Monday, November 17, 2025 | | |
On Friday, November 7th, I had the pleasure of joining the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce at their 20th Annual Police and Firefighter Tribute. The Police & Firefighters Tribute is an annual event that honors the outstanding service of police officers, EMTs, and firefighters from local Fairfax County Police Department stations and Fort Belvoir.
Congratulations to the awardees from the Franconia District Police Station!
- Police Officer of the Year: Ryan Yorkdale
- Detective of the Year: Drew Zirker
- Supervisor of the Year: Ronald Grecco
- Auxiliary of the Year: Gary Gaal
- Meritorious Service Award: Kim Barber
And congratulations to the awardees from the Mount Vernon District Police Station!
- Police Officer of the Year: Brian Mullins
- Detective of the Year: Ryan Winchell
- Supervisor of the Year: Seth Masterson
- Auxiliary of the Year: Gordon McCallum
- Meritorious Service Award: James Jones
| | On November 10, we welcomed VA-TF1 back to Virginia along with Jamaican Ambassador to the United States, Antony Anderson. | | A joint team from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department helped clear storm debris and install temporary roofing at a community health clinic, allowing it to reopen its doors and continue providing essential care. Thank you to the brave men and women of VA-TF1 for your service to those in need! | | |
As the temperature drops and our time with sun light decreases, I want to remind everyone to be extra careful as a driver and a pedestrian. One way you can help is by reporting streetlight outages in your neighborhood and in other areas you frequent.
Reporting an outage is simple and helps keeps neighborhoods safe; it also helps keep pedestrians visible and safe. Streetlights along public roadways in Fairfax County are typically maintained by Dominion Virginia Power or the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC). The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) operates the streetlights along interstates and at major interchanges.
| FCDOT created a new Streetlight Reporting Map to make it easier to identify pole numbers and report streetlight outages from your desktop or mobile device. The Streetlight Reporting Map shows streetlight service areas and individual streetlight locations and pole numbers in Fairfax County. You can now use your phone’s GPS location to find pole numbers and report outages in your neighborhood and in other areas you frequent. |
3 Steps to Report a Streetlight Outage
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Look for the pole ID number, which can be found on the pole.
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If you can’t find the pole number or if you notice a streetlight outage while driving, use the online streetlight locator tool to find pole numbers. Zoom in on the map to see streetlight locations.
- After finding the streetlight on the map, report it online in the link provided on the map.
| It is both an honor and a privilege for me to serve as your representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. | | |
Rodney L. Lusk
Franconia District Supervisor
| | One of the best parts of my job as Supervisor is getting to know you in your communities. I would like to attend your next homeowner, civic, or citizen association meeting to share information and hear what's important to you. If there is a community association meeting or event you would like me to attend, please contact my office at 703-971-6262. | | If this email was forwarded to you, consider signing up for my email list to receive newsletters and other important announcements. | | Employment Events for Veterans & Military Families | | |
Learn more about career opportunities available through Amazon's Military Recruiting programs.
When: November 18, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register.
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Presented in partnership with the Fort Belvoir Army Community Service, this special edition of Entrepreneurship 101 offers aspiring entrepreneurs, established businesses, and military spouses and veterans, valuable insights, tools, and connections to support their entrepreneurial journey.
When: November 18, 8:30 a.m. Learn more and register.
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Please take a few minutes to explore the new Talent Capital website – the platform, housed at COG, combines technology with personalized, human-centered support from partners across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia to help residents navigate career transitions and connect with meaningful employment opportunities.
Read about the new initiative below:
| | Federal Workforce Resource Hub | | |
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. The Federal Workforce Resource Hub serves as a resource to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Northern Virginia is stepping up for recently unemployed federal employees and contractors with major new resources.
Key Updates
| | SNAP Updates as of November 17 | | |
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will issue full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to all eligible households.
To see the timeline for households that received the VENA benefit and for households that did not receive the VENA benefit, visit VDSS online or contact VDSS Constituent Services at 804-726-7000. December benefits are expected to return to the normal issuance schedule.
Check your balance before you shop! Call 1-866-281-2448, enter the 16-digit number on your card, and hear the balance inquiry. It’s always a good idea to be prepared and stay on top of your funds to ensure a smooth shopping experience.
- Unused SNAP and VENA benefits may be used.
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If there are questions, participants can call the number on the back of their card or VDSS Constituent Services at 804-726-7000.
| Emergency Food Access Providers | | The Emergency Food Access Providers Map connects community members to the locations of food distributions throughout Fairfax County. The results can be filtered by several variables including zip code, items needed, and language spoken. Metro routes are also displayed to help plan your trip. Please make sure to call or email the food provider listed on the map to confirm they are open. | | Free Food for Federal Workers & Contractors | | Even with the government shutdown over, Capital Area Food Bank will continue with its distribution through Nov 22. | |
Need Other Resources?
