Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

State, federal legislators look to address speed enforcement on GW Parkway

Published December 18, 2025 at 10:15AM | Updated December 23, 2025 at 1:44PM

Southbound traffic on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Belle Haven (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Lawmakers who represent southeastern Fairfax County at both the state and federal levels are looking to clear the way for increased speed enforcement on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Rep. Don Beyer unveiled legislation yesterday (Wednesday) to authorize revenue generated by any speed cameras on roads maintained by the National Park Service, such as the GW Parkway, to be used for speed camera installations, maintenance and construction projects on those same roads.

News

Public hearing to name FCPS’ new western high school set for tonight

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 18, 2025 at 8:30AM

The lobby of the former King Abdullah Academy, which will be converted into a new public high school for western Fairfax County (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools officials are starting to close in on a name for the new high school expected to open in the Floris area south of Herndon next year.

The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing at its meeting tonight (Thursday) to accept community feedback on potential names recommended earlier this month by FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid.

News

UPDATED: Man fatally shot in Reston, suspect arrested after intense search

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 17, 2025 at 1:55PM | Updated December 18, 2025 at 8:41PM

Fairfax County police on Cocquina Drive at Glade Drive in Reston for fatal shooting investigation (staff photo)

A man was fatally shot in south Reston this morning (Wednesday), prompting an extensive police search for another man believed to be the suspect.

Fairfax County police officers were dispatched to the 12300 block of Fan Shell Court in the Cocquina Cluster around 11:49 a.m. after a 911 caller reported that his mother had arrived at the house and found it to be “a mess,” suggesting a possible break-in, according to scanner traffic.

News

Lottery ticket sold in Annandale nets $1 million in winnings

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 17, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Express Food Mart in Annandale (via Google Maps)

One recent customer of the Express Food Mart in Annandale is now a millionaire — at least before taxes kick in.

A lottery ticket sold by the convenience store at 4713 Backlick Road resulted in a $1 million prize for the not-yet-identified buyer, Virginia Lottery announced on Sunday (Dec. 14).

News

Trump administration pushes for action on American Legion Bridge rebuild

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 17, 2025 at 10:00AM

Traffic entering and leaving Maryland on the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 8, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Like many local and state officials in Virginia, the Trump administration appears to be growing impatient with a perceived lack of progress by Maryland to replace the American Legion Memorial Bridge.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced last week (Dec. 9) that the Federal Highway Administration will seek feedback and proposals on ways to accelerate the delivery of a new bridge in the hopes of relieving congestion on the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-270).

News

JUST IN: Gretchen Bulova wins primary for husband’s Va. House seat

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 16, 2025 at 9:15PM

Voters enter the Jim Scott Community Center for the 11th House District Democratic primary on Dec. 16, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia’s 11th House District will likely be represented by another Bulova, starting next year.

Democratic voters in the district nominated Gretchen M. Bulova in a quick firehouse primary today (Tuesday) to succeed her husband, David Bulova, after the delegate resigned last Friday (Dec. 12) to accept an appointment in Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

News

Herndon site near future western high school deemed ‘suitable’ for data center

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 16, 2025 at 11:45AM

Site work appears to be already underway to prepare the former Word of Grace property at 13832 Redskin Drive in Herndon for data centers (via Google Maps)

Plans are solidifying for another data center facility in the Route 28 corridor just east of Dulles International Airport.

A Fairfax County planner affirmed this month that a proposed data center would be “suitable” for the former Word of Grace Christian Church property at 13832 Redskin Drive in Herndon, and that the facility would be “fully consistent” with local ordinances, according to a letter uploaded to the county’s land use database yesterday (Monday).

News

Vienna Baptist Church sells home, moves in with fellow church

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 16, 2025 at 9:15AM

A sign for Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two churches in Vienna have found a way to live together in harmony, while still staying true to their distinct religious identities.

The Vienna Baptist Church has now fully moved into the Emmaus United Church of Christ building at 900 Maple Avenue East after finalizing a sale of its longtime home at 541 Marshall Road SW.

News

Man dies after getting charged with DUI by Fairfax City police

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 16, 2025 at 8:30AM

The City of Fairfax Police Department station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Police are investigating the death of a man who experienced health issues after getting arrested for a crash in Fairfax City over the weekend.

Officers responded around 8:05 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 14) for a single-vehicle crash at the Shell gas station at 11201 Fairfax Blvd. The 66-year-old driver was believed to have been under the influence of alcohol based on a preliminary investigation, the City of Fairfax Police Department says.

Around Town

American Girl store set to close, relocate within Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 15, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 15, 2025 at 7:06PM

American Girl store at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

American Girl will soon be on the move at Tysons Corner Center.

The popular doll retailer is set to close its existing Tysons store on Jan. 4, 2026 ahead of a relocation to what appears to be a smaller storefront on the other side of the mall, according to notices posted on its website and signage in the store.