The unexpectedly long-running saga of Fairfax County Public Schools’ delayed National Merit Scholarship commendation notices has added a new page.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has petitioned the Fairfax County Circuit Court to require FCPS to turn over the full report it commissioned from an outside law firm in January, killing any hopes school officials had that releasing a summary of the review’s findings would resolve the state investigation.
Filing an objection in court yesterday (Monday), FCPS says the report by Sands Anderson is confidential, and the attorney general’s subpoena request — which also seeks witness interview notes and transcripts — would violate its attorney-client privileges.
“Various FCPS teachers and staff were interviewed as part of this independent investigation. We owe it to them to do everything we can to protect their privacy and personal security,” FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a statement. “As the Attorney General knows, multiple FCPS staff members have been harassed and threatened over this issue.”
Miyares launched an investigation into FCPS in January after Coalition for TJ co-founder Asra Nomani published a story alleging that Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology officials had deliberately delayed notifying students “commended” by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
Nomani claimed the notices were withheld in a “war on merit,” preventing students from citing the honor in early college applications. Experts say the preliminary SAT scores used by the NMSC aren’t heavily considered in admissions decisions.
Initially focusing on TJ before expanding the investigation to all of FCPS, Miyares said the delayed notices could constitute discrimination violating the Virginia Human Rights Act, referencing the lawsuit over changes to TJ’s admissions policy.
Hired to conduct a review for FCPS in response, Sands Anderson found communication gaps, staff absences and other logistical errors, but there was no evidence that schools intentionally withheld the “commended” notices from students, FCPS reported in March.
In a statement, Miyares’s office called FCPS’ objection to sharing the full report evidence that the school system “believes it is immune from Virginia’s anti-discrimination laws.”
“FCPS now confirms it will only comply with the law when politically convenient,” Miyares spokeswoman Victoria LaCivita said. “No school system is above the law. If the report shows no wrongdoing, then FCPS should release it. Attorney General Miyares’s investigation into this matter will continue.”
Noting that it has standardized how schools notify students about NMSC recognitions, FCPS says sharing the requested materials would violate the privacy and, potentially, the safety of teachers and administrators interviewed by Sands Anderson.
The school system didn’t detail specific incidents but said it has alerted the attorney general “to this concern and…the severity of the threats.”
“Turning over these privileged materials to the Attorney General would set a troubling precedent and could undermine the willingness of others to cooperate with similar inquiries in the future,” Reid said.
LaCivita said that Miyares “values the safety of Virginians above all else, and expects that FCPS reported any credible threats to the proper authorities.”
In a court filing, attorneys representing FCPS also argue that Miyares hasn’t shown “good cause” for why a subpoena is needed, per Virginia law:
In particular, the Attorney General has not shown why it cannot conduct a full investigation with the facts already within its possession, or why it must have access to a law firm’s privileged report of the firm’s separate analysis of the same information. Nor has the Attorney General explained why it waited months after learning of the Sands Anderson report to subpoena this information.
“As we have already shared thousands of documents related to this issue, the Attorney General’s office has all the facts it needs to complete its investigation,” Reid said.
The attorney general has been engaged in a similar court battle with Loudoun County Public Schools, which was recently ordered to share a report with prosecutors on its handling of two sexual assaults.
