Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Fort Belvoir woman pleads guilty to assaulting son

Published January 29, 2025 at 8:15AM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (file photo)

A Fort Belvoir woman who allegedly beat her son for not cleaning his bedroom pleaded guilty to assault charges on Monday (Jan. 27), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced yesterday.

According to court documents, China Ashley Charles, a 38-year-old woman who lived in military housing on the Army installation, called police on Oct. 8, 2024 to report that her son had run away after she “disciplined him for not cleaning” his bedroom.

Countywide

Fairfax officials scramble to assess impact of Trump’s federal funding freeze

By James Jarvis and Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated January 28, 2025 at 6:31PM

The White House (via René DeAnda on Unsplash)

Update: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s order freezing federal grants and loans minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m.

Earlier: Fairfax County officials are scrambling to assess how a new federal directive halting financial aid programs might impact local services and capital projects.

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax County casino bill advances to full Senate for first time

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 2:30PM

The Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee votes 9-6 to report S.B. 982 to the full bill to the full Senate (via Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn/Bluesky)

The push to allow a casino in Fairfax County has officially entered new territory.

After tabling similar legislation proposed by state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35) last year, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted 9-6 this morning (Tuesday) to report Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell’s (D-34) bill to add the county to Virginia’s list of eligible casino hosts to the full chamber.

News

JUST IN: Man charged with soliciting teen he met through TikTok, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 12:15PM

Fairfax County police vehicle with blue lights on (file photo)

A man traveled from Minnesota to Virginia this past weekend to engage in illicit sexual acts with a teenager, Fairfax County police say.

Officers were called to a house in the 2000 block of Blue Ridge Court near Herndon at 3:05 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 after a resident reported finding his 15-year-old child with an adult man, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

Tysons apartment building gets new name and owner

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 9:45AM

Hanover Tysons is being rebranded as The Jones at Tysons by new owner Mesirow (courtesy Berkadia)

A pair of apartment buildings in north central Tysons recently changed hands, resulting in a name change for one of the properties.

Hanover Tysons, a 412-unit residential building at 1500 Westbranch Drive, has been rebranded as The Jones at Tysons after its original developer, The Hanover Company, sold the property to the financial services firm Mesirow Financial late last year.

Around Town

Athletic training studio to open new location at Reston Station

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated January 29, 2025 at 1:40PM

The office building at 11400 Commerce Park Drive in Reston (courtesy Comstock Companies)

A company that provides athletic and strength training is planning to open a studio at Reston Station once the weather heats up.

Healthy Baller, which already has a location on Inova Health Systems’ campus in Merrifield, has signed a lease for 4,700 square feet of retail space in the office building at 11400 Commerce Park Drive, property owner Comstock Companies announced late last week.

News

Vienna could kick off Juneteenth celebration this year with parade

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 3:45PM

The Liberty Amendments Month logo on Patrick Henry Library in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna’s Juneteenth celebration could march into town with some additional pomp this year.

The First Baptist Church of Vienna, which typically hosts the now-annual event commemorating the U.S.’s “second independence day,” has proposed kicking off the 2025 festivities with a parade.

News

Congressman revives proposal to rename Dulles Airport after Trump

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 2:30PM

The tarmac at Dulles International Airport (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Congressional Republicans are once again pushing to rename Dulles International Airport after President Donald Trump.

North Carolina Rep. Addison McDowell introduced H.R. 691 last Thursday, Jan. 23 to designate the Northern Virginia airport as “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” proclaiming the move a fitting parallel to former president Ronald Reagan’s moniker gracing Washington National Airport in Arlington.

News

Mixed-use development could replace offices near Fairfax County judicial complex

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 11:15AM

The existing office buildings at 4085, 4101 and 4103 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax City (via City of Fairfax)

A local homebuilder is looking to gauge city officials’ reaction to another mixed-use development proposal for Old Town Fairfax.

After purchasing the contracts for 4085, 4101 and 4103 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax City, Oakton-based Christopher Companies has shared a concept plan with the city that would replace the existing office buildings with apartment and office buildings, townhouses and retail.

News

Comstock rethinks approach to planned senior living building at Reston Station

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2025 at 9:45AM

The existing office building at 1831 Wiehle Avenue in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A search for an operator to run an independent living facility planned for Reston Station’s upcoming Midline district has apparently come up empty so far.

With demolition of the vacant office building currently on the site at 1831 Wiehle Avenue expected to begin this year, developer Comstock Companies is exploring the possibility of delivering age-restricted housing for seniors instead, according to an application submitted to Fairfax County last Thursday (Jan. 23).