Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

News

Developer seeks to buy part of Fairfax County police training campus for future data center

By Angela Woolsey
The Fairfax County Police Department training campus at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd in Chantilly (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County’s police training academy could someday be co-located with a data center.

A developer identified as SCG Global Holdings LLC has offered to purchase county-owned land in Chantilly that currently hosts several Fairfax County Police Department facilities in order to build a data center.

Go to Developer seeks to buy part of Fairfax County police training campus for future data center Read more
Countywide

Slow winter storm recovery drives D.C. region leaders to seek improvements

By Scott McCaffrey and Angela Woolsey
Snow and ice remain uncleared on a sidewalk along Old Dairy Road in Herndon's Franklin Farm neighborhood (photo by Marie Baraldi)

Fairfax County Public Schools resumed regular classes on Monday (Feb. 9) for the first time since a double whammy of snow and ice hit the D.C. region in late January, but many students still encounter blocked sidewalks and intersections on the way to their school or bus stop.

That was the case earlier this week in the Franklin Farm neighborhood near Herndon, where sidewalks around a school bus stop at Old Dairy Road and Tyburn Tree Court remained stubbornly covered in ice.

Go to Slow winter storm recovery drives D.C. region leaders to seek improvements Read more
News

Reston nonprofit Cornerstones names longtime Alexandria shelter director as new CEO

By Angela Woolsey
Shannon Steene (courtesy of Cornerstones)

For its next CEO, Cornerstones has chosen a local leader with plenty of experience guiding human services nonprofits through major transformations.

The Reston-based organization announced today (Thursday) that Shannon Steene, the executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, will take over as its top executive on April 13, replacing longtime CEO Kerrie Wilson.

Go to Reston nonprofit Cornerstones names longtime Alexandria shelter director as new CEO Read more
News

Park Street sidewalk construction aims for spring finish despite snow delay

By Angela Woolsey
A segment of the Park Street SE sidewalk in Vienna is closed for construction (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A months-long sidewalk project in the Town of Vienna is getting back on track after halting during last month’s winter storm.

Construction restarted earlier this week a couple of blocks along Park Street SE recently freed from several inches of snow and ice, reducing that section of road to one lane with crews controlling traffic from alternating directions.

Go to Park Street sidewalk construction aims for spring finish despite snow delay Read more
Around Town

Cafesano bistro, Chantilly dessert cafe and more coming to Fairfax Corner

By Angela Woolsey
Cafesano at South Lakes Village Center in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Cafesano Italian and Mediterranean Bistro and Chateau de Chantilly are expanding to Fairfax Corner.

Developer Peterson Companies announced today (Wednesday) that it has secured leases from the teams behind those local eateries and three other dining and shopping retailers — all expected to open over the next year.

Go to Cafesano bistro, Chantilly dessert cafe and more coming to Fairfax Corner Read more
News

UPDATED: Driver injured after crashing onto Metro tracks in Dunn Loring

By Angela Woolsey
Firefighters respond to a car that crashed onto the Metro tracks near Cedar Lane in Vienna (via WMATA/X)

A driver who managed to crash onto the Metro tracks from I-66 in Dunn Loring has been taken to a hospital.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units were dispatched around 11:24 a.m. today (Wednesday) for a crash off I-66 prior to the Cedar Lane bridge.

Go to UPDATED: Driver injured after crashing onto Metro tracks in Dunn Loring Read more
Countywide

Fairfax County casino bill heads to full Senate without site limits

By Angela Woolsey
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell presents his Fairfax County casino bill to the Senate Finance and Appropriations resources subcommittee on Feb. 10, 2026 (via Senate of Virginia/YouTube)

For a second year in a row, the Virginia Senate will consider legislation that could pave the way for a casino in Fairfax County.

Senate Bill 756, championed by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), was advanced on a 10-5 vote yesterday (Tuesday) by the chamber’s Finance and Appropriations Committee with a key revision — criteria that limited potential casino sites to Tysons have now been dropped.

Go to Fairfax County casino bill heads to full Senate without site limits Read more
Around Town

Wolf Trap unveils summer season with spotlight on America’s 250th anniversary

By Angela Woolsey
Gianandrea Noseda conducts the National Symphony Orchestra (courtesy of Wolf Trap)

For anyone seeking a welcome reminder that this winter will eventually end, no matter what the snow still piled up on local sidewalks and parking lots suggests, look no further than Wolf Trap’s newly released summer schedule.

In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, a special series celebrating the eclectic music woven into the U.S.’s “rich cultural tapestry” will take center stage at the Filene Center throughout the season, the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announced today (Tuesday).

Go to Wolf Trap unveils summer season with spotlight on America’s 250th anniversary Read more
News

UPDATED: Gas leak forces evacuation of Justice High School

By Angela Woolsey
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is at Justice High School in response to a gas leak (via FCFRD/X)

Students at Justice High School will be heading home early today (Tuesday) after a gas leak was detected this morning.

Washington Gas crews were sent to the school in Lake Barcroft (3301 Peace Valley Lane) around 8 a.m. after receiving a report of a natural gas odor.

Go to UPDATED: Gas leak forces evacuation of Justice High School Read more
Around Town

JCPenney to exit Springfield Town Center after 53 years

By Angela Woolsey
Sign outside vehicle entrance for Springfield Town Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After surviving recessions, the dawn of online retail and a sweeping redevelopment, JCPenney’s time at Springfield Town Center is at last coming to an end.

The department store will permanently close on May 24 after 53 years at the shopping center formerly known as Springfield Mall.

Go to JCPenney to exit Springfield Town Center after 53 years Read more
View More Stories