Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Police: Over 50 firearms stolen from Newington gun shop, reward offered for suspects

Published May 4, 2023 at 4:05PM

Fairfax County police say this car was used by men who stole over 50 guns from the store Dominion Defense in Newington (via FCPD)

Dozens of firearms were stolen from a gun shop in the Newington area in an overnight burglary this past weekend, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Over 50 firearms were taken from Dominion Defense (7200 Fullerton Road) between 3 and 4 a.m. on Saturday (April 29), according to police.

Around Town

Combined Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins to give year of free ice cream, coffee at Springfield grand opening

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 4, 2023 at 3:00PM

A combined drive-thru Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins is opening in Springfield (courtesy Dunkin')

The powers of caffeine and sugar will unite this weekend for the grand opening of Springfield’s new Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins.

After a soft opening on April 3, the combined eateries are set for a more official launch at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday (May 6), promising free coffee or ice cream for a year to the first 100 customers to enter their shared doors at 6310 Backlick Road.

Around Town

Oakton composer to dock at Capital One Hall for world premiere of space-themed symphony

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 4, 2023 at 1:30PM

The National Philharmonic performs Gustav Holst's "The Planets" at Capital One Hall, accompanied by images of space from NASA (courtesy Elman Studio)

A local classical composer is preparing to blast off for the world premiere of his newest symphony.

The suite “Cosmic Cycles, A Space Symphony” will be performed for the first time by the National Philharmonic at Capital One Hall (7750 Capital One Tower Road) in Tysons at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday (May 11).

Around Town

New Lebanese restaurant to take over former Chopt space in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 4, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated May 4, 2023 at 5:17PM

El Jana co-owner Rabih Abi-Aad signs a lease to bring the Lebanese restaurant to Vienna Shopping Center (courtesy Rappaport)

(Updated at 4:50 p.m.) Vienna Shopping Center has found a new occupant for the suite vacated over the winter by Chopt.

A Lebanese restaurant called El Janna has signed a lease for the 2,702-square-foot space and is slated to open at 160 Maple Avenue West this fall, property manager Rappaport announced yesterday (Wednesday).

News

Man arrested for allegedly setting fire to Annandale house

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 4, 2023 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County firefighters tackle a house fire in the 4900 block of Bristow Drive in Annandale on April 27, 2023 (courtesy FCFRD)

Arson was behind an April 27 house fire in Annandale that cost two people and a dog their home, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says.

Clinton James Hall, 27, was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) and charged with one count of burning or destroying a building after investigators determined that the fire in the 4900 block of Bristow Drive was “incendiary in nature.”

Countywide

FCPS focuses on absenteeism, special education with last round of federal relief funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 3:00PM

Fairfax County Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Sloan Presidio presents a proposed ESSER III spending plan to the school board (via FCPS/YouTube)

The influx of federal money that has helped buoy Fairfax County Public Schools and other school systems around the U.S. as they emerged from the first year of the Covid pandemic is starting to run out.

Facing a September 2024 deadline, FCPS officials presented a plan to the school board last Thursday (April 27) for spending approximately $57.5 million remaining from the $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) awarded by the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021.

News

Vienna’s Independence Day fireworks will be unleashed early again

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 2:15PM

A crowd at Yeonas Park waits for fireworks during Vienna's Fourth of July celebration (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Vienna will hold its big Fourth of July celebration two days early this year, the second in a row that has required a scheduling change.

The festivities at Yeonas Park (1319 Ross Drive SW) had to be moved up to Sunday, July 2, due to continued staffing shortages in the fireworks industry, the town announced on Monday (May 1).

News

JUST IN: Dogs and cat killed in Annandale house fire

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 12:45PM

Three pets were killed in a house fire in Annandale (via FCFRD/Twitter)

Multiple pets were killed in a house fire in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood of Annandale this morning.

Fairfax County firefighters were dispatched to the single-family house in the 3500 block of Marvin Street at 11:19 a.m., according to scanner traffic.

Countywide

County board cuts tax rate, increases employee pay with adjusted budget

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 11:45AM

SEIU Virginia 512 Fairfax County representatives advocate for more worker compensation to Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay's office (courtesy SEIU Virginia 512)

With over $110 million in unallocated funds to work with, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors moved yesterday (Tuesday) to address employee compensation, tax relief and other priorities.

As approved by the board 9-1, nearly all of that available money will go toward reducing the real estate tax rate by 1.5 cents and fully funding salary market rate adjustments for county employees — items totaling $47 million and $54.9 million, respectively.

Around Town

For first time, Cirque du Soleil selects Tysons for U.S. debut of new show

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 11:00AM

Cirque du Soleil's nature-themed "Echo" show will make its U.S. debut in Tysons this September (photo by Jean-François Savaria)

When Cirque du Soleil rolls into Tysons this fall, American audiences will get their first opportunity to watch its brand-new show.

The Canadian circus launched the environment-themed production “Echo” on Thursday (April 27) with a world premiere in Montreal.