Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Mike’s American Grill in Springfield closes temporarily after Valentine’s Day fire

Published February 15, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated February 15, 2023 at 3:09PM

Mike's American Grill was hit by a three-alarm fire on Tuesday (via FCFRD/Twitter)

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) Mike’s American Grill faced a three-alarm fire last night (Tuesday) that forced staff and Valentine’s Day diners to evacuate.

Smoke could be seen issuing from the popular Springfield restaurant when Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units arrived at 6210 Backlick Road, the department said at 8:52 p.m, indicating that the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen.

News

Residents mostly embrace West Falls Church Metro redevelopment, but some fear traffic dysfunction

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 14, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated June 28, 2023 at 5:48PM

West Falls Church Metro redevelopment rendering (via EYA)

Depending on who had the microphone, last week’s public hearing on the proposed redevelopment of Metro’s West Falls Church station suggested it will either overwhelm local roads or avert “climate arson,” to use one speaker’s phrase.

As they did earlier in the planning process, supporters of the project seemed to have an edge over skeptics at the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s meeting on Wednesday (Feb. 8), arguing that the over 1-million-square-foot development would deliver needed housing and amenities, while making the transit station area more accessible and vibrant than the parking lots that it would replace.

News

Tysons office building near Freedom Hill ES targeted for conversion to housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 14, 2023 at 11:15AM

8221 Old Courthouse Road (via Google Maps)

An office building adjacent to Freedom Hill Elementary School is the latest commercial property in Tysons to be considered for housing instead.

The owner of 8221 Old Courthouse Road has submitted a proposal to Fairfax County that would convert the existing three-story office building into 55 one and two-bedroom apartment units, including six designated as workforce housing.

Countywide

Fairfax County prosecutor-turned-defense attorney challenges Descano for Democratic nomination

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 14, 2023 at 9:50AM | Updated February 14, 2023 at 5:48PM

Defense attorney Ed Nuttall announces he will campaign to be the Democratic nominee for Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney (via ABC7)

(Updated at 5:50 p.m.) A former Fairfax County prosecutor who now practices as a private defense lawyer has joined the commonwealth’s attorney race.

Ed Nuttall launched a campaign yesterday (Monday) to challenge incumbent Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano for the Democratic nomination, which will be determined by a primary election on June 20.

News

New design guidelines offer vision for future Tysons Community Circuit trail

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 13, 2023 at 1:30PM

A conceptual map for the future Tysons Community Circuit (via Fairfax County)

The Tysons Community Circuit is finally starting to take shape in concept, if not in reality quite yet.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors accepted new design guidelines last Tuesday (Feb. 7) for the 4.75-mile recreational trail that will one day loop around the core of Tysons, assuming everything goes according to the county’s comprehensive plan.

News

Police: Man arrested after stabbing on Fairfax Connector bus in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 13, 2023 at 12:00PM | Updated February 13, 2023 at 12:37PM

Fairfax Connector bus (file photo)

A man from Springfield is facing multiple charges after stabbing another man’s hand and stealing a bus driver’s cell phone while riding Fairfax Connector in Tysons.

Fairfax County police responded to the intersection of Jones Branch Drive and International Drive at 12:52 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 11) after getting a report that a person had been stabbed.

News

Vienna Police: Fights break out at hypothermia shelter, driver nearly hits dog walker

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 13, 2023 at 9:30AM

The Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna (via Google Maps)

Tempers ran hot at a hypothermia prevention shelter in Vienna on Friday, Feb. 3.

Police were called to the Church of the Holy Comforter (543 Beulah Road) — which was hosting the seasonal shelter — three separate times that evening to handle fights between residents, according to the Vienna Police Department’s highlights for Feb. 3-9.

News

PBS show will tour Town of Vienna houses, landmarks on Monday

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 10, 2023 at 1:30PM

PBS show "If You Lived Here" hosts John Begeny and Christine Louise film with realtor Lex Lianos outside a house in Vienna (courtesy WETA)

The Town of Vienna has a chance to make the nation envious with its upcoming appearance on the PBS TV show “If You Lived Here.”

The D.C. area house-hunting series will take its hosts, Washingtonians John Begeny and Christine Louise, on a tour of Vienna’s history, landmarks and residential real estate offerings in an episode set to air Monday (Feb. 13).

Around Town

Whimsical worlds of Dr. Seuss to take over Tysons Corner Center this spring

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 10, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated August 22, 2023 at 4:16PM

The Dr. Seuss Experience, featuring clovers from "Horton Hears a Who" and other sets, is coming to Tysons Corner Center (courtesy Fever)

The Cat in the Hat will pay Tysons a visit this spring, and unlike in his eponymous book, he’s giving plenty of advance notice.

The anthropomorphic feline is set to appear alongside the Lorax, the Grinch and other classic Theodor Geisel characters in “The Dr. Seuss Experience” that will take up residence at Tysons Corner Center starting April 7.

Countywide

JUST IN: Fairfax County will launch speed camera pilot at eight schools Friday

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 9, 2023 at 4:50PM

A red light camera in the City of Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is adding speed cameras to monitor drivers around schools for the first time.

The photo speed-monitoring devices will be installed near eight schools across the county tomorrow (Friday) as part of a pilot program approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in December, the county announced today.