The National Weather Service says its Blizzard Watch issued yesterday will become a Blizzard Warning beginning Friday afternoon.
The Blizzard Warning for Reston, Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC area goes into effect Friday at 3 p.m. and will remain in effect through 6 a.m. Sunday, the NWS said.
A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. There will be falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibility, including whiteout conditions, the NWS says.
The forecast for the Reston area is 24 to 30 inches of snow. Read More
Fairfax County Schools will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 21.
That’s a departure from the announcement the school system made Wednesday night, when it said there would be a two-hour delay after a small amount of snow fell during rush hour and into the evening.
There was significant re-freeze overnight and the roads are not in good condition this morning, according to DC-area forecasters and traffic-watchers.
FCPS’ closure also means the following are canceled:
- extracurricular activities
- interscholastic contests and games
- team practices
- field trips
- middle school after-school programs
- professional learning and training courses
- adult and community education classes
- recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
- School age child care (SACC) centers are closed.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is urging motorists who must head out to use extreme caution, as low ground temperatures overnight mean that even treated roads have refrozen. “
“Slow down, allow extra time to destinations, and take extra care on areas prone to freezing such as bridges, ramps and secondary roads,” VDOT said in a statement.
About 500 trucks worked through the night to clear extremely treacherous conditions, said VDOT. Crews will remain on duty through the morning rush hour to continually treat slick roads.
Drivers are reminded to check www.511virginia.org for road conditions and to follow @VaDOTNOVA on Twitter.
Traffic officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of Wednesday night’s commute, where many people said it took hours to make a what is usually a 30-minute commute. Major arteries such as I-66, Route 123, and I-495 were jammed, leaving drivers frozen and frustrated.
Me stuck in traffic on MD-210 around 11pm last night. From Reston to Waldorf took 10+ hours. @fox5dc @WTOPtraffic pic.twitter.com/9K4UknFz58
— lamont152 (@lamont152) January 21, 2016
@wusa9 took me 4.5 hours to get from Reston to Fort Washington — Candace Wilson (@cwilson7719) January 21, 2016
And this is all just a warm-up — or cold-up, even though that’s not a phrase — to the big storm expected to hit Reston and Northern Virginia Friday night and Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch, saying the storm — expected to begin Friday afternoon — could have two feet of snow, high winds and power outages.
Restonians did their usual mass dash for storm necessities beginning Wednesday, reporting long lines and empty shelves at local grocery stores.
Reston Now will give you more information on updates forecasts and additional closings for Friday’s storm as it gets closer.
Photo: Top, Snow in Reston/2014 file photo; Bottom, empty shelves at Reston Trader Joe’s Wednesday afternoon/Courtesy Amanda Andere
It’s just January, but winter (usually) happens fast in Reston.
Most Reston youth spring sports leagues are holding registration now, so act soon if you want your children to play. Some are even offering early signup discounts.
Here is what you need to know:
Reston Soccer registration closes Feb. 6. Reston Soccer has house and travel teams for boys and girls ages U5 to 18.
Reston Youth Football has co-ed spring flag football. Registration is open.
Herndon Reston Youth Lacrosse has boys and girls teams. Registration is now open and early bird discounts ($30) available through Jan. 15.
http://herndonlacrosse.org/#340618Herndon-Reston Youth Softball has fastpitch softball for girls 5 to 18. Registration is open. Players 10 and older have to have a skills assessment and need to register by February 15.
Herndon Reston Little League – Baseball for kids 4 to 12. Reston Little League now can include players from Herndon, hence the name change and new website. Regstration is open. Skills assessments begin on Jan 31.
Reston Little League players/file photo
It’s been a mild winter in Reston so far. Remember wearing shorts on Christmas Day? Or that we’ve already set a record for the latest date with no measurable snow?
That could change on Tuesday. Maybe.
Meteorologists say an Alberta clipper will be dropping down across the Great Lakes and heading here today, bringing blustery conditions and snow showers to Northern Virginia.
But they also say temperatures may hover in the 40s, making it too warm for any significant snow. After sundown, though, temperatures will drop and the snow may pick up.
Still, they for calling “conversational” snow around here. Possibly enough to whiten the ground; not nearly enough to impact driving, school schedules or snowman making.
When the Virginia General Assembly’s 2016 session gets underway this week, one prefiled bill to be discussed is the way for new cities to be established in the Commonwealth.
Del. Randy Minchew of (R-Loudoun) has filed a bill that would lift a longtime moratorium on towns and jurisdictions with populations of more than 40,000 transforming into cities. The law was enacted in 1987 and is set to expire in 2018.
Minchew’s bill is mostly aimed at Leesburg, which has town status and whose residents often complain they are double-billed by county and town taxes.
