(This story was updated to clarify that Reston Strong is an ongoing effort).
Several community organizations are banding together to power a no-contact donation drive in Reston.
Reston Strong, the name of the community-based action group, and the CORE Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, are collecting donations at various storage pods in the area. Community partners include Cornerstones, Helping Hungry Kids, Reston Hospital Center, and the CORE Foundation.
The no-contact storage pods were donated by UNITS, a national moving and portable storage company. Residents can drop off requested items at the pods. The locations are below:
- Cornerstones (11484 Washington Plaza West): Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- YMCA Reston (12196 Sunset Hills Road): Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- South Lakes Village Center, near Safeway (11120 South Lakes Drive): Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- North Point Village Center (1452 Reston Parkway): Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All the collected items will be donated to Cornerstones, Reston Hospital Center and Helping Hungry Kids — which support people within the Reston community who are in need of assistance.
Individuals interested in helping manage the project at specific sites can sign up online but must abide by safety rules and precautions. Volunteer slots are available through May 31.
Ashley Hopko and Fatimah Waseem contributed reporting.
Photo via Reston Strong/Facebook
A Tribute at Reston Hospital Center — Local officers and first responders gathered yesterday (Monday) for a tribute at Reston Hospital Center. The emergency responders turned on their sirens as they drove around the center. [WJLA]
Longtime Reston Citizens Association Board Member Dies — John Hanley, who joined RCA in 2009, played a vital role in considering nominations and planning for RCA’s Citizen of the Year award. He also helped shape RCA’s position on the issues of land use and planning. [Reston Citizens Association]
Easing of Business Closures in Sight — “Gov. Ralph Northam held a press conference this afternoon in which he announced that “Phase 1” of the Commonwealth’s easing of restrictions is likely to start on Friday, May 15 — in about a week and a half. In the meantime, Northam extended the closure of non-essential businesses through May 14, and said his stay-at-home order will become a “safer at home” recommendation.” [ARLnow]
Local Student Wins 2020 College Board Opportunity Scholarship — “Imani Irons, a senior at South Lakes High School, has been named one of 25 winners nationwide of a 2020 College Board Opportunity Scholarship. The $40,000 scholarship was awarded to Irons for completing all six college planning steps laid out in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program. Research shows that completing specific steps helps clarify the complex college planning process, especially for low-income and first-generation students.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Oversight Body Shoots Down Sale of Reston-based .org Operator — “The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has rejected the $1.13 billion sale of the Reston operator of the .org domain to private equity firm Ethos Capital. As the domain system’s nonprofit governing body, ICANN had to approve the deal.” [Washington Business Journal]
Photo via Walter Alcorn/Twitter
Reston Farmers Marke will open this weekend with new social distancing rules in place at Lake Anne Plaza.
But it may be a while before other farmers markets in the county, including the Herndon Farmers Market, welcome customers.
The Fairfax County Park Authority says that it will determine when and if it is safe to open other markets after it evaluates operations, staffing needs, volunteer resources and other conditions.
The Reston Farmers Market kicked off the 2020 season on May 9 and will continue to take place on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The Mount Vernon/McCutcheon Farmers Market is set to begin on Wednesday, May 13 while the Burke Farmers Market is set to begin on Saturday, May 16.
Market shoppers should comply with safety guidelines and social distancing orders, including limiting no more than two family members in the market, wearing a face covering, and avoiding touching surfaces. No pets are allowed.
The town's Farmers' Market is not ready to open but three FFx Co. markets will open in May. The markets will be decidedly different than in the past as the county complies with VA Governor Northam’s social distancing orders & safety guidelines. https://t.co/Ya2KMXecO5 pic.twitter.com/KVTB5LHX5u
— Herndon Parks & Recreation (@herndonparks) April 30, 2020
Photo via Photo by Anne Preble/Unsplash
Prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Town of Herndon’s revised budget for the next fiscal year proposes a half-a-million-dollar cut from the original proposal.
The $38 million proposal eliminates a planned one-cent increase in the real estate tax, a projected increase of $100,000 in revenues from the Business, Professional ad Occupational License tax, and pay increases for town staff.
Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton II is also calling on the Herndon Town Council to immediately sequester $5.5 million that can be spent when the town achieves revenues targets int he next fiscal year.
Overall, however, the budget is not materially different from the original proposal.
Ashton noted that the uncertain pace of economic recovery and lack of data on projected revenues creates an “extremely fluid” economic environment. If revenues fall below projections, the town will consider exploring reductions in personnel costs, the town’s largest spending category by far.
