Herndon Company Scores Big Contract — Peraton, a Herndon-based company, won a 10-year, $2.69 billion contract from the Department of Homeland Security to help with data center and cloud optimization. [Virginia Business]
Restonians Share Local Acts of Kindness — Local residents shared ways in which strangers made their day better. The roundup was inspired by Random Acts of Kindness Day, which was established to make the world a kinder place. [Reston Patch]
Warrants Served in Officer-involved Shooting — A 34-year-old man remains hospitalized after he allegedly brandished a firearm at officers. An officer shot Michael Vaughn twice in the upper body. [Fairfax County Police Department]
A pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash at Baron Cameron Avenue and North Village Road in Reston.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries. The driver remained on the scene.
Eastbound Baron Cameron Avenue is closed between Reston Parkway and North Village Drive.
FCPD encourages residents to avoid the area.
St. James Performance Club Coming Soon — The Springfield complex is opening a second location in Reston Town Center this spring. Vim & Vector, a snack bar that serves smoothies and acai bowels, will also open at that location. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Charges Announced in 1987 Cold Case Murder in Herndon — Through a regional law enforcement effort, the Fairfax County Police Department announced that Charles Helem, 52, has been charged for two cold case homicides that happened in Herndon and Prince George’s County, Md. [FCPD]
County Seedling Sale to Begin –The annual Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District seedling sale begin March 1. All species sold are native to Virginia and help bees survive. [Fairfax County Government]
Local Speed Skater Returns to Olympics — Reston’s own Maame Biney heads to the Beijing Winter Olympics. She catches up with Washingtonian magazine to discuss her training, mental health and goals for the competition. [Washingtonian]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Palchik Takes Position at Northern Virginia Transportation Commission — Dalia Palchik, the Providence District Supervisor, was recently sworn in as the vice chair of the commission. [NVTC]
Families of Four Eligible for COVID-19 Tests –Families of four in Virginia will be eligible for free at-home COVID-19 tests under a new Biden administration rule that requires insurance companies to cover the cost of tests. [Reston Patch]
Search for Schools Superintendent Underway — Virtual town halls are coming up to gather public feedback on the search for the new superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools system. [Reston Patch]
Person of Interest Sought in Falls Church Unlawful Filming Incident — Local police are seeking the public’s help to identify a person of interest in the unlawful filming of a minor in a restroom at the Surf N Suds in the Falls Church of Fairfax County. [FCPD]
Local Tennis Courts Reopen — The Hook Road tennis courts have been reopened and are ready to play. [Reston Association]
Input on Sign Regulation Sought — The county is seeking input on sign regulations during virtual meetings on Jan. 18 and Jan. 27. Changes will involve signs for for-sale properties, subdivision signs, and the comprehensive sign plan process. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Winter Weather Warning in Effect — A winter storm warning is in effect for the county. The warning is in effect until 10 a.m. The heaviest snow is expected between 4 and 10 a.m. [Fairfax County Government]
Police Release 2021 Crime Summary — The Fairfax County Police Department says that overall crime fell by nearly 10 percent. The reductions were primarily driven by drops in burglaries, robberies, domestic assault and automobile thefts. Police Chief Kevin Davis says Fairfax County remains one of the safest jurisdictions in the country. [FCPD]
Schools Closed Today — Schools are closed today and no virtual learning will be offered. Classes are expected to resume tomorrow, despite a rise in COVID-19 cases. [FCPS]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Arrests Made in Online Predator Sting — Ten men have been arrested in sting operations intended to identify predators who use the Internet to exploit children. The arrests were made since Dec. 23. [Sun Gazette]
Reston Association to Hold Special Meeting — The association’s Board of Directors will meet with its information technology committee on Jan. 5 to discuss IT-related matters. The meeting takes place via Zoom and starts at 6:30 p.m. [RA]
