Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Mother of motorcyclist killed in West Ox Road crash ‘saddened’ by $50 fine for driver

Published April 1, 2024 at 9:30AM

Andrew Dearing, a 27-year-old fitness manager at Gold's Gym in Reston, was killed in a vehicle crash on Oct. 25, 2022 (photo by Cason Kimura/Golds Gym)

When Andrea Brubaker entered the Fairfax County Courthouse on Feb. 27, she expected to see a trial with witnesses testifying and evidence presented against the driver who had crashed into her son, killing him, almost one-and-a-half years earlier.

Instead, she watched the driver leave the courtroom after a brief talk with a judge through his son, who translated, to pay a $50 fine for failing to yield on a left turn.

Around Town

Springfield Dunkin’ to host Nats pep rally with free donuts on Monday

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 29, 2024 at 11:45AM

Dunkin' Donuts will give away free donuts at its Springfield location to celebrate the Washington Nationals' 2024 home opener (courtesy Dunkin' Donuts)

As showcased in yesterday’s 8-2 Opening Day loss in Cincinnati, Ohio, the post-World-Series-winning Washington Nationals remain a work in progress, but Dunkin’ Donuts hopes to drum up enthusiasm for this season nonetheless with a pep rally in Springfield on Monday (April 1).

The donut shop at 6310 Backlick Road will celebrate the D.C. team’s home opener with a giveaway of “DoNats Donuts” to its first 100 customers, starting at 9 a.m.

News

Assisted stretching studio Stretch Zone to open next week in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 29, 2024 at 10:15AM | Updated April 1, 2024 at 11:18AM

The assisted stretching studio Stretch Zone is opening a franchise in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 11:15 a.m. on 4/1/2024 — Stretch Zone opened in Vienna today (Monday), but the ribbon-cutting has been postponed to 9 a.m. on Thursday (April 4).

Earlier: A fitness studio that offers to assisted stretching services is extending its reach into Vienna.

News

Area auto dealers give donated vehicles to single mothers at Tysons ceremony

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 28, 2024 at 1:30PM

Families with the donated vehicles given to them by NADA and Vehicles for Change (courtesy National Automobile Dealers Association)

Commuting will be easier for four families in the D.C. area, thanks to their new vehicles from a quartet of Virginia and Maryland automobile dealerships.

The businesses handed off the donated vehicles to their recipients — all single mothers — with a ceremony on March 18 at the National Automobile Dealers Association’s (NADA) headquarters (8484 Westpark Drive) in Tysons.

Countywide

BREAKING: GMU calls off plan for cricket and baseball stadium at Fairfax campus

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 28, 2024 at 12:10PM | Updated March 28, 2024 at 4:11PM

George Mason University has been exploring plans to expand its West Campus off of Braddock Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) It has not been a great week for plans to bring professional sports teams to Northern Virginia.

Just a day after negotiations for a Washington Wizards and Capitals arena in Alexandria officially fell through, George Mason University has announced that it’s no longer planning to build a joint baseball and cricket stadium in Fairfax for the Washington Freedom.

News

Potomac Yard developer blames Tysons talk for failure of pro sports arena deal

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 28, 2024 at 11:00AM

A rendering of Monumental's proposed sports arena in Alexandria's Potomac Yard (courtesy JBG Smith)

The deal to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard is officially dead, and the developer says suggestions that an arena could be built in Tysons instead were the final nail in the coffin.

Alexandria City officials revealed yesterday (Wednesday) that they had ended negotiations with developer JBG Smith, Wizards and Capitals owner Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and other stakeholders for a stadium in the proposed Potomac Yard Entertainment District. About an hour later, Monumental owner Ted Leonsis and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the two professional sports teams will stay at Capital One Arena in Chinatown after all.

News

Longtime Esposito’s Fairfax patrons launch fundraiser to help owner of now-shuttered restaurant

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 28, 2024 at 9:30AM

The Esposito's Fairfax is closing after 40 years in Fairfax City (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After years of enjoying the homey Italian cuisine served at Esposito’s Fairfax, Colleen Lester and her family decided the time had come to give back to the woman behind the restaurant.

So, when they learned that Esposito’s would close for good on March 10, ending a 42-year run in Fairfax City, Lester created an online fundraiser to support owner Maria Esposito. The campaign has now raised $4,100 out of a $20,000 goal, as of press time.

News

UPDATED: Man shot into West Springfield day care, hitting two employees, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 27, 2024 at 4:05PM | Updated March 28, 2024 at 4:26PM

West Springfield KinderCare (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 4:25 p.m. on 3/28/2024) Fairfax County police have arrested an Arlington man who allegedly shot two women, including his wife, at a day care center in West Springfield.

Officers were dispatched to the West Springfield KinderCare at 8518 Bauer Drive at around 2:14 p.m., according to the police scanner on Open MHz.

News

Virginia plans for signs to alert Maryland drivers to new I-495 toll lanes

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 27, 2024 at 2:30PM

Signs for I-495 in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Maryland’s plans for the American Legion Bridge and its side of the Capital Beltway remain a big question mark, but its drivers at least will get a head’s up before they reach the toll lanes now under construction in McLean.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is working with its Maryland counterpart on an agreement that will enable the I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) builder to install signs related to the project on the northern side of the Potomac River.

Countywide

First wave of FCPD’s bad driving crackdown results in thousands of tickets

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 27, 2024 at 1:30PM

A Fairfax County police officer with a radar gun (via FCPD)

Fairfax County police officers issued almost 5,700 citations and warnings during the first phase of their year-long “Road Shark” safety campaign, the department announced this morning (Wednesday).

A collaboration with the Virginia State Police, the initiative aims to crack down on aggressive and unsafe driving by increasing patrols in high-crash areas and promoting education about traffic laws and responsible driving behavior.