Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Reston neighborhood is first to get EV chargers under county program

Published December 26, 2024 at 11:15AM

Reston's Harpers Square cluster has installed two shared electric vehicle charging ports (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More than a year after it launched, Fairfax County’s program to help neighborhoods introduce communal electric vehicle charging stations has resulted in its first installations.

County officials joined residents of the Harpers Square cluster in Reston on Dec. 18 for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the addition of two EV chargers, making it the first community to successfully get through the Charge Up Fairfax program.

Around Town

New food options open at Tysons Corner Center, with more to come in 2025

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 26, 2024 at 9:45AM

The Cheesecake Factory opened at Tysons Corner Center on Dec. 5, 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Tysons Corner Center is closing out 2024 with the addition of a few new dining options.

Though it was dark when FFXnow visited the mall around lunch time this past Sunday (Dec. 22), Popeyes has indeed opened its new stall on the first floor between Panda Express and Chef Lin, a Tysons Corner Center spokesperson confirmed.

Countywide

Wintry weather could disrupt holiday travel in Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 23, 2024 at 2:30PM

A sidewalk at the Scout on the Circle development in Fairfax City on a rainy winter day in January 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County could be visited by some wintry weather on Christmas Eve.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the county and other parts of the D.C. area in anticipation of freezing rain and a potential “dusting” of snow tomorrow (Tuesday) from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Around Town

Giant cookie shop MidnighTreats is moving to Reston Town Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 23, 2024 at 1:15PM

MidnighTreats at Plaza America in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

MidnighTreats is going to bring its monster-sized, vegan cookies to Reston Town Center.

The homegrown business will move from its original Reston storefront in Plaza America to a currently vacant space at 1826 Discovery Street next to Playa Bowls, possibly late next spring, according to MidnighTreats owner and founder Johnny Nguyen, who said late last week that the deal “was just finalized.”

News

Pedestrian killed in Route 28 crash involving a truck

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 23, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated December 23, 2024 at 1:26PM

A Virginia Department of Transportation traffic camera shows a backup on Route 28 in Chantilly following a fatal pedestrian crash (via 511 Virginia)

A pedestrian was killed this morning (Monday) in a crash on Route 28 in Chantilly that involved a commercial tanker truck.

Police officers, firefighters and medics were dispatched to northbound Route 28 (Sully Road) under Poplar Tree Road around 6:33 a.m. for a crash involving a pedestrian who was reportedly struck by a “large tanker-type vehicle that carries gas,” according to scanner traffic.

News

Driver charged for Franconia Road crash that killed pedestrian

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 23, 2024 at 9:00AM

Eastbound Franconia Road at Elder Avenue in Springfield (via Google Maps)

An Alexandria man has been charged with a felony hit-and-run for a crash in Springfield that killed a pedestrian.

Caleb Allison, 26, allegedly left the scene after striking Julio Cesar Pasassi, a 43-year-old Springfield resident, with his vehicle while driving east on Franconia Road near Elder Avenue around 6 a.m. on Sept. 13, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a press release on Friday (Dec. 20).

Around Town

Bonchon reopens in Herndon under new owner, Annandale restaurant coming

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 20, 2024 at 1:15PM

Bonchon specializes in Korean fried chicken (courtesy Bonchon)

Bonchon is back in Herndon.

After temporarily closing last year amid customer complaints, the Korean fried chicken chain reopened its franchise at Franklin Farm Village Center (13320 Franklin Farm Road) in the Oak Hill area on Wednesday, Dec. 18, under new ownership.

Countywide

Gov. Youngkin cites Fairfax cases in bid to pressure localities to assist ICE

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 20, 2024 at 11:15AM

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announces a budget proposal on Dec. 12, 2024 that would require localities to comply with federal immigration detainers or lose funding (Photo by Austin Stevens, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin)

Undocumented immigrants in Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia could face threats on two fronts in the new year, with both national and state elected leaders proposing policies targeting that population.

As incoming president Donald Trump plans mass deportations, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin unveiled a budget proposal this week that would require local governments to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and withhold funding from those with cooperation-limiting policies, including Fairfax County.

News

Driver in fatal Fairfax County Parkway crash was drunk, police charge

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 20, 2024 at 8:15AM

Northbound Fairfax County Parkway over Elden Street (via Google Maps)

A Reston man is facing criminal charges for his involvement in a recent fatal crash on Fairfax County Parkway.

The Fairfax County Police Department says Ayaan Usmani, 23, was drunk and speeding when he lost control of the 2019 BMW M850I he was driving near Elden Street around 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 23.

News

Design approved for first mixed-use redevelopment near Herndon Metro station

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 19, 2024 at 11:15AM

The residential building at 555 Herndon Parkway will include ground-floor retail space (via Hord Coplan Macht/Town of Herndon)

Though Herndon’s downtown revitalization push has stalled, a key piece of the town’s vision for development outside its Metro station reached a milestone last month.

The Town of Herndon Architectural Review Board (ARB) gave its approval on Nov. 20 to architectural and landscape design plans for the first phase of Fairfield Residential’s 555 Herndon Parkway project, a multifamily residential building with retail that will later be complemented by an office building.