Year In Review: Top Herndon Stories In 2020

HERNDON, VA — The ongoing coronavirus pandemic dominated the attention of Patch readers throughout 2020. The story impacted all aspects of daily life in Herndon, from schools and churches, to how government officials and health care providers responded.

Here are the top Herndon stories Patch covered over the last year:

Metro's Silver Line To Dulles Won't Open Until At Least Mid-2021

It looks like the Silver Line extension is going to be delayed again. Riders will likely not be able to take Metro to Washington Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County until the spring or summer 2021.

Herndon Restaurants Learn To Adapt To Coronavirus

Many people in Herndon were stuck at home in March due to Gov. Ralph Northam's stay-home order. Patch checked in with Herndon's restaurant owners to see how they were adapting to the crisis.

Remembering Herndon's History: Historic Street Names

Barbara Glakas of the Herndon Historical Society shares a slice of local history with her monthly column. Her May column about the origin of the town's street names proved to be 2020's most popular.

Herndon Police Department Adjusts Services Due To Coronavirus

In the interest of promoting public health and preserving public safety, the Herndon Police Department in March adjusted how it was handling reports from the community, as part of its response to the new coronavirus.

Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel Says She Won't Seek Re-Election In 2020

Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel announced in January that she would not be seeking re-election for a fifth term in 2020. She will step down at the end of her current term. Town residents elected Sheila Olem in November to succeed Merkel

Valentine's Winter Brew Fest Highlights What Herndon Has To Offer

Local Vibes is partnering with Mile 20 to present a Valentine's Winter Brew Fest on Feb. 15. The Brew Fest offered holiday-themed beers from several Northern Virginia brewers — Starr Hill Brewery, Rocket Frog Brewing Company and Väsen Brewing Company, as well as cider from Lost Boy Cider.

Center For Innovative Technology Office Sold For $47.35M

Virginia's Department of General Services (DGS) closed on a deal on May 14 to sell the Center for Innovative Technology to affiliates of Origami Capital Partners and Timberline Real Estate Partners.

Herndon High Monopole Approved By Fairfax Supervisors

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in September to approve the installation of a monopole between Herndon High School's athletic fields. The vote came after months of opposition by some members of the Herndon community.

Herndon's Weird Brothers Coffee Adapts To Coronavirus

Just like many other small businesses in the Herndon, the coronavirus pandemic hit Weird Brothers Coffee hard. "Right now, I think we've probably seen about a 50 percent drop in sales," over Paul Olsen said, in April.

Protesters Rally Through Herndon For Racial Justice

A long line of cars wended its way through the streets of Herndon June 4 to raise awareness of racial injustice and police brutality. Herndon resident Nikki Pugh came up with the idea for the Herndon Car Rally - Justice for Black Lives following similar protests in the wake of George Floyd's recent death while in police custody in Minneapolis.

Here are the rest of the top Herndon stories Patch covered in 2020:

• Dead Birds In Pet Food From China Seized At Dulles Airport
• Tea And Sympathy In The Time Of Coronavirus
• Herndon Election Results: Olem Defeats Taylor
• Fairfax County Declares State Of Local Emergency Over Coronavirus
• Herndon Black Lives Matter Marchers Organize Online Protest
• First Snow Of 2020: A Day In Photos From Herndon
• Internet Predator Sting Operation Snares 30 Suspects In Fairfax
• Fairfax NAACP Calls Herndon Chief's Remarks 'Inflammatory'
• Herndon Vigil Honors Memory Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• 100 Bowls Of Soup Continues Nourishing Herndon During Coronavirus