Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Springfield man who raised funds for Islamic State group sentenced to prison

Published May 8, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated May 8, 2025 at 1:39PM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Springfield man will serve more than three decades in prison for his reported efforts to collect and send funds to the Islamic State group.

Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, was sentenced to 30 years and four months in prison yesterday (Wednesday) by a U.S. District Court judge in Alexandria after a jury convicted him in December on multiple charges of providing material support to a terrorist organization.

News

Capital One considers adding temporary parking garage for Tysons development

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2025 at 9:15AM

An urban park is under construction near Capital One Park in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Capital One Center might reintroduce parking to a site that had been closed off for the construction of an urban park.

While the park is still in the works, Capital One has proposed building an interim parking garage at 1820 Dolley Madison Blvd near its headquarters in Tysons, asking Fairfax County staff to confirm that no zoning changes are necessary to allow the structure.

News

NEW: Reston Town Center North plan calls for housing, rec center and more

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated May 8, 2025 at 3:58PM

Bowman Towne Drive with a sign for Inova's Reston emergency room and Sunrise Senior Living (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new plan is officially under review for Fairfax County’s long-awaited Reston Town Center North (RTC North) redevelopment.

Inova Health System and the county’s Board of Supervisors have submitted a joint rezoning application for at least 1.6 million square feet of mixed-use development that will make way for a new Embry Rucker Shelter and Reston Regional Library, along with housing, a school, recreational facilities and retail.

Countywide

Fairfax NAACP blasts police for ‘unilaterally’ releasing new foot pursuit policy

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 7, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated May 7, 2025 at 4:03PM

A Fairfax County Police Department SUV with its lights on at the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Civil rights advocates had been pushing the Fairfax County Police Department for years to establish clear rules limiting when officers can pursue individuals on foot.

However, the department’s implementation of a formal foot pursuit policy last month inspired consternation, rather than celebration, from community organizations that had advocated for the reform, including the Fairfax County chapter of the NAACP.

News

Police: Man charged with robbery, assaulting officers at Fairfax CVS

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 7, 2025 at 10:00AM

Sign for CVS Pharmacy at 10090 Fairfax Blvd in Fairfax City (via Google Maps)

A 22-year-old man was arrested last week after allegedly assaulting a worker and police officers while attempting to rob a CVS Pharmacy store in Fairfax City.

Officers responded to the drug store at 10090 Fairfax Blvd at around 5:28 p.m. last Friday (May 2) for a report of a robbery in progress, according to the City of Fairfax Police Department.

News

Arbor Row senior center opens in Tysons with variety of programs

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2025 at 10:00AM

Mather and Fairfax County officials cut a ribbon to celebrate Arbor Row Center's opening in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

At Tysons’ new senior center, adults 50 and older will be able to stay fit, express their artistry, learn how to navigate technology and more.

Arbor Row Center is now open on the ground floor of The Mather, an apartment community for seniors, at 7929B Westpark Drive. After a ribbon-cutting celebration yesterday (Monday), the facility will host an open house today (Tuesday) where patrons can meet each other and enjoy refreshments from 10 a.m. to noon.

Around Town

New York-based food hall plans expansion to Reston and Franconia

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2025 at 9:15AM

The food hall Wonder serves food from different restaurants for sit-in, takeout and delivery service (courtesy Wonder)

A delivery-centered food hall is coming to Fairfax County.

Wonder, a New York-based concept that serves food from restaurants across the country for dining in, takeout and delivery, is planning to open several locations across the D.C. area this year, including ones in Reston and Franconia.

Around Town

Reston art gallery pieces together collaborative collage exhibit

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 5, 2025 at 1:45PM

Collaborative collages from Reston Art Gallery and Studio's new "Texture" exhibit (courtesy Reston Art Gallery and Studios)

Visitors to Reston Art Gallery and Studios can now watch the artistic process play out in real time as part of a newly unveiled exhibit.

A collaborative effort involving nearly a dozen different artists, the exhibit “TEXTURE: Paper & Paint / Quilts & Collage / Metal & More” opened at the gallery in Lake Anne Plaza (11400 Washington Plaza West) this past Saturday (May 3).

News

Construction to start soon on Merrifield office-to-affordable housing conversion

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 5, 2025 at 10:00AM

A rendering of 2990 Telestar Court in Merrifield after the building is converted into affordable housing (courtesy Conifer Realty LLC)

A project to convert a former Inova office building in Merrifield into affordable housing is set to begin construction this May.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and developer Conifer Realty announced late last week that they’ve closed on financing for the repurposing of the vacant, four-story office building at 2990 Telestar Court, which will be turned into 80 apartments.

Around Town

Arts festival, summer concerts return to Reston Town Center this month

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2025 at 1:15PM

Explorer Street in Reston Town Center was closed for the 2024 Tephra ICA Arts Festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Thousands of people are expected to visit Reston Town Center later this month for the return of the Tephra ICA Arts Festival.

Now in its 34th year, the annual festival organized by the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Arts will take place on May 17 and 18, bringing together more than 200 artists from across the U.S.