A portion of the new Hunter Mill Road bridge over Colvin Run near Vienna is expected to open for traffic this week.
Vehicles will shift onto one lane of the new bridge between Crowell Road (Route 675) and Cobble Mill Road starting around 2 p.m. tomorrow (Friday), the Virginia Department of Transportation announced yesterday.
“One lane of alternating traffic will travel across the newly constructed portion of the bridge while the existing bridge is demolished and the remaining portion of the new bridge is built,” VDOT said in the news release. “The alternating traffic will continue to be controlled by temporary signals.”
The traffic change had initially been anticipated on Wednesday, Dec. 21, but warnings of gnarly winter weather led VDOT to postpone the date. Tomorrow’s opening is dependent on weather as well.
Update: This is now scheduled for Fri 12/30 at 2PM. https://t.co/wsExiAvlq0
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) December 28, 2022
Expected to finish this coming spring, the Colvin Run bridge project is replacing a one-lane structure that was originally built in 1974 and could only hold up to 10 tons.
The new bridge will consist of two travel lanes separated by a median and abutments to set the stage for a trail crossing to the south, though the trail bridge will be built “at a future date” by Fairfax County.
Construction on the bridge replacement began in August 2021. Work ramped up this past September with the addition of some temporary traffic signals and Driveway Assistance Devices (DADs) to help manage thru, residential and construction traffic on the one-lane bridge.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By Melissa L. Watkins, Esq.
Just recently in October 2022, the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate topped 7 percent for the first time in more than two decades, a result of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes intended to tame inflation not seen in some 40 years.
It is anticipated that rates will continue to rise, at least through the early part of 2023. While the increase in mortgage rates has led to many individuals delaying the purchase of homes, some have opted to move forward with home purchases, accepting the higher rates. Unfortunately, with the housing market tightening in terms of inventory, home prices have not fallen commensurate with the increase in rates.
This means that buyers purchasing now are often accepting higher monthly payments than they would have been only a year or two ago. While the future is impossible to predict, some economic forecasts are suggesting that a housing market crash, or a broader recession, could be forthcoming. If this does happen, we could see homeowners forced into circumstances similar to those that were occurring in 2008 and the years thereafter, mainly foreclosures or short sales of their homes.
While there hasn’t been a significant jump in foreclosures to date, foreclosure starts have been on a steady quarterly rise since the federal government ended the Covid-19 foreclosure moratorium in September 2021. However, a key difference now compared to the last housing crisis is that many homeowners, and even those struggling to make payments, have had a large boost to their home values in recent years. That means they still have equity in their homes and are not underwater — when you owe more than the house is worth.
However, if home prices continue to decline, as has been the trend in recent months, homeowners could start to face a decline in home equity, bringing us back closer to the events taking place in 2008. One of the fastest ways to end up with a security clearance issue is have a significant, negative event take place with finances. In light of the uncertainty in the housing market, and economy more broadly, clearance holders should be cognizant of their options and how those options may impact their security clearance.
Foreclosure vs. Short Sale
If an individual gets behind on mortgage payments or if their mortgage is underwater (the home is worth less than the amount owed on the mortgage), homeowners have two primary options: a short sale or a foreclosure. The owner is forced to part with the home in both cases, but the timeline and other consequences are different in each situation. A short sale is a voluntary process. When the homeowner sells the property for an amount that is far less than what is owed on the mortgage, it is called a short sale.
For example, if a homeowner owes $300,000 on the mortgage, but a financial crisis forces them to sell the home quickly for $250,000 — the remaining amount on their mortgage ($50,000) plus any costs associated with the sale are still owed by the homeowner. A short sale requires the approval of the lender in advance, and generally, the approval comes with an agreement by the lender to forgive the remaining balance owed on the mortgage after the sale, but this is not required.
A foreclosure, on the other hand, is involuntary. In this case, the mortgage holder (the lender or the bank) takes legal action to seize the home after the borrower fails to make a specific number of monthly payments. In a foreclosure, the lender takes ownership of the mortgaged property and sells it to recover the amount owed to them on the mortgage. Another major difference between the two is the impact on one’s credit.
