Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Report recommends Haycock Road diet, ‘slow streets’ and sidewalks for West Falls Church Metro area

Published December 7, 2022 at 2:15PM

A new report recommends pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the West Falls Church Transit Station Area (via Fairfax County)

The pedestrian and bicycle network around the West Falls Church Metro station in Idylwood is uncomfortable to use in some places and nonexistent in many others, a newly released report found.

The West Falls Church Active Transportation Study confirms community complaints that local roads are unsafe and inadequate for current residents, let alone the influx of newcomers anticipated with 1.8 million square feet of new development planned in the transit station area (TSA).

Around Town

Kusshi Ko is now dishing out sushi at Pike 7 Plaza

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 7, 2022 at 11:00AM

Kusshi Ko's seared salmon nigiri (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new sushi restaurant has opened in Tysons.

Kusshi Ko started welcoming customers at 8365 Leesburg Pike in Pike 7 Plaza with a soft opening on Friday (Dec. 2).

News

Dog fatally shot by Fairfax County SWAT team during raid in Herndon

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 7, 2022 at 10:10AM | Updated December 7, 2022 at 3:50PM

Fairfax County police cruiser with lights on (via FCPD/Facebook)

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) A dog was shot and killed by Fairfax County police during a search of a house in Herndon this morning.

Officers with the Fairfax County Police Department’s SWAT team were serving a search warrant in the 1500 block of Powells Place Tavern, a neighborhood of single-family homes near Dranesville Elementary School, according to the department.

Countywide

Fees waived at Fairfax County waste disposal sites for former Haulin’ Trash customers

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 7, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated December 7, 2022 at 2:59PM

Fairfax County's I-66 Transfer Station (via Google Maps)

Residents served by Haulin’ Trash, the now-bankrupt private trash collector, will be allowed to use Fairfax County’s waste disposal facilities at no charge for the next month.

The Board of Supervisors moved yesterday to suspend charges for affected individuals who drop off their household trash and recycling at the county’s I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) and I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road).

Around Town

Tysons Galleria awaits return of Black Santa, preview of new Singaporean restaurant

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 6, 2022 at 1:30PM

Black Santa will return to Tysons Galleria this weekend (courtesy Santas Just Like Me)

Tysons Galleria is getting a triple dose of Santa Claus this December.

In addition to the previously reported “Pictures with Santa” event, which is now taking place daily near Sweetgreen, the mall will host a Fashion Santa and the return of Black Santa, who proved to be a big draw for Neiman Marcus last year.

News

Flats at Tysons condo plan poised for approval despite staff objections

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 6, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated December 6, 2022 at 3:26PM

The proposed Flats at Tysons Corner condo development includes a 14,500-square-foot urban park (via Fairfax County)

(Updated at 3:25 p.m.) Plans for an 86-unit condominium development by Fairfax Square in Tysons will go to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a public hearing this afternoon after securing the planning commission’s support last week.

The commission voted 9-0 on Wednesday (Nov. 30) to recommend that the board approve Pulte Group’s Flats at Tysons Corner on the 1953 Gallows Road parking lot, despite county staff’s continued objections to loading spaces being on a street rather than inside the buildings.

Countywide

County sees jump in Covid cases after Thanksgiving, as closures of vaccine and testing sites loom

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 6, 2022 at 9:45AM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 26 weeks, as of Dec. 5, 2022 (via VDH)

The Fairfax Health District saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Thanksgiving’s wake, a reminder that the coronavirus hasn’t disappeared even if the face masks and other health protocols aimed at limiting its spread mostly have.

The district, which includes Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, is averaging 238 cases per day for the past week, as of yesterday, according to Virginia Department of Health data.

News

Person killed in two-vehicle crash on Prosperity Avenue

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 6, 2022 at 9:05AM | Updated December 6, 2022 at 3:18PM

Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

(Updated at 3:20 p.m.) A 19-year-old man from Chantilly died this morning in a two-vehicle crash on Prosperity Avenue in Merrifield.

According to police, David Mendez Hernandez was driving north in the 2900 block of Prosperity Avenue in a 2007 Nissan 350Z when he crashed into a tractor-trailer turning left into the southbound lanes. He was transported to a hospital, where he died.

Around Town

Circa and Él Bebe are finally opening today at The Boro in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 5, 2022 at 2:15PM

The Mexican restaurant Él Bebe is finally ready to open at The Boro in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The wait for new restaurants at The Boro in Tysons is over at last.

Circa bistro (1675 Silver Hill Drive) and Él Bebe (8354 Broad Street), a Mexican restaurant and bar, will open their doors to diners at 4 p.m. today, said the Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG), which owns both brands.

News

Fatal crash on Route 50 near Graham Park Plaza raises county’s pedestrian death toll

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 5, 2022 at 10:45AM | Updated December 5, 2022 at 1:26PM

The intersection of Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) and Allen Street in West Falls Church (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 1:15 p.m.) A man died last night after being hit by a vehicle in the Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) intersection with Allen Street in West Falls Church.

The Fairfax County Police Department reported that officers were at the scene of the crash shortly before 8:30 p.m. The pedestrian was transported to a hospital, where he died, police said.