Tag: technology
Broadband network for first responders expanded
The First Responder Network Authority and AT&T are investing more than $6.3 billion over the next 10 years to expand FirstNet, the nation’s public safety broadband network. The upgrade will enhance 5G coverage for first responders. Another $2 billion is under consideration. Starting in March, AT&T announced, “FirstNet will be the first and only wireless network … Continued
Annandale Boys & Girls Club gets $20,000 worth of new technology from Cox
The Annandale Boys & Girls Club has a bunch of new technology, thanks to a $20,000 grant from Cox Communications. The Cox Innovation Lab will be used by children and teens in the afterschool programs operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) in the new Annandale Community Center at 7851-B Heritage … Continued
Annandale kids club is getting a $20,000 grant from Cox for an Innovation Lab
The Annandale Boys and Girls Club on Heritage Drive is getting a Cox Innovation Lab, with high-speed internet, where kids in the afterschool program can learn about robotics, explore 3D printing, and develop new computer skills. The lab is funded with a $20,000 grant from Cox Communications. Related story: Boy Scouts teach outdoor skills to … Continued
Police Department launches community survey tool to measure public perceptions
The Fairfax County Police Department has launched a new program to gauge community perceptions about policing. FCPD contracted with Zencity’s Blockwise program to place ads on social media and local news websites with a link to a brief survey about people’s perceptions of the police department, whether they feel their community is safe, and whether … Continued
Students are working on robotic gardening
Students at Annandale and Falls Church high schools are learning how to use FarmBots to automate gardening. FarmBots are robots that can be programmed to plant seeds, water plants, pull weeds, and harvest the produce. It slides back and forth on a specially constructed raised garden bed. Hands On Harvests The FarmBot program is a … Continued
Police Department to install new, more effective license plate readers
The Fairfax County Police Department is upgrading its technology for reading license plates, which it says will be helpful in catching criminals and stolen vehicles. The FCPD began using license plate readers in 2008. It’s now replacing its antiquated equipment with the Flock Safety license plate reader (LPR) system, which has been successful during a … Continued
AI company to expand in Seven Corners
Enabled Intelligence Inc., an artificial intelligence startup, is investing $1.4 million to expand its headquarters in Seven Corners, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority announced Sept. 21. The company will add more than 10,000 square feet to its offices at 6400 Arlington Blvd. The two office towers at that site … Continued
Amazon Fresh to open in Bailey’s Crossroads
The former Safeway spot at the Crossroads Center in Bailey’s Crossroads is going to be an Amazon Fresh grocery store, according to a reliable source, rather than an Amazon Go store, as had been speculated in a previous blog post. Construction is expected to start in March, and the store could open in late 2022. … Continued
Autonomous shuttle offers free rides from Mosaic to Metro
Rep. Gerry Connolly (left) and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay in front of Relay. Relay, the autonomous electric shuttle connecting the Mosaic District in Merrifield to Metro is up and running. Federal, state, and county officials, along with private sector representatives cut the ribbon Oct. 22 inaugurating the first driverless public transportation vehicle … Continued
Fairfax County Schools hit with ransomware attack
FCPS headquarters in Merrifield. [Associated Press] Just days into the start of the virtual school year, a cybercriminal group call MAZE has successfully targeted Fairfax County Public Schools with ransomware, Infosecurity magazine reports. FCPS issued a statement Sept. 11 acknowledging that ransomware was placed on some of its technology systems. “We are taking this matter … Continued
Fairfax County Public Schools prepares for virtual learning
Instructional materials organized for students at Woodburn Elementary School. [FCPS] Virtual learning this fall will involve less homework and plenty of time for off-screen group and individual activities, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said during a town hall session Aug. 12. When it’s safe to start bringing students back to school, Brabrand said, … Continued
Virginia Health Department battles COVID spread with contact tracers and phone apps
A training session for contact tracers in Salt Lake City. [Rick Bowmer /AP] The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is stepping up its monitoring of COVID-19 cases by using human contacts combined with technology. VDH is hiring 1,300 contact tracers and launching a new app for smart phones. Virginia is spending $58 million in federal … Continued
A school board member answers questions about the Blackboard failure
Kindergarten teachers have a message for their students. [FCPS] The failure of Blackboard Learn 24-7 as a key piece of Fairfax County Public Schools’ distance learning program has raised many questions about how it happened and what the school system is doing to move forward. School board member Rachna Sizemore Heizer (at large), who has … Continued
FCPS IT chief steps down
Luftglass Maribeth Luftglass has stepped down from her job as head of IT at Fairfax County Public Schools, following the school system’s disastrous experience with distance learning, several news outlets report. Luftglass had been assistant superintendent of information and technology since 1999. Chief Operating Officer Marty Smith will take over the IT department on an … Continued
Schools and students continue to have problems with distance learning
The login page for distance learning. Despite assurances from Fairfax County school leaders that the problems with distance learning would be fixed when students log on today, there were still glitches. “We are continuing with distance learning today despite the continuing problems we are experiencing with Blackboard Learn (FCPS 24-7),” the school system announced this … Continued