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

On 25th anniversary of 9/11, Fairfax leaders keep memories alive for new generation

By Angela Woolsey
Two red fire trucks raise their ladders to support a large American flag above a street, with onlookers and orange cones nearby.
Firefighters fly a flag for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 near the Fairfax County Government Center on Sept. 11, 2026 (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Both the past and the future were on the minds of elected officials and public safety leaders, as they gathered at the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters this morning (Friday) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

During the approximately 40-minute ceremony, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Fire Chief Bill Betz led two moments of silence for those lost as a result of the attacks.

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Countywide

Fairfax County warns of safety risks from improper disposal of batteries, gas canisters

By Angela Woolsey
Firefighters train as a vehicle fire burns in an open lot, black smoke rising near a line of equipment with a red fire engine on the right.
Fairfax County firefighters address a fire at the I-66 Transfer Station caused by an improperly disposed-of lithium-ion battery (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services)

Rechargeable batteries and pressurized gas tanks erroneously placed in the trash or recycling for regular curbside pickups have been wreaking potentially dangerous havoc on Fairfax County’s waste management operations.

Just last week, some trash collection workers were injured when a compacted gas container exploded, according to the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).

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News

Investigation of $1M fire at Fairfax search and rescue training facility leads to arrests

By Angela Woolsey
Surveillance footage of a fire at Virginia Task Force 1's training site in Lorton (via FCFRD/X)

One adult and five teenagers have been arrested in connection with a fire that burned down a training facility for Fairfax County’s urban search and rescue team this summer, police announced yesterday (Thursday).

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched at 5:20 p.m. on June 27 after receiving reports of heavy black smoke issuing from a storage facility in the 9900 block of Furnace Road in Lorton.

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News

Herndon planning commissioner builds on public service past for town council bid

By Angela Woolsey
Smiling woman with arms crossed in a dark button-down shirt against a neutral backdrop, looking at the camera.
Meron Yohannes (courtesy Friends of Meron)

The vice chair of the Herndon Planning Commission wants to make the jump to the Herndon Town Council this November.

A Herndon native, Meron Yohannes is hopeful that her lifelong personal connection to the town and past public service experience at both the local and federal level will distinguish her in a crowded field with 12 candidates vying for six seats.

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Around Town

Potbelly Sandwich Shop expands to Franconia, more locations on the way

By Angela Woolsey
Overhead view of a table full of sandwiches, a large salad, chips, a cookie, and cups of dips and sauces
Food from Potbelly (courtesy Potbelly Sandwich Shop)

A new meal option will soon greet shoppers at the Festival at Manchester Lakes.

The sandwich chain Potbelly will open next Tuesday (Sept. 15) in the Franconia shopping center at 7011D Manchester Blvd, taking over an approximately 1,998-square-foot space previously filled by rival sandwich purveyor Jimmy John’s.

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News

Vienna to redesign ‘challenging’ Lawyers and Church street intersection

By Angela Woolsey
Two-lane street at a small-town intersection with brick sidewalks, parked white SUV, and leafy trees under a blue sky with clouds.
Looking south down Lawyers Road NW at the Church Street NW intersection in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A heavily used but awkward intersection at the heart of Vienna’s commercial corridor could get an overhaul in the coming years.

Despite some qualms about an initial concept design, the Vienna Town Council voted unanimously at its Aug. 24 meeting to enlist an engineering firm to start work on a reconfiguration of the Church Street NW and Lawyers Road NW intersection.

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Countywide

Deer hunting season returns to Fairfax County, starting Saturday

By Angela Woolsey
Brown deer standing on a sidewalk beside a street, with a school bus driver recruitment sign in the foreground.
A deer stands on the sidewalk at Cunningham Park Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is getting set for the return of its annual deer archery program, part of an ongoing population control initiative that will also include police sharpshooting at some parks.

Starting this Saturday, Sept. 12 through Feb. 13, 2027, licensed and trained archers will be allowed to target white-tailed deer at more than 100 properties across the county, including many parks, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Wednesday).

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News

BREAKING: Teen bicyclist killed in crash near Fairfax City shopping center

By Angela Woolsey
Police SUV from City of Fairfax with flashing blue lights blocking an intersection under a clear blue sky.
A Fairfax City police vehicle with lights on turning off Pickett Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A teenager was killed this afternoon (Wednesday) after being struck by a truck outside a shopping center in Fairfax City.

Fairfax City police officers and a medic with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to 3985 Pickett Road at 2:32 p.m. for the crash, according to scanner traffic.

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Around Town

No Taste of Annandale planned for 2026

By Angela Woolsey
Crowd at an outdoor street fair with colorful vendor tents selling food; banners advertise Asian grill, BBQ, and Jamaican cuisine in the background.
Festivalgoers peruse food stalls at the 2025 Taste of Annandale (courtesy Annandale-Mason Roundtable)

Unfortunately for local foodies waiting to see the vendor and entertainment lineups for this year’s Taste of Annandale, no announcements are coming.

The annual community celebration has been put on hold for 2026 “due to a combination of logistical and personal issues,” organizers told FFXnow.

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Around Town

Reggae festival fundraiser returns to Lake Anne Plaza for fifth year

By Angela Woolsey
Outdoor evening concert with a band playing on a lit stage in front of a brick building and a large attentive crowd.
Reggae on the Lake at Lake Anne Plaza (courtesy Reggae on the Lake)

Lake Anne Plaza in Reston will be immersed in the sounds of reggae this weekend with the return of the annual Reggae on the Lake festival.

Now in its fifth year, the free festival will bring live music, crafts and Jamaican food to Lake Anne Village Center (1609 Washington Plaza North) this Saturday (Sept. 12) from noon to 9 p.m.

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