The Human Services Resource Guide connects residents with thousands of nonprofit and government services. Listings include detailed service descriptions, eligibility requirements, locations (maps and directions) and contact information.
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If your family is affected by a federal shutdown or furlough, visit the Fairfax County Animal Services Pet Resource Center for support. The same help is available to residents year-round.
Low-Cost Vaccine and Microchip Clinics
Monthly vaccine and microchip clinics provide affordable, drive-up services for busy families. Each clinic offers rabies and distemper vaccines, microchips and dog licenses at accessible prices: $20 per vaccine or microchip and $10 for a dog license. Clinic info.
Upcoming clinics:
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Friday, Nov. 21, 9 to 11 a.m.
Fairfax County Animal Services - Lorton Campus
8875 Lorton Road, Lorton
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, 9 to 11 a.m.
Fairfax Center Fire Station 40
4621 Legato Road, Fairfax
Pet Pantry
Pet Pantries offer free pet food, both dry and canned, and often have other essentials such as crates, carriers, leashes and collars. Supplies can be picked up by appointment at either shelter campus. To arrange a pickup, call 703-324-0299 or email PetResourceCenter@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Spay and Neuter Voucher Program
Fairfax County residents with qualifying income can apply for vouchers that reduce the cost of spay or neuter surgery at participating veterinary clinics. Prices start at about $90 for cats and $180 for dogs and include core vaccines and microchipping. Households may qualify if they receive WIC, Medicaid or SNAP, or if their income falls below county thresholds, such as $70,730 for a family of four. Voucher info.
| | Fairfax County Kimchi Festival - November 8 | |
I was honored to present a proclamation on behalf of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at the Fairfax County Kimchi Festival recognizing the cultural significance of kimchi, the contributions of members of the Korean American community to Fairfax County, and proclaiming November 22, 2025, as Kimchi Day in Fairfax County. The event featured a kimchi demonstration and workshop, hanbok experience, and traditional games.
Celebration of the WISH - November 8
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At the celebration of the WISH Center, graduates from the various programs spoke on the value of the skills and opportunities provided by the WISH and where they were in their careers. I was very impressed by the graduates I spoke with, two of whom now work at INOVA in patient navigation and as a building engineer.
Franconia Springfield Study Open House - November 8
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The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) launched the Franconia-Springfield Planning Study to update the Comprehensive Plan, the county’s guide for making land use decisions, transportation, environmental, and other decisions. Specifically, the study is reviewing the Comprehensive Plan for the Franconia-Springfield Transit Station Area and Springfield Community Business Center, which are both adjacent to I-95.
DPD hosted an open house on Saturday, November 8, where residents visited interactive stations and spoke with staff to share input and ideas about the community’s future. I appreciated the opportunity to speak with members of the Springfield Resource Center.
Metro Area Career Fair - November 13
| The Metro Area Career Fair, open to the public, was hosted by Vitae Visual in collaboration with Fairfax County Employment Services. The event featured free on-site career counseling, diverse job opportunities, and workforce presentations. Industries represented at the fair included roles in local government administration and positions such as medical administrative assistants. | Mike Dent Retirement Celebration - November 13 | I was happy to join Mike Dent at his retirement celebration this past week. Mike has worked for 23 years in Fairfax County, most recently as the Chief Information Officer. | Korean Bell Garden Anniversary - November 13 | I had a great time at the 15th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the Korean Bell Garden. Today, the Korean Bell Garden at Meadowlark stands as a towering symbol of the great contributions of the Korean community to Northern Virginia and the greater Washington area. | Huntington Forest HOA Meeting - November 13 | | I enjoyed discussing federal impacts to our county, transportation, housing, and more with the Huntington Forest HOA. Thank you for inviting me to join you for your meeting! | | Franconia-Springfield Planning Study | | |
At the November 8th Franconia-Springfield In-Person Open House, community feedback was gathered through a variety of exercises. The November 13th virtual community session introduced an online survey tool. This survey is meant to allow those who were unable to attend the Open House sessions, provide their perspective on the future of Springfield. Please take the survey by December 5th, 2025. You can take the survey online at Franconia-Springfield Planning Study Visioning Survey - PublicInpu.
