Today To Be Warmest of Week — Temperatures should get up into the mid-80s today, with humidity rising a little bit as well. The rest of the week should be “pretty springlike.” [Capital Weather Gang]
Tech Networking Event Set for Il Fornaio — Engineers, tech professionals and executives are expected to gather Wednesday evening at Il Fornaio (11990 Market St.) for a “Wine Wednesday” networking event. Registration is free. [Eventbrite]
Dispatchers Honored This Week — This is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and the county’s dispatchers are being recognized for their work at the “first of the first responders.” [Fairfax County]
Herndon TED Talks to Feature Powerful Speakers — The third annual TEDxHerndon event is slated for May 6. The lineup of presenters is filled with innovators, leaders and social changemakers including writers, nonprofit founders, CEOs and more. “Early bird” tickets, available through Monday, are $40. [TEDxHerndon]
Herndon Man Dies in Route 7 Crash — Rush Hone Elmore, 69, died Friday after his vehicle was rear-ended near Leesburg. The impact of the crash forced his car off the roadway, where it overturned. He died at Reston Hospital Center. [Leesburg Police Department]
Units Respond to Kitchen Fire in Reston — Firefighters attacked a blaze Sunday afternoon at a home in the 12300 block of Brown Fox Way. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter]
Plum Campaign Event Set for April 30 — Del. Ken Plum (D-Fairfax) will kick off his campaign for re-election to the state House of Delegates with a fundraiser at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Ave.). Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is scheduled to be in attendance to show his support. [Del. Ken Plum]
Reston Students Profiled in ‘KidsPost’ — Katie Damon’s second-grade class at Terraset Elementary School voted on their favorite author, singer, sport and more for a profile in this weekend’s Washington Post. The kids also reported what they want to be when they grow up and what superpower they’d like to have. [Washington Post]
Bridge Title Claimed by Herndon Woman — Li Yiting was part of the team that won the Machlin Women’s Swiss Teams event at the Spring North American Bridge Championships last month in Kansas City. This is her third championship win. [Fairfax Times]
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a small tornado touched down in Herndon during Thursday afternoon’s storm.
According to the Storm Prediction Center’s report, the tornado occurred in the area of Crestview Drive at 1:36 p.m.:
SIX TO 10 TREES DOWN IN VICINITY OF BUILDERS ROAD AND CRESTVIEW DRIVE … ALL FALLING TOWARDS THE NORTH. WOOD FENCING ALONG CRESTVIEW DR BLOWN TO THE WEST.
The tornado was classified as an EF-0, the lowest level on the scale, with a top wind speed between 60 and 70 mph. Preliminary damage survey results show it was on the ground for about three-quarters of a mile, with a maximum width of 25 yards.
NWS Baltimore/Washington has confirmed 2 EF-0 tornadoes today. Further investigation & reviews in other locations will be completed Friday. pic.twitter.com/CfUXxVnUWw
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 7, 2017
A second EF-0 tornado in the area touched down in southeast Washington, D.C., about five minutes after the Herndon tornado. No one was reported injured in either location.
The storm toppled numerous trees in Reston and the surrounding area Thursday. The National Weather Service says it is investigating other locations in the area today.
Image via David Welch/Facebook of tree fallen at Dranesville Elementary School in Herndon
Ground was recently broken on the second stage of Herndon’s Junction Square neighborhood, which will feature an upscale wine and piano bar among its offerings.
Risky Ricky’s is planning to open around September at 700 Elden St. in Junction Square. The restaurant’s planned menu shows options including Australian lamb chops, grilled Alaskan Salmon fillet, braised short ribs and more. According to its website, its bar will feature private-reserve wine imported from Argentina.
Located at Elden and Monroe streets in the center of Herndon, Junction Square is a 55,000-square foot mixed-use development that will feature 20 luxury townhomes in addition to its storefronts. Work on the project, being done by Tradition Homes, began last February.