Retail Theft on the Rise, Police Say — “Organized retail theft is way up in Fairfax County, says MPO Howard Mergler of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Tysons Urban Team…During the past year, many millions of dollars worth of merchandise were stolen from the [Tysons] malls. That compares to just $4 million in the previous 10 years.” [Annandale Today]
Penn Daw Fire Station and Housing Concepts Shared — “Nearly 100 community members reviewed plans June 8 for a combination emergency shelter, affordable housing and firehouse being planned for the corner of Beacon Hill Road and Richmond Highway.” County staff presented three designs: one with a courtyard facing Beacon Hill, one with more open space in back and one with the building at the center of the site. [On the MoVe]
Community Group Partners With FCPS to Feed Students — “The group ‘Be the Good’ is partnering with Fairfax County Public Schools to ensure that food-insecure students have emergency access to food…The organization’s partnership with FCPS means that all Title I and Title I-eligible schools may receive a Free Little Food Pantry.” [DC News Now]
The Origin Stories for Two Local Roads — Temporary Road between Reston Parkway and North Shore Drive originally got its name as a placeholder, but no one ever got around to submitting the paperwork for a name change. Meanwhile, Attendee Road in Springfield owes its name to the telecommunications company AT&T. [The Washington Post]
Annual Poll Highlights N. Va. Restaurants and Retail — “No matter the kind of food, drinks, entertainment, shopping, beauty, or fitness services you need, you’ll find a wide array of options here in Northern Virginia. These are the results of our annual readers’ choice poll — and a few editors’ picks, too.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Career Fair for Military Servicemembers Tomorrow — “The Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce is presenting a career and resource fair for service members, veterans and their spouses on Wednesday, June 14. The event, at Embassy Suites, 8100 Loisdale Road in Springfield, will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.” [Inside NoVA]
Virginia Housing Protections Could Go Federal — “The realities of the housing market haven’t kept up with the letter of the law. The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2023 — a bill introduced in April by Sen. Kaine and California Reps. Scott Peters and Adam Schiff — could help hinder ongoing discrimination by enshrining protections for veterans and voucher holders at the federal level.” [Greater Greater Washington]
Broadway Coming to Wolf Trap This Week — “Wolf Trap is hosting its third annual ‘Broadway in the Park’ concert this Friday, June 16, at 8 p.m. Lea Salonga, the singing voice of Jasmine in ‘Aladdin’ and Mulan in ‘Mulan,’ will join Tony nominee Megan Hilty of ‘Wicked’ and ‘9 to 5: The Musical’ and local actors from Signature Theatre” [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. At night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 7 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 3:10 p.m. A man who died by suicide in Richmond today (Monday) was responsible for a shooting, stabbing and carjacking in Reston yesterday, Fairfax County police say.
Officers were dispatched to a home in the 12000 block of Thunder Chase Drive at 1:58 a.m. yesterday, where they found one person inside with “multiple gunshot wounds,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
“Officers immediately rendered medical aid and the victim was taken to the hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” police said.
A second person was found in a nearby car “suffering from a stab wound to the arm and trauma to the face,” police said. That person was also taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
According to the FCPD, the person who got stabbed had been assaulted and abducted in Henrico County by 45-year-old Dana Paul Roman, a Richmond resident. The woman told police that Roman drove her to Reston at gunpoint and tied her to the car seat by a belt, according to scanner traffic.
“When Roman and the victim arrived at the Thunder Chase Drive address, Roman got out of the car and began shooting,” hitting the person later found inside the home multiple times before fleeing, police said.
The FCPD searched the area with help from a K9 unit, helicopter and Virginia State Police to no avail.
According to police, Roman apparently carjacked and abducted a third individual in Reston and forced them to drive to Henrico County.
Henrico County Police reported at 10:24 a.m. that its officers had located Roman and “pursued him into the City of Richmond, where he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound” at North 35th Street and East Marshall Avenue.
The FCPD says the shooting and stabbing victims were known to Roman. Before his death, detectives had obtained warrants charging him with abduction by force, carjacking, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, malicious wounding, and assault.
Henrico police had also gotten warrants for malicious wounding and robbery.
“Detectives continue to actively investigate the circumstances that led up to the violent encounters,” the FCPD said.
Henrico Police were able to locate Roman and pursued him into the City of Richmond where he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Richmond and Henrico Police forensics units are on site at 35th Street and E. Marshall Ave processing the scene.
More details to come shortly.
— Henrico Police (@HenricoPolice) June 12, 2023
After sleepy population growth over the last decade, Herndon planners expect the town will see significant population growth in the coming 10 to 15 years.
In a June memo to the Town of Herndon’s planning commission, head of long-range planning Ahmad Zaki said the changes must inform the town’s planning decisions.
Although the town’s decennial census showed a growth of 1,263 people between 2010 and 2020, that trend is expected to “change significantly in the coming 10-15 years,” Zaki wrote.
“By 2030 about 9,000 people will be added to the town’s population,” the memo states.
Housing stock in the Town of Herndon has increased by 206 units overall, according to the memo.
However, the town’s population estimates diverge from the ones calculated by Fairfax County, which said in its 2022 demographic report that the town shrank by 926 individuals and added 247 housing units between 2010 and 2020.
“The discrepancies could be due to household size and vacancy rate factors used in these estimates,” Zaki suggested in his memo.
