Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Vienna police officers awarded for response to 2021 shooting outside Navy Federal Credit Union

Published April 6, 2023 at 2:15PM

Vienna police officers are recognized at the 45th annual Fairfax County Valor Awards (courtesy Vienna Police Department)

A pair of Vienna police officers won an award last week for helping turn the tables on a shooting suspect back in October 2021.

During a March 30 ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, officers Emily Lichtenberg and Alex Murray received a Silver Medal of Valor at the 45th annual Fairfax County Valor Awards, which recognize achievements by local first responders.

Countywide

EXCLUSIVE: Abrar Omeish bows out of school board race to work with youth-focused legal nonprofit

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County School Board At-Large Representative Abrar Omeish at a Girl Scouts President's Circle dinner (courtesy Abrar Omeish)

The Fairfax County School Board will have a lot of new faces next year — and perhaps, a couple of members reemerging from its past.

The latest member to opt out of a reelection bid is at-large member Abrar Omeish, who told FFXnow that she has instead accepted a job with a nonprofit that focuses on youth law and advocacy.

Around Town

Latin wine bar Grand Cata coming to Mosaic District for first Virginia shop

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 11:00AM

The D.C. wine store Grand Cata is working to open a wine bar and market at the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Mosaic District’s Sip and Stroll map may soon get a new stop.

Grand Cata, a D.C.-based Latin American wine bar and market, is expanding to Virginia for the first time with a new store in the Merrifield neighborhood.

News

Woman reportedly abducted in New York killed in gunfight between police and suspect on I-95

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated April 6, 2023 at 6:12PM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

(Updated at 6:10 p.m.) A woman who was allegedly abducted in New York died last night (Wednesday) after a police chase that started on I-95 in Springfield ended in gunfire near Quantico.

According to Virginia State Police, at 9:40 p.m., one of its troopers attempted to stop a Jeep Cherokee traveling south on I-95 near the Backlick Road exit for having the wrong license plates on display.

Around Town

Interaction encouraged by metal art unveiled at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 5, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated April 6, 2023 at 1:52PM

Now on display at Tysons Corner Center, the installation "Static Dynamism" by local metal artist JP Muller features five sculptures (courtesy Tysons Corner Center)

(Updated at 1:50 p.m. on 4/6/2023) There are no “Do not touch” signs associated with the latest artworks installed at Tysons Corner Center.

The five metal sculptures in “Static Dynamism” — an exhibit by Fairfax County-based metal artist, engineer and sculptor J.P. Muller — are designed to be interactive, according to the mall.

Around Town

New Dunn Loring tattoo and piercing shop carves out welcoming space for women

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 5, 2023 at 11:00AM

Wicked Goddess, a tattoo and piercing shop, opened in Dunn Loring on March 1 (courtesy Wicked Goddess)

As Wicked Goddess readied for its March 1 opening in the Shops at Avenir Place, founder Rachel Mantha admits she was nervous about how the community would react.

To her relief, residents and other businesses have been fully supportive of the tattoo and body piercing shop since it opened at 2672 Avenir Place, where it sits between a Tropical Smoothie Cafe and MyEyeDr just steps from the Dunn Loring Metro station.

News

Police: Series of robberies in Culmore under investigation, one arrested

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 5, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated April 5, 2023 at 10:33AM

Fairfax County police are investigating robberies that all occurred around Glen Carlyn Drive and Bellview Drive in Culmore (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) Fairfax County police are investigating a string of robberies that all took place last month around the same block near Culmore, though it’s not clear yet if they’re connected.

A suspect was arrested in the most recent incident, which took place at 12:06 p.m. on March 29 in the 6000 block of Vista Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

County invites residents to drop off food and yard waste for composting at I-66 facility

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 4, 2023 at 3:00PM

Fairfax County will kick off a two-year Compost Outpost pilot at the I-66 Transfer Station on Wednesday (courtesy DPWES)

Fairfax County wants your food scraps and yard waste.

The county will officially launch its new compost outpost at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

News

Tysons West developer downsizes plan for residential building next to Sheraton hotel

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 4, 2023 at 2:15PM

Developer JBG Smith plans to build a mixed-use residential Building C in Tysons West (via Land Design/Fairfax County)

As it seeks to convert the former Sheraton Tysons Hotel into housing, the developer of Tysons West has scaled down its intentions for a residential and retail building on the vacant neighboring lot.

In a new plan submitted to Fairfax County on Friday (March 31), JBG Smith proposes building a five to eight-story mid-rise with up to 265 dwelling units and 5,000 square feet of retail space, reducing the overall square footage to a maximum of 268,000.

News

Southbound GW Parkway in McLean to close this month, shifting traffic to new, reversible lane

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 4, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated April 14, 2023 at 12:58PM

The George Washington Memorial Parkway's northern section (via National Park Service)

Updated at 12:55 p.m. on 4/14/2023 — The National Park Service has delayed the GW Parkway changes due to forecasts calling for inclement weather over the weekend. The lane shift is now expected to begin around April 21-24.

Earlier: Drivers will soon have to get accustomed to a brand-new traffic pattern on the McLean section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.