Next week, more work is planned for the Route 28/-66 interchange.

From VDOT: The following ramps are scheduled to be closed multiple nights, Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., for finishing construction work as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project. Drivers are advised to follow the signed detours

• Ramp from I-66 West to Route 28 North
• Ramp from I-66 West to Route 50 West
• Ramp from Route 50 West to I-66 East
• Ramp from Nutley Street North to I-66 West
• Ramp from I-66 East to I-495 South
• Ramp from I-66 West to I-495 South

Closures are also planned for 66 Express access ramps at I-495, Vaden Drive, Route 123, Route 50, and Monument Drive.

All work is weather and schedule-dependent and may be rescheduled if necessary.

“[Daryl] Overton, known for his success at Freedom High School in Prince William County, had announced on Feb. 13 that he would take over the football program at Hayfield. Overton said he would be working daily as a security guard at Hayfield.

He arrived at Hayfield amid high expectations but has quickly become a center of controversy, according to sources, including demands for a “donation” from a “Team Mom/Manager” who said she had worked for six years with Overton at Freedom High School. Later, Overton promoted a fundraiser on [an] online platform that raised an estimated $29,630. The Fairfax County Times interviewed numerous sources for this story, and they asked to remain anonymous, afraid of retaliation against them or their children.”, reports Fairfax County Times.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, a Virginia State Police trooper responded to a stopped sedan in a northbound lane of I-495 near Exit 52 in Fairfax County.

According to police, the sedan driver refused to cooperate with the trooper’s attempts to move the vehicle to a safer location on the shoulder. During this interaction, a Jeep Cherokee struck a tractor-trailer that had stopped due to the sedan blocking the travel lane. The collision caused the Jeep to spin and hit the trooper’s patrol car, then struck the sedan and the trooper.

The trooper sustained minor injuries and was transported to Fairfax INOVA Hospital for evaluation. The patrol car’s emergency lights were activated during the incident.

The sedan driver, Erica D. Bernard, 43, of Albright, West Virginia, remained in the vehicle when struck. Bernard was treated for minor injuries and has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, obstruction, possession of a Schedule I or II substance, refusal of a blood/breath test, and improperly stopping a vehicle on a highway.

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee, Joanna F. Hatch, 35, of Arlington, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, police said.

Both Bernard and Hatch were taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

Michael Choi has wooed Northern Virginia with delicious food, from making large meals for his kitchen staff to launching his third restaurant. The third Wooboi restaurant will open on Saturday, June 1, at 12721 Shoppes Lane in Fairfax. On opening day, every order will get free wings.

Choi graduated from New York’s Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in 2017 and began working in the kitchen at a steakhouse and then at a Four Seasons hotel. He said his tasks involved making the family meals for the restaurant staff, who affectionately called him Woo Boy. He explained that Choi’s Korean name is Minwoo, and the staff accused him of wooing them with the meals.

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Amtrak is launching a sale for travelers looking to avoid Interstate 95 and opt for a trip aboard Auto Train. Through July 31, 2024, customers can book Coach Class for as low as $75, plus the cost of a vehicle. Children ages two through 12 ride free in Coach Class or First Class private rooms.

The cost to transport a vehicle on the Amtrak Auto Train varies based on the type of vehicle. For standard cars, the cost starts at $208. Extended vehicles, such as trucks, vans, and larger SUVs, are priced at $239. Motorcycles can be transported for $146. Additionally, there is a $60 charge for priority offloading, which ensures your vehicle is among the first 30 to be unloaded upon arrival.

Guests traveling in Coach Class have wide, reclining seats with legroom, no middle seat, and a large window. A complimentary continental breakfast is served before arrival.

Travelers can upgrade to a First Class room for extra comfort and privacy. Accommodation options include a Roomette with two seats that convert into beds, or a Bedroom with twice the space of a Roomette, an in-room sink, restroom, and shower. First Class customers receive priority boarding, a dedicated attendant, and complimentary meals onboard.

This offer is valid for sale from May 21, 2024, through July 31, 2024, and for travel from May 24 to September 2, 2024. The discount is available for travel between Lorton, Va., and Sanford, Fla. A three-day advance purchase is required.

The Amtrak Auto Train offers daily, non-stop service between Lorton and Sanford, Fla. (near Orlando). Customers can travel with various types of vehicles, including cars, vans, SUVs, and motorcycles. This train eliminates nearly 900 miles of driving between the Northeast and Florida.

Fairfax County police: Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in Newington.

This morning around 5:18 a.m., officers responded to a motorcycle crash on Rolling Road near Delong Drive in Newington involving a 2003 Honda 1300. The motorcyclist, Cornell Parish III, 32, of Woodbridge was taken to the hospital and pronounced deceased.

Preliminarily, detectives believe that a BMW sedan may have been involved in the crash based on evidence found at the scene. Detectives are actively investigating the crash’s circumstances and if speed or alcohol were factors.

Detectives would like to speak to anyone who may have information about this case. Those with information are asked to please call our Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web –Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.

There have been 12 traffic crash fatalities in the county to date in 2024. In 2023, there were 6 traffic crash fatalities year to date.

Northern Virginia Community College: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) will proudly host its 58th commencement ceremony to celebrate the remarkable dedication and achievements of this year’s graduating Nighthawks as they fulfill their dreams of higher education.

• When: 1 p.m., Sunday, May 12.
• Where: George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax).
• Commencement Speaker: JR Bontrager, director of technology at 3D Herndon.