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Virtual Focus Group for Individuals 65+
Adults aged 65 and older in the Springfield community are invited to join a virtual focus group on Thursday, November 20, 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Participants will be asked to share feedback on current conditions and their future vision for the Franconia-Springfield area. Participation is limited to fifteen individuals to encourage dialogue and detailed input, so please register in advance using this link: bit.ly/47DUvPi.
Learn more on the study webpage: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/springfield-tsa-cbc.
Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment for
Manufactured Housing
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Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: December 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Read the staff report.
The Manufactured Housing Roundtable met on November 10 to discuss the proposed Manufactured Housing Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance Amendments. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, and share feedback. Following the discussion, the Coordinated Services Planning Division presented on services offered.
Potential Changes to Regulations for
Congregate Living Facilities
Join a virtual meeting:
- Monday, November 17, at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Visit the County website for meeting details and additional project information.
| | Click to expand and view links | | Parenting in the Hispanic Culture | | |
Free Virtual Parent Café: Parenting in the Hispanic Culture
Join facilitators from the Parenting Education Programs and the Father Engagement Unit Tuesday, November 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss “Parenting in the Hispanic Culture.”
The facilitators will lead an open discussion in Spanish about the cross-cultural challenges many parents face when raising their children in a diverse environment. The discussion will explore the common issue of trying to instill respect for Hispanic culture and values while balancing conflicting cultural influences that children encounter through media, peers, etc.
Any Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old can join through MS Teams. For more information or to preregister, email or call 703-324-7720.
| | Key Middle School - Family Cafe Series | | November is Family Caregivers Month | | |
November marks National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor the over 63 million family caregivers across the United States who selflessly provide care and support to loved ones with health needs. These dedicated individuals are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, delivering billions of hours of unpaid care while managing their own work, families, and personal challenges.
Led by the Caregiver Action Network, National Family Caregivers Month brings national attention to the vital role that family caregivers play. Family caregivers face unique challenges, balancing their responsibilities, navigating complex medical systems, and maintaining their physical and emotional well-being—making resources and support essential.
National Family Caregivers Month provides opportunities to raise awareness about these challenges, connect caregivers with trusted tools and networks, and educate communities about ways to support them more effectively.
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging offers evidence-based programs, educational webinars and workshops, and resources and services focused on caregivers’ needs. Learn more about Family Caregiver Support Programs.
Coming Up: "Caregiver Burnout" Webinar
November 19, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Participants will join Deborah Ross, LPC, Certified Journal Therapist, for a user-friendly exploration of what happens in our brains when we're feeling burned out. Burnout is often defined either as a workplace issue or as compassion fatigue, but research has shown that, from the brain’s perspective, it’s not just limited to this definition. Participants will gain strategies and practices that go beyond our usual self-care toolbox to lower stress and support wellbeing while engaged in the important work of caregiving. Register.
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“Inside Franconia Station” is a monthly feature of the Franconia Community Report that highlights one of the units and skills that allow the station to perform its role in keeping Fairfax County safe. Sign up for the Franconia Community Report.
Patrol
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Patrol is the largest unit at Franconia District Station and provides the 24/7 geographic area coverage that is fundamental to the Station’s mission. The Station area of responsibility is divided into 10 Patrol Service Areas (PSA) as shown in the map. Franconia is designated Station 6 and thus each PSA number starts with “6.” Altogether, the nine FCPD District Stations provide patrol coverage for the entire county.
Patrol officers actively cover their assigned PSA to maintain community contact and react to situations that arise. They are typically the first units dispatched by the 9-1-1 Call Center and arrive on scene to assess the situation and when needed call for assistance from other units. Officers provide back-up and support to each other's PSAs as necessary
Patrol officers work 12 and a half hour shifts. Shifts are Days (6:00 AM to 6:30 PM) or Midnights (6:00 PM to 6:30 AM). Selected officers from Day and Midnight shifts are designated to work a “Power Shift” which runs from 1:00 PM to 1:30 AM and provides deeper coverage during the busy afternoon and evening hours. Each Day or Midnight shift is normally led by a Lieutenant and a Sergeant. Officers work a two-week schedule which alternates consecutive duty days with consecutive days off.
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New officers are typically given a patrol assignment after graduating from the Criminal Justice Academy. Initially, they work with a Field Training Instructor (FTI) for a 12-week training and evaluation period before they are allowed to go on patrol alone. Click on the image to see a 2018 video of a Franconia officer’s first day on solo patrol. The subject of the video, Officer Jazmine Wafer, is now a Detective with the Major Crimes Bureau.
