Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

UPDATED: Three people seriously injured after race on I-495 turns into fiery crash

Published September 29, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated September 30, 2025 at 2:23PM

Police activity on I-495 near South Van Dorn Street after a fiery crash on Sept. 29, 2025 (via traffic cam/SafetyVid)

A call to address an apparent race on the Capital Beltway (I-495) turned into a lifesaving operation for the Virginia State Police last night (Sunday).

According to the VSP, its troopers were dispatched around 10:52 p.m. for a report of “multiple vehicles driving recklessly” near southbound I-495 and Braddock Road in the Springfield area.

News

Vienna Police: Man charged with chasing roommate with machete

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2025 at 11:45AM

A Vienna Police Department SUV with its lights on (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A resident of the Vienna Park Apartments was arrested last week after allegedly pursuing his roommate while holding a machete.

Officers were called to the 100 block of Patrick Street SE at 8:16 p.m. on last Monday (Sept. 22) for a “report of a man chasing his roommate with a machete,” the Town of Vienna Police Department said in its most recent weekly crime round-up.

News

Reston North playground to close soon for full renovation

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 29, 2025 at 10:00AM

The existing Reston North Park playground (via Google Maps)

A much-needed makeover is in the works for the playground behind Reston’s Home Depot.

Construction is scheduled to start in October on a renovation of the Reston North Park playground, requiring a temporary closure of the site at 11760 Stevenage Road, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced last Thursday (Sept. 25).

News

Burke house fire attributed to Tesla electric vehicle charger

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 26, 2025 at 1:45PM

A house fire on Mainsail Court in Burke (via FCFRD)

Six people lost their home this morning (Friday) to a fire that investigators say was caused by issues with an electric vehicle charger.

A resident of the house in the 6600 block of Mainsail Court in Burke discovered the fire in their garage after smelling smoke, prompting all occupants to evacuate, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD).

Countywide

Trump administration to withhold magnet school funding from FCPS

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published September 25, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated September 25, 2025 at 10:03AM

A Fairfax County Public Schools bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Trump administration is moving forward with a threat to withhold over $3 million in grant funding for Fairfax County’s public magnet schools.

The U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights gave Fairfax County Public Schools and districts in Chicago and New York City until Tuesday (Sept. 23) to agree to stop giving students access to locker rooms and restrooms corresponding with their gender identity or risk losing funding for specialty magnet schools.

News

AMC Theatres to be reborn in Tysons with planned renovation

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 25, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated September 25, 2025 at 9:56AM

AMC Theatres in Tysons at night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After two decades at Tysons Corner Center, AMC Theatres has decided it could make movies even better with some upgrades.

The exhibitor submitted plans to Fairfax County on Monday (Sept. 22) for an interior renovation of the 16-screen movie theater, which has been operating on the mall’s third floor since 2005.

News

JUST IN: Pedestrian dies after being struck by hit-and-run driver, police on Route 1

By Jared Serre and Angela Woolsey

Published September 24, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated September 24, 2025 at 4:07PM

The intersection of Richmond Highway and Belford Drive in Hybla Valley (via Google Maps)

A woman was killed in Hybla Valley last night (Tuesday) after being struck by both a hit-and-run driver and a responding police officer, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Trina Jones, a 62-year-old Alexandria resident, was crossing Richmond Highway at Belford Drive, just outside the Mount Vernon Crossroads shopping center, when a southbound sedan driver hit her, police say.

News

Herndon names new town manager after year-long search

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 24, 2025 at 1:45PM

The Herndon Town Council at its Sept. 23, 2025 meeting (via Town of Herndon)

The Town of Herndon has identified a new town manager, more than a year after the office’s last permanent occupant stepped down.

The Herndon Town Council voted unanimously last night (Tuesday) to appoint Daniel Hoffman as town manager, starting Nov. 10. The vote came as part of a larger consent package, so there was no discussion during the meeting.

News

Motorcyclist dies in crash on I-495 after skidding on wet road, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 24, 2025 at 10:15AM

The exit ramp from I-495 North to eastbound Route 50 in West Falls Church (via Google Maps)

Drizzly overnight weather contributed to a fatal motorcycle crash on the Capital Beltway near West Falls Church, police say.

Troopers responded to the ramp from I-495 North to eastbound Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) around 5:38 a.m. for the crash, according to the Virginia State Police.

News

Springfield townhouses heavily damaged in two-alarm fire

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 23, 2025 at 3:45PM

Firefighters battle a townhouse fire in the Greenwood neighborhood of Springfield (via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department)

Fairfax County fire investigators have identified the cause of a two-alarm fire that damaged three townhouses in Springfield yesterday (Monday).

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was called to the 6200 block of Levi Court in the Greenwood neighborhood around 2:30 p.m. for the blaze.