Updated 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 -- In a significant shift aimed at enhancing commuter services along the I-66 corridor, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has approved a plan to introduce new state-funded bus routes and eliminate the underused Gainesville-Reston commuter bus route 618. This decision comes after thorough studies identified the need for expanded services and better resource utilization.

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Fairfax County Public Schools has completed its investigation into allegations of recruitment violations and retaliatory practices by Daryl Overton, Head Football Coach at Hayfield High School in Fairfax.

“A two-month investigation found Hayfield High School’s football program did nothing wrong regarding transfers and eligibility. Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid announced the findings of the investigation Tuesday night,” reports InsideNova.

The Workhouse Haunt returns for its 11th season, featuring the theme "Twisted Tales of Terror" with a creepy outdoor trail and live-action scenes of classic fairy tales gone wrong. Running from October 4 to November 2, the event includes Halloween-themed entertainment, food, and drinks, with tickets starting at $25 per person and special sensory-friendly trail times on October 20.

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Fort Belvoir has updated its gate access control policies, introducing new measures for deliveries, identification requirements, and visitor passes. These changes aim to enhance security and streamline entry procedures for various groups.

Have you been affected by the recent changes at Fort Belvoir? Share your experiences with us.

From Facebook:

• Deliveries entering the installation that currently have or are holding existing sponsorship privileges, will be searched and continue without delay. Deliveries such as, AAFES, Quest Fuel services, Pepsi, Coca Cola, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.

• All U.S. Military and DoD Civilian CAC holders that do not work or reside on the installation will NOT need a sponsor to escort them on the installation.

• Individuals with DoD IDs and CACs that have expired are still required to produce 2 forms of identification to get a pass and will be required to have a sponsor escort them on the installation.

• Parents who no longer possess a dependent ID card bringing a child on post who has a dependent ID for the purpose of medical or school services will need to get cleared for a 24 hour pass from the Visitor Control Center to proceed to the hospital for the medical appointment or school.

• All FCPS busses, substitutes, and employees will continue coordinate with the school liaison to attain their passes from the Visitor Control Center.

• All REX, Fairfax Connector and Metro Access buses will continue services on the installation with their current passes. Coordination will continue with the Visitor Control Center to obtain passes moving forward.

• Contractors cannot sponsor another individual on Fort Belvoir.

• Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) are still allowed on the installation. The VHIC will need to be registered at the Visitor Control Center and will be valid for access not to exceed 3 years.

Individuals without DoD IDs/CACs transporting the VHIC personnel to the Hospital will need to be cleared for a 24 hr. pass from the Visitor Control Center.

• All moving companies entering the installation providing services will need to have a sponsor once they have already been vetted through NCIC at Tulley search lanes.

• Families that receive in-house medical care from nurses, home health care aids, therapists, etc. are allowed access. The family will need to sponsor them for the duration of the treatment for up to one year. The sponsor is also responsible for collecting the ID upon termination of care.

• Residents and patrons hosting ceremonies/events on the installation will need to coordinate with the Visitor Control Center to submit their list of attendees to be pre-vetted NLT 14 days prior to the event or arrival on the installation. A sponsor will be required.

Insidenova.com: Fort Belvoir announced Friday it is limiting access to the Army base in Fairfax County to those with Department of Defense identification, their minor dependents and those with sponsored passes. Read More

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton announced its 2024-2025 theater season, featuring a lineup of musicals and comedies. The season begins with “Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors” from September 6 to October 27, followed by “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame” from December 7 to January 12, 2025. “Clyde’s” will run from March 8 to April 6, and “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be performed from May 10 to June 15. Shows will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 to $40 on the Workhouse Arts Center’s website.

Press release:

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
By Steve Rosen and Gordon Greenberg
Loosely based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker
September 6 – October 27
September: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm
October: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 4 pm
Special October Twilight Performances: Dracula show combined with admission to our haunted trail that same evening. See website for details.

Synopsis: Filled with clever wordplay and pop culture references, Dracula is a gender-bending, laugh-out-loud reimagining of the gothic classic. In the treacherous mountains of Transylvania, a meek English real estate agent takes a harrowing journey to meet a new and mysterious client, the most terrifying and ferocious monster the world has ever known: Count Dracula! Famed female vampire hunter, Jean Van Helsing, and company chase Drac from Transylvania to the British countryside to London and back.

Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Peter Parnell
December 7, 2024 – January 12, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm
Special Performance on Tuesday, December 31 with New Year’s Eve Post Show Party

Synopsis: The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the Victor Hugo novel with songs from the Disney animated feature. Set in fifteenth-century Paris, the musical tells the story of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be in the outside world. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.

Clyde’s
By Lynne Nottage
March 8 – April 6
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm

Synopsis: Clyde’s, a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them down, the staff members learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose, and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich.

Jesus Christ Superstar
Lyrics by Time Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
May 10 – June 15
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm

Synopsis: Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. The rock opera is loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter teams up with Adopt-a-Bird-Network for a class titled “Flock Talk: An Introduction to Chicken Behavior” on Sunday, July 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Lorton Campus, located at 8875 Lorton Road in Lorton.

The class aims to educate both new and experienced chicken keepers and individuals interested in learning more about chickens. It will explore various aspects of chicken behavior, including the social structure within flocks, the behavior of roosters, chicken communication methods, and their feeding and foraging habits. The session will also offer tips on maintaining the health and well-being of chickens.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet friendly roosters during the class. Registration for the event is necessary, and interested individuals should complete a registration form for each participant.

Register for the class.

The resurgence of backyard chicken raising in 2020 was primarily due to the global coronavirus pandemic. With extended stay-at-home orders, people turned to chicken keeping to stay occupied and gain more control over their food sources amid concerns of food scarcity and contamination. This trend allowed many to engage in more sustainable living practices and contributed to a sense of self-sufficiency and environmental responsibility.

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.