So what does this have to do with Reston? Passage of Minchew’s bill into law could resurrect the movement to make Reston a town.
That movement has been dormant the last several years, but was a hot topic — particularly among members of the Reston Citizens Association — about a decade ago.
With about 60,000 residents Reston, which is a Census-designated place but neither a town nor a city — would be among the largest towns in Virginia.
In 2005, RCA held a series of community meetings and collected more than 600 signatures asking for a state referendum on becoming a town. There were also similar citizen efforts in 1980 and 1988.
Since some Reston residents pay Fairfax County taxes, Reston Association assessments, cluster dues and Small Tax District 5 taxes, town status would save Restonians money, RCA said at the time.
The most recent effort did not receive broad support from Reston Association, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors or Del. Ken Plum or Sen. Janet Howell. Read More
Priscilla Ames, a resident of Reston since the mid-1960s who was involved in many community organizations, died on Friday after a long illness. She was 81.
Ames was a fixture during Reston’s formative years, working at Lake Anne Hall — the plaza’s original community center — as well as on political campaigns for Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and General Assembly members Janet Howell and Ken Plum.
In 2011, Ames was honored at the Best of Reston gala with the Robert E. Simon Lifetime Achievement Award.
“She knew everybody,” said longtime Reston resident Lynn Lillienthal. “But more than that, she was such a champion for the underdog.” Read More
The plans for the Reston Town Center Metro station will have a Fairfax County Planning Commission hearing on Jan. 13, and the planners are expected to recommend for approval the plans that will bring another Silver Line stop to Reston.
While the basic entrance pavilions will look similar to those at the existing Wiehle-Reston East station, the Town Center stop, part of the Silver Line Phase 2 that is expected to open in early 2020, will have a very different character than Wiehle-Reston East.
The Wiehle-Reston East station was built adjacent to a large parking garage, a joint project by Fairfax County and Comstock. Comstock is also building apartments, a hotel, offices, retail and restaurants as part of its Reston Station project that is under construction at was previously a suburban vacant lot.
The Reston Town Center stop — which, like most other Silver Line stations will have virtually no parking — will be built close to Reston’s urban core. It still won’t be “at” Reston Town Center, though. Read More
Happy 2016, Reston.
Reston Now is off today. We will be back on Monday with more news, events and other things to know around town.
2015 was a busy year here. What are your predictions for Reston in 2016?
Thanks to all our readers — whether you discovered us when we launched in October 2013 or just started reading us yesterday — for another great year.
Meanwhile, read this funny in-and-out list from our friends at Restonian.
Surf Reston file photo
The body found in an Adams Morgan alley on Thursday has been identified as Reston college student Paul McGuinness Jr., a police spokesman told The Washington Post.
McGuinness’s family members have also said it was McGuinness, 19, whom they found lifeless at the bottom of a stairwell in the 2400 block of 18th Street in DC.
The family members told TV reporters they spent hours searching the area after McGuinness was reported missing on Wednesday.
They said McGuinness had gone to Adams Morgan with a cousin and was last seen about 1:30 a.m. at a bar, Madam’s Organ, located at 2461 18th St.NW
McGuinness was a 2015 graduate of Herndon High School who was home on winter break from his freshman year at Virginia Commonwealth University.
“He was a JOY,” said Dannielle LaRosa, a Herndon High parent. “He always had a smile for everyone. I am heartbroken.”
McGuinness attended Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington before transferring to Herndon for his senior year. He played on the Hornets’ football team in the 2014 season, according to the HHS yearbook.
Police are still investigating the cause of death and what exactly happened early Wednesday, but foul play is not suspected.
This is the second tragedy to hit the Herndon High Community in the last five months. In August, three members of Herndon High’s Class of 2014 – Kyle Mathers, Holly Novak and Dale Neibaur – were killed in a car crash on their way to a gaming festival near Austin, Texas. A fourth HHS grad, Kevin DiCicco, was badly injured in the crash.
Photo: Paul McGuinness/Courtesy Herndon High yearbook
Police in the District are investigating if a dead body found in an Adams Morgan alley Thursday is related to a missing teen from Reston.
Paul McGuinness, 19, was last seen about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at Madam’s Organ, a bar at 2461 18th St. in Adams Morgan.
Reston and Herndon residents have been on a social media campaign this afternoon to see if anyone has seen the Herndon High School Class of 2015 grad and Virginia Commonwealth University freshman.
According to our sister publication Borderstan, the body was found in the 2400 block of 18th St. NW around 11:51 a.m. on Thursday. Metropolitan Police confirmed it is a “death investigation” rather than a homicide investigation.
