protests in Fairfax County and across Virginia when they were first released in 2022.
The VDOE policies are facing a discrimination lawsuit filed last month by two transgender students backed by the ACLU of Virginia. Though an American First Legal advisor says FCPS’s policies contradict Virginia Supreme Court rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an appeals court decision in 2021 that found banning transgender students from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity is unconstitutional.
FCPS didn’t return a request for comment on America First Legal’s lawsuit by press time.
Providence District School Board Representative Karl Frisch, who chairs the board, stressed that FCPS “remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive, welcoming, and inclusive school environment for all students and staff, including our transgender and gender expansive students and staff.” Read More
Fairfax Connector to Restart Service Friday — Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 voted yesterday (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending their strike after 15 days, the union announced. The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8). [FFXnow]
Annandale Man Charged in Baby Son’s Death — “Detectives from the Mason Police District arrested Shane Frye, 37, of Annandale, in connection with the overdose death of his 4-month-old son. Officers responded to the 4200 block of Americana Drive in Annandale on June 15, 2023, for an unresponsive baby, who was being cared for by Frye.” [Annandale Today]
Casino Opponents Got Help From MGM Owner — “A coalition of political and business leaders, including the owners of MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino in Maryland, paid for a phone survey and provided buses to take Tysons casino opponents to Richmond.” Leaders of opposing community groups say they were already organizing volunteers to testify before state lawmakers when a PR firm tied to MGM offered to help with expenses. [Patch]
Animal Shelter Needs Help Getting Dogs Adopted — “We currently have over 100 dogs in our care, and our shelters are quickly running out of space. We need our community’s assistance in finding loving homes for these wonderful pups. With so many adorable faces waiting to meet you TODAY, there has never been a better time to adopt!” [Fairfax County Animal Shelter/Facebook]
County Board Appoints Police Review Panel Liaison — “Craig Miles has been appointed Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel (PCRP) liaison by the Board of Supervisors (BOS), effective Monday, March 11.” Replacing the panel’s one-time executive director, the liaison will advise, support and coordinate activities with the panel and manage “the intake process for complaints against officers and employees of the FCPD.” [Fairfax County Government]
Police Warn About Cryptocurrency Scams — “Detectives and investigators with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division warn community members of Bitcoin and crypto-related scams being reported within the county. Criminals are exploiting people into depositing money into crypto ATMs and defrauding them of their money, police said.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons Hotelier to Sponsor Golf Competition — Hilton McLean Tysons will be the official hotel for the 2024 Solheim Cup, a biennial women’s golf competition that “pits the best U.S. players against their European counterparts.” Hilton Worldwide Holdings has signed on as a global partner for the event, which will be held Sept. 10-15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville. [Washington Business Journal]
Vienna Sets Date for July 4 Fireworks — Vienna will hold “its Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show on July 2 at Yeonas Park…Like several other Northern Virginia communities, Vienna in recent years has been holding its Independence Day celebration earlier than the traditional July 4 because of difficulties in securing fireworks vendors.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Thursday — There’s a 20% chance of rain before 10am, and skies will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures reaching up to 61°F. There’s a 20% chance of precipitation. The skies will be partly cloudy at night with the temperature dropping to about 43°F. [Weather.gov]
The Town of Herndon is exploring the adoption of new policy that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.
Moved by council member Pradip Dhakal and created by the Herndon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the “One Herndon” policy builds on the One Fairfax policy adopted by Fairfax County in 2016, which commits county and school officials to considering social and racial equity issues when providing services and making policy decisions.
“The time is now to move beyond embracing diversity as an asset and implement a new growth model driven by equity — just and fair inclusion into ‘OneHerndon,’ a community in which everyone can participate and prosper,” the draft resolution says.
At a March 5 meeting, a majority of the council expressed support for the proposal, while cautioning that the council and staff would need to evaluate ways to continue implementing the policy in meaningful and quantifiable ways.
