Polls Open for Primary Election — You can vote between now and 7 p.m. in the gubernatorial primary election, choosing the candidates who will face off in November. If you aren’t sure where your polling place is, check out the Virginia Department of Elections website. [Washington Post]
Record-High Temperatures Continue — Yesterday’s high of 95 tied the record, and today may be even hotter. [Washington Post/National Weather Service]
Reston Native Has Success as Baseball Coach — Troy Allen, a 1994 graduate of South Lakes High School, led the State College HS Little Lions on a deep run in the Pennsylvania state baseball playoffs this year. Allen was a basketball and baseball star at SLHS and played collegiately at George Washington University. [Centre Daily Times]
Nominations Still Open for Business Awards — We continue to accept submissions for our 2017 Best Reston Business Awards. Look over the 17 categories and get your business on the list of nominees. [Reston Now]
Heat Wave Continues — It was hot over the weekend and high temperatures are expected to get into the 90s again for the next couple days. Fairfax County wants residents to be aware of the dangers of extreme heat. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Volunteers Still Needed for ‘Taste’ — Organizers of the Taste of Reston, scheduled for this weekend at Reston Town Center, say they are still in need of some volunteers for Friday and Saturday night shifts. [Taste of Reston]
Utility Work Starts Tomorrow Night — Crews will be doing utility relocation work at the main entrance to the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride, located at the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Roark Street. The work is expected to be take about three weeks. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]
Park Authority Unveils Web Feature — Fairfax County parks including nearby Frying Pan Farm Park and Riverbend Park are part of a new interactive webpage that includes photos, videos and more. [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Urban Planner: Reston ‘Not Like Its Plan’ — A Harvard University Graduate School of Design urban planning professor comparing the planned community of Columbia, Maryland, to Reston: “Columbia’s development stuck more closely to its original plan than did that of Reston,” which is “not like its plan in a lot of ways.” [Baltimore Sun]
Metro Continues To Be Understaffed — Commuting to work and hear the dreaded “train will be moving momentarily?” WMATA says it’s due to overwhelmed Rail Operations Control Center workers, and it needs to hire 33 more people in order to get things sorted out. [WTOP]
Temperatures Will Roast Us — Buckle up and stay cool. Weather forecasts starting Sunday predict scorching heat through Wednesday. Triple-digit heat indexes are predicted along with potential record-breaking temperatures. [Washington Post]
County Police Warning of Fake Gold — A Fairfax County man is out $9,000 after con artists targeted him in an elaborate scam. Mandarin-speaking scammers seem to be preying on the Chinese community by selling them fake gold. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Volunteers Sought for All-Night Grad Party — South Lakes High School’s graduating seniors will attend a post-graduation party from 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. — unless they don’t get enough volunteer chaperones. Anyone interested in helping out will need to participate in a training session next week. [South Lakes PTSA/Signup Genius]
Photo courtesy Reston Association
Hot Weather Continues Today — The DC area had weather hotter than nearly anywhere else in the country Wednesday, including a record high of 91 at Dulles International Airport. Temperatures are expected to be similar today and Friday. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue has issued information to help people avoid heat-related illness. [Washington Post]
Bicycle Commuting Up in DC, But Not Here — A report shows that the nation’s capital now has the third-highest percentage of bicycle commuters among major cities in the nation, 4 percent. The number has nearly doubled from 2010. However, in Fairfax County, only about 0.3 percent of commuters ride to work. The difference is in part due to lacking infrastructure, says the Fairfax Alliance for Better Biking. [WTOP]
Cicadas Making Early Entrance — Thousands of the bugs have already turned up in the region, four years ahead of their regular schedule. The 17-year cycle on Brood X means this is just a precursor of a major emergence in 2021. [WAMU]
SLHS Track Teams Tops Again — The boys and girls track teams at South Lakes High School have won their conference championships. It’s the seventh title in a row for the girls and the fourth for the boys. [Press Release]