Image courtesy Town of Herndon
Fog Advisory in Effect Through Morning — A dense fog advisory that has been in effect for the area since early this morning has been extended until noon. Visibility of a quarter-mile or less remains possible in spots. [National Weather Service]
County Conducting Homelessness Survey — Fairfax County’s Office of Public Affairs and Office to Prevent and End Homelessness are collaborating with George Mason University communications students to collect data about the perception of homelessness in the county. Citizen feedback is requested by April 8. [Fairfax County/Survey Monkey]
Local Artist Featured in DC Show — J’han, an artist from Herndon, will be featured in the “Pancakes and Booze” art show at Penn Station (801 E St. NW) on April 6. J’han is an expressionist, surrealist and abstract artist. [Facebook]
More Taking the Toll Road So Far in 2017 — The Dulles Toll Road collected $23 million in tolls in January and February. That number is up from the collected totals in 2015 and 2016. The number of trips on the road in January and February was about 3.6 percent more than predicted. [WTOP]
Coffee Shop Hopes to Be Up and Running Soon — Roasting operations at Weird Brothers Coffee (321 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) are underway, and they hope to be serving espresso, nitro cold brew, blended chillers, fruit smoothies and more soon. [Weird Brothers Coffee]
HHS Grad Has Sights Set on World Championships Run — Hiruni Wijayaratne, a 2009 Herndon High School graduate, is training hard in the attempt to qualify to represent her native Sri Lanka as a marathon runner in the 2017 International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships. [Sunday Times in Sri Lanka]
It’s the first weekend of spring and the weather forecast is looking fantastic. Here are some ideas for how you can get out and enjoy yourself.
- Reston Association has an “open house” event slated for Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Ave.). Members are invited to come find out more about what RA has to offer.
- Islamic Relief USA’s “Skate for Syria” is tonight from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at SkateQuest (1800 Michael Faraday Court). Tickets are available online for $12; they will be $15 at the door. Proceeds from the fundraiser support Syrian Humanitarian Aid.
- Reston Town Center is hosting “Family Fun Saturdays” throughout March to benefit Opportunity Neighborhood: Reston. This week’s schedule features mini train rides, caricature and balloon artists, free “sweet treats” and more. The event will go from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
- Other events at Reston Town Center this weekend include an art workshop at Greater Reston Arts Center, a cooking class at Il Fornaio, cupcake-making demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma and live music at World of Beer.
- ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St.) will host its Best of FAVS showcase from 7-9:30 p.m. tonight. The event showcases several films from George Mason University’s Film and Video Studies program. There will be a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers as well. Tickets are $20.
- There will be a community rummage sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berthold Academy (11480 Sunset Hills Road). Proceeds from the event will go toward class trips for students.
- Reston Community Players’ will put on “Rock of Ages” tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday at 2 p.m. at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets for each performance of the show, which will run through April 1, are $25.
- Scrawl Books (11862 Market St.) will host storytime with author Anne Marie Stephens on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
- The Diva Central prom dress giveaway will be Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lake Anne location (1609A Washington Plaza N.) of Reston Community Center. The giveaway is open to any current middle school and high school student who is in need of a formal dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories.
- An all-ages nature workshop involving spring bulb containers will happen at Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) from 2-3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $7 for RA members and $9 for non-members.
- The Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington will present its Suite Serenade at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive).
- There will be a free Montessori music class and information session at Herndon Community Center (814 Ferndale Ave.) from 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Parents are invited to learn about Little Oaks Montessori Academy.
- Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) will have its YA Book Club on Sunday at 2 p.m.
- Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., from Throwing Plates. DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits Saturday night.
Reminder: RA Board Meeting Tonight — The Reston Association Board of Directors meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at RA Headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive). The meeting will also be streamed live on RA’s YouTube channel. [Reston Now]
SLHS Students Attend Science Symposium — South Lakes High International Baccalaureate chemistry students recently attended the event at Georgetown University, sitting in on seminars and hearing talks from experts. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Warm Weather Once Again on the Horizon — We were spoiled by temperatures in the 70s in February and early March before winter came back for one more round. The thermometer is on the rise again, though, and it is expected to top that 70 mark again Saturday. [Capital Weather Gang]
Longtime Herndon Town Manager Honored for Work — Arthur Anselene retired from his position as Herndon town manager last month. His more than 40 years of service to the town was honored at the town council’s meeting last week. [Reston Connection]
Police Seek Ashburn Assault Suspect — Police in Loudoun County are looking for a man who is believed to have assaulted a woman in an Ashburn parking lot last week. [Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office]
Trump Wine Flying Out the Door — As grocery chain Wegmans faces scrutiny for selling Trump Winery products, wine stores around D.C. are reporting booming sales. In Reston, The Wine Cabinet (1416 North Point Village Center) says they’ve sold more than 10 cases since Election Day — and they could have sold more, co-owner Mike Mackie said, if they hadn’t run out. [The Hill]
CrossFit Gym to Open in Herndon — CrossFit 286 (293 Sunset Park Drive) has a grand opening slated for Saturday, Feb. 25. [Herndon Patch]
Area Couple on the Road Performing Show — Sam and Susan Simon are presenting “The Actual Dance,” the true story of their journey through Susan’s breast cancer diagnosis, this weekend in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Susan Simon is the former marketing director at Tall Oaks of Reston. [Elmira Star-Gazette]
ArtSpace Herndon Kicks Off Concert Series — Guitarist-songwriter Parthenon Huxley played with indie rocker and violinist Ben Hoyt as Herndon’s arts district began its 2017 concert series last weekend. In addition to original music, the performers played love songs from ELO and the Beatles. [Reston Connection]
The Fairfax County Police Department says charges have been filed against a man accused of stealing wheels from vehicles last year.
