Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Police: Driver dies after losing control on I-66 ramp in Centreville

Published January 21, 2026 at 2:40PM

Remains of vehicle in crash on I-66 at Route 28 on Jan. 21, 2026 (courtesy Virginia State Police)

An Alexandria man was killed this morning (Wednesday) in a crash on I-66 that left his vehicle totaled.

Nurelen Befekadu, 35, was driving on the westbound I-66 ramp to Route 28 (Sully Road) in Centreville around 5:36 a.m. when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a sound wall, according to the Virginia State Police.

News

Dulles Corner office building eyed for townhouse redevelopment

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

Pulte Homes is proposing to redevelop the Park West at Dulles Corner office building with townhomes (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

The Dulles Corner office park near the Innovation Center Metro station could become one building smaller, if Fairfax County approves a recently submitted redevelopment proposal.

Developer Pulte Homes and property owner Finmarc Management are seeking to replace the four-story Park West building at 13880 Dulles Corner Lane with 145 townhomes, including 81 attached units and 64 stacked units.

Countywide

Fairfax County casino bill back on the table for 2026 session

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 21, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated January 21, 2026 at 10:48AM

Virginia Players Alliance table at the 2025 Asia on Main Festival in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) is once again rolling the dice on legislation to allow a casino in Fairfax County.

A bill that would add the county to Virginia’s list of localities eligible to host a casino was officially introduced yesterday (Tuesday) in the state Senate, which referred it to a Committee on General Laws and Technology.

Around Town

Eight Fairfax restaurants ranked among region’s 100 best by Washingtonian

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 21, 2026 at 8:30AM

Tiffin Hut at Woodland Park Crossing in Herndon (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Washingtonian released its annual ranking of the D.C. region’s 100 very best restaurants yesterday (Tuesday), championing culinary offerings to seek out in 2026 from across the District, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

For the third year in a row, Joon in Tysons placed higher on the list than any other Fairfax establishment, though at no. 35, it has slipped down from 23rd in 2024 and 24th last year.

News

JUST IN: McGuire declares victory in 17th House District special election

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 20, 2026 at 9:20PM

Garrett McGuire (photo via campaign)

Democrats are on track to add another vote to their already-comfortable majority in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Garrett McGuire, who won a primary last month to become the Democratic nominee, has declared victory in today’s special election for the 17th House District, which covers the Franconia area of Fairfax County from I-95 to Hayfield and Huntington.

News

FCPD: Maryland man charged with drawing gun at Springfield Town Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

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

Fairfax County police are charging a man who allegedly pulled out a gun at Springfield Town Center this past weekend, prompting the mall to be evacuated.

Officers responded to the 6600 block of Springfield Mall at 7:04 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 17) after detectives were alerted to a weapons call.

News

Errant bus driver takes passengers for unwanted ride to Vienna Metro station

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 20, 2026 at 3:20PM | Updated January 20, 2026 at 4:43PM

Bus shelters at the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A routine bus trip from New York City to D.C. took a harrowing turn for passengers last night (Monday) when the driver reportedly decided to ditch their intended destination for a journey into the unknown.

As documented in a viral thread on the nascent social media platform Bluesky by user Musicology Duck, a driver on a BestBus route from Penn Station to Union Station and Dupont Circle allegedly sped down a highway and refused to go to Union Station despite pleas from both riders and the bus company’s staff, dropping everyone off at the Vienna Metro station only after the police were called.

News

Reston Hospital patients ‘strongly’ encouraged to wear masks as flu season continues

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 20, 2026 at 10:00AM

Reston Hospital Center building (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With influenza and other respiratory illnesses still elevated, Reston Hospital Center is tightening its rules around face masks.

Patients with flu-like symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, a fever or a runny nose, are now “strongly encouraged to wear a mask if they are able” and to notify front desk staff when they arrive at a provider office, urgent care center or emergency department, HCA Virginia announced yesterday (Monday).

Around Town

American Girl store set to reopen in Tysons this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

American Girl's new store at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Less than two weeks after temporarily closing, American Girl is ready to show off its makeover at Tysons Corner Center.

Workers have been busy today cleaning and putting the finishing touches on the popular doll maker’s new store in the mall ahead of its grand opening at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday).

News

Wider shared-use path, redesigned intersections proposed for Burke Centre roadway

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 16, 2026 at 10:00AM

Roberts Parkway from Burke Centre Parkway to Fairfax County Parkway in Burke (via Google Maps)

The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking public input on potential changes to a key connection between Burke Centre and Fairfax County parkways.

An online survey open through next Wednesday (Jan. 21) asks community members to weigh in on proposed modifications to a half-mile stretch of Roberts Parkway, including the addition of a shared-use path and redesigns of the Burke Centre Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway intersections.