Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

UPDATED: One person found dead after Mantua area house fire

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.

Countywide

JUST IN: Flood Watch issued for D.C. area as winter storm looms

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 21, 2022 at 3:45PM

Dec. 22 Flood Watch advisory area (via Fairfax Alerts)

A major winter storm is headed for the D.C. area, just in time to disrupt holiday travel.

While the snow and ice created by a “bomb cyclone” is expected to stay further west, Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area are in for a downpour, according to the National Weather Service.

News

McLean residents affected by I-495 widening push for possible legislative action

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 21, 2022 at 3:00PM

Trees along Live Oak Drive in McLean have been cut down so the Beltway can be widened (photo by April Georgelas)

The project to extend the I-495 Express Lanes north toward the American Legion Bridge has been under construction for half a year now, but some McLean residents remain as determined as ever to fight the Beltway’s encroachment into their neighborhoods.

Residents along Live Oak Drive in particular have consistently argued that they will face the most disruptions from the I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) without getting the congestion relief benefits touted by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

News

JUST IN: Driver indicted after crashing bus of kindergarteners on Cox Farms trip

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 21, 2022 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Police Department Capt. Rachel Levy at an October press conference on Troy Reynolds' arrest following a school bus crash (via ABC7)

A bus driver was indicted by a grand jury yesterday (Tuesday) for allegedly driving drunk while transporting D.C. kindergarten students home from a trip to Cox Farms in Centreville.

Troy Reynolds, 48, faces nine felony charges of child endangerment and three misdemeanor charges, including a second offense of driving while intoxicated, driving with a disqualified commercial license, and driving a bus without a commercial driver’s license, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today.