The American Community Survey — an annual survey conducted by the Census Bureau — estimates suggest that the town’s population will grow from 25,935 individuals in 2025 to 39,430 individuals in 2040.
“The 2025 and onward population and housing projections are estimated using the new development projects with residential components that are within the review pipeline, and future land use growth data gleaned from the Town’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the various small area plans recently approved,” the memo states.
Town planners note that there are an “unprecedented” number of new housing developments expected in the town over the next 25 years, particularly between 2025 and 2030. That means there would be roughly two new housing units per day, according to the town.
“This magnitude of development, if realized and not prepared for, can put significant pressure on the town’s road network, utility infrastructure, and community services in a relatively short time,” the memo states.
The racial composition of the town has remained relatively consistent over the last 10 years, according to to the town. The 2020 census indicated that the median age for individuals in Herndon is age 35 — roughly three years younger than the median age in Virginia.
Between 2010 and 2015, the number of Spanish-speaking individuals increased by 10%, while the number of people speaking only English has declined by 9% over the same time period.
The town is expected to discuss population trends at a meeting before the commission tonight (Monday).
Metro Adds More Shuttles During Station Closures — “We recognize the crowding concerns with the Orange & Silver Line shuttle service and continue to adapt our plan. To help with crowding,” Metro has added Express shuttles running seven days a week between Rosslyn and McLean, and starting today (Monday), all routes will have more buses. [WMATA/Twitter]
Two Dead Bodies Found on Saturday — “At 9:21 a.m., officers with the City of Fairfax Police Department responded to the 9700 block of Fairfax Blvd” and found the body of an unidentified adult. At 9:55 a.m., Fairfax County police reported that another body was discovered in the 6200 block of Little River Turnpike. Both departments said there didn’t appear be a threat to the community. [FOX5]
“Heavy” Fire Put Out Near Reston — “Units [were] on scene of a structure fire near the intersection of Hunter Mill Road and Crowell Road in the Reston area. Arriving crews saw heavy smoke and fire coming from a seemingly abandoned structure. The fire is under control.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
N. Va. Home Sales Expected to Drop This Year — “The number of overall sales across Northern Virginia in 2023 is expected to decline 10 to 15 percent, compared with 2022…Fairfax County’s single-family home market will effectively see flat prices in 2023, with total sales down 10 percent and inventory (the number of active properties on the market) dropping 13 percent.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
McLean HS Beats Madison for Softball Championship — “Sore arm or not, [Hailey] Simpson wouldn’t be denied the opportunity to pitch for a state championship. For the third time in just over 24 hours, she took to the pitching circle for the Highlanders in their most important game of the season and spun a complete game, allowing just four hits to lift McLean to the summit, 2-1, in Aldie.” [The Washington Post]
Banking Company Moves From McLean to Tysons — “Primis Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: FRST) recently relocated its corporate headquarters from a low-slung brick building on Old Dominion Drive in McLean to the ninth floor of a recently renovated, Class A tower in the heart of Tysons.” The company says the move to 1676 International Drive could help it compete for “customers and talent.” [Washington Business Journal]
Pride Month Art Added at the Mosaic District — “Image360 Fairfax, a locally-owned and operated graphics design company, recently finished a project to help The Mosaic District celebrate Pride Month…In support of the LGBTQ+ community, Image360 installed an art display featuring a rainbow of flowers and empowering phrases at the atrium facing the Strawberry Lane public space.” [Patch]
Graduating Springfield Students Open Time Capsule — “As Lynbrook Elementary School students in Springfield boarded buses to head home, a handful of soon-to-be graduating seniors from nearby John Lewis High School returned to where they learned their ABCs to step back in time.” [ABC7]
It’s Monday — A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8am. High near 78. South wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. [Weather.gov]
Lake Anne’s plaza will once again spring to life this summer with concerts.
Lake Anne Live! — an event series that kicked off last year — brings Thursday evening concerts to the plaza from June 15 through July 27.
The free concerts will feature music and dance from local musicians and dance instructors. Attendees will also have the chance to dance along the instructors, according to a release by the Lake Anne and Washington Plaza Merchant Association (LAWPA).
In a statement to FFXnow, the LAWPA team said they decided to continue the series this year due to popular demand.
