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

Proposed mixed-use development in McLean would include housing, new Keller Williams office

By Angela Woolsey
Rendering of a modern mixed-use development along a tree-lined street with brick and glass facades.
Rendering of Highcrest's proposed residential redevelopment of 6816 and 6824 Elm Street in McLean (via KTGY/Fairfax County)

Another developer is circling older office buildings in downtown McLean as a prime spot for new housing.

The D.C.-based home builder Highcrest has proposed redeveloping the low-lying offices at 6816 and 6824 Elm Street with a single mixed-use building that could include 115 residential units as well as some retail and office space.

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News

Vienna lands $1M from state for future W&OD Trail visitor’s center

By Angela Woolsey
W&OD Trail sign beside a tree-lined path with cyclists in the distance and a covered object on a green lamppost under a blue sky
Pedestrians and cyclists on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail approach the Maple Avenue crossing in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Commonwealth of Virginia is putting some money behind plans to add a visitor center at the heart of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.

The two-year state budget adopted by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger in late June includes $1 million for the Town of Vienna to help acquire the land needed for the future hub, a project spearheaded by the W&OD Railroad Regional Park’s owner, NOVA Parks.

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Weather

WEATHER ALERT: Heat Advisory issued for Fairfax County, starting July 15

By Angela Woolsey
Metro Park water fountain at Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo)

Another surge in summer heat is expected to bake Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area over the next couple of days.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region that’s scheduled to take effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

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News

Bill to name U.S. post office after late Rep. Connolly passes House

By Angela Woolsey
Late Rep. Gerry Connolly with his successor, Rep. James Walkinshaw (courtesy Office of Congressman James Walkinshaw)

Longtime Fairfax County Rep. Gerry Connolly is one step closer to getting his name on a local post office.

Yesterday (Monday), the House of Representatives passed legislation from Rep. James Walkinshaw, Connolly’s successor to Virginia’s 11th Congressional District seat, that would rename the U.S. Postal Service’s facility at 10660 Page Avenue in Fairfax after the late congressman.

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Countywide

Fairfax County and Fairfax City police encrypt dispatch radio communications

By Angela Woolsey
A radio can be seen on the belt of a Fairfax City police officer at the 2026 Asian Festival on Main (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Residents, reporters and other interested members of the public now have one less option for keeping track of police activity in Fairfax County and Fairfax City.

The City of Fairfax Police Department announced Friday (July 10) that it is encrypting its primary police dispatch radio channel, so the feed will no longer available through public scanners or online radio streaming services, such as Open MHz.

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Countywide

Justice Department will send election monitors to Fairfax for August primaries

By Angela Woolsey
A sign at the Franconia District Governmental Center announcing that early voting for the Aug. 4, 2026 primary elections will start on July 25 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The U.S. Department of Justice will be keeping a close eye on Fairfax County’s upcoming Aug. 4 Congressional primaries.

The county is one of two jurisdictions in Virginia, along with Prince William County, where the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division plans to send election monitors, VPM News and the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported today (Monday).

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Around Town

Mosaic District restaurateur to test garlic sauce chicken concept this fall

By Angela Woolsey
Naja Mediterranean next to Matchbox at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new eatery paying homage to toum, a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce, will launch this fall inside NAJA Mediterranean at the Mosaic District.

The Merrifield restaurant announced last week that its founder, Tariq Alaeddin, has been developing the new concept “and toum” to introduce the D.C. region to the combination of broasted chicken and toum that was a staple of his childhood in Lebanon.

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News

Man pleads guilty to illegally having gun dropped during FCPD encounter

By Angela Woolsey
Gun dropped during police encounter in Herndon on Feb. 18, 2026 (via U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia)

A Woodbridge man could spend as many as 15 years in prison after pleading guilty last week to possessing a gun despite having a felony conviction on his record, the U.S. Justice Department says.

Khari Wheeler, 27, was arrested on Feb. 18 of this year after a loaded gun “fell from his person” while he was allegedly attempting to flee Fairfax County police officers at an apartment community in Herndon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

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News

Police: Officer shoots man holding knife outside Fairfax City Wawa

By Angela Woolsey
Wawa in Fairfax City (via Google Maps)

A Fairfax City police officer shot a man who was allegedly armed with a knife at Wawa shortly after midnight today (Saturday).

City of Fairfax Police officers were dispatched to the convenience store at 9700 Fairfax Blvd at around 12:07 a.m. after 911 received a call about a man wielding a knife inside the business.

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Countywide

Va. budget creates state climate office at George Mason University

By Angela Woolsey
Virginia Climate Center Director James Kinter (courtesy George Mason University)

Virginia is creating a new office focused on studying the impacts of climate change, and it will be housed at George Mason University.

Mason was authorized to host the Virginia State Climate Office by a provision in the state budget that took effect on July 1 after last-minute negotiations between Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the General Assembly. The governor ultimately signed the two-year spending plan into law on June 29 — just before the end of the fiscal year.

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