Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Person seriously injured in West Falls Church house fire

Published January 3, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated January 3, 2025 at 11:52AM

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responds to a house fire in the 2900 block of Lawrence Drive in West Falls Church (via FCFRD/Twitter)

A resident was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries from a house fire in the West Falls Church area early this morning (Friday).

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to the 2900 block of Lawrence Drive around 1:42 a.m. Upon arriving at the small, single-family home, firefighters reported that “heavy” fire was visible, and they were told someone was still inside, according to scanner traffic.

Countywide

VDOT to prep roads for snowstorm that could hit D.C. area

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated January 3, 2025 at 9:24AM

An anti-icing truck on Route 123 in Tysons from January 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Though a flurry of flakes rushed through the area in late November, this weekend could bring D.C. area’s first serious snowfall of the season.

The National Weather Service is currently predicting a 70% chance of precipitation today (Friday), with rain likely turning into snow mixed with rain after 3 p.m. Less than half an inch of snow is expected.

News

Maryland man charged with hit-and-run that injured pedestrian at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated January 2, 2025 at 2:50PM

A Fairfax County police cruiser positioned outside the Tysons Corner Center Macy's (staff photo by James Cullum)

A Maryland man is facing felony charges after an apparent traffic argument escalated into a hit-and-run crash in Tysons that sent a pedestrian to the hospital.

Police officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Chain Bridge Road at 4:28 p.m. on Dec. 23 for the crash, which reportedly occurred outside the American Girl store at Tysons Corner Center, according to scanner traffic.

Around Town

Chantilly’s revamped Farmside Kitchen opens today with free bowls

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2025 at 11:00AM

Farmside Kitchen, now open in Chantilly, serves grain and salad bowls (photo by Sarah Gerrity)

The transformation of Farmtruck Pizza & Greens into Farmside Kitchen is complete.

After closing last Sept. 15, the health-conscious, fast-casual restaurant reopened under its new branding at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at 14385 Newbrook Drive, Suite 500, in Chantilly’s The Field at Commonwealth shopping center.

News

Conversion of former Inova office into workforce housing could start in 2025

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2025 at 9:45AM

A vacant office building formerly occupied by Inova Health System at 2990 Telestar Court in Merrifield is being converted to affordable housing (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A project to convert a vacant office building in Merrifield into workforce housing could move forward this year.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and private developer Conifer Realty are in the midst of negotiations with Inova Health Care Services to acquire the four-story office building at 2990 Telestar Court, according to FCRHA spokesperson Allyson Pearce.

Around Town

De Clieu Coffee to open new cafe in Reston this year

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2025 at 9:00AM

A "coming soon" sign for De Clieu Coffee and Sandwich has been erected outside 2235 Soapstone Drive in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The new year will bring a new coffee and snack spot to Reston.

De Clieu Coffee and Sandwich has boarded up the windows of a vacant commercial building at 2235 Soapstone Drive near 7-Eleven in anticipation of opening its third location in Northern Virginia later this winter.

Around Town

Year in review: The most notable stories of 2024 by FFXnow

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 31, 2024 at 11:15AM

Individuals call attention to homelessness in Reston near a newly cleared homelessness encampment on the morning of Sept. 10, 2024 (staff file photo by Fatimah Waseem)

With 2025 on the horizon, FFXnow is taking a final look back at the past year in Fairfax County news.

In the past, we’ve closed out the year by reviewing the 10 most-read stories, but with “best restaurant” rankings taking up nearly half of the top 10 spots (in case you’ve ever wondered why we cover every shoutout to a local establishment by the Washington Post, Washingtonian or another outlet), we’re going to instead highlight the most memorable stories of this year.

Countywide

‘First Hike’ photo contest returns to Fairfax parks for new year

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 31, 2024 at 9:00AM

A goat eats grass at Frying Pan Farm Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is once again encouraging residents to welcome a new year by hitting its trails.

The First Hike Fairfax photo contest will return for New Year’s Day 2025, offering prizes to park visitors who take a snap while strolling or hiking and upload it to the FCPA website. The link will be posted online by 7 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

News

Small businesses scramble to make way for planned VHC Health facility in West Falls Church

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 30, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated December 31, 2024 at 10:28AM

A sign for Graham Center in West Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

When it got approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this fall, VHC Health and Intuitive Health’s planned hybrid emergency room and urgent care facility was touted as a clear upgrade for West Falls Church’s Graham Center, transforming the aging strip mall with an innovative health care resource and much-needed road safety improvements.

However, for the small businesses that in some cases have been housed at the Graham Center for decades, the impending redevelopment has brought stress and upheaval, as they consider whether to relocate or possibly close their doors for good.

News

Reston Row developer proposes pedestrian bridge between new office buildings

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 30, 2024 at 9:45AM | Updated January 13, 2025 at 5:14PM

Comstock has proposed allowing a pedestrian bridge between the two office buildings under construction in Reston Row (via Urban Ltd/Fairfax County)

With construction progressing on Reston Row, developer Comstock is looking to add a pedestrian amenity that it hopes will attract office tenants to the growing neighborhood near the Wiehle Metro Station.

Comstock submitted plans to Fairfax County on Dec. 22 for a potential pedestrian bridge over an internal road that would enable workers to cross from one upcoming office building to another.