Jason Brooks, 38, was charged recently with seven counts of grand larceny and seven counts of larceny with the intent to sell stolen property. The Maryland resident was already in custody in Loudoun County, on unrelated charges.
Police say Brooks has been connected with seven different tire and rim thefts in Fairfax County between March and July. Two of the incidents took place in Herndon.
SHOTS FIRED IN HERNDON
Police are investigating a shots-fired incident that took place Saturday evening in Herndon.
Officers responded to a home on Poener Place, near Hutchison Elementary School, for a report of several people at the door with guns. The caller also told police shots may have been fired at the home. Arriving officers say they heard shots, and a bullet was found at the scene.
“Four suspects fled in a white SUV and a lookout was broadcast. The suspect vehicle was stopped a short time later in the Town of Herndon. The suspects have been taken into custody for interviews and further investigation. An extensive check of the area by Fairfax 1 and K9 did not yield any additional suspects.”
No injuries were reported.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
Other incidents reported from the Reston District Station in the past week:
LARCENIES:
1800 block of Fountain Drive, security devices from business
1900 block of Bowman Towne Drive, backpack from residence
2200 block of Wheelwright Court, packages from residence
1700 block of Business Center Drive, wallet from residence
13100 block of Foxhunt Lane, property from residence
2400 block of Centreville Road, wallet from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Fairfax County police also responded to the alleged armed robbery of a man while he walked his dog outside Winterthur Apartments, which we reported Monday.
Afghan Immigrant Shares Story — Today, he works out of government service provider SOS International’s headquarters in Reston, where he lives with his family. A mere two years ago, Naveed was an interpreter in his home country helping with counter drug-dealing operations. While he says daily life in Afghanistan is not the harrowing experience Americans may imagine, he is happy to have his family safe in the U.S. [Fairfax Times]
Community Services Discussion Slated — The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board says it is taking a “fresh look” at how it prioritizes mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability issues. The board wants to hear the opinions of citizens regarding what matters most to them and how they feel it should be handled. The board is hosting a series of community dialogues on the topic, the first of which is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Northwest Center in Reston. [Fairfax County]
Herndon Seeks Input on Proposed Budget — The Town of Herndon will host a public hearing Tuesday, Feb. 14, to discuss its FY2018 budget proposal. Comments may also be made online. [Town of Herndon]
Name of Officer in Herndon Shooting Not Released — Pending further investigation, the Fairfax County Police Department is not releasing the name of the officer who shot and killed Mohammad Azim Doudzai on Jan. 16 in Herndon, ending a hostage/barricade situation. Doudzai had earlier shot and injured his two brothers. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Reston’s Family Rankings Not Flattering — Personal finance website WalletHub recently released its rankings of Virginia’s 82 largest communities for their friendliness to families. Reston ranked middle of the road (37th) overall, and was particularly low (71st) in the “Family Life & Fun” category. The community did rank well in affordability (20th) and socioeconomics (23rd). Other Northern Virginia communities swept the Top 5 overall: Falls Church, Leesburg, Vienna, South Riding and Great Falls. [WalletHub]
Massive Mixed-Use Development Pitched in Herndon — MRP Development has filed for 650,000 square feet of office, 1,701 multifamily units, 112 townhouses and 44,000 square feet of retail near the future Innovation Center Metro Station. [Washington Business Journal]
Police Seek Person Who Shot at Cruiser — Someone shot at a police car last night on Georgetown Pike, and law enforcement is seeking the culprit. The incident happened around midnight in the area of Walker Road. The suspect’s vehicle may have been a white Toyota or Mazda from the late 1990s or early 2000s, with black molding on the doors. The passenger-side window may have been shattered. The car was last seen traveling westbound on Georgetown Pike in the Great Falls area. [NBC Washington]
Herndon Family of Six Displaced By House Fire — Fire officials say a passerby alerted a Herndon family to a fire in their Van Buren Street home Friday afternoon. Apparently, the home’s smoke detectors were not equipped with batteries. The fire, the source of which was electrical, caused almost $70,000 in damage. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Reston Community Players Show Has Successful Opening — “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” opened Friday on the CenterStage at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road). A reviewer says the show, which runs through Feb. 4, is a “fine production” with an “excellent cast.” [DC Metro Theater Arts]
The 32-year-old Herndon man killed Monday by police after a chaotic barricade situation had shot his brothers after a fight with his girlfriend.
