Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

NOW: Vehicle catches fire after crashing outside McLean Starbucks, road blocked

Published April 3, 2025 at 8:20PM | Updated April 3, 2025 at 11:00PM

An SUV on fire after crashing into a light pole at Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean (photo by Avery Krawitz)

Old Dominion Drive was blocked for hours after an SUV crashed into a power pole and caught fire in McLean this afternoon (Thursday).

Police and firefighters responded to the Chesterbrook Shopping Center around 5 p.m. for the crash, which happened near the Starbucks store and brought down power lines, according to scanner traffic.

News

Reston National Golf Course owner takes two-pronged approach in push to add housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated April 4, 2025 at 9:56AM

The Reston National Golf Course owners presented redevelopment proposals at a community meeting on April 2, 2025 (photo by Steve LeBlanc)

The owners of Reston National Golf Course have teed up another redevelopment proposal, but this time, with public opposition expected to remain high, they’re considering a backup plan that would involve renovations and more limited housing.

Property owner War Horse Cities enlisted the developer NVR to nominate the 168-acre golf course at 11875 Sunrise Valley Drive for a Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan amendment that would allow housing on part of the site, while turning the rest into publicly accessible recreational or open space.

News

Pedestrian killed in van crash on Route 29 in Idylwood

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2025 at 2:30PM

Westbound Route 29 approaching Fallfax Drive in Idylwood (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County police are investigating a crash that killed a pedestrian on Route 29 in Idylwood yesterday afternoon (Wednesday).

German Gomez, 87, of Falls Church was walking along westbound Route 29 near El Tio Tex-Mex Grill at Fallfax Drive when the driver of a 2020 Nissan cargo van struck him, the Fairfax County Police Department said today (Thursday) in a press release.

News

BREAKING: Truck leaks gas into Difficult Run, closing Great Falls roads

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2025 at 9:15AM

A hazmat team responds to a truck leaking gas into Difficult Run in Great Falls on April 3, 2025 (via FCFRD/X)

A tanker truck is leaking gas into Difficult Run in Great Falls after crashing on a bridge over the stream early this morning (Thursday).

Fairfax County police and units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to Leigh Mill Road at Kelso Road around 3:07 a.m. for a truck carrying “hazardous materials” that crashed on the bridge, according to scanner traffic.

News

New signs coming to Tysons will point out trails, Metro stops and other amenities

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 2, 2025 at 1:15PM

A sample wayfinding sign at Scott's Run Trail in Tysons (via Tysons Community Alliance/Fairfax County)

The transportation network in Tysons remains a work in progress, especially when it comes to facilities for non-car-based travel.

Recent years have brought some improvements, from the first segments of the Tysons Community Circuit to the addition of publicly accessible park space in central Tysons. The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) hopes to draw more attention to those existing amenities with new signage.

News

Contractor could take over cooling utility for Lake Anne residents in Reston

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 2, 2025 at 11:15AM

RELAC serves residential properties and a few businesses around Lake Anne (via Fairfax County Hunter Mill District Office)

RELAC will live to cool down residents and businesses near Lake Anne in Reston for at least one more summer.

Reston RELAC President Mark Waddell informed customers on Monday (March 31) that he’s in discussions to transfer ownership of the chilled-water cooling system to a contractor in Maryland, enabling operations to continue after a previously planned hand-off fell through.

News

JUST IN: Man dies at Fairfax County jail, police investigation underway

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 1, 2025 at 7:10PM | Updated April 2, 2025 at 12:06PM

Inside the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Another person in custody at Fairfax County’s jail has died.

A man identified as as Sam Zu Yung, 32, was found unresponsive in his cell by a sheriff’s deputy around 6:17 p.m. yesterday (Monday), the Fairfax County Police Department said today (Tuesday) in a press release.

Around Town

Reston resident ‘thrilled’ to bring wellness studio chain to RTC West

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 1, 2025 at 3:45PM

The wellness chain Sweathouse features private suites with infared spas and cold plunges (courtesy Sweathouz)

A Reston resident who already teaches meditation and yoga in the area will soon add contrast therapy to her repetoire of wellness offerings.

SweatHouz is targeting a late spring or early summer opening for its upcoming location at RTC West (12100 Sunset Hills Road, Suite R9), according to franchise owner Natalie Siewers.

News

Vienna’s Patrick Henry Library gets fond farewell ahead of closure this spring

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 1, 2025 at 1:15PM | Updated April 2, 2025 at 7:14PM

Fairfax County Public Library organized a farewell celebration for Vienna's Patrick Henry Library on March 29, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Wistful remembrances mingled with excitement for the future, as local elected officials, library staff and community members gave Patrick Henry Library in Vienna an early send-off over the weekend.

The 13,800-square-foot library building, which has stood at 101 Maple Avenue East since 1971, is set to be replaced this summer. When the branch reopens in about two years, it’ll feature not only expanded and upgraded facilities, but also an entirely new name — the Vienna-Carter Library.

News

McLean Community Center solidifies ballot for 2025 board elections

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 31, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated March 31, 2025 at 2:54PM

The adult candidates in the 2025 election for the McLean Community Center governing board, starting from the top left, are Kim Anderson, Nam Tiam, Anna Bartosiewicz, Liz Lawson, Chris Roberts and Ron Kessing (headshots courtesy McLean Community Center)

Competition for seats on the McLean Community Center’s Governing Board remains strong.

After fielding a dozen candidates for four adult seats and two youth seats last year, the MCC announced last Thursday (March 27) that 15 residents — six adults and nine teens — have qualified for the 2025 board elections.