Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Reported sexual assault in Mount Vernon under police investigation

Published August 22, 2022 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County police car (file photo)

Fairfax County police are still on the lookout for a suspect after a woman reported being sexually assaulted at gunpoint last week near the Sacramento Center in Mount Vernon.

The woman was walking east towards Richmond Highway when she “was approached from behind” around 9:29 p.m. on Wednesday (Aug. 17) in the 8700 block of Sacramento Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department said on Friday (Aug. 19).

Countywide

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: Aug. 15-19

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 19, 2022 at 3:45PM

Construction continues on the Makers Rise development near the Innovation Center Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The weekend is almost here. Before you live up the last days of summer before school returns or 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

FCPS routes school buses away from Blake Lane in wake of fatal crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 19, 2022 at 3:10PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:59PM

Fairfax County school bus (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County Public Schools has made several bus stop changes in the Oakton area after conducting a safety review of the Blake Lane corridor.

Announced today (Friday), the school system has moved 22 stops away from Blake Lane in response to safety concerns after a driver hit three Oakton High School students at the Five Oaks Road intersection on June 7 — one of the last days of the 2021-2022 school year.

News

McLean Community Center takes up flamenco with new artist residency

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 19, 2022 at 2:15PM

The Furia Flamenca Dance Company will serve as the artist-in-residence for The Alden's 2022-2023 season (courtesy McLean Community Center)

A D.C.-based flamenco dance company will entertain McLean audiences for a full year as The Alden’s new artist-in-residence.

The McLean Community Center announced last week that its in-house theater will host public events and serve as an “incubator” for the Furia Flamenca Dance Company, which has performed in the center at 1234 Ingleside Avenue in the past.

Countywide

New Beltway ramp over I-66 to open in Dunn Loring next week

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 19, 2022 at 11:45AM

A new ramp from I-495 North to I-66 West is scheduled to open on Aug. 25 (via VDOT)

After enduring roughly four years of construction, drivers will soon get access to the first piece of the revamped I-66 and Capital Beltway interchange in Dunn Loring.

A new flyover exit ramp from the northbound Beltway, also known as I-495, to I-66 West is set to open next Thursday (Aug. 25) morning, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday (Aug. 17).

Countywide

FCPS fires middle school counselor convicted of soliciting minor

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 19, 2022 at 11:00AM

Fairfax County Public Schools

A counselor at Glasgow Middle School in Lincolnia has been fired after Fairfax County Public Schools officials learned he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a letter to families.

While not named in the letter, which went out on Aug. 18, FCPS identified the counselor in a statement to media as Darren Thornton, as previously reported by FOX5, NBC4, and WTOP.

Countywide

FCPS recommends funding for staff bonuses, facility upgrades and more

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 18, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated August 18, 2022 at 4:35PM

Centreville Elementary School is one of five participants in a Fairfax County Public Schools outdoor classroom pilot in November 2020 (via FCPS)

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) Employee bonuses, facility improvements, and a study of middle school start times are among the priorities that Fairfax County Public Schools can now fund, thanks to some financial leeway from staff vacancies and state revenue.

The school system has about $90.9 million left over from fiscal year 2022, which ran from July 1, 2021 to June 30 of this year, FCPS leaders reported to the school board during its last regular meeting on July 14.

Around Town

Celebrate Fairfax to crown karaoke champ at final Tysons Block Party

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 18, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated August 18, 2022 at 1:49PM

The 2022 Fairfax County karaoke competition will conclude at The PARC's Tysons Block Party on Aug. 19 (via Celebrate Fairfax Inc.)

Celebrate Fairfax Inc. will close out the summer tomorrow (Friday) with an outdoor bash and some tunes.

The nonprofit organization best known for staging the annual Celebrate Fairfax! Festival will kick off the third and final Tysons Block Party of the season at 4 p.m. outside The PARC (8508 Leesburg Pike), the events venue it established at a former Container Store.

News

Halloween costume store to haunt Tysons’ former Lord & Taylor

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 18, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated August 18, 2022 at 4:38PM

Spirit Halloween has already opened a store in Bailey's Crossroads (staff photo)

(Updated at 4:40 p.m.) A different kind of ghost will soon take up residence in the former Lord & Taylor at Tysons Corner Center.

A Spirit Halloween pop-up will move into the store’s lower level, mall spokesperson Maurisa Potts confirmed to FFXnow, stating that a specific opening date is still being worked out.

News

JUST IN: Pedestrian killed in two-vehicle crash at Seven Corners

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 18, 2022 at 9:55AM | Updated August 18, 2022 at 10:11AM

Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

(Updated at 10:10 a.m.) A pedestrian has died after a crash in Seven Corners that reportedly involved two different vehicles, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Police received a call for service to the 6200 block of Arlington Blvd at 8:38 a.m., according to FCPD spokesperson Sgt. Tara Gerhard. The person was transported to a hospital, where they died. Both drivers remained on the scene, according to police.