Local Organizations Given Funding for Afghan Resettlement — The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $60,000 in grants to six local organizations to help resettle Afghans. Awardees include Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. and the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. [The Connection]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Speedskater Qualifies for Olympics — Short track speedster Maame Biney, a Reston resident, has earned a space on Team USA. She placed first in the 1,000-meter race and second in the 500 during U.S. Olympic Trials over the weekend. [Reston Patch]
Demand for Office Space Near Metro Up — The county is seeing an increase in demand for new office spaces near Metro stations, but older suburban properties appear to be falling behind. [Bisnow]
Metro to Buy Electric Buses — Metro will provide up to 10 new battery-powered buses as part of its transition to a zero-emission fleet. The Board of Directors has aimed to meet this goal by 2045. A Request for Proposals has been issued. [Metro]
School Security Officer Charged for Assaulting Student — A school resource officer has been charged with assaulting a student at Stone Middle School in Centreville. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Lamar Hardy, 26, of Centreville, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault. [FCPD]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Proposal to Beautify Plaza Awaits Approval — A group of Lake Anne owners has promised to pay $45,000 to cover a $250,000 beautification project. [Reston Patch]
Holiday Message from Reston Association — Acting CEO Larry Butler says that the new year will bring improvements to several recreational facilities and new capital projects. Butler also encourages members to vote in the upcoming board election in March. [RA]
Police Recruitment Fair This Week — The Fairfax County Police Department will have recruiters on sight at the Merrifield Sports Fitness Center from 5-8 p.m. tomorrow. [FCPD]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Brx American Bistro Robbed — The restaurant, which is located at 1025 Seneca Road in Great Falls, was robbed. The incident happened on Dec. 6 at around 9:30 a.m. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Boosters Now Available for Teens — Teens between the ages of 16 and 17 can now receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Appoints in the county can be made online through the state’s vaccine administration management system. [Fairfax County Government]
Search for Schools Superintendent Underway — The school system has recruited GR Recruiting to help hire a new superintendent. Community engagement opportunities are planned for this month, including a school board work session today to discuss the process and timeline moving forward. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) Estefania Cabrera, 29, died after a 2017 Toyota Highlander drifted off the roadway and struck a tree, police said.
Officers responded around 4 a.m. Sunday and found the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Poplar Tree Road in Chantilly.
Cabrera was a passenger in the vehicle and was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, authorities said.
The driver of the vehicle, whose name was not immediately provided by police, was taken to a hospital with injuries considered to be life threatening. Police said Monday that the driver remained hospitalized.
“Preliminarily, detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit believe that speed and alcohol both appear to be factors of the crash,” police said, adding:
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact our Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone -1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web –Â Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to contact you.Â
The crash happened after the vehicle passed through the intersection at Leighfield Street, police said.
Cabrera’s death is the 19th non-pedestrian related fatality in Fairfax County during 2021.
After a lengthy search, a 24-year-old Vienna man has been arrested in connection with a Sept. 1 crash that killed a Reston resident.
Carlos Alexander Torres Jr. was arrested Friday. Police believe Torres was driving the SUV that reportedly ran a red light as it was traveling southbound on Fairfax County and struck a car that was making a left turn from northbound Fairfax County Parkway onto Walnut Branch Road.
The driver of that car, Andrew Willingham, 37, was killed in the crash. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the incident. Willingham was making a left turn on a green arrow.
The driver of the SUV reportedly fled on foot. Despite a helicopter-assisted search and the help of a K9 unit, the driver was not found. Detectives attempted to locate the driver by obtaining several search warrants. After a months-long search, Torres was finally tracked to a worksite in Montgomery County.
Police obtained warrants for felony hit and run, involuntary manslaughter, and driving with no operator’s license. They believe he was driving a family member’s Chevrolet SUV.