“Because of the great response, especially to our dance nights, and because of repeated requests from our community and neighbors, we decided to have them again this year,” LAWPA said. “Our aim is to bring our community together for dancing, music, and laughter through the Summer.”
The line-up includes the following:
- June 15 (6-9 p.m.): Salsa Instruction and Dance with David Norton
- June 22, (6-9 p.m.): Swing Instruction and Dance with Gottaswing; pet adoptions by Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
- June 29 (7-9 p.m.): Bruce Corsino concert
- July 6 (6-9 p.m.): Bachata Instruction and Dance with David Norton
- July 13 (7-9 p.m.): To be announced on Lake Anne Plaza’s social media pages
- July 20 (7-9 p.m.): Concert with the Reston Community Orchestra
- July 27 (6-9 p.m.): Salsa and Bachata Instruction and Dance with David Norton
The plaza is located at 1609 Washington Plaza North. All concerts are free.
In an effort to reduce heat islands in vulnerable communities, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has applied for millions of dollars in grant funding to establish a street tree planting program.
The county will use its Vulnerability Index to identify communities in need of the program, according to county staff.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the department’s request on Tuesday (June 6) to apply for a $11.5 million Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
“The grant period is five years from the award date which is anticipated to be October 2023,” the board meeting package said.
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services spokesperson (DPWES) Sharon North told FFXnow the department is proposing to plant 1,000 trees over a five-year period. Although the county is looking at vulnerable communities, she said “no decision on the grant recipients will be made until October.”
The Forest Service announced the funding opportunity back in April. The UCF program received $1.5 billion under the Inflation Reduction Act to support urban tree planting and forest planning and management in at-risk communities.
“The Resilient Fairfax Plan notes that 91 percent of vulnerable households are in areas identified as having a significantly high urban heat island effect and that vulnerable populations are more likely to be impacted by extreme heat,” the package said.
Factors considered by the county’s vulnerability index include household income, education, English proficiency, health insurance and the percentage of the population that owns a home or vehicle.
If the county is awarded the funds, the program will also promote tree planting through partnerships with the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Public Schools, and nonprofit organizations.
The county also identifies specific activities that will receive the funding:
- identifying areas in the county that are heat vulnerable low tree canopy and/or areas where green infrastructure would provide additional community and resilience benefits
- planting and maintaining up to 5,000 native and/or climate-resilient street trees over five years in neighborhoods and within the right-of-way and on public property
- educating and engaging the public on the benefits of green spaces and trees
- expansion of a green workforce to maintain existing and new street trees.
The county launched a pilot program in 2021 that provides free trees to residents of areas with minimal tree canopy coverage. The program initially focused on the Richmond Highway corridor but was expected to shift to Bailey’s Crossroads this year.
A new neighborhood park is officially online at Reston Station just in time for the summer — although recent air quality advisories may deter some park-goers.
Developer EYA will host a grand opening ceremony tomorrow (Saturday) for the latest neighborhood playground and park at Reston Station.
The grand opening ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. with remarks at 10 a.m. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn and Robbin Martz, a resident of the townhomes, are expected to speak at the park, which is bounded by Reston Station Blvd, Faraday Park Drive and Midline Avenue.
Music and activities for children of all ages are also planned.
The Townhomes at Reston Station development turned an office park into a mixed-use neighborhood near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. Other amenities in the area include plaza for seating, a bocce ball court, and a dog park.
McLean Quinn, president and CEO of EYA, told FFXnow that the project represents everything that the company seeks in redevelopment opportunities.
“By combining access to transit, a new grid of streets and plenty of green space like the newly opened park, we were able to design a neighborhood that brings homeowners closer to all the livable and walkable elements that fulfill our brand promise of life within walking distance,” Quinn said.
There are 113 units in the townhome community, along with a 229-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail that was sold to Elm Street Development. The townhomes — which are roughly 1,690-square-feet each — start from $850,000.
