Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Shooter fires gun into car in Mount Vernon, killing man, police say

Published October 3, 2022 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County police car (file photo)

Fairfax County police are investigating a fatal shooting after someone allegedly fired multiple gunshots into a car parked in the Mount Vernon area yesterday morning (Sunday), killing one of the occupants.

Officers were called to the Old Mill Gardens apartment complex at Jeff Todd Way and St. Gregory’s Lane shortly before 7 a.m. after receiving a report of gunshots in the area, Fairfax County Police Department Lt. Dan Spital said at a media briefing.

Countywide

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: Sept. 26-30

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 30, 2022 at 3:45PM

Bicyclist crosses Wiehle Avenue in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The weekend is almost here. Before the remnants of Hurricane Ian arrive or you head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:

News

County seeks more input on West Falls Church Metro pedestrian and bicycle safety

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 30, 2022 at 2:15PM

The West Falls Church Active Transportation Study area (via FCDOT)

The general public’s last chance to weigh in on Fairfax County’s ongoing study of the bicycle and pedestrian network in the West Falls Church Metro station area will come later than anticipated.

Two community meetings that had been scheduled for next week will instead be held on Oct. 26 and 27, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation announced yesterday (Thursday).

News

Vienna Courts duplexes split planning commission but ultimately advance

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 30, 2022 at 10:15AM

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

The Vienna Planning Commission made clear Wednesday (Sept. 28) that in concept, it’s in favor of redeveloping the Vienna Courts offices as duplex housing, but the lack of open space remains a sticking point.

After getting unanimous support for its proposed rezoning, developer BFR Construction Company merely eked out a win from the commission when it came to requested site modifications that it argued are necessary to build the planned residences.

Countywide

With flooding possible, Hurricane Ian washes out some local events

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 30, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated September 30, 2022 at 5:05PM

Fairfax County faces a marginal risk of flash flooding from Hurricane Ian (via NOAA)

(Updated at 5:05 p.m.) An October weekend once filled with fall events is starting to clear out, as Fairfax County braces for Hurricane Ian.

The storm that devastated Florida after making landfall on Wednesday (Sept. 28) is expected to weaken as it heads north, but its rain and winds could still prove dangerous, the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security (DEMS) warns.

News

McLean church plans sale of century-old building to Montessori school

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2022 at 2:15PM

Chesterbrook United Methodist Church and Montessori School of McLean share a building at 1711 Kirby Road in McLean (via Google Maps)

The Montessori School of McLean could soon have the property at 1711 Kirby Road all to itself.

The private elementary school has occupied the nearly 4-acre parcel since the early 1970s, but the site has been shared with the Chesterbrook United Methodist Church, which constructed its longtime home there in 1920.

News

Police: Motorcyclist died after crash on I-495 near Inova Fairfax

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2022 at 11:45AM

Southbound I-495 approaching the exit to Gallows Road (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred on I-495 South in the Annandale area last Friday (Sept. 23), the agency announced today (Thursday).

According to police, 25-year-old Carlos Javier Velez Mantalvo from Orlando, Florida, was riding a 2006 Honda CBR600 motorcycle, going south on I-495 early that morning.

News

New Sunrise Senior Living in McLean to welcome residents next spring

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2022 at 11:00AM

Sunrise of McLean Village will have a heritage garden with private and public sections (courtesy Sunrise Senior Living)

Construction continues to chug along on Sunrise Senior Living’s upcoming facility in McLean.

Sunrise of McLean Village broke ground at 1515 Chain Bridge Road on June 18, 2021 and is projected to move in its first residents in spring 2023, according to spokesperson John Chibnall.

Countywide

Morning Poll: How often will you ride Silver Line Phase 2 when it opens?

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated September 30, 2022 at 9:43AM

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation advertises the coming opening of Metro's Silver Line extension at the Mosaic District Fall Festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 9:40 a.m. on 9/30/2022) Metro’s extension of the Silver Line through Herndon into Loudoun County is finally starting to look like a reality, instead of a hypothetical, albeit expensive, project.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority unveiled new maps for its rail system last Friday (Sept. 23) that featured the six new stations, among other changes. A day earlier, its general manager got the go-ahead to set an opening date, though one has yet to be announced.

Countywide

Investigation into former Glasgow MS counselor finds “systematic issues” in FCPS hiring, firing processes

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 28, 2022 at 2:15PM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools will require all workers to undergo “regular” background checks after a now-terminated counselor remained employed at Lincolnia’s Glasgow Middle School despite being convicted of a sex crime.

The new policy is one of several changes announced yesterday (Tuesday) by FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid in response to an independent investigation into why the school system continued to employ Darren Thornton after he was convicted on March 11 of soliciting prostitution from a minor in Chesterfield County.