Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

NEW: Smithsonian directed to prepare Space Shuttle Discovery for relocation

Published October 2, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated October 3, 2025 at 5:20PM

Udvar-Hazy Center visitors take in the Space Shuttle Discovery (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The White House is reportedly seeking to move forward with a planned relocation of the Discovery space shuttle from its longtime home in Chantilly to Texas.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has requested that the Smithsonian Institution work with NASA on preparing to transfer the orbiter from the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center to the Space Center Houston Museum in Texas, according to a letter sent to members of Congress earlier this week.

Countywide

FCPS to explore adding advanced academic centers in all middle schools

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 2, 2025 at 10:00AM

Proposed boundary change to allow an AAP Center at Poe Middle School (via FCPS)

Poe Middle School is getting closer to having an Advanced Academic Program (AAP) center of its own, and other middle schools could soon follow suit.

The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously last Thursday (Sept. 25) to begin engaging with the community on a plan to open a new AAP center at Poe (7000 Cindy Lane), which would be the first middle school in the Annandale High School pyramid to offer full-time advanced academic services.

Countywide

Fairfax officials, local businesses offer resources for federal workers affected by shutdown

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 2, 2025 at 8:30AM

The U.S. Capitol building dome in D.C. (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Much of the federal government has ground to a halt, as Republicans and Democrats in Congress remain at odds over a funding plan.

With no clear end to the shutdown in sight after Democrats held firm yesterday (Wednesday) on their demands for a budget that extends health insurance tax credits, local government officials shared resources to help federal workers and other people affected by a loss of services, while some area restaurants are offering deals to ease the financial blow.

Around Town

Movies about space, Olympic athletes highlight upcoming Washington West Film Festival

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 1, 2025 at 3:45PM

A banner for the Washington West Film Festival hangs over Market Street at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s very own film festival is returning this month with a lineup that ranges from “Shrek” to ruminations on women’s rights in Iran and European attitudes toward refugees.

Now in its 14th year, the Washington West Film Festival will kick off this Friday (Oct. 3) at Reston Town Center with a 25th-anniversary screening of “Shrek,” organized in conjunction with the town center’s inaugural Rocktoberfest. More than a dozen other movies will follow from Oct. 9-13.

Around Town

Kusshi Sushi rolls out new look, expanded menu at Reston Town Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 1, 2025 at 9:15AM

Kusshi Sushi at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A growing D.C.-area sushi chain is settling in at Reston Town Center.

Since opening next to PR Run and Walk at 11909 Democracy Drive on Sept. 19, Kusshi Sushi has been offering 20% discounts on all food items — a promotion that will continue throughout its soft launch.

Around Town

New mural greets Tysons Corner Center visitors along Route 123

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 30, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated September 30, 2025 at 5:45PM

Artist Taylor White's mural "Pillars in Bloom" on the Tysons Metro station pedestrian bridge (courtesy Tysons Community Alliance)

Though the calendar has turned to autumn, pedestrians and drivers entering or passing by Tysons Corner Center on Route 123 will now encounter flowers year-round.

Blooms are the centerpiece of a new mural painted on the pillars that support the pedestrian bridge connecting the mall’s plaza to the Tysons Metro station over Tysons Blvd.

News

Two bicyclists injured in separate crashes near W&OD Trail on Sunday

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 30, 2025 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County police and other first responders block Cedar Lane at the W&OD Trail crossing in Dunn Loring after a crash on Sept. 28, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two bicyclists were injured on the same day in separate crashes at Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossings in Fairfax County.

Officers were first dispatched on Sunday (Sept. 28) around 10:28 a.m. to the 2300 block of Cedar Lane in Dunn Loring for a crash involving “a vehicle versus a bicyclist,” according to scanner traffic. A dispatcher told responders that a medic would be required.

Around Town

Baskin’ Robbins teaming up with Dunkin’ for return to Vienna

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 30, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated September 30, 2025 at 10:00AM

The drive-thru Wendy's at 411 Maple Avenue East in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two national dessert chains are joining forces for a new paired location in the Town of Vienna.

Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins have signed a lease for the 3,484-square-foot, drive-thru restaurant at 411 Maple Avenue East, commercial real estate brokerage firm KLNB announced yesterday (Monday).

News

Three charged in fatal Woodlawn shooting that followed reported vehicle break-in

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2025 at 4:20PM

Tavon Ferguson, Tennida Ferguson and Tavon Lang (photos via FCPD)

Three different people are facing criminal charges in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred earlier this month in Woodlawn.

According to police, Jaylin Hartless, a 21-year-old Alexandria resident, was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body on Sept. 19 after officers responded to the 3400 block of Buckman Road around 4:45 a.m. for a report of someone breaking into a vehicle.

News

Senators seek to halt funding for space shuttle move as Congress faces budget deadline

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2025 at 3:45PM

Space Shuttle Discovery on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The federal government could shut down this week, barring a last-minute compromise between Democratic and Republican Congressional leaders on a new budget.

While Democrats have singled out extending health care benefits as their top priority in the ongoing negotiations, Virginia’s senators are also looking to secure the Space Shuttle Discovery’s future at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly.