Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Motorcyclist killed in fiery crash on I-66 after police pursuit

Published April 28, 2025 at 9:00AM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

A motorcycle rider died in a fiery crash yesterday (Sunday) after allegedly speeding on I-66, police say.

According to the Virginia State Police (VSP), a trooper spotted a motorcyclist traveling over 100 mph on eastbound I-66 near Nutley Street in Merrifield at around 12:09 a.m.

News

Nonprofit that offers free piano lessons seeks to extend range in Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 17, 2025 at 3:45PM

A student in Piano and More's Play It Forward program performs a recital at Jordan Kitt's Music in Merrifield (courtesy Piano and More)

A nonprofit music studio in Arlington is hoping to get more donors and supporters to tune in, so it can expand a program that offers free piano lessons to low-income students into Fairfax County.

Piano and More currently has two participants from Fairfax and three from Arlington in its Play It Forward program, which provides free lessons, keyboards and other resources to students at Title I schools.

Countywide

NOVA Parks leader to retire after overseeing regional park system’s expansion over 20 years

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 16, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated April 17, 2025 at 1:01PM

NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert at a Juneteenth 2024 event (courtesy NOVA Parks)

When Paul Gilbert finishes leading NOVA Parks, the regional park system will be nearly 2,000 acres larger than it was when he started.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority announced last Friday (April 11) that Gilbert will retire as its executive director by the end of 2025. His 20-year tenure included the addition of 15 new parks and several signature attractions, from the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial at Occoquan Regional Park to the winter light festivals in Bull Run and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

Countywide

NEW: Visas revoked for multiple international students at GMU

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 16, 2025 at 9:00AM

George Mason University (file photo)

More than a dozen international students at George Mason University have recently had their visas terminated or revoked by the federal government, the university says.

The U.S. departments of state and homeland security apparently changed the statuses of 15 students without any involvement by or prior notice to university officials, GMU President Gregory Washington and Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell told the community yesterday (Tuesday).

Around Town

These Fairfax restaurants are finalists for the 2025 RAMMYS Awards

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2025 at 11:15AM

Stellina Pizzeria at Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The list of top contenders for the 2025 RAMMYS Awards is here, and it includes a few nods to the dining scene in Fairfax County, particularly in Tysons.

Among the five finalists for Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year is Ometeo, which was eligible for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) annual awards for the first time after opening at Capital One Center (1640 Capital One Drive) in Tysons in December 2023.

News

Tysons Community Alliance turns to tax district for transportation project funding

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2025 at 9:45AM

A Tysons Community Alliance sign outside the Spring Hill Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In the future, a share of tax revenue generated by the Tysons Transportation Service District could go to transportation-related projects shepherded by the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), including ones on private property.

The district’s advisory board voted last Wednesday (April 9) to recommend that $1 million be allocated to the TCA for fiscal year 2026 to support its work to close gaps in the Tysons transportation network, reduce traffic from single-occupant vehicles, and boost public awareness and engagement.

News

Potential Reston developers face mostly distrustful community at packed meeting

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 14, 2025 at 11:15AM

A full house at Langston Hughes Middle School for Fairfax County's community meeting on Site-Specific Plan Amendment proposals in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Three proposals for future development in Reston were mostly greeted with varying degrees of skepticism by community members who crowded into the cafeteria at Langston Hughes Middle School (11401 Ridge Heights Road) last Monday (April 7).

Drawing an estimated 350 to 400 attendees, the meeting was one of three held by Fairfax County planning staff over the past two weeks to gather feedback on 11 different pitches for changes to land use guidance in the Reston Comprehensive Plan.

News

NEW: Closing date set for Vienna’s Patrick Henry Library

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 11, 2025 at 1:15PM

Patrick Henry Library checkout desk (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna residents officially have less than a month to check out books and other materials from Patrick Henry Library before it closes for a long-anticipated renovation.

The branch’s last day of service at 101 Maple Avenue East will be Friday, May 9, though any materials on hold will need to be picked up by May 6. Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) finalized the date after providing an update to its Board of Trustees on Wednesday (April 9).

News

Celebration planned for Idylwood’s recently finished Ruckstuhl Park

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 11, 2025 at 8:15AM | Updated April 15, 2025 at 9:32AM

Ruckstuhl Park, now open in Idylwood, was funded by a 2020 Fairfax County Park Authority bond referendum (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) plans to throw a party next month celebrating the latest addition to its system.

After more than a year of construction, the trails, play area and fitness zone at Idylwood’s new Ruckstuhl Park are now open to community members.

News

Padel tennis courts proposed on Tysons parking lot awaiting development

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2025 at 3:45PM

Rendering of Epic Padel's proposed courts at Greensboro Park in Tysons (via Epic Padel/Fairfax County)

A Tysons parking lot that has been slated for development for over a decade now could finally see some activity of the recreational variety instead.

The Arlington-based sports company Epic Padel is proposing to build six temporary padel tennis courts on surface parking for the Greensboro Park offices at 8200 Greensboro Drive, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County last Friday (April 4).