Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

Around Town

New scavenger hunt encourages Restonians to explore public art

By Angela Woolsey
The latest iteration of the "Wooden Horse" at Lake Anne Plaza, first created by Gonzalo Fonseca and recreated by Marco Rando (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With summer in full swing, Public Art Reston has a new activity for families looking to take in both the outdoors and some culture.

The nonprofit launched its first Public Art Scavenger Hunt last week, offering prizes to anyone who visits and shares photos with the many artworks installed throughout the community.

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News

IT contractor plans $1M expansion of Tysons headquarters

By Angela Woolsey
EastBoro I office building at 8251 Greensboro Drive in Tysons (via Google Maps)

An information technology company that received competing offers from Texas, Florida and West Virginia has decided to stay put in Tysons.

Described by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority as “one of the fastest growing” IT service companies in the U.S., 22nd Century Technologies is committing $1 million to an expansion of its headquarters in the EastBoro I office building at 8251 Greensboro Drive.

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News

BREAKING: James Walkinshaw wins Democratic nod in Congressional special election

By Jared Serre and Angela Woolsey
James Walkinshaw speaks with voters (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw is now one election away from succeeding his political mentor in Congress.

Walkinshaw bested nine other candidates in a firehouse primary to secure the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, local party officials announced today (Saturday) shortly before midnight.

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Countywide

How the Metrobus overhaul, launching Sunday, will affect Fairfax service

By Vernon Miles and Angela Woolsey
A sign posted to a light pole in Fairfax City notifies Metrobus riders of the upcoming Better Bus Network launch (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro’s first major overhaul of its bus network in decades is set to take effect this coming Sunday (June 29).

Approved by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors last November, the Better Bus Network redesign will introduce revised routes and new signage, while also eliminating a number of stops.

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News

JUST IN: Man convicted of murder for 2021 shooting at Annandale apartments

By Angela Woolsey
The Fairmont Gardens apartments in Annandale (via Google Maps)

A 21-year-old man is facing the possibility of life in prison for fatally shooting a teen at the Fairmont Gardens Apartments in Annandale over an alleged gang rivalry.

Ezequiel Diaz-Mondragon was convicted yesterday (Thursday) by a Fairfax County jury of first-degree murder for killing 18-year-old Anthony “Tony” Benitez on Feb. 19, 2021, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office announced today.

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News

Proposal for Spring Hill housing subdivision in McLean reemerges

By Angela Woolsey
Wormald Companies' proposed plan for the Spring Hill Reserve development in McLean (via Bowman Consulting Group/Fairfax County)

A developer has returned to Fairfax County with a new proposal to add housing on Spring Hill Road in McLean.

The new Spring Hill Reserve subdivision would deliver 14 single-family, detached houses on a nearly 5-acre lot across the street from the Sunrise of McLean assisted living community, according to a rezoning application submitted to the county in late May.

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News

Major traffic shift on I-495 in McLean scheduled to begin Friday

By Angela Woolsey
The general purpose lanes on southbound I-495 in McLean will close as traffic shifts to new lanes (courtesy VDOT)

After three years of construction on its I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, the Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing to advance work on the actual toll lanes.

To make way for the new lanes, crews will shift traffic for all four southbound, general-purpose lanes on I-495 (also known as the Capital Beltway Outer Loop) to newly built lanes in McLean, starting tomorrow (Friday) around 8 p.m.

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Around Town

Potbelly to celebrate new looks at Fairfax Corner, Reston stores with giveaways

By Angela Woolsey
Potbelly in Fairfax Corner with the old signage (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Potbelly has put the finishing touches on makeovers for its restaurants in Fairfax Corner and Reston.

The national sandwich chain will officially unveil the new looks tomorrow (Friday) with celebrations at both locations, offering a variety of giveaways to customers.

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Countywide

NEW: Flood Watch issued for D.C. area starting this afternoon

By Angela Woolsey
Storm clouds over Oakton Shopping Center on June 19, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Though the thunderstorm that the National Weather Service warned about yesterday (Wednesday) was largely felt in the form of some strong winds, a new round of storms coming this afternoon (Thursday) could potentially have a more meaningful impact.

The NWS has issued a Flood Watch for the D.C. region, including Fairfax County, that’s currently scheduled to take effect at 3 p.m. and stay in place until midnight. About 1 to 2 inches of rainfall are possible, the agency says, though isolated areas could see as much as 3 to 4 inches.

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Around Town

Fox-y new mural to spruce up Old Town Fairfax retail building

By Angela Woolsey
Rendering of Bailey Sullivan's finished "Fox in the Flowers" mural in Old Town Fairfax (courtesy Fairfax City Economic Development)

A new mural is taking shape in the heart of Fairfax City.

Richmond-based illustrator Bailey Sullivan is currently working on “Fox in the Flowers” and expected to finish painting tomorrow (Friday). The completed mural will be officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on July 10.

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