Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Man arrested for allegedly setting fire to Annandale house

Published May 4, 2023 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County firefighters tackle a house fire in the 4900 block of Bristow Drive in Annandale on April 27, 2023 (courtesy FCFRD)

Arson was behind an April 27 house fire in Annandale that cost two people and a dog their home, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says.

Clinton James Hall, 27, was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) and charged with one count of burning or destroying a building after investigators determined that the fire in the 4900 block of Bristow Drive was “incendiary in nature.”

Countywide

FCPS focuses on absenteeism, special education with last round of federal relief funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 3:00PM

Fairfax County Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Sloan Presidio presents a proposed ESSER III spending plan to the school board (via FCPS/YouTube)

The influx of federal money that has helped buoy Fairfax County Public Schools and other school systems around the U.S. as they emerged from the first year of the Covid pandemic is starting to run out.

Facing a September 2024 deadline, FCPS officials presented a plan to the school board last Thursday (April 27) for spending approximately $57.5 million remaining from the $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) awarded by the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021.

News

Vienna’s Independence Day fireworks will be unleashed early again

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 2:15PM

A crowd at Yeonas Park waits for fireworks during Vienna's Fourth of July celebration (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Vienna will hold its big Fourth of July celebration two days early this year, the second in a row that has required a scheduling change.

The festivities at Yeonas Park (1319 Ross Drive SW) had to be moved up to Sunday, July 2, due to continued staffing shortages in the fireworks industry, the town announced on Monday (May 1).

News

JUST IN: Dogs and cat killed in Annandale house fire

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 12:45PM

Three pets were killed in a house fire in Annandale (via FCFRD/Twitter)

Multiple pets were killed in a house fire in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood of Annandale this morning.

Fairfax County firefighters were dispatched to the single-family house in the 3500 block of Marvin Street at 11:19 a.m., according to scanner traffic.

Countywide

County board cuts tax rate, increases employee pay with adjusted budget

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 11:45AM

SEIU Virginia 512 Fairfax County representatives advocate for more worker compensation to Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay's office (courtesy SEIU Virginia 512)

With over $110 million in unallocated funds to work with, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors moved yesterday (Tuesday) to address employee compensation, tax relief and other priorities.

As approved by the board 9-1, nearly all of that available money will go toward reducing the real estate tax rate by 1.5 cents and fully funding salary market rate adjustments for county employees — items totaling $47 million and $54.9 million, respectively.

Around Town

For first time, Cirque du Soleil selects Tysons for U.S. debut of new show

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2023 at 11:00AM

Cirque du Soleil's nature-themed "Echo" show will make its U.S. debut in Tysons this September (photo by Jean-François Savaria)

When Cirque du Soleil rolls into Tysons this fall, American audiences will get their first opportunity to watch its brand-new show.

The Canadian circus launched the environment-themed production “Echo” on Thursday (April 27) with a world premiere in Montreal.

News

Group protesting Bangladesh prime minister shuts down Tysons Blvd

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 5:20PM

D.C. area BNP supporters protest against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina outside the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons (via hafizkhandcusa/Facebook)

Tysons Blvd was shut down in front of the Ritz-Carlton this afternoon by demonstrators protesting a visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Police closed the road between Galleria Drive and Park Run Drive starting around 3:50 p.m., according to a Fairfax Alert.

News

Vienna hits gas pedal on plan to slow down traffic on Echols Street

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 2:15PM

The word "stop" will be painted before the stop sign at the Echols Street SE and Berry Street intersection (via Google Maps)

The drive down Echols Street SE is about to get bumpier — and, the Town of Vienna hopes, a little slower.

After some initial skepticism, the Vienna Town Council gave its support on April 24 to traffic-calming measures designed to force drivers to slow down on the two-lane residential street, which crosses over Wolftrap Creek.

News

JUST IN: Tysons Community Alliance selects first permanent CEO

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 10:15AM

Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol will serve as the Tysons Community Alliance's first permanent CEO (courtesy TCA)

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) has its first permanent leader.

Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol will take over as the first permanent CEO on July 5, the community improvement district announced today (Tuesday).

News

Person dies in Springfield crash after car plunges off I-495 onto train tracks

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 9:10AM | Updated May 2, 2023 at 11:42AM

The westbound I-495 exit to I-395 North (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 11:40 a.m.) One person was killed early this morning (Tuesday) after their vehicle apparently drove off the Capital Beltway (I-495) near the Springfield Mixing Bowl and crashed onto railroad tracks below.

An initial investigation indicates that a Kia was headed west on I-495 towards northbound I-395 when it veered off the interstate near exit 170B, according to Virginia State Police, which responded at 1:19 a.m.