Generally, short sales are not significantly detrimental to a homeowner’s credit rating, while foreclosures are. A homeowner who has gone through a short sale may, with certain restrictions, be eligible to purchase another home fairly soon. A foreclosure, on the other hand, is kept on a person’s credit report for seven years.
How Does a Foreclosure or Short Sale Impact a Security Clearance
While both foreclosures and short sales can impact a security clearance, it is generally the case that a short sale is far less detrimental to a clearance holder than a foreclosure. There are several reasons for this difference.
One reason is that a short sale provides the homeowner with the ability to obtain forgiveness, or a deficiency waiver, of any balance that remains on the mortgage after the sale. Short sales also do not show as negative credit actions in the same way that foreclosure do. While a credit report will show that the mortgage was not paid in full, there will not be a foreclosure entry specifically.
The Department of Defense, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals, an entity that decides cases related to security clearance issues, has made decisions over the years suggesting that short sales are viewed more favorably in the context of clearance adjudications. One basis for the more favorable view of short sales is that a homeowner seeking a short sale, rather than allowing foreclosure to occur, generally shows financial responsibility and a willingness to play by the rules. Those are crucial traits during any security clearance investigation and will significantly suppress any questions about one’s ability and/or willingness to live within his/her means.
Other considerations that clearance adjudicators rely upon for financial issues include the circumstances and the amount of control an individual had over the circumstances leading to the financial issue, the likelihood of recurrence of the financial problem, and whether the individual acted responsibly under the circumstances. For each consideration, a short sale places the clearance holder or applicant in a better position to argue that he/she is not a security risk than a foreclosure would.
If you are an employee in need of security clearance representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook and Twitter.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
Two major transportation projects in the Town of Herndon are vying for regional funding.
The Town of Herndon is seeking up to $1.5 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for street improvements and a widening of East Elden Street, along with up to $750,000 for improvements to town-wide sidewalks and trails.
The $57.3 million project will widen East Elden Street by accommodating a median and dedicated turn lanes, new travel lanes east of Herndon Parkway and dedicated bicycle lanes.
Streetscaping is also planned, including wider sidewalks, street trees, lighting, accessible pedestrian signals, and updated bus stop amenities. Decorative crosswalks will be installed, and the Sugarland Run Crossing will be updated with a bridge to tackle flooding, according to the town’s website.
Bicycle lanes will be added from Monroe Street to Herndon Parkway. A cycle track from Herndon Parkway to Fairfax County Parkway is also planned to “combine the user experience of a separated path with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional bike lane,” according to VDOT.
Intended to manage traffic in a congested area, the project is in the engineering design phase, according to the website.
“Between downtown Herndon and the Fairfax County Parkway, the street has seen increased congestion and reduced vehicular mobility in recent decades,” the town’s website says.
Construction on the duct bank is scheduled to begin in early 2023, and construction on widening is set to begin in early 2025, according to VDOT.
Funds, if approved, would be allocated through the Virginia Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2029 federal funding.
The project was approved on the Herndon Town Council’s consent agenda at a Dec. 13 meeting.
Fairfax County’s trails are ready for their close-up.
With 2023 right around the corner, the Fairfax County Park Authority and Fairfax County Park Foundation are once again inviting community members to take a hike and submit their best snapshots for potential prizes.
The annual First Hike Fairfax photo contest will return this weekend, encouraging both professional and amateaur photographers to capture the scene at any park authority-owned trail.
“The contest joins countless First Day Hike programs throughout America’s state parks and is open to hikers and photographers of any age and skill level,” the FCPA said in a news release. “It’s a great way of getting out and enjoying the new year with friends, neighbors and family.”
A link for submissions will go live on the contest website at 5 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 31) and close right at midnight on Monday (Dec. 2).
Prizes will be given in seven categories:
- People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
- Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
- Director’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
- Best in Show (Scenery/Landscapes): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
- Best in Show (People): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
- Best in Show (Wildlife): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
- Best in Show (Pets): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
Each person can only submit one photo, though families or groups can send in individual submissions. Photos must be provided as a JPG or PNG, and they should include a date and the park or trail where they were taken, according to the FCPA.
The park authority oversees over 334 miles of trails, not including regional facilities like the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.
