Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

Around Town

New year brings more America’s 250th birthday events to Vienna, Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey
Vienna is hosting a Virginia LOVE sign by its Memorial Fountain for a new year celebration of the U.S.'s 250th anniversary (photo by Amy Woolsey)

With the calendar turning to 2026, local celebrations of America’s 250th birthday will kick into a new gear, leading up to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing on July 4.

For residents looking to stay closer to home instead of venturing into D.C. for this week’s light show at the Washington Monument, the Town of Vienna will launch its own semiquincentennial festivities this Sunday (Jan. 4) with a “patriotic celebration” near the Town Green.

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Opinion

Poll: Will Fairfax County’s new meals tax affect your dining habits?

By Angela Woolsey
Man in business suit pays for drinks at a cafe (photo via Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash)

Fairfax County officially has a meals tax.

The 4% levy on prepared food and beverages took effect yesterday (Jan. 1), aligning the county with most other Northern Virginia localities that have imposed a 3-5% tax for years.

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Around Town

These were FFXnow’s most-read stories of 2025

By Angela Woolsey
Udvar-Hazy Center visitors take in the Space Shuttle Discovery (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Before entering a new year, FFXnow took a look back on some of the stories that defined the past 12 months in Fairfax County.

A review of our most-read stories for 2025 suggests local impacts of federal government actions — specifically, the Trump administration’s mass layoffs and bid to move the Discovery space shuttle out of Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly — were top concerns.

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Countywide

Fairfax resident to lead Virginia’s diversity efforts under Gov.-elect Spanberger

By Angela Woolsey
Dr. Sesha Joi Moon has been appointed as Virginia's chief diversity officer and director of diversity, equity and inclusion (courtesy Spanberger transition team)

A Fairfax resident who has championed diversity in organizations from Congress to the Girl Scouts will soon apply that experience to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Dr. Sesha Joi Moon has been appointed as Virginia’s next chief diversity officer and director of diversity, equity and inclusion, joining a growing list of local figures enlisted by Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger to serve in her cabinet.

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Countywide

Metro offers free late-night rides, as Fairfax County offices close for New Year’s

By Angela Woolsey
A Silver Line train to Ashburn stopped at the Tysons Metro station at night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro will provide free rides and two extra hours of train service tonight (Wednesday) to support safe travel for New Year’s Eve revelers.

Fares will be free for both train and bus riders from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., thanks to a partnership between the transit agency and the brewing company Molson Coors, before service is reduced to a weekend late night schedule and a Sunday schedule, respectively, on New Year’s Day.

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News

Housing with community center proposed for former T-Mobile campus in Reston

By Angela Woolsey
Stanley Martin Homes' East Link redevelopment proposal for the former T-Mobile office campus in Reston (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

A local homebuilder has answered the call to redevelop T-Mobile’s now-vacant campus in Reston.

Stanley Martin Homes, which is headquartered in Reston, is proposing to build more than 1,000 residences, including 174 income-restricted units, in place of the 36-acre office park adjacent to the Herndon Metro station.

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News

DOJ alleges McLean man texted death threat to federal employee

By Angela Woolsey
The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A McLean man is facing federal prosecution after allegedly threatening a federal employee via a Google Voice text message.

The Justice Department charged Scott Allen Bolger, 33, last Friday (Dec. 26) with sending threats across state lines and making false statements when questioned by investigators, according to a press release and court documents.

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News

D.C. man charged with a dozen vehicle break-ins and thefts in Reston area

By Angela Woolsey
A Fairfax County police vehicle at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A man from D.C. is facing more than two dozen criminal charges in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins and thefts reported in western Fairfax County.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives believe the 30-year-old man is behind 12 different incidents that occurred in Reston, McNair and the Greenbriar area east of Chantilly, starting with a vehicle tampering and theft reported on May 31 in the 13600 block of Dulles Technology Drive near the Innovation Center Metro station.

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News

Republicans back homeschooling advocate for 17th House District seat

By Angela Woolsey
Christopher Cardiff is the Republican nominee for the 17th House District seat vacated by Mark Sickles (courtesy Christopher Cardiff)

Fairfax County Republicans have thrown their support behind a former data analytics professional and homeschooling advocate in a bid to flip Virginia’s 17th House District seat.

Voters registered in the district selected Christopher F. Cardiff as their nominee at a party canvass held yesterday morning (Monday), the Fairfax County Republican Committee (Fairfax GOP) announced.

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