Fairfax County Police say 32-year-old Mohammad Azim Doudzai of 13316 Covered Wagon Lane was arguing with his 28-year-old girlfriend when she called his brothers to come talk to him. The fight escalated, and he pulled a gun and shot his brothers, ages 37 and 23. The injured men fled the home along with the girlfriend, driving to the hospital and calling police.
Officers who responded to the home, where Doudzai had barricaded himself inside. During the incident, police say, Doudzai set fires inside the home and there were reports of what sounded like gunfire.
From FCPD:
As officers attempted negotiations with the suspect, they discovered there was a 29-year-old man trapped inside the home. He was a roommate and not related to the family. When the incident escalated, he hid in a room upstairs and called 911 to report he could not escape. Following the response of the Special Operations Division (SOD), officers made the decision to approach the home out of concern for the hostage, neighbors and suspect. Smoke had filled the home and was billowing out the windows. When a team of officers approached the door, the suspect came out with at least one knife in hand and was shot. Members of SOD quickly entered the home and rescued the hostage.
The officer who shot and killed Doudzai, a 16-year veteran of the department assigned to the Special Operations Division, has been placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation is conducted.
Detectives recovered a gun and a knife from the home, police say.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fairfax County police at 703-691-2131, use Crime Solvers, or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
Fairfax County Police say the man shot and killed Monday afternoon by law enforcement in Herndon lunged at officers with a knife.
It was the end of a two-hour barricade situation in the 13300 block of Covered Wagon Lane that began when police were called to the scene for a report of two men having been shot in a domestic incident. At about 2:40 p.m., officers from the Reston District responded to the residence, where they found the armed suspect had barricaded himself inside.
Other officers responded to the hospital, where the victims — a pair of brothers — had driven themselves.
Officers at the Covered Wagon Lane residence set up a perimeter to isolate the area and began evacuating neighbors. Police say their preliminary investigation reveals the man had fired several shots and started a fire inside the home. Officers later learned there was another man “trapped inside [who] could not escape.”
Members of the Crisis Negotiations Team and SWAT were called to assist. Police say they made several attempts to negotiate with the suspect and have him surrender.
As smoke inundated the house and billowed out the windows, officers heard repeated gunshots. Officers also observed the suspect holding and moving around with at least one knife. Out of concern for the hostage and the suspect, officers made the decision to approach the home.
As they approached the front door, the suspect stepped outside armed with knife in hand and lunged toward the officers in an aggressive manner. Both less-lethal and deadly force were deployed. The suspect was shot. Officers immediately began rendering aid to him and he was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
WRC-TV’s news chopper recorded the incident, showing an officer throwing an apparent flash grenade into the open door before the suspect emerged.
The two initial victims are expected to survive, police say. The hostage was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the events and trying to determine the relationship between the victims and the suspect, who was identified Tuesday morning as 32-year-old Mohammad Azim Doudzai.
Suspect in yesterday's double shooting/barricade: 32-year-old Mohammad Azim Doudzai, We'll release additional details once confirmed.
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 17, 2017
The officer involved in the shooting is on routine administrative leave while the investigation is being conducted, police say. No responding officers were injured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfqXQo_9rFs
Anyone with information is asked to call the Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131, report an anonymous tip to Crime Solvers or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
Metro to Operate on Saturday Schedule for MLK Day — Trains and buses will be moving at different times than usual Monday as the federal holiday is observed. [WMATA]
Traffic Management Solutions Firm Sets Up in Herndon — All Traffic Solutions plans to add 25 employees and create up to 86 new jobs over the next three years, and invest more than $100,000 in its new headquarters at Worldgate Centre. [Fairfax County EDA]
Nominations Open for Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards — The deadline to submit applications to honor outstanding volunteers in any organization, club, school, library or neighborhood is Feb. 3. [Volunteer Fairfax]
Silver Alert Issued for Woman Last Seen in Fairfax County — Police are looking for 80-year-old Catherine Hemlepp, pictured here. She is believed to be in a maroon 2017 Ford Escape, with Pennsylvania license plate WR9679P. She was last seen wearing an orange vest, flowered pants and a white hat. She and her husband were traveling from Pennsylvania to South Carolina when they became separated Tuesday. [Virginia State Police/Twitter]