Tysons Corner Center Gets Post-Holiday Boost — “Thousands of shoppers visited Tysons Corner Center on Tuesday to make holiday returns and to take advantage of some post-holiday sales. Some people who spoke with WTOP at the mall say an annual post-Christmas trip to the shopping center is a tradition.” [WTOP]
ICYMI: Man Charged After Herndon Barricade Incident — “Police identified 66-year-old Paul Graves of Herndon as the man who barricaded himself inside a townhouse and held a person hostage on Tuesday night…[He] was cited on three felony charges, one for abduction, one for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and one for shooting in an occupied building.” [Patch]
Local Congressman Goes Back to School — “It seemed study time would have to wait. That’s been the story of the year for [Rep. Don] Beyer (D-Va.), who has been moonlighting as a student at George Mason University in pursuit of a master’s degree in machine learning while balancing his duties as a congressman.” [The Washington Post]
Two Charged With Brandishing Gun in Fairfax — “City of Fairfax Police were summoned around 2:09 p.m., on Dec. 20, for the report of a man and woman pointing and waving a firearm in the 10800 block of Fairchester Drive. After locating the two subjects of the report, officers determined that the woman had a firearm and the man was intoxicated, according to the report.” [Patch]
County Pension Investments in Cryptocurrency Questioned — The CIO of Fairfax County’s Uniformed Retirement System says “the County Employees pension had over 10% of its assets invested in crypto at its peak and an even greater amount committed, yet-to-be invested. The County Police pension had over 13% invested at its peak” [Forbes]
Traffic Gardens Grow in Northern Virginia — “How can parents and teachers safely introduce kids to the rules of the road? In Northern Virginia and across the country, one solution has been gaining popularity: traffic gardens. Traffic gardens are small-scale models of streets, that allow kids to practice following traffic patterns in a safe, fun environment.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Vienna Payment Portal Goes Offline — “The Town’s online payment portal is down until Jan. 2 for a system upgrade. When the system is back online, utility customers must create a new online account to access the system. Payments can also be made in person at the Town Hall, 127 Center St. S, Vienna.” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]
Workshop for Aspiring Business Owners Coming — “If starting a business is on top of your list for 2023, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is ready to assist you! Ashley Chen, founder and CEO of Fairfax County-based ActioNet will be the featured guest speaker during FCEDA’s next Entrepreneurship 101 (E-101) workshop scheduled for January 10, 2023, in Tysons.” [FCEDA]
It’s Thursday — Clear throughout the day. High of 46 and low of 30. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 4:56 pm. [Weather.gov]
The Fairfax County Police Department has revised how its officers respond to “swatting” after seeing a noticeable uptick in such incidents in recent years.
“Swatting” is a form of harassment involving false 911 calls that are intended to draw a heavy law enforcement response, such as a SWAT team, putting the target in a potentially life-threatening situation.
As of Dec. 6, the FCPD had recorded 12 swatting incidents this year, a decline from the 30 seen in 2021 but still significantly higher than the three reported in 2018 and five in 2019, according to data provided to FFXnow. Incidents have climbed into the double digits since 2020, when there were 11.
“As you can tell they have risen over the years,” said Sgt. Lance Hamilton with the police department’s public affairs bureau. “As a result, we have updated our General Orders regarding the response to ‘Swatting’ events in August of this year.”
Effective Aug. 11, the department’s hostage and barricade procedures now includes a specific subsection on potential swatting incidents:
Officers should factor in, prior to attempting to make contact with any individual at a location where a report of a hostage or barricade incident has been communicated through the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC), whether or not the incident constitutes a false “swatting” incident. Officers should consider whether the scene matches the 9-1-1 call description and follow-up with criminal investigations of making a false report to police whenever possible.
Officers should consider “if they have legal authority, what are the potential dangers posed to the community/officers, and is there a need for additional specialized resources from our Operations Support Bureau,” Hamilton said.
“In most cases, this is handled by the department’s de-escalation techniques of using time and distance to slow things down,” Hamilton said. “As you can imagine this is a difficult balance when someone calls 911 regarding an active event.”
