Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

After barricade, Centreville man charged with soliciting sex from child

Published July 15, 2024 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County police (file photo)

Fairfax County police arrested a Centreville man over the weekend who is suspected of soliciting sex from an 11-year-old child.

The arrest became complicated when the man allegedly refused to leave his home, and officers learned that he may be armed, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release on Saturday (July 13).

Countywide

Fairfax County offers financial aid to protect homes from flooding

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 12, 2024 at 2:30PM

A flooded neighborhood road (courtesy DPWES)

Amid an extended stretch of dangerous heat, humidity and potential drought, flooding hasn’t been the D.C. area’s top meterological concern this summer, but the possibility might’ve crossed some minds during a passing downpour on Wednesday (July 10) — remnants of Hurricane Beryl, which has devastated other parts of the U.S. and the Caribbean.

With climate change exacerbating storms and other extreme weather, Fairfax County has created a new grant program that will reimburse residents who shore up their home against flooding.

News

Fairfax City to replace more Old Town gas lamps with LED lights

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 12, 2024 at 11:30AM

A streetlight on North Street in front of Draper's Steak and Seafood in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More of the gas-powered lamps around Old Town Fairfax will dim in the coming weeks, as the city advances to a new phase of its push to convert all streetlights to LED bulbs.

To kick off the project’s next stage, workers will remove 33 decommissioned gas lights this month, starting Sunday (July 14) on Chain Bridge Road between Main Street and North Street. Additional work is planned for July 21 on Main Street from Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) to Blenheim Blvd and on a portion of University Drive south of Main Street.

News

McLean police station designates traffic enforcement officer

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 12, 2024 at 10:30AM

Fairfax County Police Officer First Class Brian Hungarter is the new lead traffic enforcement officer for the McLean District Police Station (via Dranesville Dispatch)

The Fairfax County Police Department has assigned an officer to guide the enforcement of traffic laws and safety in its McLean District.

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman shared in his Dranesville Dispatch newsletter yesterday that Police Officer First Class Brian Hungarter has been named the lead traffic enforcement officer for the station, which covers a 44-square-mile area from McLean, Great Falls and Tysons down to Merrifield and Pimmit Hills.

News

Reston Town Center bridge work to temporarily close W&OD Trail

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 12, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated July 12, 2024 at 5:46PM

W&OD Trail users will be detoured while a pedestrian bridge is installed near Reston Town Center (courtesy Boston Properties)

The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail will be momentarily off limits near Reston Town Center, as construction continues on a new pedestrian bridge.

The trail will be closed from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28 while workers install the bridge, which will cross over the trail to connect the existing town center with the Reston Next development emerging around the Metro station.

News

Traffic clogs I-95 near Springfield after dump truck crashes into sign

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2024 at 3:45PM

Three northbound lanes on I-95 are closed to traffic after an overhead sign was damaged by a dump truck (via 511Virginia)

Virginia State Police are searching for a dump truck that reportedly crashed into an overhead sign on I-95 in Springfield and bolted.

Troopers were dispatched to northbound I-95 at 12:18 p.m. today (Thursday) after getting a report of debris near the 168-mile marker, which is just south of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway interchange, according to the VSP.

Around Town

FOX5 will showcase Fairfax City in live ‘Zip Trip’ TV broadcast

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2024 at 3:15PM

The Good Day DC team (courtesy FOX 5)

A news team from FOX5 D.C. will zip into Fairfax City tomorrow (Friday) morning for a live episode showcasing local businesses and student athletes.

FOX5 Good Day D.C. has chosen the city as the next subject of its “Zip Trip” series, which highlights different communities around the D.C. region. The morning show’s hosts, Marissa Mitchell, Tucker Barnes and Annie Mae, will visit the Old Town Square area from 7-11 a.m.

News

Herndon town manager to resign after 27 years with town

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2024 at 1:30PM

Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton will resign on Sept. 10, 2024 after getting appointed as county administrator for Stafford (courtesy Town of Herndon)

Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton’s nearly three-decade-long career with the town government will come to a close this fall.

The town announced last night (Wednesday) that Ashton will resign as its top administrative official in order to take a new job as county administrator for Stafford. His final day as town manager will be Sept. 10.

News

Fairfax County to rethink vision for Route 29 in Idylwood

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2024 at 10:30AM

Westbound Route 29 approaching Fairmont Street in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County wants to come up with a new vision for the Idylwood segment of Route 29, one that’s more inclusive of modes of transportation other than cars.

The Board of Supervisors authorized transportation staff on June 25 to apply for $175,000 in federal grant money to fund the development of an active transportation plan for Route 29 between Hollywood Road and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike).

News

Reston Community Center plans facility upgrades, requiring pool closure

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2024 at 9:30AM

Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods (staff photo by David Taube)

Reston Community Center (RCC) will update its Hunters Woods facility this summer, requiring some reductions in programming and a temporary closure of its swimming pool.

Starting on July 22, contractors are slated to replace the elevator and install solar panels, among other energy improvements, in the nearly 50-year-old flagship building at 2310 Colts Neck Road. The Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center will be closed during construction, which is expected to last through Sept. 6.