Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Micro-roast coffee shop brewing in ‘historic’ Vienna office formerly filled by bank

Published February 9, 2023 at 11:00AM

A proposed sign for Frame Coffee Roasters at 302 Maple Avenue West in Vienna (via Best Sign USA/Town of Vienna)

A new micro-roast coffee shop hopes to beautify an aging office building in the Town of Vienna.

Frame Coffee Roasters recently got the Vienna Board of Architectural Review’s approval to add signage above its future entrance at 302 Maple Avenue West. It will fill a ground-floor space vacated a couple of years ago by Burke & Herbert Bank, which relocated.

Countywide

County board challenges FCPS over delay of cameras on school bus stop-arms

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 9, 2023 at 10:15AM

A Fairfax County Public Schools bus parked at Vienna Elementary School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials have waited a decade now for public school buses to be outfitted with video cameras, and their patience is wearing thin.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday (Feb. 7) asking Fairfax County Public Schools to explain why it has yet to implement a school bus stop-arm camera program that staff started exploring back in 2013.

News

Vienna begins replacing Freeman Store pedestrian bridge, requiring W&OD Trail detour

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 8, 2023 at 1:30PM

Construction is beginning to replace the bridge between the Freeman Store and W&OD Trail (via Town of Vienna/Twitter)

Construction is set to begin on a replacement of the collapsed pedestrian bridge by the Freeman Store and Museum in Vienna.

The project will require crews to block off a portion of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, necessitating a detour, according to the Town of Vienna.

News

To address increased food insecurity, nonprofit Food for Others expands Merrifield warehouse

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 8, 2023 at 11:00AM

Food for Others Executive Director Annie Turner says the nonprofit's new My Market gives clients choice and reduces food waste (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As Wall Street continues to debate the likelihood of a recession, the past couple years of economic turmoil have already hit many Fairfax County residents in the wallet — and the stomach.

The need for food assistance remains almost as high as in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Merrifield-based nonprofit Food for Others, which saw twice as many families seeking help in 2020 compared to 2019.

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax County sets date to end Covid pandemic state of emergency

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 7, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated February 8, 2023 at 11:20AM

The Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 11:20 a.m. on 2/8/2023) When March arrives, the COVID-19 pandemic will no longer be an officially declared emergency in Fairfax County.

After honoring individuals and organizations in the community who helped the county respond to the pandemic this weekend, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today (Tuesday) to terminate the local state of emergency declaration that has been in place since March 17, 2020.

Around Town

Loyal Companion to close all Fairfax County pet stores at end of month

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 7, 2023 at 2:15PM

Loyal Companion is closing all of its Fairfax County stores, including one at the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Loyal Companion is letting out one final howl before permanently shuttering all of its stores in Fairfax County.

Independent Pet Partners, the pet wellness chain’s parent company, announced yesterday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to close all its stores outside of Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

News

Proposed McLean field conversion revives worries about health risks of synthetic turf

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 7, 2023 at 11:00AM

The baseball diamond at Linway Terrace Park (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) wants Fairfax County to reconsider its embrace of synthetic turf for athletic fields, as a decision nears on whether to replace the grass baseball diamond at Linway Terrace Park (6246 Linway Terrace).

The organization, which represents residents of the greater McLean area, has called for a review of the county’s practices regarding synthetic turf, particularly the potential health and environmental risks posed by crumb rubber — bits of recycled tire commonly used for artificial fields.

News

UPDATED: Suspect arrested after woman critically injured in Mount Vernon shooting

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 7, 2023 at 9:40AM | Updated February 8, 2023 at 9:59AM

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

Updated at 10 a.m. on 2/8/2023 — Fairfax County police have identified the shooting suspect as 27-year-old Maryland resident Collins Agyei, who will be charged with aggravated malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The victim remains in critical condition, police say.

News

DEVELOPING: Shooting in Groveton prompts police search for suspect

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 6, 2023 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

A person has been hospitalized after a reported shooting in Groveton.

Fairfax County police officers are currently at the scene in the 7100 block of Fairchild Drive.

News

Tysons has been adding more public facilities, but for a library, expect to wait

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 6, 2023 at 3:00PM

Existing public facilities are in red, while planned ones are blue (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County has made some progress over the past decade in introducing public amenities to support its growing community in Tysons.

Since adopting its Tysons Comprehensive Plan in 2010, the county has secured sites for 14 new, major public facilities, including the completed Scotts Run Fire Station and Capital One Hall, which is privately owned but guarantees space for community groups under an agreement with ArtsFairfax.