Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Review confirms student-athlete recruiting violations by Hayfield, Fairfax High, FCPS says

Published January 29, 2026 at 10:00AM

Hayfield Secondary School (staff photo)

An independent investigation into allegations of improper student-athlete recruitment practices by the football programs at Hayfield Secondary School and Fairfax High School has concluded.

Chicago law firm Baker McKenzie’s report confirmed that both programs violated the Virginia High School League’s (VHSL) eligibility rules in 2024, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid announced yesterday (Wednesday).

News

Public art dropped from project to update Dulles Toll Road bridge in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 29, 2026 at 9:15AM

The existing eastbound Dulles Toll Road bridge over Route 123 in Tysons (via VDOT)

Work is underway to rehabilitate an aging Dulles Toll Road bridge in Tysons, but the span will no longer be embellished with art, as previously proposed.

Construction on the eastbound bridge over Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd) began in December, though it has been put on hold for the past few days as snow removal efforts continue, Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson Michael Murphy says.

News

Lawsuit against former FCPD officer pardoned for fatal shooting in Tysons to be settled

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated January 30, 2026 at 12:34AM

Timothy McCree Johnson's parents Melissa Johnson, center, and Timothy Walker, left, address reporters along with attorney Carl Crews, right, outside Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters on March 22, 2023 (AP Photo/Matthew Barakat, File)

A wrongful death lawsuit against the former Fairfax County police officer who fatally shot Timothy Johnson outside Tysons Corner Center in February 2023 appears to be headed toward a settlement.

Fairfax County has agreed to pay Johnson’s mother, Melissa Johnson, $1.1 million to settle her claims against former Fairfax County Police Department Sgt. Wesley Shifflett, according to court documents.

Countywide

Virginia Democrats to appeal after judge rules redistricting resolution illegal

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published January 27, 2026 at 5:20PM

FILE - The state and U.S. flags fly over the Virginia State Capitol as the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly gets underway, Jan. 10, 2024, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

A Virginia judge ruled Tuesday that a proposed constitutional amendment letting Democrats redraw the state’s Congressional maps was illegal, potentially foiling their efforts to pick up seats in the U.S. House in November.

Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. struck down the legislature’s actions on three grounds, ruling that lawmakers failed to follow their own rules for adding the redistricting amendment to a special session; failed to approve the amendment before the public began voting in last year’s general election; and failed to publish the amendment three months before the election, as required by law.

Countywide

Fairfax County schools to close Wednesday due to snow, meal kits available

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated January 28, 2026 at 7:29PM

A Fairfax County school bus in the snow outside Vienna Elementary School during Winter Storm Fern (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools has once again canceled classes in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern.

With an abundance of ice and frigid temperatures slowing road and sidewalk cleanups, FCPS announced that schools will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday), though this time, central administrative offices will open on a two-hour delay.

News

JUST IN: All Amazon Fresh stores to close, with some turning into Whole Foods

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published January 27, 2026 at 1:10PM

Amazon Fresh store in Lorton Marketplace Shopping Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Amazon is throwing in the towel on Amazon Fresh, announcing today (Tuesday) that it will close all locations in favor of a renewed focus on Whole Foods Market and other concepts.

The last day of operation for Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores is Feb. 1, with the exception of its California locations, which will remain open longer to comply with state requirements, Amazon said.

Around Town

Photos: Reston families revel in ‘Ice-travaganza’ before storm

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2026 at 8:30AM

An ice sculpture near Reston Town Center's ice skating rink at Ice-travaganza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Despite cold temperatures and a looming storm, plenty of families stopped by the Reston Town Center pavilion on Saturday (Jan. 24) to enjoy a variety of winter activities.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the town center’s second annual “Ice-travaganza” brought live music, free hot chocolate, ice skating and ice sculptures that were soon buried under as many as eight inches of snow by Winter Storm Fern, which passed through the area a day later.

News

JUST IN: Child trapped in McLean culvert rescued after snowstorm

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 26, 2026 at 6:30PM

Firefighters rescue child trapped in McLean culvert (via FCFRD/Facebook)

A child in McLean is safe and sound after getting caught in a culvert while playing in the snow this afternoon (Monday), the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) says.

Firefighters responded to the 1900 block of MacArthur Drive around 4:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a trapped child.

Countywide

Fairfax’s initial snow totals from Sunday fall short of January 2025 storm

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published January 26, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated January 26, 2026 at 4:51PM

Preliminary snowfall totals for D.C. region from Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 25, 2026 (via National Weather Service)

Though it ground most activity in the D.C. region to a halt yesterday (Sunday), Winter Storm Fern ultimately came up short of last year’s biggest winter event in terms of total snowfall.

The storm dumped between 5.5 inches and 8.5 inches of snow and sleet on different parts of Fairfax County, according to unofficial measurements taken by National Weather Service staff and trained spotters.

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax County facilities, schools to stay closed on Tuesday due to ice

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 26, 2026 at 2:15PM | Updated January 26, 2026 at 7:44PM

Vienna Town Hall during Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County government offices and schools will remain closed tomorrow (Tuesday), as work continues to clean up roads after yesterday’s Winter Storm Fern.

In addition to closing schools for a second day, Fairfax County Public Schools is canceling all activities on school grounds, including extracurricular programs, team practices, field trips, middle school after-school programs, and adult education classes.