Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Police make arrests in Tysons Corner Center shoplifting cases

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Plan for Tysons Corner Center’s next phase advances with focus on street access

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 19, 2023 at 10:30AM

The proposed second phase of development for Tysons Corner Center will add more street-level features (courtesy DLA Piper)

For its next phase, Tysons Corner Center is keeping its eyes on the ground.

Property owner and developer Macerich secured the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s support last Thursday (Sept. 14) for a proposal that concentrates future development at the D.C. area’s largest mall closer to the Tysons Metro station than previously planned.

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Smashburger to open first restaurant with bar in Kingstowne this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 19, 2023 at 9:30AM

Smashburger will open its newest location at Kingstowne Towne Center on Saturday, Sept. 23 (courtesy Smashburger)

Patties and patrons alike can get smashed at the new Smashburger in Kingstowne.

Set for a grand opening celebration this Saturday (Sept. 23), the burger chain’s new location at 5920 Kingstowne Center will be its first with a full bar, selling beer and cocktails with names like Blackberry Smash, Smoke & Spice Margarita, Smash Rum Punch and Coconut Mule.

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School board proposes changing namesake of Woodson High School

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2023 at 3:30PM

Sign for W.T. Woodson High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Woodson High School may soon drop “W.T.” from the beginning of its name.

The Fairfax County School Board launched a formal process last week to consider renaming the school just outside Fairfax City, adding it to a growing list of local institutions and landmarks whose monikers have been reevaluated in recent years.

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Merrifield sewer upgrade inches closer to construction, despite land rights holdout

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2023 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County plans to install a 20-inch sewer pipe under seven properties at the corner of Route 29 and Eskridge Road in Merrifield (via Fairfax County)

The value of an office building just outside the Mosaic District will determine whether Fairfax County has to go to court to boost a Merrifield sewer’s capacity.

The owner of 8315 Lee Highway is the lone remaining holdout in land rights negotiations with the county, which has reached agreements for six of the seven properties that will be affected by the project, land acquisition staff reported to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week.