Year In Review: Top Reston Stories In 2020

RESTON, VA — The ongoing coronavirus pandemic dominated the attention of Patch readers throughout 2020. The story impacted all aspects of daily life in Reston, from schools and churches, to how government officials and health care providers responded. But there were many other topics of interest to Reston residents as well.

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

Lasagna Love Helps Feed Local Families Facing Food Insecurity

Eileen Scherzinger, an association management professional living in Reston, was looking for some way to help her neighbors struggling with food insecurity due to the coronavirus pandemic. She stumbled upon a Facebook post from Lasagna Love, looking for volunteers to help prepare meals for hungry families.

Reston Clothing Shop Donating Dresses To Coronavirus Responders

Jane Abraham is trying to generate something positive amid the harsh realities of running a small business in the time of the coronavirus crisis. She and her daughter Betsy own and operate two Scout & Molly's dress franchises, one at Reston Town Center and the other at Ballston Quarter in Arlington. Both locations closed in March due to the pandemic.

Swastikas Spray-Painted By Vandals At Reston Shopping Center

Vandals spray-painted swastikas and profanity on the sidewalks and walls of businesses in North Point Shopping Center early in the morning on May 20.

Alcorn Elaborates On Reston Plan Review, 2020 Priorities

Just 17 days into his first term as the Hunter Mill District supervisor, Walter Alcorn (D) hosted a coffee with members of the local media Jan. 17 to discuss his goals for the coming year. Front of mind for most in attendance was Alcorn's first board motion that kicked off the process to amend the county master plan for Reston.

How Reston Residents Are Dealing With The Coronavirus

Early in March, Patch asked its readers in Reston to tell us how they were handling the coronavirus pandemic. The responses we received were not all about shortages of toilet paper or long lines.

Reston Woman Finds Love Is Still There For Those Over 50

Laura Stassi of Reston is the host of "Dating While Gray," a biweekly podcast focusing on love and relationships in the 50-and-over crowd. In May, she marked the end of the podcast's first 10-episode season.

Car Rally Calls For Racial Justice, End To Systemic Oppression

Faith leaders from around Reston joined members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church on Aug. 27 at a car rally service in the parking lot of St. Thomas a Becket Church. Through music and words, they called for racial justice and an end to systematic oppression and violence against people of color.

Black Lives Matter Banner, Rainbow Flag Return To Reston Church

A small group of churchgoers joined the Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reston on Sept. 14 to dedicate a new Black Lives Matter banner and a rainbow flag, replacing ones that had been vandalized and stolen earlier in the year.

Demolition Begins On Old Reston Fire Station On Wiehle Avenue

Demolition began March 20 on the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Station 25 in Reston. The station, which is located on Wiehle Avenue, is being demolished to make way for a new Reston Fire Station financed by a $13 million bond referendum Fairfax voters approved in 2015.

Alcorn: Hidden Creek Redevelopment Not Happening

Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn made it clear on Oct. 23 that the Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston would remain a golf course for the foreseeable future. Golf course owner Wheelock Communities had proposed redeveloping the site to include 1,000 housing units and a 100-acre park.

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

• Unsolved Reston Homicide Listed On New Webpage
• Father In Tears Thanks 'Angels For My Family'
• Fairfax NAACP Asks Governor To Stop Funding Police In Schools
• Metro Silver Line Extension Gets Tentative Opening Date
• Here's How Well Virginia, DC Comply With Stay-At-Home Order
• Board OKs Funding For New Lake Anne House Development In Reston
• Lake Thoreau Algae Bloom Expected To Disappear In 2-3 Weeks
• How To Plan For Reston's Ultimate Population
• Protesters Cover Lake Anne Plaza With 1,265 Chalk Names
• VDOT To Replace One-Lane Bridge On Hunter Mill Road