Anyone with more information about the crash is encouraged to contact FCPD by calling 703-280-0543. Residents can also submit tips using the instructions below:
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to contact you. Â
Fairfax Schools Settle Lawsuit — Fairfax County Public Schools has reached a settlement with parents and advocacy groups over a lawsuit that alleged students with disabilities experience discrimination, trauma, and physical harm through the improper use of seclusion and physical restraint. The agreement ends a lawsuit that lasted for more than two years. [Washington Post]
Ramp Closures Along Multiple I-66 Interchanges In Effect — Overnight ramp closures are expected from today through Dec. 4 for the Transform 66 outside the Beltway project. Several ramps will be impacted as part of the project. [Virginia Department of Transportation]
A Cyber Monday Reminder from FCPD — The Fairfax County Police Department is reminding residents of its package theft prevention tips. Some suggestions include closely tracking delivery so that dates and times are known and asking a neighbor to watch for your deliveries. [FCPD]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
With giving Tuesday on the horizon, the season of charity and gift-giving has arrived.
A number of local organizations have launched year-end campaigns and donations drives. We’ve rounded up some ways to help your neighbors and local nonprofit organizations.
Santa’s Ride
Drop off new unwrapped toys, games, books, and gifts to any Fairfax County police station through Saturday, Dec. 11. The items will be donated to Fairfax Hospital, the Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center and other children in the community. The Town of Herndon’s police department is also participating.
Toys for Tots
The county’s fire and rescue department is taking part in the annual campaign. Residents can drop off unwrapped and new toys at any Fairfax County fire station through Sunday, Dec. 12.
Knitting Communities Together
Donate new or gently used handmade hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks for adults and children. Items are distributed to local nonprofits like Cornerstones, Homestretch and ShelterHouse. Donations can be made through Jan. 5 at a number of locations, including the Herndon Senior Center in Herndon and the Pimmit Hills Senior Center in McLean.
Reston Winter Coat Closet
The Hunter Mill District Office and Cornerstones are collecting new or gently used winter coats and new hats, scarves and gloves for neighbors in need. Donations can be dropped off at the North County Governmental Center in Reston between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Dec. 11 and Jan. 8.
Reston Elf Store
The recently renamed Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate and the Reston Teen Center are collecting a wide variety of items. Suggested donations include candles, robes, nail polish, home goods, gloves, shaving kits and flashlights. Donations can be dropped off through Dec. 10 at the center in Reston.
Gift Cards
The county’s domestic and sexual violence services office is also accepting gift card donations. Mail cards by Thursday, Dec. 9, to Vanessa Cullers at the Domestic Violence Action Center or Gulira Alieva at Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
The police department’s victim services division is also collecting gift card for child victims and witnesses of domestic and sexual violence. Residents can drop off gift cards or send them to Saly Fayez, Victim Services Section, 12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035.
Know of any other local opportunities to get into the giving spirit? Let us know in the comments below.
Barton Hill Funding Moved Up — Reston Association plans to begin the nearly $851,000 in renovations for the Barton Hill Recreation Area by late 2022. Original plans called for completing the project sometime in 2023. [RA]
Three People Injured in Group Fight — Two people were treated for injuries at a local hospital after a fight between two groups broke out in a business on the 2400 block of Centreville Road on Nov. 6. Police officers found one victim with a gunshot wound and two others with stab wounds when they arrived on the scene shortly before 2 a.m. All of the injuries were not serious. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Missing Terrier Dies at Reston Golf Course — Baby, a 15-year-old Yorkie who went missing on Nov. 1, died Thursday afternoon in a creek at Reston National Golf Course. [Reston Patch]
Vaccine Clinics at Schools Launched — The Fairfax Health District and Fairfax County Public Schools will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids between the ages of 5 and 11 at nine clinics starting tomorrow. Clinics will be held after school hours, evenings and weekends at nine school sites. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Business Robbed in Reston — A man robbed the Exxon gas station on 11854 Sunrise Valley Drive on Nov. 1 one minute after midnight. No injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Police Department]
New Members for Lake Anne Board — Lake Anne property owners voted in a trio of new candidates who hope to turn around the beleaguered condominium association, which has been bogged down by politics and infighting. [Reston Patch]
Good News for Unemployment Rate — The county’s unemployment rate declined to 2.7 percent in September and appears to be approaching pre-COVID levels. [Sun Gazette]
Photo by Ray Copson
