Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

The Boro developers appeal county’s claim that construction blocked pedestrian access

Published January 12, 2024 at 1:15PM

The southbound Westpark Drive sidewalk was closed in 2024 during construction on The Boro's expansion in Tysons (via The Meridian Group)

Construction on the next phase of The Boro in Tysons has prevented pedestrians from safely walking on the streets around the site, a Fairfax County inspector says.

Matthew Stenger, an investigator with the county’s Department of Code Compliance, issued violation notices last month against The Meridian Group, The Boro’s master developer, and Silverstone Silver Living, which is constructing The Trillium Tysons, a senior living building expected to open this year.

Countywide

Poll: Have you gotten sick this winter?

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated January 12, 2024 at 12:05PM

A tissue box with a mug (via Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash)

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) Colds are in the air this winter, as a new COVID-19 variant has joined forces with the flu and RSV to produce a particularly challenging respiratory illness season.

Covid-related hospitalization levels remain low in Fairfax County, where 145 patients were admitted in the week that ended on Dec. 30 — a 46% increase from the previous week. But hospital visits and deaths are on the rise in Virginia and nationally, with the U.S. death toll exceeding 1.1 million people since the first case in 2020.

Countywide

New Fairfax County program diverts people from incarceration to culinary training

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2024 at 9:30AM

Sen. Tim Kaine and Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano talk at Mackenzie's Tunes and Tonics for a press conference on the county's Taking Root diversion program (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Instead of jail-time, a restaurant job could be waiting for some individuals facing non-violent criminal charges in Fairfax County if they finish a newly launched job training program.

The Pathfinder Kitchen initiative unveiled Monday (Jan. 8) by the Fairfax County Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney builds on the office’s nascent Taking Root diversion program, which offers case management, mental health and substance use assessments, affordable housing and other services to people accused of non-violent crimes in lieu of incarceration.

News

Fairfax Water to replace and expand 71-year-old tank in Idylwood

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 11, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax Water plans to replace a water tank that has stood in the Poplar Heights neighborhood since 1952 (via Fairfax Water)

A water tank erected in Idylwood around the time of the Korean War is on its last legs, Fairfax Water says.

The water authority is seeking to replace the 71-year-old Poplar Heights tank with a bigger, elevated tank that will be able to hold approximately 1.25 million gallons of water, according to an application submitted in December to Fairfax County’s planning department.

Around Town

Upcoming Winter Restaurant Week offers new eateries, MLK Day brunch

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 11, 2024 at 10:15AM

Ingle Korean Steakhouse in Tysons is one of three Fairfax County eateries participating in RAMW's Winter Restaurant Week for the first time (courtesy Ingle Korean Steakhouse)

The D.C. region’s biannual restaurant showcase is cooking up a return next week.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington has enlisted dozens of establishments to participate in this year’s Winter Restaurant Week, which will run from Monday, Jan. 15 to Sunday, Jan. 21.

News

FCPD: Multiple home burglaries linked by woman pretending to deliver flowers

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 11, 2024 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County police say several recent home burglaries have involved a woman who pretends to be delivering flowers (courtesy FCPD)

Fairfax County police believe a recent series of home burglaries were committed by the same people, based on one suspect’s floral accessories.

Detectives are currently investigating five burglaries that started on Dec. 28 and continued most recently on Tuesday, Jan. 9:

Around Town

Changes in store for Fair Oaks Mall with DMV relocating service center

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 10, 2024 at 3:30PM

The Department of Motor Vehicles is relocating its Fair Oaks Mall customer service center to a bigger space on Braddock Road (courtesy Virginia DMV)

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is departing Fair Oaks Mall.

The department’s Customer Service Center in the mall will relocate this month to a larger site at 9855 Braddock Road, just next door to the Woodleigh Chase Senior Living community. The move was driven by a “need for more space to better serve the growing Fairfax area,” a DMV spokesperson says.

News

Herndon retiree launches Canine Concierge to provide free dog therapy services

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 10, 2024 at 2:30PM

The new Herndon-based nonprofit Canine Concierge aims to offer free therapy dog services to hospitals and other organizations (courtesy Canine Concierge/iStock)

Two golden retrievers will be the stars of a new, Herndon-based nonprofit that aspires to brighten the world with some literal puppy love.

Established at the start of the new year, Canine Concierge Corporation will offer animal-assisted therapy (AAT) services for free to hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, police departments and other organizations in need throughout Fairfax County.

Around Town

Pupatella opens new pizzeria in Chantilly

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 10, 2024 at 11:15AM

Pupatella is now serving pizzas at Chantilly Plaza, its ninth restaurant (photo by Chris Schwalm)

Pupatella is now popping out pizzas at its newest location in Fairfax County.

The regional chain officially opened at 13619 Route 50 in Chantilly yesterday (Tuesday). Located in Chantilly Plaza, the roughly 3,000-square-foot restaurant is Pupatella’s ninth overall and fourth in Fairfax County.

News

Town of Herndon hires first new parks and recreation director in 20 years

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 10, 2024 at 10:30AM

Bob Williams will take over as Herndon's parks and recreation director on Jan. 16, 2024 (courtesy Bob Williams)

The Town of Herndon will welcome a new parks and recreation director this month for the first time in two decades.

Appointed Monday (Jan. 8), Bob Williams will assume the position on Jan. 16 after longtime director Cindy Roeder retired from the job she’d held since 2003, per her LinkedIn page.