Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Reston Hospital patients ‘strongly’ encouraged to wear masks as flu season continues

Published January 20, 2026 at 10:00AM

Reston Hospital Center building (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With influenza and other respiratory illnesses still elevated, Reston Hospital Center is tightening its rules around face masks.

Patients with flu-like symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, a fever or a runny nose, are now “strongly encouraged to wear a mask if they are able” and to notify front desk staff when they arrive at a provider office, urgent care center or emergency department, HCA Virginia announced yesterday (Monday).

Around Town

American Girl store set to reopen in Tysons this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

American Girl's new store at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Less than two weeks after temporarily closing, American Girl is ready to show off its makeover at Tysons Corner Center.

Workers have been busy today cleaning and putting the finishing touches on the popular doll maker’s new store in the mall ahead of its grand opening at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday).

News

Wider shared-use path, redesigned intersections proposed for Burke Centre roadway

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 16, 2026 at 10:00AM

Roberts Parkway from Burke Centre Parkway to Fairfax County Parkway in Burke (via Google Maps)

The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking public input on potential changes to a key connection between Burke Centre and Fairfax County parkways.

An online survey open through next Wednesday (Jan. 21) asks community members to weigh in on proposed modifications to a half-mile stretch of Roberts Parkway, including the addition of a shared-use path and redesigns of the Burke Centre Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway intersections.

News

Staffing agency AtWork expands to Dunn Loring with new office

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 15, 2026 at 3:45PM

Left to right: AtWork Tysons business development manager Morgan Hill, franchise owner Dan Garvey and recruiter Kylie Johnson (courtesy AtWork)

A national staffing agency has set up shop in the Tysons area, where it will help connect job seekers with employers.

AtWork announced on Jan. 6 that it has opened an office at 2106-F Gallows Road in Dunn Loring’s South Tysons Office Park, just outside Tysons proper.

News

Signature apartments at Reston Town Center sold to help fund future development

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

Entrance to the Signature apartments at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

To support its ambitions for future development, Reston Town Center’s owner and manager is letting go of one of its existing properties.

BXP confirmed to FFXnow that it is selling the Signature apartments at 11850 Freedom Drive as part of a broader plan to hand off “select” land, residential and office properties and use the proceeds to fund new construction.

Around Town

Fairfax eateries join D.C. Winter Restaurant Week 2026, starting Monday

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse's 2026 Winter Restaurant Week menu includes tiramisu as a dessert option (courtesy Davio's)

The impending return of Winter Restaurant Week could provide a much-needed boost for the D.C. region’s food service industry.

While Fairfax County didn’t face all the same challenges last year as the District, where a record number of eateries reportedly closed amid inflation, tariffs and the presence of federal law enforcement and the National Guard, many local establishments will take part in the biannual promotional campaign, which will kick off on Monday (Jan. 19) and continue through Jan. 25.

News

FCPD: Vienna driver charged with leaving fatal pedestrian crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 14, 2026 at 2:45PM

A Fairfax County police car (file photo)

A Vienna man who allegedly drove off after striking a pedestrian with his car on Route 29 in Merrifield last month has been arrested.

William Wang, 28, has been charged with a felony hit and run for his involvement in the fatal crash, which was initiated by another vehicle who first hit the pedestrian, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Wednesday).

News

Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read won’t seek reelection this year

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 14, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 1:00PM

Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony for Wesley Housing's Beacon Landing supportive housing project (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read will not seek a third term in an office she believes is “broken.”

Read announced her decision not to pursue a reelection bid this year before adjourning the Fairfax City Council’s meeting last night (Tuesday), stating that she has been honored to serve as mayor but criticizing the city charter that governs the role as “outdated and ill-equipped to meet the demands of a modern, 21st-century community.”

Countywide

Drought warning issued for Fairfax County amid dry winter

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 14, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 1:03PM

Virginia drought indicators, as of Jan. 13, 2026 (via Virginia Department of Environmental Quality)

A drought watch in place across Northern and Central Virginia since November has now escalated into a warning.

With limited rain and snowfall in recent weeks resulting in dry conditions, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a drought warning advisory yesterday (Tuesday) for Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County and Fairfax City, as well as Roanoke River and the Shenandoah region.

News

JUST IN: Bulova to succeed Bulova after winning House District 11 special election

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 13, 2026 at 8:35PM

Gretchen Bulova (photo courtesy of candidate)

That’s one special election down, three more to go for Fairfax County voters.

In a low-turnout, low-suspense contest, Democratic nominee Gretchen Bulova handily defeated Republican candidate Adam Wise to become the next delegate for Virginia’s 11th House District, taking over a seat most recently filled by her husband, David Bulova.