“I’m trying to understand what we want to achieve with the policy beyond statements of equity and inclusion,” Councilmember Keven LeBlanc said.
Dhakal noted that the resolution provides guidance for creating future policies.
“It’s a step-by-step policy,” he said, adding that the policy is intended to be a “high-level guiding resolution” only.
The council plans to continue discussing the resolution at an April strategic planning meeting.
Perhaps Nikki Haley’s rally in Idylwood last week made a difference after all.
In yesterday’s Republican presidential primary, the former South Carolina governor won more support from Fairfax County voters than frontrunner Donald Trump, though she trailed the one-time president by a sizable margin in Virginia overall.
According to preliminary results from the Fairfax County Office of Elections, Haley received 48,007 votes (57%) compared to Trump’s 33,752 votes (40%). The four other candidates on the Republican ballot combined for 2,038 votes, though none of them were seeking the nomination anymore.
Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy left the race before early voting started in January, while Texas pastor Ryan Binkley suspended his campaign in February. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who dropped out and endorsed Trump on Jan. 21, led the also-rans with 923 votes, including 771 that were cast yesterday (Tuesday).
In total, 83,797 ballots were cast in Fairfax County’s Republican primary — a roughly 10.6% turnout. The vast majority of votes (72,238) came in the day of the primary, though mail ballots will be counted until noon on Friday (March 8) as long as they were postmarked on or before election day.
As of this morning, Trump has drawn 63.3% of the vote in Virginia’s Republican primary, getting 33 delegates as part of a Super Tuesday haul that puts him close to the 1,215 delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination. With 34.6% of the Virginia vote, Haley gained six delegates, but after trailing in all of yesterday’s primaries except for Vermont, she announced today (Wednesday) that she will end her campaign.
Biden prevails in Democratic primary
Over in the Democratic primary, President Joe Biden garnered nearly 89% of votes in Virginia, including 51,612 (86.6%) of the 59,812 votes cast in Fairfax County, according to unofficial results.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee said it was “thrilled with last night’s outcomes” in both the Democratic and Republican contests.
“With President Biden’s sweep in Virginia we are committed to keep the commonwealth blue as we head into the November election,” the FCDC said. “We are further heartened by the significant loss of Former President Trump in Fairfax County as it underscores local rejection of the divisive politics employed by his and Glenn Youngkin’s party.”
Though no serious primary challengers to the sitting president emerged, Marianne Williamson received 5,989 votes in Fairfax County, and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips got 2,211 votes.
It’s unclear why voters cast ballots for those candidates, but in some states, activists have urged Democrats to withhold their vote from Biden to protest his handling of Israel’s war on Gaza. A Listen to Virginia Coalition, a spin-off of the original “Listen to Michigan” campaign, asked voters to cast ballots for Williamson instead, since Virginia doesn’t have an “uncommitted” or write-in option.
Biden has been allocated 1,497 delegates so far and needs 1,967 to officially win the Democratic nomination, which will be determined at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 19-22. The Republican National Convention is scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Fairfax County saw a total turnout of 18.15% for yesterday’s primaries, a decline from the 34.2% of voters who participated in the last Democratic presidential primary in March 2020. The most recent Republican presidential primary was in March 2016 and had a 20.8% turnout.
A small business that specializes in all things granola is relocating its Chantilly location to Reston.
Dano’s Granola plans to open in 11495 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 105, by the middle to end of this summer, according to owner and mom of three, Dania Abimourched.
“I’ve lived in Reston since middle school and we started our family here,” Abimourched told FFXnow. “We love the Reston community and our customers that have become part of extended Dano’s Granola family.”
Abimourched’s passion for baking stems from her master’s degree thesis project — an endeavor that tied together her art and ideas together. After her eldest son was diagnosed with several allergies, she began experimenting with different ingredients for health food snacks and treats.
She sells mixes of granola that come in flavors like turmeric and vanilla, carob spice, coconut and seeds, and chocolatte (a combination of chocolate and coffee).