Here’s more from Ashton II on the updated plan:
“The shortcoming of this proposal is that it does not directly consider how significant changes to the economy will affect the town’s revenues moving into, and through, FY 2021. The problem with creating such a forecast is that we have limited data to support creating assumptions on which to build these projections. If we were to establish projections based on the small data sampling we have today, we would be forced into significant personnel reductions in this budget. Such reductions would cause the town to incur additional costs and would be difficult to unwind should the revenue situation materialize better than expected. “
He also noted that the town’s budgeting approach will keep the town from “over-committing in its response to a worst-case scenario,” allowing the town to adapt to a changing economic climate in the post-COVID-19 world.
A work session on the budget is set for May 5, followed by public hearings on May 12 and May 26. All meetings, which begin at 7 p.m., will be held online. In addition to comments at meetings, residents can submit comments online or by emailing [email protected].
State officials say that social distancing has prevented nearly 36,602 cases in Fairfax County so far. By June 10, that number is expected to balloon to nearly 134,681, according to the new data released by the Virginia Department of Health.
The department estimates that community mitigation strategies have prevented 203,669 confirmed cases statewide — with nearly one million cases prevented by June 10. Virginia State Gov. Ralph Northam’s stay-at-home order is expected to expire that day.
Still, the number of cases continues to rise. As of today (Monday), there are roughly 19,492 cases of COVID-19 statewide, resulting in 684 deaths.
In Fairfax County, 4,615 cases are confirmed and 771 people are hospitalized. According to the county, 204 people have died from the disease. Although the county has the highest numbers of cases, the incidence of the disease — when measured by rates per 100,000 — is relatively low. The case rate is 401 with a fatality rate of 17 and a hospitalization rate of 67.
The health department also released a new online tool for testing sites across the state. According to the locator, there are no testing sites in Herndon and Reston.
Photo via CDC/Unsplash
Women Robbed at Bus Stop — Three men displayed a firearm and demanded money from a woman at a bus stop on the intersection of Town Center Parkway and Baron Cameron Avenue. The men ran away after the woman flagged down a passing motorist. The incident happened on April 30 at around 10:35 p.m. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Deposit Dispute at Sheraton Reston Resolved — The Fairfax Genealogical Society says that a disagreement between Sheraton Reston regarding a $13,000 deposit for an event has been resolved “in our favor.” [Fairfax Genealogical Society]
Petition: Keep Big Bowl Open — Lovers of Big Bowl, a restaurant in Reston Town Center, have launched a petition to keep the business open. The restaurant shuttered permanently last week after 19 years of business. [Change]
Free Seminar for Family Caregivers — The county is hosting a free online seminar for caregivers of older adults. The first seminar begins on Friday (May 8) and covers the topic of yoga. [Fairfax County Government]
Registration for Kindergarten Immersion Lottery Ends — The deadline to apply for Fairfax County Public Schools’ Kindergarten Immersion Lottery and Magnet School Lottery programs close today (Monday). [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Virginia officials are looking to ramp up COVID-19 testing efforts.
Gov. Ralph Northam has said that increasing testing capacity is key to determining when to walk back restrictions on businesses and large gatherings, WTVR in Richmond reported.
The article noted that Northam created a working group to address test backlogs, increase the number of test sites and tackle shortages of equipment needed for tests.
The Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County and its towns and cities, has seen more than 13,000 test results, according to data earlier this week from the Virginia Department of Health.
Fairfax County has a list of resources for people seeking COVID-19 tests.
Let us know in the poll below if you have gotten a COVID-19 test.
If you live in Reston, Herndon or Great Falls and have gotten a test or plan to, please contact us at [email protected] if you are willing to share your experience for an article.
Photo via CDC/Unsplash
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Fairfax County, new data from the county and state provide more insight with age and racial demographics.
Earlier this week, Fairfax County unveiled a new COVID-19 dashboard with geographic and racial data — for the first time providing case numbers by zip code groups.
Now, the Virginia Department of Health allows for comparisons between Virginia and individual health districts for cases, hospitalizations and deaths by age groups, sex, race and ethnicity.
The new data shows that the Fairfax Health District, which includes the county, cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and towns in the county, closely mirrors the overall state data — except for cases by race and ethnicity.
For cases by reported ethnicity, the Hispanic or Latino populations have the majority of the COVID-19 cases in the Fairfax Health District but not statewide, according to the data.
Hispanics make up 16.8% of the Fairfax Health District’s population, but 52.3% of the reported race and ethnicity data for cases, according to Fairfax County’s dashboard.
Meanwhile, “Other” categorizes the reported race(s) of patients with the majority of the cases in the Fairfax Health District.
More than 3,897 COVID-19 cases and 137 deaths have been reported in Fairfax County, according to state data. Statewide, there have been at least 16,901 cases and 581 deaths.
