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

Fairfax County hotels, restaurant up for statewide Ordinary Awards

By Angela Woolsey
The Watermark Hotel at Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia’s main hospitality industry group has unveiled the finalists for its annual Ordinary Awards, and a few Fairfax County businesses and residents made the list.

In contention for “Hotel of the Year,” one of 24 categories, is The Watermark Hotel at Capital One Center in Tysons. It will compete with The Georges in Lexington and River’s Rest Marina & Resort in Charles City, the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) announced yesterday (Thursday).

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Police: Bailey’s Crossroads daycare operator charged with assault

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County police (file photo)

A woman who runs a home daycare in Bailey’s Crossroads is facing assault charges after allegedly restraining two children with tape.

Police began investigating Sumy Shah, a 47-year-old Alexandria resident, on Aug. 1 after officers got a report of an assault in the 3600 block of Paul Street, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

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UPDATED: Man killed in ‘serious’ crash that blocked I-66 West at I-495

By Angela Woolsey
Police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responders at crash on I-66 West at I-495 (via 511Virginia)

A construction vehicle driver died after crashing on I-66 in Idylwood this morning (Friday).

Virginia State Police troopers were dispatched to I-66 West at at the Capital Beltway (I-495) around 7:51 a.m. for the single-vehicle crash, which was initially described by police as a two-vehicle crash with “at least one injury.”

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BREAKING: Man awaiting trial for Reston double-murder dies in jail

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man charged with killing a Reston couple in 2017 died this morning after being taken to a hospital from Fairfax County’s jail.

Nicholas Giampa, now 24, was found “unresponsive” in his cell at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center around 1:58 a.m., prompting a deputy to announce “a medical emergency,” according to posts from the Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office.

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JUST IN: Fairfax County to clear Reston homeless camp starting next week

By Angela Woolsey
A tent encampment has become a fixture of the woods near Sunrise Assisted Living in Reston (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County will soon begin shutting down a homeless encampment that has occupied woods near the Inova Emergency Room in Reston for years.

The county’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced today (Thursday) that “no trespassing” signs will be posted around the site known informally as “The Hill” next Tuesday (Aug. 27). A fence will be constructed on Sept. 10 to formally close the property.

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Traffic Alert: Route 29 closed near Centreville for gas leak

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County firefighters have closed Route 29 South to address a gas leak at Stringfellow Road near Centreville (via FCFRD/Twitter)

A damaged natural gas pipeline has shut down Route 29 approaching Centreville.

The road’s southbound lanes are currently closed at Stringfellow Road. Efforts to repair the leak are expected to drag into the afternoon rush hour today (Thursday), according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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News

FCPD: Pennsylvania man arrested for Chanel robbery in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey
Chanel seen on the second floor of Tysons Galleria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Police have made another arrest in connection to the theft of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Chanel’s store in Tysons Galleria.

The Fairfax County Police Department previously identified three individuals as suspects in the June 25 robbery. One man was arrested in Pennsylvania on Aug. 7, but two others — a 27-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man, also from Pennsylvania — were still being located.

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Reston Community Center names new leader for ‘next era’

By Angela Woolsey
Reston Community Center Deputy Director BeBe Nguyen will become the executive director on Sept. 9, 2024 (courtesy RCC)

After considering applicants from around the country, Reston Community Center (RCC) has decided to promote from within for its next executive director.

The community center announced yesterday (Wednesday) that its board of governors has selected current RCC Deputy Director BeBe Nguyen to succeed Leila Gordon, who will retire after 16 years with RCC on Dec. 13.

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Vienna man pushed out of militia pleads guilty to having toxin

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

A Vienna man who came under FBI scrutiny for allegedly suggesting a militia make explosives could serve prison time for having a deadly toxin.

Russell Richardson Vane IV, 42, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday (Wednesday) to possessing ricin — a poison derived from castor beans that can be fatal to people exposed to it — without a registration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

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Around Town

For 15th year, Vienna Oktoberfest adds new brewery, bike garden

By Angela Woolsey
Vienna Oktoberfest patrons enjoying beers (courtesy Vienna Business Association)

With temperatures at least temporarily feeling almost autumnal, the Vienna Business Association (VBA) is already starting to hype up its upcoming Oktoberfest.

The annual festival and fundraiser for the VBA will celebrate its 15th anniversary from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, bringing food, beer, artisan and business vendors, and live entertainment to the Church Street area in downtown Vienna.

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