Dano’s Granola currently operates a retail location at 4520 Daly Drive, Suite 100, in Chantilly. It also appears at the Lake Anne Farmers’ Market every spring and fall and provides products to several partners around Northern Virginia, including Wegman’s in Reston, The Bike Lane and Beloved Yoga.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has advanced a proposal for a 4-cent real estate tax increase, which would mark the first hike in six years, if approved.
Yesterday (Tuesday), the board gave County Executive Bryan Hill the green light to advertise the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget and schedule a public hearing starting Tuesday, April 16, at 3 p.m.
The public hearing will be held in the board auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway) over three days, ending on April 18.
Several board members, including Chairman Jeff McKay, acknowledged the necessity of raising tax revenue to pay for employee raises, schools and Metro, among other priorities. However, they noted that the tax rate adopted in the final budget draft may be lower than the advertised rate, which sets a ceiling on what the board can approve.
“It is the prudent thing to do,” McKay said, adding that the board needs flexibility to increase the tax rate if the state does not provide enough funding for specific items, such as schools.
Under the proposed plan, the real estate tax rate would increase from $1.095 per $100 to $1.135, boosting the average tax bill by more than $524. Initially, Hill had recommended a 6 to 8-cent hike, but the board rejected the proposal.
If adopted, the new tax rate would generate an additional $129.28 million in revenue, which would help offset the revenue loss caused by a decline in commercial property values, particularly office space.
About 73% of taxable residential properties in the county saw their value rise this year, compared to just 36% of non-residential parcels, according to the county’s Department of Tax Administration. The average residential property assessment increased by 2.86% to $744,526 from 2023.
Also included in the proposed budget is an 8.8% increase in personal property taxes and a proposed 10-cent-per-pack increase in cigarette taxes, raising the total projected revenue to $363.22 million more than last fiscal year.
The advertised budget largely focuses spending to essential areas like public schools and employee compensation, with nearly half of the funding ($165 million) allocated to Fairfax County Public Schools — falling short of Superintendent Michelle Reid’s request for an additional $254 million.
While board members acknowledged the significance of Reid’s request, several noted during yesterday’s meeting too much of the burden would fall on property owners.
Instead, supervisors blamed the state for failing to adequately fund the school system, pointing out that Virginia’s funding for public education falls well below the national average. They also highlighted Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed state budget, which would reduce funding for K-12 schools.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, the lone Republican on the board, said that while he supports the advertised rate, he wants to see the board try to whittle the number down.
“I hope we can start looking at a deep dive on the budget and see what we can do for our taxpayers,” he said.
In addition to testifying at next month’s public hearings, community members can provide feedback to the county on the proposed budget and tax rate online, by text, phone and email.
A final budget and tax rate will be adopted by the board on May 7.
