Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Noted lighthouse preservationist offers to care for historic Tysons house

Published October 7, 2024 at 9:45AM

The Ash Grove house in Tysons can be seen with a virtual open house provided by Fairfax County's Resident Curator Program (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

A woman who made international headlines for restoring a lighthouse in Ohio is seeking to undertake similar duties at Ash Grove in Tysons.

Later this month, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will begin reviewing and soliciting community feedback on Sheila Consaul’s proposal to move into and help maintain the historic house at 8881 Ashgrove House Lane as part of the agency’s Resident Curator Program.

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BREAKING: Man shot at Herndon’s Worldgate Centre

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 6, 2024 at 10:00PM | Updated October 7, 2024 at 7:14PM

Herndon police have closed the Worldgate Centre parking lot after a shooting (photo by Lisa Herndon)

Herndon police are searching for a man who’s believed to be armed and dangerous after allegedly shooting another man at the Worldgate Shopping Center in Herndon.

Herndon Police responded to the shopping center’s parking lot around 7:40 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 6) after an officer heard what he thought was gunshots while on patrol, a spokesperson says.

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BREAKING: Ex-FCPD officer found not guilty of manslaughter in fatal Tysons shooting

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 4, 2024 at 8:00PM

Timothy McCree Johnson's parents Melissa Johnson, center, and Timothy Walker, left, address reporters along with attorney Carl Crews, right, outside Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters on March 22, 2023 (AP Photo/Matthew Barakat, File)

The former Fairfax County police sergeant who fatally shot Timothy McCree Johnson outside Tysons Corner Center last year has been acquitted of manslaughter following a nearly two-week trial.

However, the Fairfax County Circuit Court jury found Wesley Shifflett, 36, guilty of recklessly discharging a firearm when he fired the shot that killed 37-year-old Johnson on Feb. 22, 2023.

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Former Army soldier pleads guilty to killing West Springfield woman

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 4, 2024 at 2:00PM | Updated October 4, 2024 at 10:52PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (file photo)

An ex-Army soldier has pleaded guilty to killing a woman at her West Springfield home in 1994, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today (Friday).

Stephan Smerk, 52, could face up to 70 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for stabbing and killing Robin Lawrence, a stranger, while he was stationed at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington.

Around Town

Dunkin’ Donuts opens new cafe in Annandale

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 4, 2024 at 11:15AM | Updated October 4, 2024 at 11:31AM

A display case shows chocolate frosted donuts with sprinkles at the new Dunkin' Donuts in Annandale (courtesy Dunkin' Donuts)

Dunkin’ Donuts has arrived in Annandale.

The donuts-and-coffee chain opened the doors of its new restaurant at 7025 Columbia Pike this morning (Friday), according to a media advisory. The cafe will operate daily from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Vienna proposes temporary meals tax hike to fund pool and fitness center

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 4, 2024 at 8:15AM | Updated October 4, 2024 at 5:24PM

Vehicles parked on Vienna's Annex property, formerly home to the Vienna Baptist Church, in September 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna leaders are warming up to the idea of a public swimming pool, a decade after throwing cold water on the idea when planning community center renovations.

Consultants hired to research possible long-term uses of the former Faith Baptist Church property at 301 Center Street South — now known as the Annex — shared their final recommendation of an indoor aquatics and fitness facility with the Vienna Town Council at a work session on Monday (Sept. 30).

Around Town

Capitals street hockey tournament coming to GMU for team’s 50th season

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 3, 2024 at 1:15PM

Thousands of kids participated in the original Capitals Street Hockey Extravaganza in 1975 (courtesy Washington Capitals)

The Washington Capitals are throwing back to the 1970s with an upcoming visit to George Mason University’s Fairfax campus.

As part of its 50th anniversary season, D.C.’s NHL team will bring a free youth tournament known as the Capitals Street Hockey Extravaganza to EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle) on Saturday, Nov. 16, briefly reviving what was once the largest street hockey clinic in existence.

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Tysons gas station seeks county approval for U-Haul rental services

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 3, 2024 at 9:00AM

U-Haul vehicles are available to rent from the BP gas station at 8217 Leesburg Pike in Tysons (via Google Maps)

The owner of a gas station in Tysons is seeking to formalize the property’s side hustle as a U-Haul vehicle rental site.

Petroleum Marketing Group submitted an application to Fairfax County on Sept. 25 requesting a special exception amendment to allow a truck rental establishment in conjunction with its BP gas station at 8217 Leesburg Pike.

Around Town

Young Tysons dancers invited to audition for upcoming ‘Nutcracker’ show

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 2, 2024 at 2:30PM

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet performers take a bow after a show in Detroit (courtesy Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet)

A touring production of Pytor Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” will return to Tysons this winter, and it’s inviting local kids and teens to take part.

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet will hold auditions tomorrow (Thursday) for dancers aged 6 to 17 who would like to participate in its upcoming shows at Capital One Hall on Dec. 1.

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Photos: Second building in Tysons senior living community opens to residents

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 2, 2024 at 9:00AM

The Mather Tysons opened its south building to residents in September 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More residents are starting to move into The Mather Tysons with the recent completion of a second building.

The senior living community at 7929 Westpark Drive opened its 18-story south building in early September, adding another 114 independent living apartments to the 179 units delivered with the initial north building in March.