Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Family of pedestrian killed in Centreville crash seeks help with fundraiser

Published July 1, 2024 at 1:30PM

Lubia Vasquez Mateo was killed in a crash in Centreville on June 24, 2024 (via Christian Vasquez/Gofundme)

The family of a Clifton woman who was killed last week while crossing Pickwick Road in Centreville has launched an online fundraiser.

Set up by the nephew of Lubia Marisol Vasquez Mateo, the Gofundme page says the family is seeking financial assistance to cover various expenses, including memorial costs, travel costs and the medical bills of her partner, Jose Vasquez, who was injured in the crash.

News

Man arrested after Vienna pub reports homophobic harassment

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 1, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated July 1, 2024 at 12:55PM

Hawk & Griffin in Vienna has a rainbow-colored heart on its front door for Pride Month (photo by Amy Woolsey)

A man was arrested last week after reportedly harassing customers and staff at a Vienna pub over its Pride Month displays.

On Friday (June 28) night, a man walked off the street and began accosting patrons in Hawk & Griffin’s outdoor beer garden “because of our flags displayed for pride month,” the pub’s owners said the following day in a Facebook post.

News

FCPD: Two teens shot, one killed, at Annandale apartments

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 1, 2024 at 9:45AM | Updated July 2, 2024 at 10:09AM

The Fairmont Gardens apartments in Annandale (via Google Maps)

Two teens have been arrested following a shooting in Annandale on Friday (June 28) that killed a 14-year-old and left another teen injured.

Detectives believe the two boys were walking together around the Fairmont Gardens Apartments when a vehicle approached them, and its occupants began shooting, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release published last night (Sunday).

FCPD: Merrifield man charged with sexual battery of 6-year-old

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 28, 2024 at 3:15PM

Fairfax County police logo (file photo)

Fairfax County police arrested a man yesterday (Thursday) for allegedly touching a 6-year-old child inappropriately at a playground in West Falls Church.

Officers were called to the Kingsley Commons Townhouses in the 7300 block of Arlington Blvd shortly after 7 p.m. in response to a report that a man “unlawfully touched” a child.

“Patrol officers were able to quickly locate the man and take him into custody,” the Fairfax County Police Department said today (Friday) in a press release.

Police say Victor Villalobos, a 47-year-old man from Merrifield, has been charged with aggravated sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of 13. He was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he’s being held without bond.

“Detectives are urging anyone who may have had unlawful contact with Villalobos or has information about this case to contact our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 4, and share any information they may have,” the FCPD said.

Around Town

First Watch opening next week in Fair Lakes, its biggest restaurant yet

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 28, 2024 at 1:30PM

Exceeding 7,600 square feet, the Fair Lakes restaurant is First Watch's biggest location (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The daytime eatery First Watch will welcome July by unveiling its newest location in the Fairfax area.

The chain is set to open in Fair Lakes at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 1. At 7,668 square feet, the former TGI Friday’s at 12249 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive is First Watch’s biggest restaurant yet, boasting a spacious interior and an outdoor patio that can seat over 200 people combined.

Around Town

Where to see fireworks in Fairfax County for Fourth of July 2024

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 28, 2024 at 11:30AM

Independence Day fireworks at Yeonas Park in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Lake Fairfax Park isn’t the only spot in Fairfax County planning an early Fourth of July party this year.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Independence Day celebration in Reston will compete tomorrow (Saturday) with festivities in McLean, Lorton and Mount Vernon, where George Washington’s estate will kick off two days of fireworks tonight (Friday).

News

County to consider contributing funds to new McLean arts center

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 28, 2024 at 10:30AM

The McLean Project for the Arts hopes to build a new arts and education center at the Signet condominiums (rendering by CannonDesign)

The McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) could potentially get a financial assist from Fairfax County for its campaign to turn a long-vacant retail space into a new arts center.

The Board of Supervisors directed staff on Tuesday (June 25) to evaluate whether the MPA Downtown project might be eligible for a public investment from the county’s Economic Opportunity Reserve (EOR), which can be used to support “economic development activities of strategic importance,” along with capital development projects and real estate purchases.

News

Man gets prison time for explicit photos of Herndon teen, assault on ICE officer

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 28, 2024 at 9:30AM

Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (via Google Maps)

A Springfield man has been sentenced to five years in prison for receiving child pornography and assaulting a federal immigration officer.

Jhoan Esau Lemus Ramos, 23, was sentenced by a federal judge yesterday (Thursday) after he pleaded guilty to both charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

News

UPDATED: Motorcyclist killed in SUV crash on Route 28 near Dulles Airport

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 27, 2024 at 3:00PM | Updated June 28, 2024 at 3:14PM

Northbound Route 28 is closed in Chantilly after a fatal crash at McLearen Road (via Google Maps)

A motorcyclist has died following a crash involving two SUVs on Route 28 near Dulles International Airport, police say.

Police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to northbound Route 28 (Sully Road) at McLearen Lane in Chantilly at 1:55 p.m. for the crash, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

Police: Herndon man charged with soliciting child online who he tried to meet in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 27, 2024 at 1:15PM

Gerry Frank Burde mugshot (courtesy FCPD)

A Herndon man has been arrested for allegedly sexually soliciting a child online and then trying to meet them in Tysons, police say.

Detectives from the McLean District Station got a tip around 6:52 p.m. on June 7 that Gerry Frank Burde, 41, had contacted an underage individual “via an internet platform,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release published today (Thursday).