Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Driver dies after two multi-vehicle, ‘chain reaction’ crashes on I-66

Published January 4, 2024 at 10:30AM

I-66 West lanes were blocked last night for a fatal three-vehicle crash near Nutley Street (via VDOT)

A woman died last night (Wednesday) after crashing into a tow truck that was responding to an earlier multi-vehicle collision on I-66, the Virginia State Police announced this morning.

Troopers were called first at 6:31 p.m. yesterday to a “chain reaction crash” that involved three vehicles in the westbound lanes of I-66 at the 51-mile marker in the Centreville area.

News

Police investigate after Beltway driver finds bullet hole in vehicle

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 9:45AM | Updated January 4, 2024 at 10:54AM

A Virginia State Police vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 10:55 a.m.) Virginia State Police are seeking witnesses in a possible shooting incident that occurred this morning (Thursday) near the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange in Tysons.

Troopers responded at 6:08 a.m. to a driver stopped in the shoulder along the Capital Beltway’s northbound lanes near the exit to the toll road’s westbound lanes, according to the VSP and scanner traffic on Open MHz.

News

Developer details plan to replace ICF office buildings in Oakton with housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2024 at 3:00PM

The Hunters Branch office buildings in Oakton could be redeveloped with an apartment building and townhomes (via Fairfax County)

A redevelopment plan for the former ICF headquarters in Oakton has officially been submitted to Fairfax County.

Filed in late December, the application from IBW HB LLC — an apparent affiliate of Arlington-based developer Insight Property Group — envisions replacing the 1980s-era Hunters Branch office complex at 9300 and 9302 Route 29 with a 8-story apartment building and townhomes.

Around Town

Compass Coffee aims to open West Falls Church cafe in the spring

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2024 at 11:00AM

The former drive-thru BB&T bank is being converted to a Compass Coffee shop (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

This spring will bring a new coffee shop to West Falls Church — or so Compass Coffee hopes.

Construction is underway on the company’s second drive-thru cafe at 7393 Lee Highway. The shop will occupy a former BB&T bank building in the Shops at West Falls Church.

News

South Lakes HS evacuated for small fire in bathroom

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2024 at 9:45AM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue truck (file photo)

South Lakes High School was evacuated this morning (Wednesday) for what turned out to be a “small” fire in a bathroom, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says.

Firefighters were dispatched to the school at 11400 South Lakes Drive in Reston around 8:45 a.m. for a building fire, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Countywide

Fairfax County nears vote to permanently allow temporary outdoor dining

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2024 at 3:45PM

The Burger 7 at Avenir Place has a tent extension and movable tables and chairs for outdoor dining (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Almost a year after ending its state of emergency for COVID-19, Fairfax County is expected to codify new rules for outdoor dining that were introduced in response to the pandemic.

A proposed zoning ordinance amendment will automatically let restaurants, bars and other food service establishments set up temporary seating areas where patrons can eat and drink outside, unless the area is in a parking lot, in which case an administrative permit will be needed.

News

Officials discuss future of Vienna tap water service — possibly leading to Fairfax Water takeover

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax Water's headquarters in Merrifield (via Google Maps)

The new year may bring changes to how water is provided in and around the Town of Vienna.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Dec. 5 to begin discussions with the town and Fairfax Water about the future of public water delivery service in areas currently served by Vienna Water.

News

Plan for mixed-use development at AT&T’s Oakton campus seeks county review

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2024 at 9:30AM

Developer EYA has submitted a plan for mixed-use development, including housing and retail, on AT&T's regional campus in Oakton (via Fairfax County)

The Oakton office campus that has hosted AT&T for decades is poised for a transformation.

An affiliate of developer EYA, CB Oakton Associates LLC submitted a plan to Fairfax County in late November that would replace the aging, 440,000-square-foot office building with up to 1.4 million square feet of mixed-use development, including townhomes, multi-family residential buildings and retail.

Around Town

Here are FFXnow’s top 10 most-read stories of 2023

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 29, 2023 at 12:00PM

The landscaping outside 2491 Restaurant at Fairview Park in West Falls Church (file photo)

The final weekend of 2023 is near, which means it’s time for FFXnow to wrap up our first full year of operations since launching in February 2022.

The past 12 months brought plenty of change to Fairfax County, from a pivotal election cycle that reshaped the local school board and General Assembly delegation to Lego Discovery Center’s anticipated arrival at Springfield Town Center. The future became a little clearer for areas like Reston, Annandale and the West Falls Church Transit Station Area, as plans for development solidified.

Around Town

Dutch pancake shop Poffy has closed after two years in Merrifield

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 29, 2023 at 11:15AM

Poffy opened in the Mosaic District in 2021 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Merrifield bakery that specializes in poffertjes — a traditional Dutch snack that resembles puffed-up pancakes — has closed up shop.

Poffy ceased operations during the weekend after Thanksgiving, opening its doors in the Mosaic District (2985 District Avenue, Suite 170) for the last time on Nov. 25, the business announced on Instagram.