Commentary: Increased Class Sizes Will Hurt — An advocate for Class Size Matters says Fairfax County Public Schools’ plan to increase average class size by half a student per room will have “a negative impact on students’ ability to learn and succeed, and on teachers’ ability to teach.” An online petition is opposing the increase. [Reston Connection]
Record Highs Possible Today — The National Weather Service is predicting high temperatures in the low 90s for the entire region today. The record high at Dulles International Airport for this day in history is 89, set in 1986. [National Weather Service/Twitter]
First RA Board District Meeting Tonight — Residents of the South Lakes District are invited to attend a meeting with their representative on the Reston Association Board of Directors, Julie Bitzer, tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. at Terraset Elementary School (11411 Ridge Heights Road). [Reston Association]
SLHS Grad Honored for Social Activism — Ainsley Eakins, a 2014 graduate of South Lakes High School, has been honored with the Wesleyan University’s Social Activism Award. It is given for exemplifying the spirit of social activism and helping constructive social change happen. According to her LinkedIn page, Eakins is a member of a Student Advisory Committee task force assigned to develop a student resource center for marginalized groups on campus. [Wesleyan University]
File photo via Fabio Rossi/Flickr
Event Canceled – Due to inclement weather, Saturday’s #RestonExpo has been canceled. #Reston pic.twitter.com/tfo5scNZGQ
— Reston Association (@RestonOnline) May 11, 2017
Citing a wet and dreary forecast for Saturday, Reston Association has canceled this year’s Reston Expo event.
“We want members and exhibitors to have a great experience at this annual outdoor event and rainy, cold conditions just don’t make it enjoyable,” said Mike Leone, RA’s communications director.
The event, which had been scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Reston Association’s headquarters, was slated to be an opportunity for area businesses — in the fields of “home, garden and more” — to share their products and services with residents. Food trucks, music and a kids’ tent were also planned for the free event.
Leone said the event went on through light showers last year, but torrential rains are another story. He said exhibitors were “completely supportive” of the decision to call off this year’s event.
“Apparently, there was another similar event in a nearby community last Saturday and many of the exhibitors/vendors participating in our Expo participated in that event,” he said. “The feedback we received was that last Saturday’s event was a ‘bust’ — extremely low attendance due to the rain.”
The most recent weather forecast for Saturday from Capital Weather Gang calls for steady rain, perhaps up to an inch, with brisk wind as the storm passes through.
Leone said RA “hope[s] to find a date to reschedule later this year.”
You’ve undoubtedly noticed, it’s a wet and rainy morning around Reston. Will the rain let up today?
According to the National Weather Service, there’s a chance, but not a big one.
Rain and the chance of thunderstorms is likely until at least 2 p.m. Friday, with the added likelihood of “gusty winds.” Temperatures will mostly remain in the 60s, with a possible high of 73 degrees.
Around mid-afternoon, there is a chance the rain will finally stop between 2 to 4 p.m. Then, the chance of showers tonight goes down to around a 30-percent likelihood. Temperatures tonight will hover in the 50s.
For the weekend, sporadic rain is highly likely. The chance of rain is 70 percent between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, with a mostly clear mid-day leading to a 30-percent chance of rain returning around 8 p.m. Temperatures will linger in the 50s with a high near 64.
Thankfully, it looks like Restonians may be able to enjoy a dry Sunday. There is only a 20-percent chance of showers around 8 a.m. However dry, though, it will likely be an overcast and windy day, with temperatures in the 50s and wind gusts of up to 24 miles per hour.
Summer isn’t here to stay just yet, say the folks at Capital Weather Gang.
There’s a 40 to 60-percent chance of thunderstorms today, starting around 6 p.m.–and we’d agree that the chance is likely given the gray clouds hanging over the Reston area right now, and how the winds started picking up around lunchtime.
Though Reston saw temps in the high 80s to lower 90s this past weekend, with abundant sunshine, the forecast is trending cooler through the rest of the week and even into the weekend, making it feel more like March, say the Gang.
Tuesday and Wednesday are looking to be the week’s sole bright spots, with temps approaching the low 80s. Winds are likely to be rather gusty though, hitting 25mph at some points throughout the day Tuesday.
