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Virginia recorded a sharp decline in Affordable Care Act enrollment as Northern Virginia begins the week with a deck fire investigation, upcoming Route 29 lane closures and several community updates.
About 33,000 fewer Virginians selected ACA coverage during the latest open enrollment period, State Health Exchange Director Keven Patchett said at a State Corporation Commission forum. Nationwide enrollment fell by 1.2 million people, according to a new federal report.
Fairfax County fire officials are investigating a blaze that spread rapidly from a deck in Herndon on Saturday, April 4. Firefighters were called to the 2600 block of Jetstream Road around 3:51 p.m. and found flames and smoke coming from the rear of a middle-unit townhouse. No residents or firefighters were injured.
Virginia voters are narrowly divided over a redistricting proposal that could give Democrats as many as four additional congressional seats in November. A Washington Post-Schar School poll found that 52% of likely voters supported redrawing the state’s political maps, while 47% opposed it.
Drivers in Centreville should prepare for weekday lane closures along Route 29 from Tuesday, April 7, through Friday, April 17, weather permitting. The restrictions will affect the stretch between Union Mill Road/Centreville Farms Drive and Summit Drive/Buckleys Gate Drive as widening work continues. Delays are expected, and motorists are encouraged to consider alternate routes.
UMS Martial Arts has resumed operations in a temporary Barcroft Plaza storefront after its former studio was destroyed in a New Year’s Day fire. The school is now using the vacant former Pearle Vision location at 6343 Columbia Pike.
Fairfax County Assistant Police Chief Robert A. Blakley will retire after more than two decades with the department. Blakley, who has spent nearly five years as assistant chief of operations, is scheduled to become a Prince William County deputy county executive on April 13.
Fairfax County has added three locations to its textile recycling pilot, including the West Springfield Government Center at 6140 Rolling Road. Residents can place clothing, shoes and household textiles in blue Helpsy bins. Collection bins are also available at the I-66 Transfer Station, I-95 Landfill Complex, Jim Scott Community Center and Sully Government Center.
The Longest Table Vienna community potluck will return for a second year on Saturday, May 9. Organizers expect 500 people to gather along the Vienna Town Green on Mill Street SE for the free public meal, scheduled from noon to 2 p.m.
Two new alcohol-related legal notices have also been filed. One seeks a restaurant and caterer permit covering beer, wine and mixed beverages for on- and off-premises consumption. The other requests an off-premises beer-and-wine license, with objections due within 30 days.
Monday’s forecast calls for increasing clouds, a high near 62 degrees and west winds around 10 mph, with gusts reaching 21 mph. Skies should become mostly clear overnight as temperatures fall to about 42 degrees and northwest winds ease to roughly 7 mph.