Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Driver hospitalized after vehicle explosion near Burke Town Plaza

Published April 9, 2026 at 10:25AM

A Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department ambulance responds to a vehicle explosion on Lee Chapel Road in Burke (via FCFRD/X)

A vehicle explosion rattled Burke earlier this morning (Thursday), sending the driver to the hospital and shutting down Lee Chapel Road.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched around 7:34 a.m. to Lee Chapel Road at Old Keene Mill Road for a vehicle fire near Burke Town Plaza, a shopping center anchored by Safeway.

News

Route 1 BRT, Elden Street upgrades among transportation projects vying for regional funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is pinning all its hopes for a new round of regional transportation funding on a single major project, but local travelers could also benefit from some of the other contenders.

As authorized last fall by the Board of Supervisors, the county is seeking $463 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for its planned “The One” bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which would serve nine stations along a 7.4-mile stretch of Richmond Highway, also known as Route 1, from Huntington to Fort Belvoir.

Countywide

Fairfax school board wrestles with possible calendar changes after disruptive year

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2026 at 3:45PM

Woodson High School sign advertises first day of the 2025-2026 school year (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As the current school year enters its final stretch, the Fairfax County School Board is considering tweaking the calendar for the next year in response to mounting complaints about disruptions to class schedules.

At the board’s meeting tomorrow (Thursday), members led by governance committee chair Melanie Meren will propose nixing Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Veterans Day as official student holidays and limiting the number of scheduled early release days to four per year.

Around Town

After delay, Hershey experience to open at Tysons mall this month

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2026 at 1:15PM

Hershey Super Sweet Adventure is coming soon to Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After a month-long delay, Hershey is finally ready to unwrap its new interactive experience at Tysons Corner Center.

Perhaps to reward families for their patience, Hershey Super Sweet Adventure will let guests sample its goods starting this Friday (April 10) ahead of an official grand opening on April 24.

News

Transportation impacts of new Lofts at Reston Station homes draw scrutiny

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated April 9, 2026 at 10:30AM

Pulte Group's concept plan for Lofts II at Reston Station (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County staff are prepared to allow housing on an aging office property near the Wiehle Metro station in Reston with the expectation that the future developer will also deliver some transportation improvements.

The county’s planning commission will hold a public hearing tonight (Wednesday) on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would pave the way for Lofts at Reston Station builder Pulte Group to redevelop three low-lying office buildings at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive with stacked townhouses and condominiums.

News

Multifamily housing proposed to replace neighboring Richmond Highway hotels

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2026 at 1:45PM

Apartment building proposed to replace Days Inn on Richmond Highway in Huntington (via Hord Coplan Macht/Fairfax County)

A pair of adjacent hotels along Richmond Highway in Huntington are being eyed for redevelopment.

Separate developers have proposed replacing Moon Inn Hotel (6140 Richmond Highway) and Days Inn by Wyndham (6100 Richmond Highway) with multifamily residential buildings that could deliver more than 500 homes combined, according to rezoning applications submitted last month to Fairfax County.

Countywide

Freeze Warning and elevated fire threat issued for Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated April 7, 2026 at 2:43PM

A dusting of ice on a shrub with berries (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After a warmer-than-usual start to spring, the D.C. region is expected to be hit overnight with a throwback blast of winter.

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for much of the area, including Fairfax County, starting at midnight and continuing until 9 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

Around Town

Five Fairfax restaurants among 2026 RAMMYS Awards finalists

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2026 at 8:30AM

A jetski bagel sandwich with a drink from Call Your Mother (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A handful of restaurants with Fairfax locations are still in the running for the D.C. region’s 44th annual RAMMYS Awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time ever, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) includes regional chains and hip, chef-driven spots as well as a longstanding local favorite.

News

Residents at one Reston condo complex might not have AC this summer

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

Vehicles parked at the Vantage Hill Condominiums in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Residents of the Vantage Hill Condominiums in Reston might not have access to air-conditioning this summer after the central cooling system that served the neighborhood shut down last year.

Abaris Real Estate Management, which manages the 152-unit complex, informed residents last Tuesday (March 31) that individual AC units are still prohibited for now because the property currently doesn’t have the electrical capacity to support them.

News

Construction on Georgetown Pike bridge over I-495 nears finish

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2026 at 9:15AM

Construction barrels on the Georgetown Pike bridge over I-495 in McLean (courtesy VDOT)

The new toll lanes on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean have been operating for a few months now, but construction on the project known as 495 NEXT is not yet complete.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will set the stage for a new milestone tonight (Monday) with a traffic shift on the Georgetown Pike Bridge over I-495.