Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

Around Town

Beauty salon chain expands with new Reston, Chantilly locations

By Angela Woolsey
Sola Salons at Plaza America in Reston (courtesy Sola Salons)

A national beauty salon chain has expanded its local presence in Fairfax County just in time for prom and wedding season.

Sola Salon Studios recently welcomed locations in Reston and Chantilly to its roster with grand openings on March 17 and 24, respectively. Both salons are corporate-owned but offer suites for lease to independent barbers, hair stylists and other beauty professionals.

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News

FCPD: Scooter rider still in critical condition after hit-and-run crash

By Angela Woolsey
Inova Mount Vernon medical center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man who was hit by a car driver while riding a scooter in Mount Vernon last night (Tuesday) remains hospitalized in critical condition, police say.

Officers and medics responded to Mount Vernon Highway at Drew Court around 7:54 p.m. yesterday for a crash that the dispatcher initially said involved a pedestrian and a driver who fled the scene, according to scanner traffic.

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News

Future of air-conditioning system for Reston’s Lake Anne once again in doubt

By Angela Woolsey
Townhouses along Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Hundreds of residents around Lake Anne in Reston are facing new uncertainty over how they will cool down their homes as the weather heats up.

SpringRELAC, a resident-run nonprofit, announced yesterday (Tuesday) that its authority to operate the central air-conditioning system that provides chilled water from the man-made lake to surrounding properties hasn’t been renewed for the 2025 season.

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News

Mason District to be proposed as testing ground for later middle school start times

By Angela Woolsey
Glasgow Middle School in Lincolnia (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Update — The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously at its March 27 meeting to approve Mason District Representative Ricardy Anderson’s motion for a pilot program to test later middle school start times.

Earlier: As the Fairfax County School Board continues weighing its options for bumping back middle school class times, one member says she wants to give her district a head start.

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News

‘We’re standing with them’: N. Va. residents advocate for national parks after ranger layoffs

By Angela Woolsey
Community members express support for national parks and their workers at a Resistance Rangers rally on March 22, 2025 at Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The steady stream of visitors who descended on Great Falls Park this past weekend likely noticed little amiss, as they enjoyed a hike, picnic and scenic views of the Potomac River on a balmy spring day.

But the couple dozen protestors who lined a path near the McLean park’s visitor center on Saturday (March 22) fear that may soon change, if the Trump administration’s plans to terminate hundreds of federal workers and open up more public lands for resource extraction move forward.

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News

Inspired by ‘Friendsgiving’ dish, Herndon students win D.C.-area schools culinary contest

By Angela Woolsey
Herndon High School’s Culinary Challenge-winning Creamy Dreamy gnocchi soup, garlic bread dippers and zesty sunshine salad (courtesy Real Food for Kids)

A dish inspired by one gathering among friends will now be served in schools across Fairfax County.

With a “Creamy Dream” gnocchi soup complemented by sides of whole wheat garlic soup dippers and a Zesty Sunshine Salad, four students from Herndon High School won the competitive lunch category at the 13th annual Culinary Challenge, held this year at Hayfield Secondary School (7630 Telegraph Road) on March 8.

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Around Town

Founder’s Day returns to Reston with new name, same celebratory spirit

By Angela Woolsey
The boardwalk at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo)

Founder’s Day is out, Celebrate Reston! is in.

The annual festival honoring Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s birthday will return to Lake Anne Plaza on April 5 from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. under a new name that organizers believe more clearly conveys the event’s “spirit of enjoyment and celebration,” Reston Museum Executive Director Lisa Watts says.

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News

NOW: Vehicle fire closes I-66 West near Vienna, sends one to hospital

By Angela Woolsey
A collision between a truck and a sedan led to a fire on I-66 West prior to Nutley Street (via FCFRD/Facebook)

A truck caught fire after colliding with a sedan on I-66 in the Vienna area earlier this afternoon (Monday), requiring a shutdown of all westbound lanes.

Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to I-66 West prior to Nutley Street for the crash around 1:15 p.m., per scanner traffic.

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Countywide

Fairfax County hosts community meetings on new development proposals

By Angela Woolsey
The proposed plan amendment for Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon would allow a residential building instead of a previously approved office building (via Fairfax County)

Community members will now get their first chance to weigh in on dozens of pitches submitted to Fairfax County earlier this year for potential future developments.

The county will host a series of community meetings over the next month so the developers can share information about their proposals with the public, who can then ask questions and provide feedback.

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