Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Anti-LGBTQ incidents reported at Falls Church, West Potomac high schools

Published June 15, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated June 16, 2023 at 12:44PM

Falls Church High School entrance (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 12:45 p.m. on 6/16/2023) As Pride Month got underway, a pair of hate incidents targeting the LGBTQ community shook up Falls Church and West Potomac high schools.

At Falls Church High School (7521 Jaguar Trail) in West Falls Church, a student admitted to stealing a rainbow Pride flag from the school and burning it, principal Ben Nowak said in a message to the school community on June 6.

News

County recommends survey of family cemetery at Pan Am Shopping Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 15, 2023 at 11:00AM

The Thompson Family Cemetery is adjacent to the Pan Am Shopping Center in Merrifield (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Before the Pan Am Shopping Center in Merrifield gets redeveloped, Fairfax County staff say the adjacent, centuries-old cemetery should probably get examined.

The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development released a staff report last week recommending that mixed-use development be allowed at the shopping center, opening the door for property owner Federal Realty to build 585 residential units and expand its retail.

Around Town

New summer concert series coming to the Mosaic District

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated June 23, 2023 at 12:19PM

Strawberry Lane will get blocked off Saturday nights this summer for a new Mosaic Live concert series (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 12:20 p.m. on 6/23/2023 — The Mosaic Live kick-off event on Saturday has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather, according to Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik. The series will instead begin on July 1 with the Munit Mesfin Band.

Earlier: Live music will take over Strawberry Lane at Mosaic District this summer.

News

Police: Man tried to abduct child near Franconia school

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2023 at 11:45AM

Island Creek Elementary School on Morning View Lane (via Google Maps)

The Fairfax County Police Department has bolstered its presence in Franconia today (Wednesday) after a man reportedly tried to abduct a child near Island Creek Elementary School yesterday.

The encounter occurred at 4:15 p.m. when a 10-year-old was walking on Morning View Lane to get to a playground, police said:

News

Bond revoked for alleged driver in Tysons theft, police pursuit case

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2023 at 10:15AM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Fairfax County judge has revoked the bond for one of the four people who allegedly stole from Nordstrom Rack and led police on a vehicle chase in Tysons last week.

The man allegedly behind the wheel during the pursuit, which involved collisions with multiple police cruisers, was initially granted a $5,000 personal recognizance bond by the Fairfax County General District Court on Thursday (June 8).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 14, 2023 at 7:30AM | Updated June 14, 2023 at 10:16AM

A bicyclist passes a deer standing by the W&OD Trail (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston Barnes and Noble Opening Delayed — The bookstore’s grand opening at The Spectrum has been postponed to tomorrow (Thursday). Barnes and Noble didn’t return multiple requests for comment from FFXnow. [Barnes & Noble Reston/Instagram]

D.C. Area Is Currently in a Drought — “According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the D.C. region is currently in a moderate drought — the least severe of four drought levels. May 2023 was the driest May on record in D.C. since 1999, with 2.4 inches less rain than in an average year.” If the Potomac River drops low enough, “residents could be asked to conserve water.” [DCist]

Around Town

NEW: Starr Hill Brewery to expand in Tysons with new pub

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2023 at 1:30PM

Starr Hill Biergarten is expanding at Capital One Center with a brewpub, coming in 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Visitors to Capital One Center in Tysons might’ve noticed signs advertising an upcoming change for Starr Hill Brewery, operator of the development’s rooftop beer garden.

The company confirmed today (Tuesday) that it will expand its presence in the neighborhood with a new, street-level brewpub, featuring a new food menu and two bars.

Around Town

Springfield’s Lego Discovery Center has an opening date

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2023 at 11:45AM

The discovery center is slated to open in the summer of 2023 (via LEGO Discovery Center)

The much-anticipated Lego Discovery Center at Springfield Town Center (6500 Franconia-Springfield Parkway) will open on Aug. 9, meeting its promised summer launch date.

The company announced the grand opening date yesterday (Monday), inviting community members to sign up for its newsletter for access to pre-sale tickets.

Countywide

AG Jason Miyares petitions for merit award investigation report, drawing FCPS objection

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2023 at 10:15AM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

The unexpectedly long-running saga of Fairfax County Public Schools’ delayed National Merit Scholarship commendation notices has added a new page.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has petitioned the Fairfax County Circuit Court to require FCPS to turn over the full report it commissioned from an outside law firm in January, killing any hopes school officials had that releasing a summary of the review’s findings would resolve the state investigation.

News

Finished Nutley Street interchange at I-66 expected to open tomorrow

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 13, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated June 13, 2023 at 9:55AM

An aerial view of the Nutley Street and I-66 interchange, as of April (via VDOT)

The new Nutley Street interchange at I-66 just south of Vienna is about to achieve its final form.

Lanes that will let drivers going from Nutley to I-66 bypass the dreaded roundabouts are scheduled to open tomorrow (Wednesday), the Virginia Department of Transportation recently announced.