Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

NPS: Starting today, no vehicle access to Turkey Run Park until the fall

Published April 10, 2023 at 11:00AM

The entrance to the Turkey Run Loop Road from the northbound GW Parkway ramp exit (via Google Maps)

For the next six months, anyone who wants to visit Turkey Run Park in McLean will have to get there on foot.

All parking lots and the Turkey Run Loop Road that leads into the park from the George Washington Memorial Parkway will close today (Monday) for repair and repaving work, the National Park Service (NPS) announced this morning.

Around Town

Tysons sushi restaurant, Kusshi Ko, closes temporarily

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2023 at 3:00PM

The sushi restaurant Kusshi Ko opened at Pike 7 Plaza in December 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

If you stopped by Kusshi Ko in Tysons for lunch today and found the doors locked, don’t be alarmed.

The sushi restaurant announced this week that it has temporarily closed, but co-owner Tony Chow says a reopening can be expected shortly, attributing the closure to the need to obtain another permit.

Countywide

As staffing challenges continue, FCPD partners with GMU to study officers

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated April 7, 2023 at 3:52PM

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis and GMU professor Dr. Cynthia Lum announce a long-term study of local police officers (via FCPD/Facebook)

(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) The Fairfax County Police Department and George Mason University have joined forces with an Arlington-based think tank to study how the attitudes and behavior of police officers evolve over the course of their careers.

Touted as the first of its kind in the U.S., the long-term or longitudinal study is intended to give the FCPD and other police departments a better understanding of how to address staffing challenges by following a select group of officers, potentially over decades.

News

Discovery of hawks nest puts Oakton stormwater pond repairs on hold

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2023 at 11:15AM

Two hawks have a nest in a tree at the Circle Woods stormwater pond in Oakton (courtesy DPWES)

Maintenance work on the Circle Woods stormwater pond in Oakton will have to wait until this summer — or until the hawks nesting in a nearby tree take their leave.

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) shared on Monday (April 3) that its contractor had encountered an “active hawks nest” in a tree that has been slated for removal.

News

UPDATED: Construction on I-495 toll lanes can continue during lawsuit, judge says

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated April 7, 2023 at 2:11PM

I-495 North approaching the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Georgetown Pike exits (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) Construction on the widening of the Capital Beltway (I-495) can continue while a lawsuit filed by McLean residents works its way through the court system, a federal judge ruled this morning (Friday).

The Northern Virginia Citizens Association had urged U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema to issue a preliminary injunction against the project that would halt all work until further environmental analysis is conducted.

News

UPDATED: Pedestrian killed in crash at Richmond Highway near Fairfax County Parkway

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2023 at 8:30AM | Updated April 7, 2023 at 7:56PM

Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

(Updated at 7:55 p.m.) A pedestrian was killed this morning (Friday) in a crash on Richmond Highway (Route 1) near Fairfax County Parkway in the Fort Belvoir area.

Phillip Hester, 62, was walking on Richmond Highway at Anderson Lane when the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Impala headed south hit him at 5:57 a.m., the Fairfax County Police Department reported.

News

Vienna police officers awarded for response to 2021 shooting outside Navy Federal Credit Union

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 2:15PM

Vienna police officers are recognized at the 45th annual Fairfax County Valor Awards (courtesy Vienna Police Department)

A pair of Vienna police officers won an award last week for helping turn the tables on a shooting suspect back in October 2021.

During a March 30 ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, officers Emily Lichtenberg and Alex Murray received a Silver Medal of Valor at the 45th annual Fairfax County Valor Awards, which recognize achievements by local first responders.

Countywide

EXCLUSIVE: Abrar Omeish bows out of school board race to work with youth-focused legal nonprofit

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County School Board At-Large Representative Abrar Omeish at a Girl Scouts President's Circle dinner (courtesy Abrar Omeish)

The Fairfax County School Board will have a lot of new faces next year — and perhaps, a couple of members reemerging from its past.

The latest member to opt out of a reelection bid is at-large member Abrar Omeish, who told FFXnow that she has instead accepted a job with a nonprofit that focuses on youth law and advocacy.

Around Town

Latin wine bar Grand Cata coming to Mosaic District for first Virginia shop

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 11:00AM

The D.C. wine store Grand Cata is working to open a wine bar and market at the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Mosaic District’s Sip and Stroll map may soon get a new stop.

Grand Cata, a D.C.-based Latin American wine bar and market, is expanding to Virginia for the first time with a new store in the Merrifield neighborhood.

News

Woman reportedly abducted in New York killed in gunfight between police and suspect on I-95

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated April 6, 2023 at 6:12PM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

(Updated at 6:10 p.m.) A woman who was allegedly abducted in New York died last night (Wednesday) after a police chase that started on I-95 in Springfield ended in gunfire near Quantico.

According to Virginia State Police, at 9:40 p.m., one of its troopers attempted to stop a Jeep Cherokee traveling south on I-95 near the Backlick Road exit for having the wrong license plates on display.