Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Woodson HS freshman who created skin cancer-treating soap honored by county board

Published March 5, 2024 at 11:45AM

Woodson High School student Heman Bekele speaks after getting recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for winning the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge (via Channel 16)

A local teen who was recently named the “Top Young Scientist in America” got a round of applause this morning (Tuesday) from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Heman Bekele, a ninth-grader at Woodson High School, won the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge in October for developing a soap that could potentially be used to treat skin cancer. He beat out nine other finalists for the 2023 contest’s grand prize, which came with $25,000 and the aforementioned title.

Around Town

Home furniture store opens in former Crate & Barrel in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 5, 2024 at 10:15AM

The furniture store Patrick's Elegant Living has opened in the former Crate & Barrel in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new home design and furnishings store has taken up residence in the standalone building that once housed Crate & Barrel’s Tysons location.

Patrick’s Elegant Living opened at 1800 International Drive in late February — a couple of days ahead of a planned soft opening on Friday, March 1, the Washington Business Journal reported.

Countywide

Fairfax County court gets grant to preserve and digitize historical records

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 5, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated March 5, 2024 at 12:48PM

A glimpse of Fairfax County's Land Tax Book 1896 (courtesy Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk's Office)

(Updated at noon) Fairfax County landowners interested in comparing their current tax assessment with what they might’ve been charged at the tail end of the 19th century will soon be able to find that information online.

Local land tax books from 1891 and 1896 are among the records that the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office plans to preserve and digitize after receiving a nearly $21,270 state grant.

News

USA Today publisher Gannett moves out of longtime Tysons HQ

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 4, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated March 4, 2024 at 4:02PM

Valo Park office complex at 7950 Jones Branch Drive in Tysons (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Newspaper publisher Gannett has left its longtime home in Tysons.

The media company behind USA Today and hundreds of local news outlets across the U.S. moved out of its headquarters at Valo Park (7950 Jones Branch Drive) in February, setting the stage for a relocation to New York City.

News

FCPD: Boy injured in crash on Gallows Road involving Metrobus

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 4, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated March 4, 2024 at 11:22AM

Gallows Road and Anderson Road in Merrifield (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) A boy was taken to the hospital yesterday (Sunday) after a crash near Inova Fairfax Hospital.

The Fairfax County Police Department reported at 6:32 p.m. that officers were on scene of a crash involving a sedan and a bus on Gallows Road at Anderson Road in Merrifield.

News

Vienna teens seek donations to make care packages for overseas troops

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 1, 2024 at 1:30PM

Donations for the Club Phoenix Teen Council's HeroBox drive are being collected at the Vienna Community Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Some teenage volunteers in Vienna have teamed up with a national nonprofit to show their support for American military service members.

The town’s Club Phoenix Teen Council launched a donation drive this week to collect clothes, non-perishable food and other items that will be assembled into care packages for military troops serving around the world.

News

Local teachers win grants from Wolf Trap Foundation for performing arts projects

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 1, 2024 at 10:15AM

Left to right: Fairfax High School teacher Meredith Barnes, Groveton Elementary School teacher Karine Chapdelaine and Robinson Secondary School band director Tiffany Hitz (headshots courtesy of the individuals)

Three Fairfax County Public Schools teachers will now be able to pursue unique arts projects with their students, thanks to financial assistance from the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

A nonprofit that supports and programs Wolf Trap National Park, the foundation announced on Feb. 20 that it has awarded 13 grants from an annual program for D.C. area educators who teach music, dance or theater at public schools.

News

GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley to hold rally in Idylwood ahead of primary

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 29, 2024 at 3:50PM

Nikki Haley speaks to supporters after the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina (via Nikki Haley/YouTube)

With Virginia’s presidential primary elections just around the corner, one candidate is hoping to whip up some support in Fairfax County before polls open next Tuesday (March 5).

Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley will hold a rally at The Westin Tysons Corner (7801 Leesburg Pike) in Idylwood at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday). It will be her second event in the state today after she visited Richmond at 12:30 p.m.

News

McLean fire department expands capacity by adding a third ambulance

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 29, 2024 at 1:30PM

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department has added a third ambulance, on the right, to its vehicle fleet (courtesy MVFD)

For the first time since it was established in 1921, the McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) has expanded its vehicle fleet to three ambulances.

The newest ambulance began operating out of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Station 1 (1455 Laughlin Avenue) on Feb. 21, but it will get an official, public reveal this Saturday (March 2) at the annual “I Love McLean” celebration.

News

MS-13 member gets maximum prison time for 2016 murder of teen in Lincolnia

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 29, 2024 at 10:15AM

Remains of two murdered teens were found in Holmes Run Stream Valley Park in Lincolnia on March 2, 2017 (via Google Maps)

A man who helped murder a 14-year-old in Holmes Run Stream Valley Park nearly eight years ago will spend a quarter-century in prison for his role in the crime.

Edwin Orellana Caballero was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday) to 25 years in prison — the maximum possible sentence — by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr., the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.