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.

Around Town

Where to find Spirit Halloween in Fairfax County this year

By Angela Woolsey
The costume store Spirit Halloween has several locations in Fairfax County this year, including at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With Halloween less than a week away, time is running out to assemble a costume and housing decorations ghoulish enough to impress neighborhood trick-or-treaters.

Fortunately for those making last-minute preparations, the seasonal pop-up Spirit Halloween has taken possession of several vacant retail stores across Fairfax County.

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Around Town

Recently opened Café de Vienna serves up coffee and sweets in century-old building

By Angela Woolsey
Cafe de Vienna is now open at 131 Church Street NW in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)

It was love at first sight for Afsaneh and the 123-year-old building at 131 Church Street NW where she recently launched Café de Vienna.

Constructed in 1900, per Fairfax County property records, the quaint, two-story house atop a hill on Vienna’s historic Church Street was converted at some point into a commercial space. It was home to Money & King Funeral Home — the town’s oldest still-operating business — until the now-closed Guarantee Shoe Repair took over in 1990, according to The Connection.

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Countywide

NEW: County will continue leaf collections into 2026, pausing plan to end service

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County offers curbside fall leaf collection services (courtesy DPWES)

Fairfax County will continue providing fall leaf collection services at least until the 2025-2026 season, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced today.

Consideration of a proposal to eliminate the service has been suspended for now. The department sought public feedback on the recommendation this summer, citing environmental concerns, rising costs and “operational issues,” including staff shortages and collection delays.

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News

Groveton ES teacher arrested for exposing himself to child in Fort Hunt neighborhood

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County police believe James William Nugent II exposed himself multiple times in the Stratford Landing Elementary School area, including an Oct. 21 incident that led to his arrest (via Google Maps)

A Groveton Elementary School teacher is facing indecent liberties and child pornography charges after allegedly exposing himself to a child this weekend — an incident that police say may not be his first.

James William Nugent II, 27, of Alexandria “lured” a juvenile into his Toyota Sienna van in Fort Hunt’s Stratford Landing neighborhood early in the afternoon on Saturday (Oct. 21), the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release yesterday (Wednesday).

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Countywide

Local Republican candidates for General Assembly pitch changes to I-66 tolling

By Angela Woolsey
Republican General Assembly candidates, led by Senate District 37 contender Ken Reid, propose changes to Virginia's I-66 and I-495 tolling policies (via Ken Reid/YouTube)

(Updated at 9:30 p.m. on 10/26/2023) Several Republicans campaigning to represent parts of Fairfax County in the General Assembly have vowed to change up Virginia’s interstate tolling system if they’re elected on Nov. 7.

With the McLean Metro station in Tysons as a backdrop, the candidates unveiled a “Tolling Equity and Relief Plan” last Friday (Oct. 20) that they argued would reduce congestion and lower the cost of using the Express Lanes on I-66 and the Capital Beltway (I-495).

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News

Vienna pushes developer to clean up idle site of demolished Wolf Trap Hotel

By Angela Woolsey
Construction has yet to start on 444 Maple, a mixed-use development planned at the corner of Maple Avenue and Nutley Street in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Roughly 20 months after Vienna’s Wolf Trap Hotel and Tequila Grande were demolished, construction has yet to begin on the mixed-use development slated to replace them.

However, a chain-link fence surrounding the 2.8-acre site at the corner of Maple Avenue and Nutley Street has been removed, and some neatly trimmed bushes have been planted around the perimeter, suggesting the community shouldn’t expect to see construction crews any time soon.

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Countywide

More FCPS students expected to walk out in support of Palestinians

By Angela Woolsey
Justice High School students walked out on Monday in support of Palestinians (courtesy Justice High School Muslim Student Association)

Students at schools across Fairfax County have or are planning to walk out this week in a show of solidarity with Palestinians suffering in the latest war between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.

Dubbed a “Humanitarian Walkout Week,” the demonstrations began last Friday (Oct. 20) at Annandale High School and continued on Monday (Oct. 23) at Justice High School in Lake Barcroft. Organizers at Oakton High School reported that at least 200 students participated in their walkout yesterday (Tuesday).

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News

Police: Child shot in Lincolnia, suspects seen driving away

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County police car with lights flashing (file photo)

A child was shot in the Lincolnia Hills neighborhood this afternoon (Tuesday), police say.

Police are looking for “multiple suspects” who were seen driving away from the 4600 block of North Chambliss Street in a white BMW, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

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News

Herndon considers moving farmers market from Thursdays to the weekend

By Angela Woolsey
A pumpkin stall at the Herndon farmers market (courtesy Town of Herndon)

A shake-up might be in the works for the Town of Herndon’s annual farmers market.

The town is exploring the possibility of moving the seasonal event from its usual Thursday morning time slot to Saturday or Sunday, though it’s not clear yet whether the Fairfax County Park Authority — which currently organizes the market — could accommodate the change.

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News

FCPD: Man arrested for peeping at woman in Merrifield thrift store’s restroom

By Angela Woolsey
Unique Thrift Store in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A D.C. man was arrested at Unique in Merrifield yesterday (Monday) for allegedly peeping at a woman in the thrift shop’s restroom.

Officers were called to the store at 2956 Gallows Road around 5:30 p.m. for a report of a suspicious person, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

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