Images via Virginia Department of Health
At an annual meeting held online yesterday (Thursday), Reston Association announced the results of its board election.
Robert Petrine won the at-large seat for a three-year term while Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza won the at-large seat for a one-year term. Current board member Caren Anton retained her three-year position for the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District seat and Mike Collins won the seat for apartment owners, which also has a three-year term.
Ed Abbott, chair of the elections committee, said that a 10 percent quorum to make the results official was met in the election this year. Overall, turnout was around 16 percent for all races.
Despite technical challenges on the first few days of voting, Abbott said he was confident about the integrity of the election results. Some RA members received ballots with names of other members.
A breakdown of voter turnout for each position is below:
- At-large (one-year): 18 percent
- At large (three-year): 18 percent
- Hunters Woods/Dogwood: 14.5 percent
- Apartment Owners Representative: 33 percent
The new board will select officers this month. The elections committee will evaluate the election and provide recommendations on how to improve the voting process to the board in the coming months.
The meeting was held virtually via Zoom and included live comments from RA members. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who spoke at the meeting, said he was impressed by the set up of the event.
Photo via YouTube
Reston Man Charged on Outstanding Warrants — Lewis Rose, 33, of Reston, was arrested on two outstanding warrants for burglary and grand larceny. He was seen “acting disorderly” and trying to steal his ex-girlfriend’s car on April 29, according to police. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Services for Former Police Captain Darryl Smith Begin Today — A local funeral home will live stream the funeral services and graveside committal service with police honors of Smith, who served as a Herndon Police Department captain and the police chief of the Purcellville Police Department. [Adams-Green Funeral Home]
Virginia Dental Practices to Reopen — “Some Virginia dental practices will reopen their doors to patients on Friday. On Wednesday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced the Commonwealth would allow its temporary ban on medical and dental elective procedures to expire after April 30. Dental offices could only perform emergency procedures or surgeries prior to the ban’s implementation, according to the governor’s office.” [WUSA 9]
Reston Citizens Association Creates Local Restaurant Guide — The nonprofit organization has created a local restaurant guide with takeout and delivery options. The document can be downloaded online. [Reston Citizens Association]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
This is an opinion column by Del. Ken Plum (D), who represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
Warren G. Harding was elected president by a landslide in 1920. He promised in his campaign speeches that he would deliver, in a phrase that he reportedly coined, “a return to normalcy” that people eagerly sought after World War I. Harding had a scandal-plagued administration and marital affairs that contributed to rumors that his wife poisoned him leading to the heart attack that killed him before the end of his term. But Harding liked to be liked, and his “normalcy” phrase captured the mood of the people.
Today there is certainly a desire to return to life as normal from the quarantine existence we are experiencing during the pandemic. There are politicians who suggest that a quick return to life as we knew it before the coronavirus is possible and that people should be “liberated” to live without the restrictions that governors have had to impose for public health and safety. At the reconvened session of the General Assembly last week there was a background blare of horns sounding as cars and trucks circled Capitol Square driven by protestors who wanted to let us know that they wanted restrictions lifted.
It would be a tragic mistake to lift health and safety restrictions too early based on politics rather that reliable scientific evidence. Every individual needs to act in a responsible way with social distancing, hand washing, and face masks, and we need to encourage others to do the same. There is no constitutional right to spread your germs around.
The economic crisis brought on in part by the pandemic is another issue that will be addressed in future columns.
An activity that I believe would be helpful to undertake while we are hunkered down is to review the old “normalcy” under which we grew accustomed to living and to ask ourselves if we have learned things over the past several weeks that might be applied to life in the future. Recently there has been a significant reduction in air pollution. We drive our vehicles less. Could we continue to make a list of what we need and make fewer vehicular trips to get those items. Walking and bicycling are on the increase that will contribute to better health in the community.
There has been a strengthening of community as neighbors support each other more, and there has been a wonderful outpouring of contributions and help to those in need. Many are looking at entertainment differently as there is a need to be more inventive and creative in entertaining ourselves.
Technology is being used more frequently to deliver information and services that should be continued into the future. Do not simply go back to the old way if we have been forced to recognize better ways to accomplish a purpose. Certainly teachers and public education have gained support by those who have had to teach their children at home!
I share the desire that a life without restrictions return as soon as medical science says it is safe to do so. In the meantime, let’s think about what we have learned through all of this that might make our life be even better in the future. Share your ideas with me at [email protected].
File photo
The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially rough for Roer’s Zoofari, a local family-owned zoo and safari, that is temporarily closed.
