Metro Shutdowns, No Contact Sports At Recess, Top Chefs: Top VA News

VIRGINIA — The last full week of January is wrapping up, and there was plenty of notable news. Top news stories in Northern Virginia from the past week included Metro's plans for shutdowns this summer, a sexual assault investigation at a Fairfax County middle school, next step in the "missing middle" rezoning policy, lawsuit against a minority-owned business grant program, a school bans contact sports during recess, a superintendent fired after a 6-year-old's shooting of a teacher, top chefs and restaurants were nominated for James Beard Award, and legislation fails to bring casinos near Metro's Silver Line.

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Arlington's Missing Middle Plan Moves Forward After County Board Vote

The Arlington County Board voted unanimously Wednesday to move into the final phase of crafting its Missing Middle housing zoning changes, a decision that could radically revamp the county's existing single-family housing zoning policy.

• Missing Middle Plan Stirs Up Lengthy Debate At Arlington Board Meeting

Metro Station Shutdowns Planned Over Summer 2023 In Northern Virginia

Metro has announced shutdowns planned for summer 2023 that will impact Northern Virginia riders on the Orange and Silver Lines.

• Metrorail Frequency To Be Increased With More 7000-Series Railcars

Sexual Assault At Frost Middle In Fairfax Under Investigation: FCPS

Dr. Michelle C. Reid, the superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, sent home an email to Frost Middle School families on Thursday addressing an alleged sexual assault involving two students, according to news reports.

Lawsuit Pauses Minority-Owned Business Grant Program In Alexandria

The City of Alexandria was served with a lawsuit Monday that delayed the launch of its grant program for Black, Indigenous and people of color-owned small businesses.

17 VA, DC Restaurants, Chefs Named James Beard Award Semifinalists

Restaurants and chefs in the District and Virginia are well represented in the semifinalists announced Wednesday for the prestigious 2023 James Beard Awards, sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary arts industry.

Merit Notification Delay Not Intentional: Fairfax Superintendent

As school delays in notifying students about National Merit Scholarship Corporation commendations have taken the spotlight in at least three Northern Virginia school systems, Fairfax County Public Schools' superintendent spoke out against claims that it was an intentional district-wide policy.

Head Of Newport News Schools Fired After Teacher Shot By 6-Year-Old: Report

The Newport News school board voted Wednesday to fire Superintendent George Parker III after he faced a barrage of criticism after authorities say a first-grade teacher was shot by a 6-year-old student, according to a report.

Silver Line Casino Bill Killed In VA Senate Committee By 15-0 Vote

A last-minute bill submitted by State Sen. David Marsden (D-Burke) that would've paved the way for casinos to be built within a mile of Silver Line Metro Stations in Fairfax County was killed in committee on Wednesday afternoon.

Teacher Assistant Charged After Stepping On Preschooler's Leg: Police

A teacher's assistant faces criminal charges after authorities claimed she stepped on a student's leg at the Washington-Reid Preschool Center, according to the Prince William County Police Department.

Bill Toughening Gun Storage Laws Advances In VA Senate: Reports

A bill that would require adults to keep their guns locked up if minors are in the home was advanced by a Virginia Senate panel this week, according to reports. The bill is an attempt to strengthen the state's gun laws following deadly shootings at the University of Virginia, a Walmart in Chesapeake and a Newport News elementary school.

Contact Sports During Recess Banned Temporarily At Mantua Elementary

Principal Linda Shannon sent a letter home to Mantua Elementary families on Friday that the school's administration had decided to temporarily ban all contact sports during recess, according to news reports.

Antisemitic Beliefs Shared Before Falls Church Man's Conviction

A Falls Church man who is accused of being part of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach and discussed antisemitic beliefs with an undercover FBI agent was convicted by a jury in federal court for unregistered gun silencers.

2023 Income Tax Season Opens In VA: When To File 2022 Returns With IRS

Tax season kicked off Monday, Jan. 23, when Commonwealth residents could begin filing their 2022 federal tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and state returns with Virginia Tax.

Special Education Teacher Recruitment Boosted By ACPS, GW Partnership

Alexandria City Public Schools has announced a new partnership to help bring more special education teachers and instructional assistants into the classroom.

Mount Vernon Landmarks, Listings Featured On 'If You Lived Here'

A variety of properties on the real estate market in the Mount Vernon area were featured in the latest episode of "If You Lived Here" on PBS station WETA Monday night.

Silver Diner Raises $20K In Auction Of Items From Clarendon Location

When Silver Diner moved to its new location in Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood, the restaurant decided to hold an auction for some of the nostalgic items from its old location in Clarendon.

Tax Relief For Spouses Of Military Personnel Killed In Action Approved

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted at its meeting on Tuesday to adopt a lower property tax rate for certain surviving spouses of armed forces personnel who died in the line of duty.

Home Prices Decrease For First Time In 4 Years: Loudoun Market Report

The median sale price decreased for homes in Loudoun County in December 2022, according to a report from the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. It's the first time average home prices have decreased in 4 years.

McLean's Ethan Zhou Named Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist

A student at McLean High School was named one of the 40 finalists in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Winning $1M Powerball Ticket Sold At Giant Food In Kingstowne

A Powerball ticket was bought in Kingstowne for Monday night’s drawing that is now worth $1 million.

2 Overdose Deaths Reported In Loudoun County On Sunday Morning: Police

The Loudoun County Sheriff's office issued a warning after a pair of overdose deaths in the county on Sunday morning.