Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Republican challenges Del. Irene Shin for Herndon’s House seat

Published November 18, 2024 at 1:15PM

Republican 8th House District candidate Max Fisher at the Herndon Metro station (courtesy Friends of Max Fisher)

Next year’s battle for Virginia’s 8th House District will be a rematch.

Herndon resident Max Fisher announced on Friday (Nov. 15) that he will campaign again for the seat currently held by Del. Irene Shin, who previously defeated him in 2023. That year, Democrats won every General Assembly contest on the ballot in Fairfax County, ultimately taking back control of the House of Delegates.

Around Town

Sisters Thai’s flagship restaurant opens in Tysons with new dessert cafe

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 18, 2024 at 9:45AM | Updated November 18, 2024 at 1:58PM

Sisters Thai hosted an invite-only showcase for its new restaurant at Capital One Center in Tysons ahead of its public debut (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Sisters Thai is finally cooking in Tysons, almost three years after its expansion plans were announced.

The local chain known for its cozy, bespoke decor will launch its biggest restaurant yet tonight (Monday) at 7735 Capital One Tower Road in Capital One Center. Service will start at 5-9 p.m., with a limited menu available during the soft opening, founder Tammie Disayawathana says.

Countywide

VDOT testing app that shows real-time parking demand at commuter lots

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 15, 2024 at 2:30PM

The parking lot for the Virginia Railway Express Backlick Road station in Springfield (via Google Maps)

The Virginia Department of Transportation is experimenting with a mobile app that will enable commuters to find available parking spaces in real time at select lots.

The app ParkZen began collecting data at six parking lots, including three in Fairfax County, this month for an initial evaluation period slated to continue until January 2025, VDOT announced on Tuesday (Nov. 12).

News

Tysons group hopes to expand beautification efforts with VDOT’s help

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 15, 2024 at 11:15AM

The Tysons Community Alliance's beautification project for the Route 7 and Route 123 interchange is underway (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) is turning to the Virginia Department of Transportation for support in its effort to spruce up the area’s highway interchanges.

Building on an ongoing pilot project focused on the Route 7 and Route 123 interchange, the booster organization plans to apply for the state’s Comprehensive Roadside Management Program (CRMP), which lets sponsors landscape and maintain in areas within VDOT’s right-of-way.

News

Puppy stolen from pet store in Chantilly, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 15, 2024 at 10:15AM

A 10-week-old maltipoo puppy was taken from the Chantilly pet store XO Pups (via XO Pups/Instagram)

Two men walked into a pet store in Chantilly last month and left with a puppy they didn’t pay for, police say.

The Fairfax County Police Department released photos pulled from security camera footage today (Friday) that show the reported larceny, which occurred on Oct. 16.

News

Man sentenced to prison for selling fentanyl to undercover FCPD officer

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 15, 2024 at 8:15AM

Fentanyl pills designed to resemble oxycodone, a prescription drug (via DEA)

A Maryland man will spend the next decade in federal prison for selling fentanyl to a buyer who was actually an undercover officer with the Fairfax County Police Department.

U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff sentenced Jahrulle Terrence Whyte t0 10 years or 120 months in prison yesterday (Thursday) after the 29-year-old Glen Burnie resident pleaded guilty earlier this year to distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl.

News

Herndon might borrow funds to back downtown redevelopment

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 14, 2024 at 9:45AM

Davenport Senior Vice President Kyle Laux presents a proposed financing plan for Comstock's downtown redevelopment project to the Herndon Town Council (via Town of Herndon)

Herndon leaders indicated this week that they’re confident enough in the town’s financial reputation to put it on the line for the sake of Comstock’s long-awaited downtown redevelopment project.

As discussions continue on a new agreement with the developer that must be finalized by Dec. 10, the town is starting to hammer out a financing plan for the public portions of the project that could involve borrowing money through the issuance of municipal bonds.

Around Town

New dog day care to be unleashed in Reston Town Center expansion

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 13, 2024 at 2:30PM

Molly's Dog Care is under construction at 11992 Inspiration Street in the Reston Town Center expansion (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new dog care business from a local couple has staked out territory in the developing expansion of Reston Town Center.

With construction expected to finish later this month, Molly’s Dog Care will officially open its doors at 11992 Inspiration Street on Dec. 8. The nearly 4,000-square-foot center will offer day care, boarding and grooming services to pups of all sizes and personalities, according to its website.

News

W&OD Trail temporarily closed in Vienna area for Dominion Energy project

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 13, 2024 at 1:15PM

The Washington & Old Dominion Trail is temporarily closed at Cedar Lane in Dunn Loring (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A nearly 3-mile stretch of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail has been out of commission this week, but pedestrians and bicyclists should be able to return soon.

Dominion Energy closed the trail from Mill Street NE in Vienna to Sandburg Street in Dunn Loring on Monday, Nov. 11 as part of its ongoing project to replace electric power lines between the Clark and Idylwood substations.

News

Park Police officers who fatally shot Bijan Ghaisar didn’t violate policies, report says

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 13, 2024 at 9:45AM

Video from a Fairfax County police officer's dashboard camera captured U.S. Park Police officers shooting Bijan Ghaisar on Nov. 17, 2017 (via Interior Department's Office of the Inspector General)

Almost seven years after his death, federal officials have determined that the two U.S. Park Police officers who pursued and shot McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar complied with department policies.

The report released yesterday (Tuesday) concludes officers Alejandro Amaya and Lucas Vinyard were reasonable in their belief that Ghaisar “presented a clear and immediate threat to public safety” when he fled after being rear-ended by a rideshare driver on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Alexandria on Nov. 17, 2017.