The policy change came after community members filed complaints about two separate incidents with the county’s Police Civilian Review Panel, which reviews FCPD investigations into abuse of authority and misconduct allegations.
In one case, police were called to an Annandale townhome at 4 a.m. on March 8, 2020 after a man who claimed to be a neighbor called 911 twice, saying the women who lived there were yelling and fighting. The women said the responsing officers knocked excessively and didn’t identify themselves, leading them to not answer the door right away.
In the other, the FCPD sent a full SWAT team to a home after a 911 caller reported shots being fired “during a likely domestic disturbance,” according to the panel’s 2021 annual report.
While the panel found no misconduct in either case, it expressed surprise at the lack of a follow-up investigation into the 911 caller in the first case and suggested that the FCPD reconsider its policies.
“While the Panel is aware that certain rules concerning 9-1-1 procedures are set at the Commonwealth-wide level, it is our hope that the FCPD and the county can work together to make sure that procedures and laws are in place such that the frequency of such dangerous incidents is greatly minimized,” the annual report said.
The haziness around when an unfounded call reaches the level of a criminal false report, necessitating a follow-up investigation, may get cleared up by a bill that’s expected to be introduced in the Virginia General Assembly’s upcoming 2023 session.
According to FFXnow’s sister site, ARLnow, Del. Angelia Williams Graves (D-Norfolk) will carry a bill that defines swatting and designates it as a specific crime.
Though the FBI has warned against swatting since at least 2008, Virginia only addresses it right now under a law against filing false police reports. California became the first state to implement an anti-swatting law in 2014.
Graves’s legislation was spurred by Arlington County officials who identified combatting swatting as a legislative priority after multiple hoax calls alleging an active shooter prompted school lockdowns.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors didn’t include any similar requests in its 2023 legislative package, but Chairman Jeff McKay says he’s been monitoring policy changes related to swatting made by the police department and recommended by the civilian review panel.
“Swatting is a serious offense and should be treated as such,” McKay said in a statement. “I will ask our legislative staff to review any bills that come up that address this through state law. I appreciate the efforts by the [panel] and FCPD to ensure that police practices continue to protect public safety at all times.”
There are only a few days left before fee increases go into effect on the Dulles Toll Road.
Beginning Jan. 1, at the main line plaza, tolls will rise from $3.25 to $4 for two-axle vehicles, $6.50 to $8 for three-axle vehicles, $7.75 to $9.25 for four-axle vehicles, and $9 to $10.50 for five-axle vehicles.
The increase was approved by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors earlier this year. This is the first fee increase since 2019.
“Strategic debt management and refinancing efforts have kept toll rates lower than original projections through the years,” MWAA wrote in a statement.
The next toll increase will go into effect on 2028. Overall, hikes are expected every five years, according to MWAA. Increases are expected to continue through 2058.
At the ramps, tolls will increase from $1.25 to $2 for two-axle vehicles, $3 to $4 for three-axle vehicles, $3.50 to $4.50 for four-axle vehicles, and $4 to $5 for five-axle vehicles.
Toll booths will also be eliminated in the coming months, with the system switching to fully electronic payments.
Revenue from the tolls funds operating and maintenance costs, along with a portion of the construction costs for Silver Line. Service for the extension began in mid-November.
(Updated at 5 p.m.) An hours-long barricade and hostage situation was resolved shortly before 9 a.m. in the Town of Herndon, police say.
A man who barricaded himself in his home on Hemlock Court last night “surrendered peacefully” and is now in police custody, according to the Herndon Police Department.
In a statement released this afternoon, police identified the man as 66-year-old Paul Graves. He has been arrested and charged with three felonies: abduction, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and shooting in an occupied building.
The incident began when police received a call from a person inside the home at 9:16 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday), saying that someone else fired a gun in the home, an HPD spokesperson told FFXnow.
“The incident quickly escalated into a hostage and barricade situation. Fairfax County Police Department’s SWAT Team responded to the scene and took over command,” the spokeperson said.
Herndon Parkway between Van Buren Street and Maple Avenue was closed throughout the nearly 12-hour-long incident.
Local police officers, state tactical officers, and SWAT officers from the Fairfax County Police Department responded to the scene in and around the 700 block of Hemlock Court.