D.C. Area Briefly Had World’s Worst Air Quality — “‘Very unhealthy’ and ‘hazardous’ air quality put the health of people across the Washington, D.C., area at risk Thursday as smoke from wildfires in Canada brings some of the most polluted air ever recorded in the region.” Conditions improved to a Code Red into the evening, “but for a time Thursday, the D.C. area had the worst air quality in the world.” [NBC4]
Rep. Connolly Hosts Gun Violence Prevention Talk — In the wake of this week’s mass shooting at a Richmond high school graduation, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, and State Senator Jennifer Boysko will discuss gun violence prevention measures with local advocates. The panel will be streamed live at 10 a.m. today (Friday) on Channel 16. [Jeff McKay’s office]
Commuters Face Long Lines for Free Metro Shuttles — “While a shutdown affecting some Orange Line stations and an Orange and Silver transfer station started, commuters have shared frustrations about long waits for shuttles between closed stations. Metro is promising to address wait times with more buses and strategies to get shuttles through traffic congestion.” [Patch]
Springfield Appears Favored by FBI in HQ Search — “As Maryland and Virginia continue to battle to be the new home of the FBI’s headquarters, a document is being circulated that indicates the bureau itself prefers to move to Virginia.” The agency sees proximity to its training academy in Quantico as a priority, suggesting Springfield may have an edge over the two proposed Maryland sites. [WUSA9, Baltimore Banner]
Reston Contractor Opens Health Clinic — “QTC Medical Services Inc., a subsidiary of Reston government contractor Leidos Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LDOS), has opened a new flagship health clinic in Fairfax…The 7,800-square-foot space at 8505 Arlington Blvd. replaces a smaller facility in Alexandria that closed last month.” The clinic will mostly serve active and former military personnel, but it’s also expected to assist civilian federal government workers. [Washington Business Journal]
Candidates Sought for Reston Association Board — “Following the recent resignation of former Board of Directors President Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza, the Reston Association is seeking candidates interested in filling the remainder of her term.” The filing deadline is noon on Thursday, June 15, and the new at-large member will be appointed June 22. [Patch]
Students Showcase Auto Mechanical Skills in Burke — Lake Braddock Secondary School recently showed off work by students in its auto technology program. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority “donated 20 abandoned vehicles for the students to work on, and was on hand to meet with graduates about possible employment opportunities.” [WTOP]
Reston VC Firm Raises Millions — “Venture capital firm PROOF said it has raised $135 million in its third fund, ending a prolonged period of fundraising marked by both historic highs in 2021 and a more conservative environment of late…PROOF has yet to officially close its third fund but has already made 12 investments with that $135 million, [managing partner John] Backus said.” [DC Inno]
It’s Friday — Widespread haze. Patchy smoke. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. [Weather.gov]
Arrowbrook Centre, an anchoring mixed-use neighborhood near the Innovation Center Metro station, is moving one step forward to completion.
Several pieces of the 54-acre development, which is bounded by the Dulles Airport Access Road to the north and Centreville Road to the east, were approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a Tuesday (June 6) meeting.
Specifically, the proposal swaps a 435-unit residential building called Aura from the eastern corner of the property with an office building directly east to it. Aura will be constructed by Trinsic Residential Group.
The swap pushes a hotel planned at the site further east, leaving space for two office buildings at the corner of the site.
To maintain the terms of the charitable trust that governs the development, the developer is planning a partnership with the Virginia Tech Foundation and Virginia Cooperative Extension, a venture that focuses heavily on sustainable agriculture, culinary arts and urban farming programs.
So far, the development includes Ovation at Arrowbrook, a 274-unit development for lease to tenants earning between 30 and 60% of the area median income (AMI).
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay called Arrowbrook a “huge asset” for the county.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust applauded the applicant for installing Arrowbrook Park and the affordable housing component of the project.
“I think you’ve really created something special out there and you keep making it better,” Foust said.
Roughly 75% of 36,000 square feet of retail space is already leased to tenants like grocer Hello2India, Ornery Beer Company Public House and Paris Baguette. Chef Peter Chang has also leased 3,500 square feet at the development for a Mama Chang restaurant.
Overall, roughly 32% of the property is dedicated as open space.
The application is one of several in the county that was affected by the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling that temporarily voided Fairfax County’s newly modernized zoning ordinance. The board re-adopted the zoning code on May 9.
There’s less than a week left until Barnes & Noble will officially open its doors in The Spectrum at Reston Town Center.
Filling a space vacated by Office Depot in 2021, the nearly 28,000-square-foot bookstore at 11816 Spectrum Center will include a B&N Cafe, along with books, toys, games and gifts.
The grand opening next Wednesday (June 14) will feature a ribbon-cutting by author Tania James, who will also sign copies of her new historical fiction novel “Loot,” the company announced yesterday (Wednesday).
