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

Free dance nights coming to Lake Anne Plaza next month

By Angela Woolsey
People gather for a Thursday Dance Night at Lake Anne Plaza in 2023 (courtesy Lake Anne Washington Plaza Merchants Association)

Thursday nights will be filled with swinging and swaying at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston next month.

The village center will host free dance nights on the waterfront at 1609 Washington Plaza from 6-9 p.m. every Thursday, starting June 6 through June 27, the Lake Anne and Washington Plaza Merchant Association (LAWPA) announced today (Thursday).

Go to Free dance nights coming to Lake Anne Plaza next month Read more
News

Man gets prison time for having gun when allegedly shoplifting from Tysons store

By Angela Woolsey
Saks Fifth Avenue in Tysons Galleria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A 27-year-old Stafford resident caught allegedly shoplifting at a Tysons Galleria store will go to prison, but not for the attempted theft.

Najee Lewis, who’s also known as “Bebo,” was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday (May 29) for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Go to Man gets prison time for having gun when allegedly shoplifting from Tysons store Read more
Countywide

Report: Fairfax County tops $1M in median home sales prices

By Angela Woolsey
A new house under construction in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A constrained supply of housing has sent prices soaring in Fairfax County, according to new data from a budding real estate startup.

The county’s median home sales price for May exceeded $1 million — $1,033,550, to be precise — which means that half of the homes sold cost more than that, Tomo reports. That’s a roughly 18% increase from the preceding six months of sales, which averaged $870,000, and it surpasses the median price of $882,000 from May 2023.

Go to Report: Fairfax County tops $1M in median home sales prices Read more
Around Town

Pickleball Club of Tysons is now open inside converted warehouse

By Angela Woolsey
The Pickleball Club of Tysons is now open at 8528 Tyco Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new option for pickleball has opened in Tysons, drawing players from across Northern Virginia.

The Pickleball Club of Tysons celebrated its launch at 8528 Tyco Road on Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-12) by allowing about 500 people to play on its six indoor courts for free. While no grand opening is expected, members enjoyed food and some friendly competition during a Memorial Day mixer this past Monday (May 27).

Go to Pickleball Club of Tysons is now open inside converted warehouse Read more
News

Future Wiehle Avenue could have fewer lanes, more pedestrian and bicycle facilities

By Angela Woolsey
Northbound Wiehle Avenue approaching Sunset Hills Road in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Wiehle Avenue of the future will be less auto-centric and more accommodating to pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized travelers — or so Fairfax County hopes.

Reston residents got a glimpse into possible versions of that future at a community meeting on May 23, when the Fairfax County Department of Transportation shared three concepts for new roadway configurations with multimodal facilities, landscaping and other changes.

Go to Future Wiehle Avenue could have fewer lanes, more pedestrian and bicycle facilities Read more
News

Herndon wins federal grant to fund creation of road safety plan

By Angela Woolsey
A sidewalk on Spring Street in Herndon is closed (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Herndon will get a financial lift from the federal government for its efforts to develop a roadway safety action plan.

A $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program will fund an analysis of local roads to identify priorities for future transportation safety projects, particularly ones that could reduce crashes or improve accessibility, the town announced yesterday (Tuesday).

Go to Herndon wins federal grant to fund creation of road safety plan Read more
News

County board approves office-to-condo swap at Tysons’ Arbor Row

By Angela Woolsey
A rendering of Renaissance Centro's planned condominium building in Arbor Row, Cityline Partners' development in Tysons (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave developers the go-ahead last Tuesday (May 21) to build a condominium high-rise in Tysons’ Arbor Row neighborhood in place of a previously approved office building.

Even as they gave their approval on an 8-1-1 vote, some supervisors conceded county staff were “right” to recommend denial of the application based mostly on prospective condo developer Renaissance Centro’s plan to provide cash or off-site workforce housing in lieu of on-site affordable units.

Go to County board approves office-to-condo swap at Tysons’ Arbor Row Read more
News

GMU lands $5M donation to help renovate Fairfax performing arts hall

By Angela Woolsey
George Mason University's Center for the Arts at night (photo by Daniel Schwartz)

George Mason University is planning a new look and name for its Center for the Arts.

The GMU College of Visual and Performing Arts announced today (Monday) that it has received a $5 million gift to support a “reimagining” of the performing arts venue (4373 Mason Pond Drive) at its Fairfax campus. The donor was the Peterson Family Foundation, a regular supporter of the college and recipient of this year’s Jinx Hazel Award from ArtsFairfax.

Go to GMU lands $5M donation to help renovate Fairfax performing arts hall Read more
News

New traffic signal incoming on north side of Reston Town Center

By Angela Woolsey
Traffic signals are being installed at the New Dominion Parkway and Explorer Street intersection near Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Work is underway to signalize the New Dominion Parkway and Explorer Street intersection on the north side of Reston Town Center.

Mast arms for the long-awaited traffic lights have been erected on all four sides of the intersection, and construction on the curbs, including improved accessibility aprons, are mostly complete, according to Reston Town Center Association (RTCA) Executive Director Robert Goudie.

Go to New traffic signal incoming on north side of Reston Town Center Read more
News

Northbound GW Parkway to close in McLean this weekend

By Angela Woolsey
Northbound GW Parkway will temporarily close in McLean for rehabilitation work (via National Park Service)

An upcoming GW Parkway ramp closure suggests the end of Memorial Day weekend will likely bring little relief from traffic in McLean.

The northbound exit ramp from the George Washington Memorial Parkway to the Capital Beltway (I-495) will be closed throughout this coming weekend, the National Park Service recently announced. The closure is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Friday (May 31) and remain in place until 5 a.m. next Monday (June 3).

Go to Northbound GW Parkway to close in McLean this weekend Read more
View More Stories