Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

Countywide

Union for Fairfax Connector workers blasts pay proposal as contract nears expiration

By Angela Woolsey
A Fairfax Connector bus in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector’s operator and workers remain far apart in their negotiations for a new labor contract, says the union representing drivers and other employees of Northern Virginia’s largest public bus system.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 accused contractor Transdev of “clearly not [being] serious about bargaining in good faith” in a strongly worded statement issued last Wednesday (Nov. 22), just before Thanksgiving.

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Around Town

Steak and seafood restaurant with bar opens in Vienna at former Amphora diner

By Angela Woolsey
The Maple Room Restaurant and Lounge has opened at 377 Maple Avenue in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The successor to Vienna’s popular Amphora Restaurant has arrived, bringing high-end cuisine and cocktails.

The Maple Room Restaurant and Lounge opened at 377 Maple Avenue on Sunday (Nov. 26), meeting its stated goal of a November launch. An employee confirmed the opening but declined to comment for now, as the restaurant is still getting settled in.

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News

NEW: Teen dies from injuries in Idylwood crash that hospitalized six

By Angela Woolsey
Shreve Road approaching the Pioneer Lane intersection in Idylwood (via Google Maps)

One of the passengers in last week’s SUV crash off of Shreve Road in Idylwood has died, Fairfax County police announced today (Monday).

Six people — all of them between 14 and 17 years old — were hospitalized with injuries seen as life-threatening after their 2003 Lincoln Aviator careened over a hill and crashed into a tree at the Pioneer Lane intersection on Nov. 20, according to police.

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Around Town

Korean fried chicken eatery, bb.q Chicken, is now open in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey
The chain bb.q Chicken is now open at 8603 Westwood Center Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The wait for a dedicated Korean fried chicken option in Tysons is over.

The chain bb.q Chicken opened its newest location this morning (Monday) at 8603 Westwood Center Drive, a company spokesperson confirmed to FFXnow.

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News

UPDATED: Missing teenager found in Great Falls, police say

By Angela Woolsey
Amadou Diop, 18, of Great Falls is missing (via FCPD/Twitter)

Updated at 3:10 p.m. — Amadou “Niko” Diop has been found and is safe after being reported missing in Great Falls yesterday, Fairfax County police announced.

Earlier: An 18-year-old who has gone missing in Great Falls may be in danger due to health concerns, police say.

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News

New McLean elementary school boundaries recommended to alleviate Kent Gardens crowding

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County Public Schools recommends adjusting boundaries for McLean elementary schools to relieve crowding at Kent Gardens (via FCPS)

A proposal to ease overcrowding at Kent Gardens Elementary School will require adjustments at four other elementary schools in McLean, but local middle and high schools have been spared.

The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. this Thursday (Nov. 30) to get community feedback on the recommended boundary changes, which will affect an estimated 380 students, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.

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Countywide

Replacement of Lee, Lee-Jackson highway street signs underway

By Angela Woolsey
The small blue corner signs for Lee Highway and Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway are being replaced (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Officially, Fairfax County doesn’t have a Lee Highway or Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway anymore, but months after the names were dropped, they can still be seen on street signs throughout both corridors.

By the end of this month, that should no longer be the case — at least for smaller signs, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation says. A contractor is replacing the small blue signs at street corners with ones identifying the roadways as Route 29 and Route 50, respectively.

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Around Town

Upcoming concert in Tysons will raise funds for Turkey earthquake victims

By Angela Woolsey
Capital One Hall sign at sunset (file photo)

A rock band that once represented Turkey in the popular Eurovision competition will take the stage at Capital One Hall in Tysons on Black Friday for a humanitarian cause.

The Capital One Center performing arts venue (7750 Capital One Tower Road) will host Manga in its main theater on Friday, Nov. 24 for a benefit concert to help children whose injuries from the earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria in February required amputations.

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News

McLean native among youths chosen to help guide federal environmental policies

By Angela Woolsey
McLean native Sophia Kianni will represent Virginia on the first-ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (via Environmental Protection Agency)

A 21-year-old from McLean will help give young Virginians a say in how the U.S. government addresses climate change and other environmental issues.

Sophia Kianni, who founded the nonprofit Climate Cardinals, is one of 16 people appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever youth advisory council, which will provide independent guidance and recommendations on policies related to greenhouse gas emissions, clean air and water, and more.

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Around Town

Thanksgiving 2023: What’s closed in Fairfax County for the holiday weekend

By Angela Woolsey
A Thanksgiving-themed sign (via Preslie Hirsch on Unsplash)

(Updated at 12:30 p.m. with Metro information) Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, bringing with it the promise (or threat, depending on your situation) of family gatherings and days off for many public services.

The Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Herndon and Vienna governments will all observe the holiday tomorrow (Thursday) by closing their offices, but schedules are more varied for Friday (Nov. 24).

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