“We are delighted to open in Reston such a beautiful and impressive new bookstore,” Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt said. “In an especially happy turn of events, we return to the same shopping center we had anchored over a decade ago. Nowhere is the success of brick-and-mortar bookstores better demonstrated than the opening of this very large new Barnes & Noble in Reston. Our booksellers…have created an exceptional bookstore for their community.”
James lives in D.C. and works as an associate professor of English for George Mason University, according to her official bio. Officially released on Tuesday (June 13), “Loot” is described by its publisher as “an exuberant heist adventure that traces the bloody legacy of colonialism” from India to England.
The opening is a comeback in Reston for Barnes & Noble, which previously had a location in the center several years ago. It will be the company’s first new store in Fairfax County since 2019, according to the press release.
The store will join a local literary scene that includes the nearby independent store, Scrawl Books, in Reston Town Center and Reston’s Used Book Shop at Lake Anne Plaza.
Store manager Elisabeth Swift said she is excited to bring the bookstore to Reston, which she describes a “town of readers.”
“Opening a new Barnes & Noble is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I’ve looked forward to — creating an extraordinary team of dedicated booksellers, building a store together and embracing the community has been a fantastic experience for all involved,” she said. “We can’t wait to welcome readers into our stunning new bookstore.”
Photo via Barnes & Noble/Instagram
(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) It’s another day of poor air quality for Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area.
As wildfires continue to burn in Canada, the resulting smoke has clouded the East Coast in a sometimes orange-tinted haze of particulate matter. As of 9 a.m., Fairfax was at 313 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) — a Code Maroon for hazardous air that’s even more severe than yesterday’s Code Red.
Today’s AQI appears to be the highest for the D.C. region since records began in 1999, according to Ryan Stauffer, a NASA scientist who studies air pollution.
The highest alert on the official AQI, Maroon is a health warning of emergency conditions that can affect everyone, according to AirNow, which monitors official air quality based on data reported by federal, state and local agencies.
Air Quality Alert for Thursday, June 8
Due to the wildfires in Canada, an air quality alert has been issued for today, Thursday, June 8. The air quality is unhealthy for everyone in Fairfax County and the region.
Stay informed: https://t.co/0SheATD3Zg pic.twitter.com/iHffXGXIWh
— Fairfax County Government
(@fairfaxcounty) June 8, 2023
Record-breaking bad air quality in DC area yesterday dating back to 1999. Today probably will end up worse. https://t.co/YG1C95A31U
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) June 8, 2023
Everyone is advised to limit their exposure to the air pollution by staying inside or limiting the level of exertion required for outdoor activities, Fairfax County says.
Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities on school grounds for the day, including recess, P.E., sports and after-school programs. The Fairfax County Park Authority has also canceled all outdoor classes, activities and amusements.
“Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings, and other material,” the county said in an emergency blog post. “Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease are more likely to experience health effects of smoke. Pregnant women, babies and children are also at risk.”
In a twist, the masks that proliferated during the COVID-19 pandemic have made a comeback as the most effective way to filter particles from air pollution. In New York, which had the world’s worst air quality yesterday, N95 masks are being handed out for free today.
The worst of the pollution is expected to start clearing tomorrow (Friday), when a Code Orange AQI is forecast, but until then, it’s probably best to stay indoors if possible and mask up.