“The lone hostage was able to escape the home unharmed,” HPD said. “Graves surrendered peacefully this morning at 8:47.”
According to the department, Graves had “minor” injuries that were not related to the incident. He was taken to Reston Hospital for treatment before being taken to HPD headquarters for questioning.
He is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.
𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝟏 𝐨𝐟 𝟐: Paul Graves, 66, of Herndon, VA, has been arrested and charged with three felonies stemming from a hostage and barricade situation that lasted nearly 12 hours. Statement below. Photo in following tweet. pic.twitter.com/F5D0HfzeoS
— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) December 28, 2022
Regional Airports Hit by Flight Cancellations — “Hundreds of Southwest Airlines flights have been canceled at Eastern airports Tuesday as the fallout from the pre-Christmas storm continues. At Reagan National Airport…89 flights were canceled in the past 24 hours as of Tuesday morning, according to the tracker site FlightAware. Dulles Airport said 30 flights were canceled in the past day.” [Patch]
Mount Vernon Post Office Sued — The U.S. Postal Service has defaulted on more than $71,000 in rent payments and must vacate its 21,392-square-foot space in Mount Vernon Plaza by Feb. 28, the property owner claims. Federal Realty filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday (Dec. 22), stating that the agency hasn’t responded to repeated notices, including a default letter sent by USPS in September. [Washington Business Journal]
Franconia Wegmans Reportedly Robbed on Christmas — “Police are searching for four men who forced their way into a Wegmans store in Fairfax County early Christmas morning, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). At 3:05 a.m., four men dressed in dark clothing and masks forced entry into the Wegmans at 7905 Hilltop Village Center Drive, police said.” [ABC7]
Local NAACP Pushes for Literacy Education — “The Fairfax group, and its neighboring chapter in Arlington, Virginia, are among a growing number of NAACP organizations that have in recent years turned their attention to how reading is taught in school. They are part of a nationwide movement to embrace what cognitive science shows us about how students learn to read, particularly about the role of phonics — and they see this as a path toward social justice.” [The Hechinger Report]
New Electoral Board Member Appointed — “Jeffrey K. Shapiro was recently appointed and sworn in by the Fairfax Circuit Court as a member of the Fairfax County Electoral Board for a three-year term that begins on Jan. 1. He replaces Bettina Lawton, whose term will end on Dec. 31.” [Fairfax County Government]
McLean Theater Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look — “A program exploring how productions are put on at the Alden Theatre of the McLean Community Center will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m…The event is designed to ‘take the mystery out of what goes on behind the curtain,’ MCC officials said.” [Sun Gazette]
Critic Recommends Tysons Korean Steakhouse — Ingle Korean Steakhouse, a recent arrival at Pike 7 Plaza in Tysons, was named among food critic Tom Sietsema’s top seven favorite restaurants to eat for December. He says the restaurant offers “some memorable dishes and, in combination with the service and setting, plenty of bang for your buck.” [The Washington Post]
It’s Wednesday — Clear throughout the day. High of 41 and low of 26. Sunrise at 7:27 am and sunset at 4:55 pm. [Weather.gov]
Lake Audubon — a man-made lake in Reston — may soon chart new waters with a new name.
Reston Association’s Board of Directors has begun preliminary conversations to consider launching a community dialogue on potentially renaming the lake, which is named after 19th century artist and known enslaver John James Audubon.
The move, pitched by at-large director John Farrell, would kickstart a community dialogue on the possibility of a name change. Early next year, Farrell and others will host an exploratory meeting with area stakeholders to discuss whether or not there is interest in changing the name of the lake.
“It seems to me that there needs to be a reconciliation of our fundamental founding principles of inclusion with this guy’s history,” Farrell said at a Dec. 15 board meeting.
Audubon enslaved at least nine people and was publicly dismissive of the abolitionist movement.
Earlier this month, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to rename Lee District to Franconia District. The effort is part of a series of moves to disentangle the county from names honoring Confederate leaders.
Farrell pointed to two articles from Audubon Magazine that highlight Audubon’s history, which state that he enslaved several people and didn’t recognize black and indigenous people as equals. They also highlight a story in which Audubon returned a family of escaped slaves to their enslavers and say the ornithologist was “prone to exaggeration,” writing about discovered birds that did not exist.