Expect it to be significantly chillier Tuesday night, when the lows will barely be in the 50s, but the sun is expected to return Wednesday morning, amid clear skies and temperatures in the breezy 70s for the rest of the day. Lows in the 50s will return Wednesday night, the Gang predicts.
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]
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
A number of trees are reported down in Reston after a nasty storm passed through Thursday afternoon.
At the intersection of Wiehle Avenue and Sunrise Valley Drive, a large tree has fallen and crashed onto the traffic lights on eastbound Sunrise Valley. The intersection is not shut down; however, eastbound traffic on Sunrise Valley Drive is proceeding gingerly as the through-lane is blocked by debris, including a fallen signal.
A Fairfax County police officer on scene said it is one of several reported incidents across Reston. Trees are also reported down on Glade Drive, Hunter Mill Road, North Shore Drive, Baron Cameron Avenue and Leesburg Pike.
The officer said cleanup will be contingent upon when the Virginia Department of Transportation, Dominion Power, and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will be able to respond. There are many such reported incidents across the county, the officer said.
The storm that came through Thursday afternoon was accompanied by a tornado warning from the National Weather Service.
UPDATE: This alert has been canceled by the National Weather Service as of 1:50 p.m.
—
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for an area including Reston, to be in effect until 2 p.m.
According to the alert, radar has indicated rotation within an incoming storm:
IMPACT…For those in the direct path of a tornado touchdown,
flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Damage to roofs, siding, and windows may occur.
Mobile homes may be damaged or destroyed. Tree damage is
likely.* This dangerous storm will be near…
Linton Hall around 135 PM EDT.
South Riding around 145 PM EDT.
Centreville, Brambleton, Dulles International Airport, Chantilly
and Arcola around 150 PM EDT.
Broadlands around 155 PM EDT.
Reston, Herndon, Lansdowne, Lowes Island, Ashburn, Sterling, Great
Falls and Countryside around 200 PM EDT.Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Catharpin, Garrett Park, Derwood, Clarksburg, Woolsey, Washington
Grove, Belmont, Belleview, Bradley Farms and Kensington.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Nastiest part of squall line, poss tornado, around Dulles-Sterling headed NE. Seek shelter! pic.twitter.com/xBMAvalOjZ
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 6, 2017
A severe thunderstorm warning until 2 p.m. had previously been issued, as well as a severe thunderstorm watch until 5 p.m.
(Updated at 2:30 p.m. after Lawyers Road was reported to be reopened.)
Lawyers Road between Hunter Mill Road and Galloping Way was blocked off for several hours Friday as steady rain pounded the area.
According to an alert from Fairfax County, that area was being monitored by county crews as water levels continued to increase. The road was closed from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the Hunter Mill Road/Lawyers Road intersection, barriers were placed blocking eastbound turns onto Lawyers Road.
In addition, Fox Mill Road was closed in Herndon at Thoroughbred Road because of high water.
A flood warning is in effect for the central portion of Fairfax County, including the City of Fairfax, until 5:15 p.m. Friday.
Rain, Rain Go Away — Rain that is expected to inundate the area through Friday is forecast to vacate later tonight. Saturday looks to be dry but cloudy, with sun coming back Sunday. Temperatures in the 50s and 60s will make for a nice weekend. [Capital Weather Gang]
RA Election Ends Monday — There are only a few days left to get your ballot in for the Reston Association Board of Directors election. Voting can be done online through RA’s website. Winners will be announced at the annual members’ meeting April 11. [Reston Association]
Submit a Video to Fairfax County Board — In what it says is an attempt to increase the amount of public participation in hearings, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is encouraging residents to submit pre-recorded comments via YouTube. The video-submission program will first be used for the county’s public budget hearings April 5-6. [Fairfax County]
Local Student Presents at Alabama Conference — Christine Roesch, of Reston, was one of 500 University of Alabama undergraduate students who were selected to showcase their research and creative projects during the school’s annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference earlier this week. Her project was titled “The Layout of Grass and a Trip to Starbucks Can Influence Which Way You Walk to Class.” According to her Facebook page, Roesch is a psychology major with a criminal justice minor. [University of Alabama]
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]
