Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Report: Mars Inc. eyes Tysons office for temporary HQ in anticipation of expansion

Published May 11, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated October 13, 2023 at 2:39PM

A conceptual illustration of Mars Inc.'s planned headquarters expansion (via Fairfax County)

Though a proposal to expand its headquarters in McLean is still under review, Mars Inc. has apparently gotten a head start on scouting locations to temporarily host employees during construction.

The candy and pet food manufacturer has submitted a bid for construction work on the 10th floor of 1676 International Drive in Tysons, the Washington Business Journal reported yesterday.

Countywide

With federal public health emergency ending, Covid tests and vaccines may now come at a cost

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 10, 2023 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County nurse holds a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

After more than three years, COVID-19 will officially cease to be a federal public health emergency in the U.S. tomorrow (Thursday), bringing an end to the days of free testing and vaccinations.

The Fairfax County Health Department will still provide free services by appointment to people who don’t have insurance or otherwise can’t pay, but private insurance companies and health providers will be allowed to start billing patients, the department explained in a May 5 announcement.

News

DEVELOPING: Police look for suspect in shooting near Culmore 7-Eleven

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 10, 2023 at 2:20PM

The 7-Eleven on Glen Carlyn Drive in Culmore (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County police officers are searching the Culmore area for a man who reportedly shot a person near the 7-Eleven on Glen Carlyn Drive.

The victim has been transported to a hospital with serious injuries, the Fairfax County Police Department said just before 2 p.m.

News

Sunrise Senior Living’s new McLean village is now open to residents

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 10, 2023 at 1:15PM

Cindy Skelton, one of the first residents, helps cut the ribbon to mark Sunrise of McLean Village's opening (courtesy Sunrise Senior Living)

Sunrise of McLean Village has officially opened.

As anticipated, residents began moving into the new senior living community at 1515 Chain Bridge Road this week, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 27, Sunrise Senior Living announced today (Wednesday).

News

Vienna dreams of a pool to replace former Faith Baptist Church, which may be demolished

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 10, 2023 at 10:30AM

Vienna's former Faith Baptist Church, now known as the Annex (via Town of Vienna)

The Vienna Town Council appears inclined to raze the former Faith Baptist Church, as a study continues to sift through ideas for the long-term future of the site now known as the Annex.

A vote on whether to demolish the now-vacant building at 301 Center Street South has been set for June 5. While no decision was made, a majority of council members indicated at a conference session Monday (May 8) that they would rather knock down the structure than invest money in maintaining it.

Countywide

Data center boom prompts Fairfax County to take new look at rules, environmental impacts

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2023 at 3:40PM

Fiber optic cables (via Kirill Sh on Unsplash)

As Northern Virginia continues to cement its position as a global base for data centers, Fairfax County leaders say the time has come to reevaluate the impact of the facilities and, potentially, set some boundaries for the future.

At its meeting this morning (Tuesday), the Board of Supervisors directed county staff to research environmental issues linked to data centers and what’s being done to address them. Staff will also develop guidelines for site locations and the process for approving them.

Around Town

Student percussionists to celebrate 10 years of Vienna Jammers with a bang at Capital One Hall

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2023 at 2:15PM

The Vienna Jammers backstage for the Big Jam at Capital One Hall in 2022 (photo by David Reynolds Jr.)

In the beginning, there were the Brute Red Trash Cans.

The simple, plastic buckets were among the first instruments utilized by the Vienna Jammers, along with PVC pipes, bits of metal and other construction materials lying around Vienna Elementary School.

Around Town

Apple is planning bigger, ‘reimagined’ store at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 9, 2023 at 11:20AM

Apple is planning a "new chapter" for its store at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The original Apple store is apparently angling for an upgrade.

Temporary walls advertising “a new chapter” for the company at Tysons Corner Center have been erected next to Victoria’s Secret, the mall announced on April 30, suggesting a new, bigger location is in the works at the home of Apple’s first-ever retail store.

News

Vienna police officer gets award for hiring ‘feat’ amid national staffing challenges

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2023 at 1:30PM

Sgt. James Sheeran is awarded by the Rotary Club of Vienna for his work hiring new officers (courtesy Vienna Police)

One of Vienna’s police officers recently got some kudos for giving the department a major staffing boost at a time when law enforcement is struggling with recruitment regionally and nationally.

Sgt. James Sheeran was named the Vienna Police Department’s “Employee of the Year” by the Rotary Club of Vienna, which presented its 2023 Rotarian M. Jane Seeman “Service Above Self” award to the sergeant at a banquet on April 19.

Countywide

County boosts funding for affordable housing, library collections and more

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 8, 2023 at 11:45AM

Inside the City of Fairfax Regional Library (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Thanks to higher-than-anticipated revenue, Fairfax County gave a financial boost last week to its affordable housing goals, public library collections and park facilities, among other initiatives.

Before taking a preliminary vote on the next budget, which will be adopted tomorrow (Tuesday), the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved nearly $10.7 million in changes to the current fiscal year 2023 budget — known as the third-quarter review — when it met on May 2.