Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Talks to restore W&OD Trail areas affected by tree cuttings make progress

Published May 29, 2025 at 10:00AM

Grass is emerging in an area along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Vienna that had been cleared for equipment staging (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dominion Energy appears to be open to addressing the damage done by its extensive tree clearings along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in Vienna and Dunn Loring.

The utility confirmed its interest in a new agreement to govern vegetation management for parts of the trail that overlap with its power lines less than 24 hours before NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert gave an update on the situation to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Vienna Town Council.

News

Former Venezuelan congressman joins race to succeed Rep. Gerry Connolly

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 29, 2025 at 8:30AM

Leopoldo Martinez is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for Virginia's 11th Congressional District (courtesy Leo Martinez for Congress Campaign)

The race to find a replacement for the late Rep. Gerry Connolly has added another contender.

Leopoldo Martínez, a lawyer who once served in Venezuela’s National Assembly, launched a campaign today (Thursday) for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, where he’ll compete for the Democratic nomination in an increasingly crowded field.

News

Police: Man charged with stealing vehicle, burglarizing Burke home after release from jail

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 28, 2025 at 3:45PM

The Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (file photo)

A man released from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center yesterday (Tuesday) got arrested just hours later for allegedly stealing a vehicle and attempting to burglarize a home in Burke, police say.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, its officers responded to the 9500 block of Millgate Place for a reported burglary at 7:02 p.m. on May 27.

Around Town

‘Hidden’ Japanese cocktail lounge opens in Tysons hotel

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 28, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated May 29, 2025 at 9:26AM

The Naisho Room is now open in The Watermark Hotel at Capital One Center (photo by Sammy Dyess)

A new cocktail lounge with a design inspired by the nightlife in Tokyo, Japan, has opened in Tysons, but it might take a little sleuthing to find its whereabouts.

The Naisho Room, whose name includes the Japanese word for “secret,” announced today (Wednesday) that it is now operating inside The Watermark Hotel (1825 Capital One Drive) at Capital One Center.

News

Three Fairfax County communities ranked among Best Places to Live in U.S.

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 28, 2025 at 9:15AM

Rolling Valley West Park's athletic field at sunset in Burke (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Three of the best places to live in the country can be found in Fairfax County, according to one recently released ranking.

U.S. News and World Report included Burke, Reston and Centreville on its 2025-2026 list of the Top 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S., with the first two taking first and second place, respectively, among Virginia localities.

Around Town

F45 Training closes Reston Station gym, consolidating at town center

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 27, 2025 at 1:45PM

F45 has closed its studio at Faraday Park (photo by Adam Rubinstein)

F45 Training has changed up its routine in Reston.

The fitness chain closed its Reston Station franchise at Faraday Park (11201 Reston Station Blvd) after May 12 in order to consolidate its operations in the area at Reston Town Center, the gym’s future owner told FFXnow.

News

FCPD charges Chantilly man with murder of wife

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 27, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated May 27, 2025 at 1:13PM

Alexander Towne, 32, of Chantilly has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Kim White (via FCPD)

A Chantilly woman was killed on Saturday (May 24) in an apparent case of domestic violence, police say.

Police officers and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to the 16000 block of Bromall Court in Chantilly at 7:48 p.m. for a possible cardiac arrest stemming from an assault, according to the police scanner.

Obituary

Cathy Hudgins, former Hunter Mill District supervisor, dies at 81

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 27, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated May 28, 2025 at 8:09PM

Cathy Hudgins retired from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2019 (via Fairfax County/YouTube)

Fairfax County has lost another influential elected representative and public servant.

Former Hunter Mill District supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who made local history when she was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1999, died on Saturday, May 25 at the age of 81, her family announced over the weekend.

News

BREAKING: McLean teen charged with murder for Herndon shooting

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 24, 2025 at 12:25PM | Updated May 29, 2025 at 2:38PM

Herndon Police Department (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A teen from McLean has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a man last night (Friday) in Herndon.

Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Elden Street around 9:40 p.m. in response to “calls about a disorderly male subject,” according to the Town of Herndon Police Department (Herndon PD).

Countywide

Democratic lieutenant governor candidates have mixed views on a Tysons casino

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre

Published May 23, 2025 at 2:45PM

Democratic lieutenant governor candidates share their thoughts on a Tysons casino and gaming in a televised debate on May 22, 2025 (via WJLA 7News)

With early voting in the June 17 Democratic primary underway, Fairfax County residents might be curious where the politicians on the ballot stand on the prospect of a casino development in Tysons.

Fortunately, the topic was one of the first to crop up last night (Thursday) during a televised debate between the six lieutenant governor candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination — right after a discussion about how they would protect Virginia’s economy and help workers affected by the Trump administration’s federal government cuts.