In October 2021, the Audubon Naturalist Society — a major US conservation group — said it will change its name due to the “pain” caused by Audubon.
“The deliberate and thoughtful decision to change our name is part of our ongoing commitment to creating a larger and more diverse community of people who treasure the natural world and work to preserve it. It has become clear that this will never be fully possible with the current name,” ANS Executive Director Lisa Alexander said in a news report on the issue.
Audobon is famed for his studies of American birds.
Residents of Faraday Park, an apartment community in Reston, may have noticed that several pending maintenance issues have been recently resolved.
Rooney Properties recently resolved maintenance issues at the community, according to a statement from the company.
“We take the concerns of our residents and larger community incredibly seriously. There is one remaining maintenance issue that is actively being resolved and scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks,” Rooney Properties said in a statement to FFXnow.
The resolution comes months after a Restonian contacted the company to address the issues on the site. For example, cables and wires that were strewn on a portion of the property were recently removed.
However, a vault still remains raised above the surface and a sidewalk extension appears to be incomplete, according to Adam Rubenstein, the resident.
Rubenstein said he was told that a contractor was unavailable to complete the work.
“Recently, after contacting the press, they suddenly were able to find a contractor and fix a couple of issues,” Rubenstein said.
The spokesperson for the company noted that none of the issues brought to the company’s attention “pose a safety risk to the community.” The spokesperson did not elaborate on what issues were resolved and exactly when they were resolved.
FFXnow contacted the company for a statement in early December about the maintenance issues. Several days later, wires on the property were removed.
The spokesperson did not respond to several requests for additional information.
Don’t Dump Your Christmas Tree in a Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is asking the public to respect both common courtesy and the law, and not dump disused Christmas trees on county parkland…All licensed trash collectors in Fairfax County are required to collect and recycle live Christmas trees less than 8 feet tall that have been separately set out…during the first two weeks of January.” [Sun Gazette]
Springfield House Fire Displaces 11 — A gas water heater contributed to a fire at a house in the 6300 block of Abilene Street in the Springfield area on Dec. 8, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says. The blaze displaced 11 people, injured one, and caused approximately $175,000 in damages. [FCFRD]
Fertility Clinic Coming to Annandale — “Mate Fertility, a Los Angeles company, has teamed up with Annandale OB-GYN — which has offices in McLean, Annandale, Alexandria and Falls Church — to bring its model to Fairfax County, starting with a new lab at 2810 Old Lee Highway.” [Washington Business Journal]
Tysons Apartment Community Purchased — “Avalon Park Crest…has changed hands for nearly $146 million. Bethesda-based Combined Properties Inc. bought the 354-unit, 364,000-square-foot mid-rise at 8250 Westpark Drive from AvalonBay Communities Inc…Redevelopment doesn’t appear to be in the cards, Avalon Park Crest having been built only a decade ago. But Combined looks forward to ‘future opportunities to creatively enhance the property,’ Hill said.” [Washington Business Journal]
Tractor-Trailer Catches Fire on Beltway — “A tractor-trailer burst into flames Friday afternoon on Interstate 495 in Fairfax County, Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation confirmed. Lanes were closed off, causing major backup near the incident.” [ABC7]
Firefighters Visit Inova Hospital for Holidays — “We had very special visitors ‘drop-in’ to Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital [on Dec. 21] to spread holiday cheer! Thank you to @ffxfirerescue for bringing Santa and his elves, as well as their good friend Elsa, to visit the kids at our hospital.” [Inova/Twitter]
Thefts Reported in Vienna — “Vienna Police have received reports of stolen mail from a mailbox and theft of AirPods from a vehicle in the latest weekly crime report. The mail theft happened at the mailbox at the Vienna Post Office, 200 Lawyers Road NW. According to police, someone pried open the mailbox and stole the mail between 5 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 7 a.m. on Dec. 14.” [Patch]
Vienna Band Looking for Musicians — “The Vienna Community Band will resume rehearsals on Jan. 8 after a holiday break, with efforts culminating in the band’s next concert, slated for March 12. ‘We are recruiting enthusiastic new musicians in all sections,’ band leaders said. ‘We are especially looking for flutes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, oboes and tubas.'” [Sun Gazette]
It’s Tuesday — Clear throughout the day. High of 36 and low of 23. Sunrise at 7:27 am and sunset at 4:54 pm. [Weather.gov]
The next step in a major rewrite of Reston’s Comprehensive Plan is on the horizon.