With no foot traffic due to stay-at-home orders, zoo staff work in tight shifts to care for animals. Some take walks with animal care staff where children during field trips and other guests would have walked to enjoy the zoo’s cheetah, zebra, water buffalo, and other animals.
Owner and CEO Vanessa Roer says the last eight weeks have been an emotional roller coaster.
Just as COVID-19 led to a local standstill, the zoo had little to bank on in the months where it typically sees visitation pick up due to birthday parties, field trips and warming temperatures.
“Most days we keep our chins up, but every so often, we lock ourselves in the walk-in cooler and scream and cry in frustration. Then we go outside and kiss our giraffe, hug a baby goat and step forward — one step at a time.”
The zoo turned to crowdfunding when it became clear that it would take time for funding from the Small Business Administration to cash in. Typically, the zoo does not make enough revenue to cover off-season costs from November through the end of February.
“We plan for four months of little income, but we never saw months five and six with zero income,” Roer said.
The business moved quickly to furlough all non-essential employees.
The crowdfunding campaign has raised $34,786 of its $100,000 goal — a response that Roer said went beyond what she expected. Community members have donated produce, meat, dry feed, and hay to help out.
But it took 28 days for the business to receive funds from GoFundMe as other residents and businesses raced to online platforms to secure cash flows.
“I literally processed payroll at the beginning of that week without enough money to cover the Friday distribution — on a wing and prayer,” Roer said.
Although funding soon began pouring in — the zoo received a Paycheck Protection Program loan that covered two months of payroll — the zoo still needs money to keep afloat through June.
A federal loan through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance is critical to the longterm success of the zoo. After technical hiccups on its first application, the Zoofari is still waiting on securing that loan since applying on March 31.
“Since our revenue is seasonal, each day we are closed, we are not earning money that will be saved for next winter,” Roer said. “Just getting by right now will mean that we may not get by in 9-12 months.”
Still, the animals are getting good care, she says. Roer’s veterinarian is making visits to the zoo and mask-wearing staff work in pairs to take care of animals.
Donations are still needed, Roer said. If the zoo does not pay its mortgage payments by June 1, the business could go back to its previous owner. So far, a forbearance period lasts until June 1. Funds are also needed to pay for health benefits, insurance, utilities and veterinary care.
Photos via Roer’s Zoofari/Facebook
The Town of Herndon’s proposed budget for next year is slated for major changes, according to Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton.
At a Herndon Town Council meeting last night (Tuesday), Ashton said that town officials are closely monitoring current expenditures and revenues. The revised budget for fiscal year 2021 will be released on May 1.
“We are making some very dramatic changes to it,” Ashton said, adding that the town’s revenue streams are doing “a little better” than town staff originally projected.
The Herndon Town Council will review the budget at work sessions on May 5 and May 19, followed by public hearings on May 12 and May 26.
All sessions will be held online due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. The town will release more information on how to make live public comments during the public hearing. Residents can also submit comments on the proposed budget by emailing [email protected].
Image via Town of Herndon
More than 120 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Fairfax County, according to state data.
As of data released today, 124 people have died from the respiratory illness — roughly 3.5% of the total number of coronavirus cases in the county, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
There are at least 3,448 cases and 585 hospitalizations in Fairfax County.
The Fairfax Health District, which includes the county, cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and towns in the county, continues to have the most reported cases and deaths in Virginia. Statewide, there have been 522 deaths and at least 14,961 cases.
More data on the Fairfax Health District:
- 592 hospitalizations
- 13,796 test results
- 35 outbreaks with 32 at long term care facilities and one each at a correctional facility, educational setting and health care setting
Earlier this week, the Fairfax County unveiled a new COVID-19 dashboard with geographic and racial data.
Photo via CDC/Unsplash
More than 100 people in Fairfax County have died as a result of COVID-19, according to state data.
As of today (Tuesday), 114 people in the county died from the respiratory illness. The number of total cases — 3,278 — continues to rise.
A new dashboard created by the county offers new insights into localized data.
The number of new cases by week for the Fairfax Health District — which includes the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church — is below:
- Feb. 28: Four cases
- March 1: 27 cases
- March 8: 103 cases
- March 15: 247 cases
- March 22: 305 cases
- March 29: 411 cases
- April 5: 532 cases
- April 12: 553 cases
- April 19: 239 cases
Data for the last three weeks is incomplete due to gaps between the time of exposure and the onset of symptoms, according to the county.
The case incidence per 100,000 persons in Fairfax County is roughly 285.
So far, the pandemic continues to grow exponentially if the number of total confirmed cases is charted against the number of new confirmed cases per week. This means that the rate of new cases is equal to the rate of existing cases.
A slowdown in new cases is detected when the line begins to trend downward.
Images via Fairfax County Health Department
