Aug. 5, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

While our area ended up with little impact from Tropical Storm Isaias, many of our neighboring jurisdictions and states were not as fortunate. Isaias was a really good reminder that we need to be prepared for the next storm. Fairfax County has several ways for you to stay informed about storms and other emergencies that may impact us and our families. I encourage you to sign up and subscribe today, if you haven't already.
  • Sign up for Fairfax Alerts to get text messages and/or emails for updates on weather, traffic, public safety and several other topics including Elections.
  • Follow the county's Office of Emergency Management on Twitter @ReadyFairfax
  • Subscribe to the Fairfax County Emergency Blog
  • For road closure information, subscribe to the Fairfax County Police Department's news blog or follow on Twitter @FairfaxCountyPD
 
As we did with Isaias (and ongoing through the pandemic), my staff and I will keep you informed with updates that affect Hunter Mill District on Twitter and Facebook.
 
Also, election season will soon be upon us – absentee voting begins on Sept. 18 and the Board of Supervisors recently approved 14 in-person satellite voting locations, which will open on Oct. 14 (note that one of the satellite locations is right here at the North County Governmental Center!). Watch this newsletter for what you need to know about voting, including today's issue with a summary of the four bond referendums that will be on the ballot. 

Respectfully,
Walter
Today's COVID-19 Updates (Aug. 5)

Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
  • Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here and scroll down to get to ZIP Code data.
  • Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here and ZIP Code data look for Data Download bar.

COVID-19 Case Information Chart (as of publication on Aug. 5)
Board of Supervisors Update
The Board of Supervisors does not have a meeting scheduled in August. The meeting schedule for September 2020 is below. The agendas and packages will be posted online prior to the meetings (at the links below), along with details on how to participate in public hearings. Watch previous meetings here.
Note: Photo was taken earlier this year before the pandemic.

Sept. 15
Sept. 22
Sept. 29
Public Safety News
It is National Stop on Red Week and a reminder from the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) that when you approach a yellow/red light to slow down and come to a complete stop before the crosswalk or stop line. Also, when making a right turn on a red light, always check the crosswalk for pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2019, FCPD issued 540 citations for improper right turn on red, and a total of 3,102 citations for failing to obey traffic lights. 
Land Use and Transportation
Wiehle Pedestrian Crossing Study Group Virtual Meeting, Aug. 13
Wiehle Pedestrian Crossing Study Group virtual meeting is Thursday, Aug.13, 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform - use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-408-418-9388 and use Access Code: 129 598 0980. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. You can watch the July 30 meeting here.

Reminder: Silver Line Service Will Return Aug.16, Along With Reopening of Six Stations in Fairfax County
Metro will reopen six Fairfax County stations and restore Silver Line service on Aug.16; weeks earlier than originally planned. The six stations reopening are McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill, and Wiehle-Reston East, plus one Orange Line station, West Falls Church. Learn more.

Metro Restores More Metrobus Service Starting Sunday, Aug. 23
Metro will restore approximately 75% of Metrobus service throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and Metro increases capacity to prepare for the return of customers. These changes will provide enhanced weekday service, restore most service on weekends and maintain all-day frequent service on key corridors. Learn more
How to Help Students in Need
Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Collect for Kids Campaign
Before COVID-19, nearly 60,000 FCPS students lived at or below the poverty level. If you would like to help provide them with school supplies, please consider donating to the Collect for Kids campaign here.

Cornerstones Back-to-School Drive Through Aug. 24
Cornerstones anticipates backpacks will be an essential need for children, even with digital learning planned for this fall. You can donate online or mail a check, made payable to Cornerstones, at 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, VA 20190. Please note in the comments section that your donation is for the Back-to-School Drive. In addition, every Saturday in August, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can make an easy, no-contact backpack donation at the Reston National Golf Course, located at 11875 Sunrise Valley Drive, in Reston. Look for the donation drop-off tent, next to Cornerstones’ Laurel Learning Center Bus in the Golf Course’s parking lot. For more information, contact Nate King at nate.king@cornerstonesva.org or call 571-323-9569.

Shelter House Back-to-School Drive
Shelter House has an online supply wish list at Amazon Back-to-School Wish List. When completing your purchase, select the appropriate shipping address for the program you would like your gift to benefit. *For all donations to Artemis House, please address delivery to: Shelter House, Inc., 12310 Pinecrest Road, Suite 304, Reston, VA 20191. If you would like to make arrangements to donate supplies directly, please contact Jerome Beaner at jerome.beaner@shelterhouse.org to arrange logistics. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation directly on the Shelter House website, click here and select Back-to-School Assistance under Donation Designation.

November Election Update
In the Nov. 3 general election, Fairfax County voters will be asked to vote yes or no on four separate bond referendum questions for libraries, parks, transportation and health and human services. If a majority of voters approves the referendums, the county currently plans to use the money as follows:
  • The $90 million library bond would be used to renovate or build four libraries.
  • The $112 million parks bond would be used to renovate or improve existing parks, develop new parks, preserve open space, buy land, protect natural and cultural resources, and fund the county’s contribution to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
  • The $160 million transportation bond would be used to fund the county’s share of Metro’s Capital Improvement Program that focuses on the rehabilitating and modernizing the rail system, including buying new rail cars and buses.
  • The $79 million health and human services bond would be used to renovate or upgrade the Joseph Willard Health Center and Crossroads.


More information from Fairfax County Office of Elections.
4 Things to Know Today
Virginia Launches COVIDWISE App to Provide Exposure Notifications
Governor Northam announced today, Aug. 5 that the commonwealth has launched a free app to enable you to receive notifications that you have been exposed to COVID-19. Learn more. Washington Post article

We All Need to Help Protect Children During COVID-19
The isolation of COVID-19 has caused many families to lose their support networks, which has been especially stressful for families with children. As a result, some children may be at higher risk of harm. Learn more about what you can do.

Reston Events Canceled
  • Due to public health concerns, Reston Community Center is canceling the 2020 Reston Multicultural Festival scheduled for Sept. 26 at Lake Anne Plaza.
  • The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce announced that the 2020 Taste of Reston has been canceled. The 2021 Taste of Reston is scheduled for June 19 and 19 at Reston Town Center.

PublicArt Reston Live Virtual Artist Talk with DeWitt Godfrey on Aug. 6
Thursday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. join PublicArt Reston for a free live and virtual artist talk with DeWitt Godfrey. The artist's latest work Simon is scheduled to be installed at Valley & Park in August. Register here
Town of Vienna
Meet the Mayor
Meet Town of Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert to discuss a topic of your choice at her monthly Meet the Mayor event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. Meet the mayor at the Town Green picnic tables near the Freeman store.

Two More Weeks for Summer on the Green
The Town of Vienna’s Summer on the Green concerts are being performed on Facebook Live through Aug.14. Watch live at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays to make song requests and dedications, enjoy trivia and virtual bingo and win prizes! If you happen to miss the live shows, you can watch later on Facebook or on YouTube at @TownofViennaVA.
Upcoming dates:
Aug. 7         Big Bad JuJu
Stay Informed and In Touch
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711