Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Franconia railroad bridge project gets on track with $100M in federal funds

Published September 22, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated September 22, 2023 at 6:01PM

The Franconia-Springfield Bypass will add a bridge to accommodate VRE and Amtrak trains (via Virginia Passenger Rail Authority)

(Updated at 6 p.m.) A project to enhance the capacity of a key rail line through Fairfax County is chugging along, thanks to a major infusion of federal cash.

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority has been awarded $100 million in federal funds to design and build a bridge that will allow Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak trains to cross over tracks approaching the Franconia-Springfield station (6880 Frontier Drive), Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced yesterday (Thursday).

News

Police: Woman sexually assaulted at West Falls Church motel, suspect sought

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 21, 2023 at 3:45PM

Quarry Inn Motel in West Falls Church (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County police are searching for a man suspected of raping a woman at the Quarry Inn Motel just west of Falls Church City.

The man allegedly arranged to meet the woman at the motel (7179 Lee Highway) last Saturday (Sept. 16) at 6:40 p.m., according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Around Town

Mosaic District celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with outdoor movies

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 21, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated September 21, 2023 at 4:36PM

The Mosaic District's Strawberry Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) Merrifield’s Mosaic District is bringing its “Films in the Park” screening series back for the fall — this time, with three times more Lin-Manuel Miranda.

While the live recording of “Hamilton” on Broadway remains walled off on Disney Plus, the prolific Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner wrote songs for three out of the four featured movies, including tonight’s opener, “Encanto.”

Countywide

Fairfax County Courthouse nears launch of Virginia’s first self-help resource center

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 21, 2023 at 11:30AM

The Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Courthouse will soon lend a helping hand to visitors intimidated by the prospect of navigating the legal system on their own.

The county’s new Self Help Resource Center will officially open at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 with a kick-off event in the courthouse law library (4110 Chain Bridge Road, Room 115), the Fairfax Bar Association recently announced.

News

Police make arrests in Tysons Corner Center shoplifting cases

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 21, 2023 at 10:30AM | Updated September 21, 2023 at 6:23PM

Police allegedly found merchandise stolen from Macy's at Tysons Corner Center after arresting a trio of shoplifting suspects (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 6:20 p.m.) Three people were arrested earlier this week for stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from Tysons Corner Center businesses, police say.

At 9:09 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 19), a worker at Sunglass Hut in the mall reported that the store had just been robbed, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Around Town

Oktoberfest arrives in Tysons this month

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 20, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated September 21, 2023 at 1:27PM

Oktoberfest will return to The Boro in Tysons this Saturday, Sept. 23 (courtesy The Boro)

(Updated at 1:25 p.m. on 9/21/2023) Tysons residents looking to usher in fall by tossing back some cold brews will have a couple of options this month.

Oktoberfest at The Boro

News

NOW: One seriously injured after truck flips on state police vehicle on I-495 at Route 50

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 20, 2023 at 1:50PM | Updated September 20, 2023 at 2:18PM

Fairfax County firefighters respond to a crash in I-495 North Express Lanes near Route 50 (via FCFRD/Twitter)

(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) A crash involving three vehicles, including a Virginia State Police vehicle, has partially shut down the northbound Capital Beltway (I-495) near Merrifield, including all express lanes.

According to state police, the crash appears to have occurred around 12:36 p.m. when a trooper responded to a disabled vehicle in the northbound express lanes just south of Route 50.

Around Town

Rita’s Italian Ice offers year of free chilly treats for Franconia grand opening

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 20, 2023 at 11:30AM

Rita's Italian Ice sells over 70 flavors of the frozen treat (courtesy Rita's Italian Ice)

Though the heat of summer is waning, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard hopes Franconia residents are still in the mood for some chilled desserts.

The Pennsylvania-based chain will hold a grand opening tomorrow (Thursday) for its new shop in Hayfield Shopping Center (7592 Telegraph Road), which is anchored by Planet Fitness and Goodwill.

News

Proposed Tysons office building conversion overcomes noise fears to impress planning commission

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 20, 2023 at 9:30AM

Developer Madison Highland has proposed converting the office building at 2000 Corporate Ridge in Tysons into live/work units (via Fairfax County)

The Capital Beltway’s proximity to 2000 Corporate Ridge is both a boon and a potential obstacle to plans to convert the office building into a live/work development.

The accessibility of Tysons Corner Center and other attractions will make the property enticing to residents and workers, who can now cross I-495 with a pedestrian bridge, McGuireWoods land use lawyer Greg Riegle argued on developer Madison Highland’s behalf at a Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing on Sept. 14.

Around Town

Mobile concert hall tunes up to tour Fairfax County next week

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 19, 2023 at 2:30PM

The Concert Truck, a mobile music venue, will tour Fairfax County on Sept. 27-29 (photo by Sean Scheidt)

The sounds of Broadway are coming to Fairfax County in a truck this fall.

The Concert Truck will kick off the season with six stops across the county in three days, starting at the Oakwood Meadow Senior Residences in Rose Hill on Sept. 27 and concluding on Sept. 29 at the Providence Community Center in Oakton.