Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Transportation officials suggest upgrading popular Metrobus route ahead of Route 7 BRT

Published June 25, 2024 at 10:15AM | Updated June 26, 2024 at 9:43AM

Metrobus going to Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With Route 7 still years away from getting a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, regional transportation planners want to improve Metro’s existing service in the corridor from Tysons to Alexandria.

In response to feedback suggesting the process could be sped up, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is developing a strategic implementation plan that considers short-term enhancements for Metrobus 28A, even as it keeps studying how to eventually convert the route into a higher-capacity, higher-frequency BRT.

Countywide

JUST IN: Drought warning issued for N. Va., including Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 24, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated June 24, 2024 at 5:56PM

A drought indicators map from June 24, 2024 shows low streamflow in Fairfax County (via Department of Environmental Quality)

The recent heat wave and a lack of rain could lead to a drought in much of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says.

The department issued a drought warning advisory today (Monday) for the Northern Virginia and Shenandoah regions, announcing that “a significant drought is imminent.”

Around Town

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee opens first D.C.-area cafe in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 24, 2024 at 2:30PM

Inside Qamaria Coffee in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A growing Yemeni coffee company is now welcoming visitors to its first brick-and-mortar home in the D.C. area.

Qamaria had a soft opening for its new Vienna cafe on May 21, serving hot and cold drinks as well as freshly baked pastries in a 1,900-square-foot space at 124 Maple Avenue West that was previously occupied by Viva Sol Juice.

Around Town

La Sandia closes after 16 years at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 24, 2024 at 10:15AM

La Sandia served Mexican food at Tysons Corner Center for over 16 years (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

La Sandia is no longer dishing out fajitas and margaritas in Tysons.

The Mexican restaurant served its final customers yesterday (Sunday), more than 16 years after it opened at Tysons Corner Center. The permanent closure was announced in emails to supporters and on social media on June 10 — a development that FFXnow missed in last week’s round-up of changes at the mall.

News

FCPD: Person arrested for stealing police cruiser at Fair Oaks Mall

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2024 at 3:50PM

Fairfax County Police Sgt. Jacob Pearce briefs media at the scene of a stolen police cruiser crash in Fair Oaks (via FCPD/Facebook)

When an officer went to investigate an allegedly stolen vehicle at Fair Oaks Mall this morning (Friday), one of the vehicle’s passengers commandered the officer’s cruiser and crashed it near the Fairfax County Government Center, police say.

The Fairfax County Police Department says it arrested three people in the incident, which sent two officers and the person who allegedly stole the police cruiser to the hospital.

News

County begins design work for new Embry Rucker shelter in Reston

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2024 at 11:30AM

The existing Embry Rucker Community Shelter on Bowman Towne Drive in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

An initial design concept is in the works for a new Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston.

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) began preliminary concept design and programming evaluations in May to establish an updated cost estimate for the long-planned emergency homeless shelter, according to public information officer Sharon North.

Around Town

Photos: New shops, renovations in store for Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated June 21, 2024 at 5:36PM

Tysons Corner Center has installed a digital LED sign on one of its parking garages (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

If you’ve visited Tysons Corner Center recently, you may have noticed some changes around the mall, from stores bouncing to different locations to a large LED screen looming over the Tysons One Place and Westpark Drive intersection.

Some of the alterations are the result of $110 million in combined investments in the property made over the past year by mall owner and developer Macerich and by its retailers, according to a recent press release highlighting some of the enhancements.

Countywide

UPDATED: Heat Advisory issued for D.C. area this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 21, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated June 21, 2024 at 6:19PM

The sun on a hot and humid summer evening (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The heat and humidity that have plagued the D.C. area this week are expected to intensify in the next day or two, the National Weather Service says.

The NWS has issued a Heat Advisory for the entire region, including Fairfax County, that will take effect at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and continue until 8 p.m. A high of 99 degrees is currently forecast, which could combine with humidity to make the day feel as hot as 105 to 107 degrees.

Around Town

Maryland nonprofit expands 5K fundraiser to Reston Town Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 20, 2024 at 3:45PM

Runners participate in the 2024 Maryland ASA RunFest (courtesy Athletes Serving Athletes)

A Maryland-based nonprofit that supports athletes with limited mobility will stride across state lines this fall with a new 5K event in Reston.

Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA) opened registration last week for its first Virginia RunFest, which will be held at Reston Town Center on Saturday, Sept. 22. It will be the organization’s first-ever event in Virginia, supplementing the race that it has hosted in Hunt Valley, Maryland, where it’s headquartered, for the past 16 years.

Countywide

NOW: Metro slows down trains due to high temperatures

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 20, 2024 at 3:00PM | Updated June 20, 2024 at 3:56PM

A Metro train on elevated tracks above Route 7 in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In the D.C. area, the summer solstice has brought a reminder that heat doesn’t just make people sluggish. It can affect transportation infrastructure too.

Metro has instituted a systemwide speed restriction, limiting all trains to a maximum of 35 mph when they’re above ground due to rail temperatures exceeding 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The limit took effect today (Thursday) at 2 p.m.