ICYMI: Fairfax Connector Workers to Vote on Contract — Members of ATU Local 689, the union that represents Fairfax Connector bus drivers and mechanics, will vote today (Wednesday) on whether to ratify a tentative contract agreement with operator Transdev. If the deal is approved, it would end a nearly two-week-long strike that disrupted travel for thousands of bus riders. [FFXnow]
Ohio Murder Suspect Arrested in Springfield — “A man wanted on murder charges in Columbus, Ohio, was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Monday night after police said he fled from a traffic stop and struck multiple police vehicles before authorities took him into custody.” Police said the man and “multiple police officers sustained minor injuries during the arrest.” [WTOP]
Police ID Suspect in 1989 Homicide — “Police in Stafford and Fairfax counties say they arrested a suspect in the slayings of 18-year-old Amy Baker and 32-year-old Jaqueline Lord in 1989 and 1986, respectively.” Baker, a Stafford resident, disappeared while visiting family in Falls Church on March 29, 1989. Her family found her body two days later near the I-95 exit ramp to Backlick Road in Springfield. [Potomac Local News, FCPD]
Driver in Fatal Route 29 Crash Charged — A 22-year-old Fairfax resident has been arrested on DUI-related manslaughter and reckless driving charges for a fatal crash that occurred on Dec. 5 at the intersection of Route 29 and Clifton Road near Centreville. Police say the man was drunk and driving over 110 mph when he crashed into a Hyundai, killing Manassas resident Sohail Iqbal. [FCPD]
Dentist to Open Practice in Fort Belvoir — “Gentle Dental Fort Belvoir…will open soon at Belvoir Square and hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with refreshments March 16 at noon. The practice’s founder and general dentist, Dr. Duy Nguyen, graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke.” [On the MoVe]
Local Women-Owned Restaurants Join Festival — “More than 40 bars and restaurants around the D.C. region are celebrating Women’s History Month together…The third annual Women’s History Month Festival is the biggest celebration to date. It’s organized by the nonprofit group Regarding Her, which started in Los Angeles and now includes the women who own bars and restaurants in D.C.” [WTOP]
Rep. Don Beyer Proposes A.I. for Suicide Prevention — “The congressman said that he is trying to figure out a way to use artificial intelligence to improve suicide hotlines. After enrolling part-time at George Mason University to pursue a master’s in AI, to learn how to regulate its use, he said he realized that AI could be beneficial in other areas.” [ARLnow]
It’s Wednesday — Expect rain to begin mainly after 1pm, with patchy fog clearing by 8am and a high near 58°F. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation, with up to half an inch possible. Rain will continue mainly before 1am on Wednesday night, dropping to a low around 51°F. [Weather.gov]
Updated at 9:45 p.m. on 3/6/2024 — Fairfax Connector workers with ATU Local 689 voted today (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending a 15-day strike, the union announced.
The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8), according to Transdev and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.
“Our management teams and staff have been preparing to restore full bus service as soon as possible after approval of the new contract,” FCDOT said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers during this challenging time and look forward to welcoming them back on board.”
Earlier: An end to the strike that has kept Fairfax Connector buses on ice for nearly two weeks may be near.
ATU Local 689, the union representing more than 600 bus drivers and mechanics who run Fairfax County’s public bus service, have reached a “tentative” contract agreement with Transdev, the contractor that operates the service, the union announced tonight (Tuesday).
The news came just two hours after the Fairfax County Department of Transportation announced at 6 p.m. that service would be suspended tomorrow (Wednesday) for a 14th consecutive day.
According to an ATU spokesperson, the strike remains in effect, but union members won’t be picketing. Instead, they will vote on whether to ratify the new contract, which will set standards for pay, benefits and working conditions and replace one that expired on Nov. 30.
“If it passes, they could return to work as soon as Thursday,” ATU Local 689 spokesperson Ben Lynn said.
Fairfax Connector workers have been striking since Feb. 22, when the union called for a work stoppage, saying it remained far apart from Trandev in what they were seeking from a new contract, even after 12 bargaining sessions.
While details of the potential agreement aren’t currently available, Local 689 says it secured “major transformative improvements…that would guarantee retirement security for members, include competitive wages for bus operators and mechanics, and enhance the 40-hour guarantee,” among other priorities.
Transdev confirmed that it had reached “a mutually agreeable, tentative agreement.”
“The next step will be for the ATU 689 membership to vote on ratifying the contract tomorrow,” a Transdev spokesperson said. “We will immediately prioritize restoring full service as soon as possible.”
Fairfax Connector service has been suspended throughout the strike, disrupting travel for the approximately 26,000 passengers who ride its buses daily.
FCDOT encouraged riders to utilize alternatives such as teleworking, carpooling, walking, bicycling, Metro and Virginia Railway Express (VRE), though many commuters resorted to ride-sharing services. Starting last Friday (March 1 ), the county offered free Capital Bikeshare rides.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said in a newsletter that participants in the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP), which provides half-price fares to low-income riders, got “a supplemental one-time credit in their accounts that they can use for alternative transportation during the strike.”