At a media briefing earlier this week, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said that the draft plan is slated for public hearings before the Fairfax County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors in April and May.
Because of the nature of the update, Alcorn expects county planners to hold one or more workshops on the update.
Despite some concerns about the ambition of the rewrite, Alcorn said he expects the draft to include tweaks.
The task force approved draft recommendations on Aug. 28 after 58 public meetings, significant public feedback and rigorous debate. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn convened the task force after he took office in 2020.
“What I’m hoping for is any additional improvements to the plan language, where there might things that either need tightening up or maybe need additional attention,” Alcorn said.
Last month, the board’s land use policy committee asked county staff to incorporate the equity and community health focuses of the draft into a countywide policy plan. The county already has a policy broadly related to equity — One Fairfax.
Because of this direction, Alcorn noted that the plan will likely be rewritten in some areas to apply the ideas directly to Reston.
“Once again, Reston is leading the county on those social issues, which certainly we’ve seen before,” Alcorn said.
Beware Hypothermia From Freezing Weather — “The National Weather Service forecast calls for overnight lows Friday and Saturday night reaching well below freezing. High temperatures this weekend are not expected to rise above 26 degrees, and wind could be a factor as well.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
No Lane Closures This Holiday — “With the holidays hopping and the new year around the corner, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)…will suspend most highway work zones and lift most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia for: Christmas, from noon Friday, Dec. 23 until noon Tuesday, Dec. 27 [and] New Year’s, from noon Friday, Dec. 30 until noon Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.” [VDOT]
Burke Man Indicted for Child Porn — “A Fairfax County, Virginia, man arrested in October has been formally indicted on eight felony counts related to child pornography. The defendant, 25-year-old Dominick Baldi, of Burke, has pleaded not guilty and will go on trial in the beginning of March.” [WTOP]
Ceremonial Army Horses Coming to Lorton — “The horses that help transport military service members to their final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery will soon find a temporary home just off Gunston Road in Lorton. On Dec. 15, the U.S. Army and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the Caisson Platoon horses…will be housed at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area on a rotational basis through December 2027.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Brings Message From Santa to Kids — “Children who celebrate Christmas can hear a very special message from Jolly ole Saint Nick by calling 703-255-6333…Children can listen for the sounds of sleigh bells and other last-minute activities as Santa explains how teamwork, Mrs. Claus and the elves helped him stay on schedule this holiday season. Santa’s message will…remain on the line through Dec. 25, 2022.” [Town of Vienna]
New Firefighters Graduate — “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department on Dec. 16 welcomed its 21 newest members at its 155th Recruit School Graduation, held at the McLean Community Center’s Alden Theatre…The department now has more than 1,400 uniformed personnel assigned to 39 fire stations.” [Sun Gazette]
Herndon Contractor Shares Hiring Plans — “Herndon government contractor Serco Inc. plans to hire 120 new workers in 2023 and up to 200 total over the next two years after winning a five-year contract from the Naval Air Systems Command to support the Department of Defense’s F-35 program.” [Washington Business Journal]
McLean Blood Drive Coming Before New Year’s Eve — “As the region’s blood supplies remain extremely low due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the McLean Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with Inova Blood Donor Services to hold a blood drive on Friday, Dec. 30. The Inova bloodmobile will be located in the fire department’s lower parking lot, with access from Lowell Avenue in McLean.” [Patch]
It’s Friday — Rain (with a chance of 1-2 in. of snow) in the morning. High of 51 and low of 15. Sunrise at 7:26 am and sunset at 4:52 pm. [Weather.gov]
Seven incumbent delegates have confirmed to FFXnow that they are gearing up to run in 2023, the first election since redistricting.
