Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Air rifle shots fired at car enthusiasts, police in Bailey’s Crossroads

Published December 28, 2022 at 10:15AM

Police sirens can be seen outside the DSW Warehouse in Bailey's Crossroads after air rifle shots were fired (via Capital Mischief/Instagram)

A meet-up of car enthusiasts in Bailey’s Crossroads took a harrowing turn last night when air rifle shots were reportedly fired into the crowd.

The Fairfax County Police Department had officers at a shopping center parking lot in the 5500 block of Leesburg Pike, where a “Taco Tuesday” car meet organized by the group Capital Mischief was taking place.

News

NEW: Residential redevelopment takes aim at Moby Dick and office building in McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 27, 2022 at 2:15PM

McLean Medical Center at 6858 Old Dominion Drive (via Google Maps)

Moby Dick’s time in McLean may be running out.

The kabob house and two nearby office buildings, including one that’s currently home to the McLean Medical Center, are being eyed for redevelopment, continuing a trend of commercial sites turning into housing.

Around Town

McLean ride-share startup seeks to challenge Uber and Lyft by putting drivers in control

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 27, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated December 28, 2022 at 1:56PM

The McLean-based ride-sharing startup Empower pitches itself as a more driver-friendly alternative to Uber and Lyft (courtesy Empower)

Empower founder and CEO Joshua Sear is the kind of ride-share passenger who likes to talk to his drivers.

It was through those casual conversations that he came up with an idea in 2018 for an app that would offer a viable alternative to the country’s top ride-hailing services — Uber and Lyft — by letting drivers keep all the money they make in exchange for a subscription fee.

News

UPDATED: One person found dead after Mantua area house fire

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 27, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated December 27, 2022 at 1:38PM

House fire in the 3500 block of Goodwin Court in Mantua (via FCFRD/Twitter)

(Updated at 1:35 p.m.) One person was found dead after a house fire in the Mantua area last night, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says.

The department said this morning that one occupant of the house in the 3500 block of Goodview Court was not accounted for.

News

Loop trail, nature playground planned for new Ruckstahl Park in Idylwood

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 23, 2022 at 11:00AM

The development plan for Ruckstuhl Park in Idylwood includes a new vehicular entrance (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

Fairfax County’s plan to develop Ruckstahl Park in Idylwood with new amenities came into clearer focus this month.

Building off a 2015 master plan, the Fairfax County Park Authority board approved a scope for the approximately $2 million project at its final 2022 meeting on Dec. 14, the agency announced on Wednesday (Dec. 21).

News

Driver in fatal Bailey’s Crossroads hit-and-run arrested

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 23, 2022 at 9:30AM

Northbound S. George Mason Drive approaching the Skyline Plaza entrance (via Google Maps)

A Maryland driver is facing possible manslaughter and hit-and-run charges for a fatal, two-vehicle crash that occurred in Bailey’s Crossroads in May.

Tewodros Worku, 35, was arrested Monday (Dec. 19) by Fairfax County detectives and the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday.

Around Town

Report: Midwestern steakhouse to make East Coast debut in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 22, 2022 at 2:15PM

Westpark Corporate Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Another steakhouse is staking out a claim in Tysons.

The Iowa-based, family-owned chain 801 Chophouse has leased space in the Westpark Corporate Center (8484 Westpark Drive) that was vacated a few years ago by McCormick & Schmick’s, the Washington Business Journal reported yesterday.

Around Town

Chopt’s Vienna restaurant has tossed its final salad

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 22, 2022 at 11:00AM

Signs for Chopt have already been removed after the restaurant's Vienna location closed on Dec. 18, 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Chopt quietly put its Vienna location on the chopping block over the weekend.

The fast-casual salad eatery had its final day of business in the town on Sunday (Dec. 18), according to a notice posted to the door at 160 Maple Avenue West. Employees at the McLean location (1449A Chain Bridge Road) confirmed that the closure is permanent.

Countywide

FCPS collective bargaining proposal ready for school board consideration

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 22, 2022 at 9:30AM

SEIU Virginia 512 President David Broder and Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston urged the Fairfax County School Board to adopt a collective bargaining resolution at a Dec. 15 public hearing (courtesy David Broder/Twitter)

More than a year after Fairfax County government workers got collective bargaining rights, a proposal could extend the option to their public school counterparts.

After months of work, Fairfax County Public School administrators presented a draft resolution to the school board last week that would let employees organize and elect a union to negotiate labor contracts, setting terms for pay, benefits and work conditions.

News

UPDATED: Pedestrian dies after car crash near Beacon Center on Route 1

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 21, 2022 at 8:15PM | Updated December 22, 2022 at 7:01PM

Fairfax County police car lights (file photo)

(Updated at 7 p.m. on 12/22/2022) A pedestrian involved in a crash on Richmond Highway (Route 1) in Groveton on Wednesday (Dec. 21) has died, police announced today (Thursday).

Around 6:40 p.m., the driver of a 2014 Nissan Altima going south on Richmond Highway hit 72-year-old Kim Hampton, who was crossing the southbound travel lanes from Beacon Center to Beacon Hill Road, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.