JR Bontrager is an inspiring example of resilience and determination. At 46, he recently returned to NOVA, where he is studying engineering while also working full time as director of technology at 3D Herndon. As this year’s commencement speaker, JR is eager to share his personal journey, hoping to inspire others to take advantage of NOVA at any age or stage in their careers. Access to continuous education, he argues, is especially crucial in today’s dynamic and ever-evolving workplace.

An artist by nature, JR has a gift for designing and crafting creative solutions. At 3D Herndon, he specializes in 3D design, printing and scanning. The company is known for its innovative projects, including:

• Adaptive prosthetics for medical use.
• Renderings of ancient bones in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution.
• Other cutting-edge product designs for a range of clients.

Beyond his work, JR is an advocate for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), a cause close to his heart due to his own battle with the condition. He loves leveraging his engineering expertise and passion for technology to improve the lives of others.

NOVA’s Commencement Ceremony:

• Will be live streamed Livestream | Northern Virginia Community College (nvcc.edu).
• Will be recorded and closed-captioned for viewing purposes.
• Will be made available on the NOVA website.

For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the Spring 2024 Commencement page.

Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation: Mason Neck State Park will host the 26th Annual Eagle Festival on May 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Park staff along with many exhibitors will be on the visitor center lawn for a full day of animal shows, hands-on activities, and outdoor recreation clinics that aim to highlight the rich natural history of Northern Virginia as well as foster stewardship of our environment.

“Guests will be able to see animals such as hawks and owls up close as well as learn about the majestic bald eagles, with the hopes of seeing one in flight during the event,” said Mason Neck State Park Chief Ranger Jamie Leeuwrik,

Parking for the event this year will be located offsite at Pohick Bay Regional Park at the Pirate’s Cove Waterpark. Shuttles will be provided to and from the festival at Mason Neck State Park and will run about every 15-20 minutes from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The family-friendly event is free and will include a variety of food vendors, musical performances, and a puppet show.

“Caroline Seitz, the star of Kids Nature Shows, puts on such a fun and interactive show for kids and adults to experience the animals they might see at the park,” said Leeuwrik. “There will be a musical performance at 11 a.m. and another at 1:45 p.m. Eagle Festival is a great way to bring together the local community for programs and activities all in the name of conservation and preservation.”

Almost 60 years ago, Elizabeth Hartwell led a successful grassroots effort to preserve more than 5,000 acres of wetland habitats on the Mason Neck Peninsula in Fairfax County. Today her legacy lives on – especially through the annual Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park.

This event celebrates the decades of conservation work that has taken place on the Mason Neck Peninsula. Had it not been for the work done by individuals like Hartwell, nicknamed “The Eagle Lady” and for whom the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge is named, the area would look drastically different than it does today.

To conduct disaster recovery testing, the Interstate 95/395 E-ZPass Lanes will undergo a double-reversal overnight from March 22 to March 23, 2024. Transurban will conduct two successive reversals of the Express Lanes from midnight to 4:15 a.m.

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In a bold move to accommodate the region’s growing transportation needs, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has unveiled extensive expansion plans that will transform the commuter railroad landscape by 2050.

The proposal was unveiled at the VRE Operations Board meeting on Friday, March 15, 2024. Backed by financial forecasts and strategic ridership projections, it outlines a comprehensive strategy to enhance service frequency, extend operational hours, and cater to burgeoning populations and evolving travel patterns.

Forecasts indicate a substantial surge in operating costs and revenues by 2050, with projections estimating a 136% increase in operational expenditures and a 63% rise in operating revenues. The VRE Board recommends a significant boost in train frequency, particularly during peak periods on the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines. This initiative is anticipated to attract 21,000 weekday users by 2030, with a further expansion to accommodate 4,500 Saturday riders and 3,700 Sunday passengers.

Under the proposed plan, VRE anticipates adding 116 more trains per day, with 68 trains operating on Saturdays and 60 on Sundays. The Fredericksburg line will extend south of Spotsylvania County with a bus service to Hanover County from Fredericksburg. Similarly, the Manassas line will stretch service beyond the Manassas Regional Airport, with a corresponding bus service from Manassas to Culpeper County.

However, future infrastructure constraints loom large, particularly regarding midday train storage capacity in Washington, D.C. Despite identifying a suitable site capable of housing 13 trains, logistical challenges persist, necessitating careful planning to ensure seamless operations. With every six trains arriving in Washington D.C., four will be required to return to Virginia, highlighting the complexities of managing the expanding network.

Ridership forecasts show exponential growth, with an estimated average of 28,100-weekday passengers and 10,820-weekend travelers anticipated by 2050. This represents a 262% increase in ridership since 2014, underscoring the imperative for phased infrastructure development and strategic expansion initiatives.

VRE officials say their transportation service of choice fosters meaningful connections and catalyzes economic opportunities in a safe, sustainable, and equitable manner. However, questions linger regarding the accuracy of population projections amid evolving telework trends, prompting stakeholders to scrutinize the reliability of regional travel models and their adaptability to dynamic socio-economic factors.

In February 2024, VRE saw 6,900 average daily riders, down from 20,000 in February 2020 (a CEO report for February 2020, the last showing its pre-pandemic ridership numbers, has been removed from its website). By comparison, an average of about 4,400 people choose to ride OmniRide commuter buses.

Sarah Romero documented the VRE Operations Board meeting.