Air Quality Issues Continue Today — “Due to the wildfires in Canada, a Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for Thursday, June 8, which means air quality is unhealthy for everyone in Fairfax County and the region…Take steps to limit your exposure,” such as by spending more time indoors “where particle pollution levels are usually lower.” [Fairfax Alerts]
Survivor of Fatal Blake Lane Crash Still Recovering — “Flowers, candles, crosses, rosaries and handwritten signs mark the spot where three students walking home from Oakton High School were struck by a speeding car driven by a fellow student on June 7, 2022…One year after the fatal crash and the victims’ families are still waiting for answers.” [Patch]
Vice President Recently Visited Local High School — “The John R. Lewis High School community, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid, Ed.D., and the Lewis High School band welcomed U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to their school [last] Friday to advocate for safer schools.” [FCPS]
New Recreational Trail Will Connect Gum Springs to Creek — “For nearly 40 years, residents of Gum Springs, the oldest African American community in Fairfax County, have been waiting to gain trail access to the waterfront along Little Hunting Creek…Last October, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck was able to secure support from his BoS colleagues to fund $600,000 in trail connections.” [On the MoVe]
VDOT Launches Study of Old Ox Road Near Herndon Area — “The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on…potential safety, operational and accessibility improvements for about three miles of Old Ox Road (Route 606) between the Dulles Greenway (Route 267) and Rock Hill Road. Within the study limits, Old Ox Road averages about 33,000 vehicles a day.” An online survey is available through June 19. [VDOT]
Virginia Leaves Initiative to Combat Carbon Emissions — “A Virginia regulatory board on Wednesday voted to withdraw the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, fulfilling a directive from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin but triggering the threat of legal action from environmental groups who say the board overstepped its authority.” [The Washington Post]
Madison HS Boys’ Lacrosse Team Returns to State Finals — “With a 12-8 victory over the host Robinson Rams on June 6 in a semifinal match of the Virginia High School League Class 6 state tournament, the defending champion Warhawks (19-2) will play for the 2023 state title on June 10. Madison is in the state final for the third time in five seasons” [Gazette Leader]
Park Authority Seeking New Hires — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking to fill several seasonal and part-time positions at a variety of park locations surrounded by trees, sunlight, water, history, animals and fun! With so many opportunities to choose from, applicants can literally choose their own adventure!” [FCPA]
It’s Thursday — Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 8 mph. At night: Widespread haze. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 7 mph. [Weather.gov]
An industrial automation manufacturer from Austria is now a part of the business fabric in the Town of Herndon.
Tele Controls Inc., a 60-year-old, woman-owned manufacturer, opened its first U.S. subsidiary in Arlington in 2018, according to company spokesperson Apolinar Rivera.
The company makes power monitors, switching relays and other technology used in control panels by industrial sectors, including water and wastewater, power plants and agriculture.
Rivera said that four successful years at a co-working location during the pandemic prompted the move to permanent offices in Herndon, as the company seeks to grow its presence in the U.S.
“We aim to be a valuable resource for these industries and our relocation was made possible with the help of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority,” Rivera said.
A grand opening ceremony is slated for June 22 at the company’s new offices at 570 Herndon Parkway in Suite 110.
The company only has three employees in the U.S. but around 100 employees in Europe.
“With our intentions to grow our industrial footprint in the U.S., we relocated our office in May intending to hire more staff and expand our company to become the top supplier of timer relays, monitoring relays, and energy sensors,” Rivera said.
(Updated at 11:35 a.m.) Smoke drifting south from wildfires in Canada has introduced unhealthy levels of air pollution in the D.C. area.
A Code Red Air Quality Alert has been issued for the entire region, including Fairfax County, signaling that the air is unhealthy for everyone today (Wednesday), according to AirNow.
AirNow collects official air quality data reported by the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other federal, state and local agencies.
Code Red Air Quality Alert
Due to the wildfires in Canada, a Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for Wednesday, June 7, which means air quality is unhealthy for everyone in Fairfax County and the region.
Learn more: https://t.co/dMPpgsD1t5 pic.twitter.com/No8JfjQrYF
— Fairfax County Government
Fairfax County is advising residents to limit the time they spend outside, particularly if they’re vulnerable to breathing or lung issues:
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Keep outdoor activities short.
- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks- park your car and go inside.
- Combine trips.
Everyone else – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks- park your car and go inside.
- Re-fuel your vehicle after dark.
- Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
- Be active outdoors when air quality is better.
Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities until 6 p.m. and implemented indoor recess, spokesperson Julie Moult confirmed to FFXnow, adding that all information will be posted to the school system’s website.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw noted that, as of 10 a.m., the air quality in Fairfax had actually tipped over into very unhealthy Code Purple territory due to the amount of particulate matter in the air, as measured by the EPA’s Air Quality Index, according to AirNow.
A Code Orange was previously anticipated for today, as smoke from wildfires in Quebec blankets the East Coast.
According to AirNow, the Code Red could be extended into tomorrow (Thursday) with a Code Orange forecast for Friday (June 9).
Conditions are hazardous to everyone’s health.
Please reduce time spent outdoors as much as possible and follow local media for additional guidance – this account will share updates as they come in. Stay safe everyone.
— Supervisor James Walkinshaw (@JRWalkinshaw) June 7, 2023