Though initially criticized by the union for not taking a more vocal stance on the contract dispute, McKay got involved last week when he sent a letter to a federal mediator on Feb. 28, asking her to move up talks between Transdev and ATU that previously weren’t scheduled to resume until March 5.
In a statement, McKay said county leaders are “pleased” by the news of a tentative agreement, signaling that Fairfax Connector service could resume soon.
“The mutually agreeable solution that resulted from this effort not only respects the exemplary work of the system’s drivers and mechanics but ensures that we are moving forward in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner that benefits our residents,” McKay said.
A giveaway for formal and prom dresses will return to Reston Community Center on March 16.
RCC is hosting the 22nd annual Diva Central Formal and Prom Dress Giveaway at its Lake Anne facility (1609-A Washington Plaza North). Middle and high school students can select an outfit from a collection of dresses, shoes and accessories.
The event is intended to make prom attendance more inclusive for students, particularly those under financial strain.
“When we started this program more than two decades ago, RCC was the only local organization offering such an event,” RCC Board Chair Beverly Cosham said. “Since then, we’ve been joined by several other similar offerings for young people. We are delighted it has proven to be such a success.”
The collection features items donated by community members throughout February. Mannequins styled in donated dresses and accessories were placed in area schools and RCC facilities to help market the event.
“Embracing sustainability, the Diva Central Dress Giveaway underscores our collective responsibility to promote the reuse and repurposing of clothing, fostering a more eco-conscious approach to fashion that resonates with our shared values and commitment to environmental stewardship,” the community center said in a press release.
All items are free, and shoppers can choose up to two outfits. Volunteers are on hand to help teens with their selections, share makeup tips, and offer door prizes and swag bags.
Registration is encouraged online prior to the event.
Hiring is officially underway for The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax in Reston.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking to fill more than 200 seasonal positions, including lifeguards, park attendances and security staff.
Pay begins at $16.87 per hour for lifeguards, $13.50 per hour for park attendants, $18.87 per hour for security and $17.87 for leadership staff.
Lifegaurds must be 15 years or older to apply, although no prior experience or certifications are required to apply. FCPA offers lifegaurd training and uniforms.
The park authority will hold interview-only hiring events at the Water Mine (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) on the following dates:
- Wednesday, April 10, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Saturday, April 13, from noon-3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 24, from 2-5 p.m.
- Sunday, April 28, from noon-3 p.m.
FCPA is also hosting events that will require a swim test and interviews:
- Saturday, March 9, from 1-4 p.m. at the Spring Hill Rec Center in McLean
- Saturday, March 23, from 1-4 p.m. at Cub Run Rec Center in Chantilly
- Wednesday, March 27, from 4-7 p.m. at Oakmont Rec Center in Oakton
This year, the park authority is offering $500 signing bonuses and free use of its rec centers to summer employees. Applications are now being accepted through the Water Mine’s website.
The Water Mine will reopen for the 2024 summer season on May 25. Attractions include slides, an interactive playground, a lazy river and a log-walk obstacle course.
Screenshot via Fairfax County Park Authority/YouTube
(Updated at noon) Fairfax County landowners interested in comparing their current tax assessment with what they might’ve been charged at the tail end of the 19th century will soon be able to find that information online.
Local land tax books from 1891 and 1896 are among the records that the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office plans to preserve and digitize after receiving a nearly $21,270 state grant.
Announced by the Library of Virginia last Thursday (Feb. 29), the award will also be used to preserve marriage license books from 1867-1895 and 1896-1928, an 1880 Federal Census Book, and “Deed Book Liber O-6 1904,” according to the clerk’s office.
“We’re very excited to receive this grant from the Library of Virginia,” Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk Chris Falcon said. “I am thankful we have such a great collection of records and want to make sure they are properly maintained. It is our collective responsibility to preserve this invaluable resource for future generations.”
The documents are currently stored at the Historic Records Center in the Historic Fairfax Courthouse (4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 1600), which houses records dating back to the county’s formation in 1742 through the early 1900s.
