Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

JUST IN: Serial killer gets life in prison for 1987 Herndon murder

Published December 8, 2022 at 3:50PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A man already serving a life sentence in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 2002 has pleaded guilty to killing a woman in Herndon 35 years ago.

The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney announced today that Charles Helem was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering 37-year-old Eige Sober-Adler, whose body was found in a field near the Dulles Toll Road on Sept. 8, 1987.

News

Developers seek to expand Mosaic District’s vibes to more of Merrifield

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 8, 2022 at 1:30PM

The Alliance Center Condominiums could be replaced by multifamily residential buildings (via Fairfax County)

The Mosaic District has been declared a rousing success by Fairfax County, but between that mixed-use neighborhood and the Dunn Loring Metro station to the north, vestiges of Merrifield’s more industrial past remain.

A trio of new redevelopment pitches promise to further the county’s efforts to revitalize Merrifield by replacing older properties with housing that’s more closely integrated with retail, offices and other commercial activities.

News

Man injured in Springfield house fire, evacuated by helicopter

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 8, 2022 at 11:20AM

Firefighters respond to a house fire in the 6300 block of Abilene Street in Springfield (via FCFRD/Twitter)

A man has been taken to a hospital by helicopter after suffering burn injuries from a house fire in Springfield.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported at 10:14 a.m. that residents were initially trapped by the fire in the 6300 block of Abilene Street — a residential neighborhood near John R. Lewis High School.

News

Town council approves downsized Vienna Courts condo development

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 8, 2022 at 10:15AM

A rendering of the duplexes proposed to replace the Vienna Courts condos (via Town of Vienna)

The Vienna Courts offices will officially be replaced with residential condominiums.

The Vienna Town Council voted Monday (Dec. 5) to approve a rezoning and site plans that would allow 12 two-story condo duplexes with two units each at 127-133 Park Street — a more modest project than the 30 units that developer BFR Construction originally proposed.

News

BREAKING: Police search for driver who killed I-66 construction worker in Oakton

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 8, 2022 at 9:40AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 11:41AM

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

Updated at 11:40 a.m. on 12/9/2022 — The Virginia State Police says it located the Chevrolet Malibu involved in the I-66 hit-and-run in a local public parking garage after receiving a phone tip last night (Thursday).

“The Malibu has been seized as evidence and is being processed,” police said. “The temporary tags displayed on the vehicle do not belong to the vehicle. The investigation into identifying and locating the driver of the Malibu remains ongoing at this time.”

News

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

By Angela Woolsey

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.