The body was located in an alley close to Madam’s Organ, which said in a Tweet it will be closed tonight.
Photo by Tim Regan. Borderstan editors Andrew Ramonas and Tim Regan contributed to this story.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Have you made plans? If you don’t want to cook on Turkey Day, there are several Reston restaurants ready to serve you.
Here are some ideas:
Red’s Table, South Lakes Village Center
Clyde’s of Reston, Reston Town Center
Il Fornaio, Reston Town Center
McCormick & Schmick’s, Reston Town Center
Morton’s The Steakhouse, Reston Town Center
Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro, Reston Heights
All of the places mentioned take reservations. Either click on the restaurant name or visit Open Table.
Photo: Red’s Table at South Lakes Village Center
There were no surprises on Election Day as the Virginia State Senate and House members, and the Fairfax County Supervisor and School Board member representing Reston — all running unopposed — were re-elected.
Here are some tallies:
State Senate (32nd District)
Janet Howell (D) 28,872 votes (93.41 %)
Write ins 1,684 (6.59 %)
State Delegate (36th District)
Ken Plum (D) 10,339 (93.91%)
Write-ins 670 (6.09% )
Board of Supervisors, Hunter Mill District
Cathy Hudgins (D) 17,235 (94.33%)
Write-in 1,036 (5.67%)
In the only Reston-area contested race, Hunter Mill School Board member Pat Hynes was re-elected to a second term. Hynes (12,951 votes; 61.30%) defeated Mark Wilkinson (8,116, 38.41%).
Hynes, who also serves as the current school board chair, will serve another four-year term.
In the school board race for three At-Large seats, incumbents Ryan McElveen and Ilryong Moon were re-elected. However, newcomer Jeanette Hough was elected with the third-highest number of votes (80,006) in the nine-candidate field, moving ahead of incumbent Ted Velkoff for the third at-large seat.
Sharon Bulova (D) will also return for another term as Board of Supervisors Chair. She received 59 percent of the votes, easily defeating Republican opponent Arthur G. Purves and Independent Glenda Gail Parker.
In other races:
Raymond F. Morrogh, running unopposed, was re-elected to the county Commonwealth’s Attorney office.
Stacey Kincaid defeated challenger Bryan “B.A.” Wolfe to return as Fairfax Count y Sheriff.
Scott John Cameron, George W. Lamb IV and Gerald O. “Jerry” Peters earned spots for the Soil and Water Conservation Director Northern Virginia District.
John Frey narrowly defeated Bettina Lawson (48 percent to 46 percent) as for county clerk of courts.
Both the $315 million public schools bond and the $151 million facilities bond easily passed.
For more vote totals, breakdowns by precinct and nearby races, visit the Virginia Board of Elections’ website.
Photos: Top, Hunter Mill School Board rep Pat Hynes; Bottom, Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova/file photos
Halloween is Saturday — do you have plans?
If you are staying home to hand out candy, expect trick-or-treaters when it gets dark (about 6 p.m.) until about 8 p.m., though there are no official parameters.
Reston Now has been running events for adults and kids all week. Here are a couple more if you are still searching to get your spooky on.
Kalypso’s Sports Tavern at Lake Anne Plaza will have a live band on Friday and a DJ on Saturday. Come out the hear the Vandelays Friday beginning at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night is Kalypso’s “All Hallow’s Eve” Party with DH Ortiz from 9:30 p.m. to close. Saturday’s party will also feature a costume contest and prizes.
Herndon microbrewery Aslin Beer Company is hosting a Halloween costume party on Saturday. A prize for best costume will be awarded at 7 p.m.
The NextStop Theatre’s production of Deathtrap is happening Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. If you wear your Halloween costume to this Ira Levin thriller, you receive a free treat from concessions plus a chance to win NextStop prizes. Tickets: $35.
South Lakes High School’s Theatre Arts Department is presenting its annual “Fright Night” at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults, available online or at the door. The content appropriate for all ages.
Other events:
Daytime Trick-or-Treating at Reston Town Center
Dr. Tisseront’s Candy Buy Back
Meow-lo-ween at Fairfax County Animal Shelter
Howl-o-Ween at Lake Anne Plaza
Know of any other Halloween happenings? Tell us in the comments below.
Halloween at Aslin Beer Co./Aslin Beer via Facebook
Reston will be getting Fairfax County’s first bikeshare system, and Fairfax County officials expect it to be operational by late 2016 or early 2017.
The tentative plans for an extension of Capital Bikeshare have been in the works for more than a year, since the county completed a feasibility study in spring of 2014. Since then, bicycle program staff as been identifying potential vendors — the plan is to go with Capital Bikeshare, already in place in the District and Arlington — as well as station sites and additional money sources.
Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors OKed the county’s application for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s FY 2017 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant Application. The grant will give the bike program $400,000 as seed money for bike share program. The money will go to pay for needed equipment such as 130 bicycles and 13 stations.
“We consider the TAP grant Fairfax County’s endorsement of the project,” said Fairfax County Bicycle Program Coordinator Adam Lind. “The project is ready to open into the design [process].”
Lind said the program will be seeking additional local funding, as well as sponsorship as the total estimated cost of system is close to $800,000. Federal funds can only be used for equipment and stations, not for operational costs, said Lind.
Lind was in Reston Thursday night to show bikeshare timelines, stations and take feedback from citizens.
Some of the highlights:
The system will start in Reston, with the goal of eventually expanding to Tysons Corner, Herndon and Merrifield.
The design will not have to go through Reston Association’s Design Review Board as no stations are on RA land.
The next steps will be land acquisition, completing the design plan, and finalizing funding. Different sites have different challenges, such as whether they are on private property (i.e., Reston Town Center, Reston Hospital) or public land, and whether there is already a hard surface in place or one needs to be constructed.
Bikeshare stations can be moved, said Lind. For example, if a station is built at Restion Regional Library, which may get a new facility in a slightly different location in the future, the station can be moved near the new building.
The tentative timeline calls for opening in late 2016 or early 2017. Lind stressed that that estimate is rough as federal funding requires additional steps that could slow the down the process. Also, the he prefers the system open “when people are active and outside,” so the system likely would not open in deep winter.
All Reston stations are located north of the Dulles Toll Road (see graphic). Lind says the county looked into stations at various office buildings in south Reston, but decided the locations would throw off the balance of bikes throughout the day.
“People would ride to work on the south side and there would not be any constant flow,” he said. “Bikes would just sit by the workplaces all day.”
While Reston has 55 miles of Reston Association trails, the W & OD Trail and many bike lanes, one citizen in attendance questioned whether the community is bike-friendly enough to be safe for bikeshare riders, He pointed out that bikeshare riders are often occasional cyclists rather than experienced riders.
“Are you going to throw a bunch of bikes into places where there are a lot of cars?” he asked. “All of those driveways are going to be key places where bikes and cars can meet.”
Lind pointed out that Fairfax County plans additional bike improvements (lanes, signage) countywide, as well as an awareness and safety campaign prior to the system opening.
“One of the benefits of bikeshare is it does get people used to using biking as a transportation alternative,” said Lind.
Graphic courtesy of Fairfax County
When Fairfax County voters go to the polls on Nov. 3, there will be two bond issues: a $310 million school bond and a $151 million public facilities bond.
If passed, both will have significant money put towards projects in Reston.
Both South Lakes and Herndon High Schools are among the schools slated for improvement with the 2015 bond.
South Lakes will get $13,359,385 towards construction of the 40,000-square-foot addition that will add classroom space to the building, which has reached capacity.
The addition will enable South Lakes to get rid of many of its temporary classrooms. The school, which underwent a major overhaul and expansion less than 10 years ago, is designed for 2,100 students. It’s current enrollment is 2,446. The addition will give the school a capacity of 2,500.
However, if enrollment trends hold, the school could be at 2,900 enrollment, FCPS officials said in the most recent Capital Improvement Plan.
Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors last week approved the addition. The planning and other initial costs will be paid for with funds from a $225 million 2013 bond.
Herndon High would get $99 million from the bond for renovations.
Langston Hughes Middle School is set to get $3.7 million to initiate the planning stages for its renovation.
Nine elementary schools, none in the Reston area, would also benefit. See the full list on FCPS website.
Fairfax County’s Fire and Rescue Station 25, location on at Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills Road, is slated to be replaced if the public facilities bond passes.
If voters pass the bond, $51 million will be used to replace Station 25, as well as renovate or replace Merrifield, Penn Daw, Woodlawn, and Edsall stations.
Station 25 is one of the busiest stations in the county, Fairfax County says. It was built in 1972 and last renovated in 1986.
Fairfax County’s Capital Improvement Plan says $13,000,000 is needed for replacement as the building systems and infrastructure are well beyond the end of their life cycle. The replacement would include an expansion to a four-bay station.
The fire station lacks women’s accommodations to include bunk rooms, lockers and bathroom facilities to meet 50 percent of minimum shift staffing, Fairfax County officials said. It is also in need of a workout room, an expanded men’s locker room area and laundry facilities.
Other bond money will go to renovate the Franconia District Police station ($100 million); to build a new, joint animal shelter and police station in the South County area; for construction and renovation for the Police heliport, Operations Support Bureau facilities and Emergency Vehicle Operations and K9 Center.