According to a spokesperson for Falcon’s office, the records center’s archivist, Georgia Brown, and her team prioritize records for conservation based on their current condition, historical importance, the frequency with which they’re used for research and other criteria.
“These records are very fragile and have never been digitized,” the spokesperson said. “Once our archivist and her team have determined which records best fit the criteria, a representative from the Library of Virginia chooses from the provided records which would be most appropriate for the grant.”
The Library of Virginia awarded more than $3.2 million in grants this year from its Circuit Court Records Preservation (CCRP) program, which started in 1992 to help local courts preserve records and make them more accessible. The Library of Virginia is required by state law to maintain public records created before 1912.
Over the past three decades, the CCRP has given out more than 2,000 grants totaling over $36 million.
Last year, the Fairfax County Circuit Court was awarded almost $22,420 to preserve records that included a map used in the 1950s to determine the boundaries between Fairfax County and Alexandria.
“The process of conservation usually takes approximately six months, and the digitization process will be done simultaneously,” the clerk’s office spokesperson said.
Once digitized, this year’s preserved records will be publicly available online through the circuit court’s Court Public Access Network, a subscription-based database.
Correction: This story originally identified Heather Bollinger as the Historic Records Center’s archivist. Bollinger previously served as the historic records manager but is no longer with the center. Georgia Brown is currently the lead archivist.
Polls Open for Presidential Primaries — Super Tuesday has arrived in Virginia and 15 other states that will help determine each party’s prospective nominee “ahead of the Republican National Convention from July 15 to 18 and Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19 to 22.” Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. An acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person, and all precincts will accept drop-off ballots. [Patch]
Burke Resident Advocates for Renaming — “The namesake of the unincorporated town of Burke has a dark history associated with slavery, leading some to speculate whether the time has come to change the name.” Resident David Martosko proposes renaming the area after Fenton, an enslaved child bought by Silas Burke, “but keeping the street names and shopping center names in order to force a conversation.” [WUSA9]
State Senate to Consider Metro Funding — “Funding for Metro is back on the table in Virginia as budget talks continue…Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. L. Louise Lucas posted on X that she has decided to put extra funding into the senate’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year after commitments for long-term reform from Metro leadership.” [WTOP]
County Proposes Raising Permit Fees — “Fairfax County building and rezoning fees could rise as much as 35 percent under a proposal drafted by county staff. Bill Hicks, the director of Land Development Services, told the Board of Supervisors’ Land Policy Committee that the fees have to be raised because of inflation, increased staffing, increased employee compensation, and the requirement that fees have to cover the department’s expenses.” [Annandale Today]
Mount Vernon Reps Question Proposed FCPS Budget — “Elected officials from the Mount Vernon District have made it clear they will not automatically be green-lighting the initial $254 million budget ask from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for fiscal year 2025.” School board member Mateo Dunne and Supervisor Dan Storck urged school officials to find ways to trim costs, while stressing “the need above all else to get more public-school funding from the state.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Church to Add Solar Panels — “Aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the leaders of Church of the Holy Comforter (Episcopal) in Vienna are advancing with plans to build a solar array on the site’s lower parking lot. Leaders of the church…are seeking permits from Fairfax County and the town of Vienna, but hope to break ground on the project in mid-April and have it finished sometime this summer, said Rev. Jon Strand, the church’s rector.” [Gazette Leader]
Dog Adopted After Long Stay at County Shelter — “An animal shelter employee’s lunch order led to an incredibly happy ending for one patient rescue dog. On Saturday, Feb. 10, Grubhub driver Alan Moncayo delivered lunch to a manager at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s Lorton, Virginia, campus. When he walked in Moncayo saw a dog in the front window…Jihoo had been at the shelter for 240 days since his owners surrendered him.” [People]
Vienna Opens Applications for Annual Photo Contest — “Snap to it! Put your skills to the test in the Vienna Photo Show! Enter your best pieces in the contest at the Vienna Community Center (VCC) from 5-8 p.m. on March 14 and 12-3:45 p.m. on March 15. Applications are available online or at the VCC.” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]
It’s Tuesday — Rain is likely, mainly before noon, with patchy fog between 7 and 11am. The sky will gradually clear up to be mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Expect a 70% chance of rain. At night, there’s a slight 20% chance of rain after 4am, with increasing clouds and a low around 50. [Weather.gov]
Infrastructure damaged by a storm at the Glade Tennis Courts in Reston is set for repairs that are expected to wrap up in the fall or spring.