With all 100 Virginia House of Delegate seats up for a vote next November, a number of incumbents representing parts of Fairfax County — all Democrats — have started making plans to run for reelection in the recently redrawn districts, including:
- Irene Shin in District 8
- Karrie Delaney in District 9
- David Bulova in District 11
- Vivan Watts in District 14
- Paul Krizek in District 16
- Kathy Tran in District 18
- Eileen Filler-Corn in District 18
In addition, Del. Marcus Simon announced his reelection campaign for District 13 last week in a Falls Church News-Press column. While both Shin and Delaney told FFXnow they plan to run, they said formal announcements will come early next year.
The redistricting process, which drew new electoral lines based on population changes over the past 10 years, has shaken up at least a few races.
Most notably, both Filler-Corn and Tran have committed to running in the redrawn District 18, which encompasses a large portion of Springfield to the county border in Occoquan. It’s made up of residents from four previous districts, including ones that the delegates each previously represented.
With both being Democrats, they’ll have to face each other in a June primary to earn the Democratic nomination for the November general election.
In October, Tran announced on social media that she will seek reelection “to fight for our rights and build a more just and equitable future for all of our kids.”
I’m excited to announce my campaign in the new 18th House district!
I’m proud to live in the heart of the district, raise my kids here & already represent so much of the community. I’m running to fight for our rights & build a more just & equitable future for all of our kids. pic.twitter.com/Id0rC3akCH
— Kathy Tran (@KathyKLTran) October 6, 2022
A spokesperson for Filler-Corn, the former House speaker, told FFXnow in an email that she plans on “running in the district where she lives, which is HD18.”
Earlier this year, Filler-Corn was ousted as the minority leader by her colleagues in a private vote. Tran has not said if she voted for or against Filler-Corn.
FFXnow asked them about running against one another in the primary, but neither has responded as of publication.
That isn’t the only district where incumbents may be pitted against one another in a primary in about six months from now.
While Simon has already announced his reelection bid in District 13, which includes Merrifield through Falls Church City and to the border with Arlington, longtime Del. Kaye Kory told FFXnow by email that she has not made a decision yet on running.
“Right now, I am focused on preparing legislation for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session in Richmond,” she wrote. “Since the filing deadline is not until April 2023, I will have plenty of time to act following adjournment.”
In District 6, which covers Great Falls and McLean, Delegates Kathleen Murphy and Richard “Rip” Sullivan would potentially face each other as well. So far, neither has announced their candidacy or respond to FFXnow’s inquiries as of publication.
Del. Ken Plum (D), whose 40-year tenure representing Reston and other portions of the county makes him the longest-serving member of the House, told FFXnow by phone that he’s still considering whether to run again in District 7.
“I’m getting through these legislative sessions and will make a decision, probably, in February,” Plum said. “I haven’t really decided yet.”
He told Reston Now last year that he had “no such plans currently” to retire.
Redistricting also created three open seats, including districts 15 and 19, which both have portions of the county.
In District 15, which covers Burke to the county line, Springfield District school board representative Laura Jane Cohen declared her candidacy for the Democratic nomination back in November.
At least two Democratic candidates — Woodbridge residents Rozia “J.R.” Henson and Mayka Little — will vie to represent District 19, which is mostly in Prince William County. It is 39% Fairfax County constituents, concentrated in Lorton and the southern portion of Richmond Highway.
It’s a bit more complicated in District 12, which covers Vienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring, most of Tysons, and Fair Oaks. Back in September, delegate Mark Keam resigned to work in President Joe Biden’s administration, triggering a special election under the old boundaries prior to last year’s redistricting.
In October, nonprofit leader Holly Seibold won the Democratic nomination over Providence District school board member Karl Frisch by just 67 votes. Later that month, Monique Baroudi secured the Republican nomination.
Early voting has already started, with the special election set for Jan. 10. The winner would only serve for about a year and would have to run again in November in the new district.
In other local elections coming next year, five county supervisors will run again, while two are stepping down. Several Fairfax County School Board members will not seek re-election.
Fairfax County top prosecutor Steve Descano told FFXnow last week that he’s gearing up for 2023 as well, in what could be the most heated local election race of the cycle.
Photo via Doug Kerr/Flickr