This Week’s Community Events
| The Fairfax County Police Department actively engages with the community by participating in and hosting a variety of events. These include police district station events, community meetings, and ongoing programs. Getting involved in your community provides numerous benefits, including enhancing public safety, preventing crime, and fostering stronger relationships with your local first responders. | | |
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Starting a business? Driving a company vehicle? Make sure you know where you can park with this helpful information on Commercial Vehicles.
Commercial Vehicles – If you have a commercial vehicle, parking it at home might be the simplest option. But Fairfax County has rules to balance convenience with visual appeal and to limit other impacts. So, in residential areas, keep in mind the following:
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The Zoning Ordinance allows parking one commercial vehicle per dwelling unit. The vehicle must be owned or operated by an occupant where it is parked.
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For that one allowed commercial vehicle, additional limits apply in residential zoning districts and residential areas of planned districts. Vehicles including, but not limited to, food trucks and tractor trailers cannot be parked or stored on a residential property. More information, including other vehicles prohibited on residential property, is available on DCC’s Commercial Vehicle flyer.
Food trucks and larger vehicles like tractor trailers aren't allowed in residential areas, but others may be. Two common examples of vehicles that are allowed include:
- A taxicab or limousine not more than 21 feet long, eight (8) feet in height, or eight and a half (8.5) feet in width; or
- A company pickup truck that a business allows an employee to drive from their home to jobsites, as long as the truck does not have a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 16,001 pounds and does not exceed the dimensions listed above.
Even though it may be large, a recreational vehicle or travel trailer isn’t a commercial vehicle. When residents are not using their RV, they can park it on the same property where they live.
Wondering about other vehicle rules? Check out DCC’s webpage for Vehicles on Private Property. DCC has no authority over public streets. For public street parking regulations, please see this Fairfax Co. Department of Transportation page.
| | The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program will turn your post-Halloween pumpkins and other gourds into compost gold. Simply take your jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins and gourds to the yellow Pumpkin Palooza collection bin at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, in Fairfax. Disposed pumpkins must be free of decoration. Please do not drop off pumpkins with paint, glitter, or candle wax as these materials cannot be composted. | | My office is collecting donations of non-perishable food and household items to benefit ECHO, Koinonia, and United Community. | | The Franconia District Police Station is collecting donations of new toys, games, books, and other gifts to be distributed to children at Fairfax Inova Children's Hospital, Inova Life with Cancer, and to other children in the community. Please bring your items to any Fairfax County Police Station by Monday, December 8 at 9 a.m. | | |
This holiday season marks the 12th Annual Victim Services Division Holiday Gift Card Drive, supporting child victims and witnesses of domestic violence, sexual violence, and those grieving the loss of a loved one to homicide.
If you would like to contribute, please consider donating gift cards in any amount (Target, Walmart, Giant, Amazon, Visa, etc.).
Donations can be dropped off or mailed to:
Saly Fayez
Fairfax County Police Department – Victim Services Division
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
All donations must be received by Thursday, December 19.
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Visualize 2050 is the next iteration of the National Capital Region Transportation Plan for the Washington DC, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia region. The plan is a milestone of an ongoing transportation planning process highlighting the region’s planned investments through the year 2050 to address transportation issues and achieve regional goals. The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is the designated metropolitan planning organization overseeing the development of Visualize 2050.
Be a part of the region's transportation future! Public comment period open until November 21, 2025. Get involved.
| Proposed Strategic Transformation Plan Update | |
The Public Hearing Staff Report on the Strategic Transformation Plan Update is available for review and comment from November 10, 2025 – November 21, 2025. The document addresses comments on the proposal received at the public hearing held on October 30, 2025, as well as comments received during the public comment period. This comment period on the Public Hearing Staff Report is your opportunity to make sure your comments were accurately characterized in the Staff Report and send clarification if desired.
Comments on the Public Hearing Staff Report will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 21, 2025. The report is available online at wmata.com/strategicplanrefresh and during business hours at the following locations:
WMATA Office of Board Affairs
300 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20024
Please call 202-962-2511 in advance to schedule an appointment.
How to submit written comments on the public hearing staff report.
| Written statements and exhibits must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, and may be emailed to WMATAHearingReport@wmata.com, or mailed to the Office of Board Affairs, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 300 7th Street SW, NW, Washington, D.C. 20024. Please reference “STP Update” in your submission. All comments received become a part of the public record, which may be made available to the public and may be posted, without change, to www.wmata.com, including any personal information provided. | | |
November 21: Eagle 5000 Turkey Trot to benefit the Thomas Edison High School Cross Country and Track and Field programs (Register)
December 8: Deadline to enter Friends of Huntley Meadows Park photo contest (Enter the contest)
December 19: Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge initial proposals due (Learn more)
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