In an update released Friday (March 1), Reston Association Capital Projects Director Chris Schumaker said RA plans to complete a full-court renovation, including new fences and LED court lighting, for the facility.
RA also plans to repair a damaged underground irrigation system that hydrates the clay courts, Schumaker said. The system was damaged by a storm in 2018.
The courts at 11550 Glade Drive will remain closed for the duration of the renovation period. Schumaker estimated reopening in the fall or early next spring.
Meanwhile, renovations at the North Hills pavilion (1400 N Village Road) are set to begin in mid-April. They include accessibility improvements, new parking areas, a pathway linking the parking lot and the pavilion, new grill stations and park furniture.
RA also plans to make the parking lot ADA compliant and provide an accessible pathway to link the parking lot to the pavilion.
Without taking a recorded vote, a Virginia House of Delegates committee on Wednesday [Feb. 27] again blocked legislation that would bring the state in line with the rest of the country by banning the personal use of campaign funds.
By a voice vote, the House Appropriations Committee chose to continue the bill until the 2025 General Assembly session.
“It is our hope that during the course of the 2025 session that both Senator Boysko and Delegate Simon will be able to come back to us and bring us a piece of legislation that not only do I want to see passed out but the speaker would like to see passed out as well,” said House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William.
He was referring to Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, who were spearheading efforts (link added by FFXnow) to craft a law that would clarify campaign funds have to be used for legitimate political activity and cannot be used on personal expenses such as mortgage payments, school tuition, vacations, clothing and cars.
Torian’s committee did not docket Simon’s bill earlier in the session. Boysko’s bill had passed the state Senate 35-4, and Wednesday’s hearing was a do-or-die moment for her version as lawmakers prepare to wrap up the session [this] week.
Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, said he would “reluctantly” second the motion to punt the bill to 2025.
The proposed ban, which has been blocked for years, is pitched as a basic good government measure that would prevent politicians from funding their personal lives with money given to them by corporations and wealthy donors.
Previous promises to work on the issue at a later date haven’t been borne out.
In 2021, the General Assembly created a special subcommittee to study campaign finance reform, and the personal use ban was considered one of its top priorities. That subcommittee barely met in 2021. The legislature re-upped it for another year, but the panel never held a meeting in 2022.
The subcommittee — which never produced a final report — is now listed as inactive.
This article was reported and written by the Virginia Mercury, and has been reprinted under a Creative Commons license.
A helicopter-assisted search resulted in the arrest of a man suspected of robbing a bank in Great Falls.
Shortly before 11 a.m. yesterday (Sunday), the suspect reportedly entered the Wells Fargo bank at 750 Walker Road, displayed a firearm and took cash. He left in a car before police officers arrived on the scene, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
When canvassing the area, officers saw a gray Acura speed through a red light near I-495. Fairfax One was able to locate the car as the suspect fled to Maryland.
“Fairfax One directed Montgomery County police officers to the suspect’s location, where they were able to safely take him into custody,” the FCPD said.
A 61-year-old man from Maryland was arrested. The FCPD says evidence of the robbery was found in the car. He was taken to a jail in Montgomery County and held pending extradition to Fairfax County on a bank robbery charge.
FCPD is seeking more information about the case. Here’s more from FCPD on how to get in touch:
Detectives would like to speak to anyone who may have information about this case. Those with information are asked to please call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 5. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers.” Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.
