Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

BREAKING: Physical therapist charged with sexually assaulting patient at Inova campus

Published September 11, 2025 at 10:30AM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 12:44PM

The Inova Center for Personalized Health campus in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A physical therapist employed by Inova Health System has been charged with sexually assaulting one of his patients.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, officers were called to Inova’s Center for Personalized Health campus on Innovation Park Drive in Merrifield at 12:28 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 8) after a woman reported being sexually assaulted by her physical therapist during an appointment.

News

Army Ten-Miler Expo moving to Springfield due to National Guard

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 11, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 9:50AM

ATM Gear Store at the Army Ten-Miler Expo (courtesy Army Ten-Miler)

The U.S. Army’s annual Ten-Miler Expo is relocating from D.C. to Springfield this year as a result of the National Guard’s continued presence in the nation’s capital.

The Army Ten-Miler announced earlier this week that its 2025 expo will be held at The St. James (6805 Industrial Road) in Springfield on Oct. 10-11 “due to the unavailability of the DC Armory” — the event’s traditional location.

News

VDOT safety patroller killed in I-95 crash remembered as ‘heart’ of family

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 10, 2025 at 1:45PM

Michael Chandler Freeland, 48, of Vienna (via Legacy.com)

A Vienna family is in mourning after the father was killed in a vehicle crash on I-95 this past Saturday (Sept. 6).

Contracted by the Virginia Department of Transportation as a Safety Service Patrol member, Michael C. Freeland, 48, was helping the driver of a disabled Audi when the driver of a Chrysler 300 sedan “lost control, crossed all lanes of travel, and struck both the patroller and the Audi driver,” the Virginia State Police said.

News

Fire burns through Great Falls farm, but no injuries reported

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 10, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated September 10, 2025 at 1:49PM

Fairfax County firefighters battle a fire at Krop's Crops in Great Falls (via FCFRD/X)

A farm that has provided produce to Great Falls for decades was devastated last night by a fire.

The fire at Krop’s Crops (11110 Georgetown Pike) was first spotted around 11:34 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) by a Fairfax County police helicopter returning from an unrelated call, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Countywide

FCPS asks appeals court to stop Trump administration from cutting off federal funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 10, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated September 10, 2025 at 10:12AM

FCPS Pride supporters hold signs at a rally outside Luther Jackson Middle School (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County Public Schools is appealing the dismissal of its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education.

The school system asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit of Virginia yesterday (Tuesday) to overturn a lower court’s decision denying a preliminary injunction that would’ve prevented the Education Department (DOE) from restricting its access to federal funding, Superintendent Michelle Reid announced.

Around Town

Fava Pot, immersive game shows and more coming to The Boro in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 10, 2025 at 8:30AM

The Boro in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A well-liked local Egyptian eatery, an entertainment venue that lets customers compete in game shows, and other new retailers are about to shake up The Boro in Tysons.

Fava Pot will start moving into 1624 Boro Place on Sept. 20 — the day after Tasty Kabob, which has occupied the storefront since 2020, is set to close.

News

FCPD: Annandale man charged with murder for fatal assault

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 9, 2025 at 1:15PM | Updated September 9, 2025 at 4:15PM

Elmar Waldemar Xitumul Vasquez of Annandale (courtesy FCPD)

An Annandale man has been charged with murder after allegedly assaulting another man who later died from his injuries.

Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department began investigating the death of Elmer Castro — a 32-year-old man with no fixed address — on Aug. 12 after the Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office reported the circumstances as suspicious.

News

JUST IN: Smithsonian to expand Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 9, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated September 10, 2025 at 11:14AM

Entrance sign for the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The airplanes at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center need a bigger hangar.

The extension of the National Air and Space Museum is embarking on the first major expansion of its public space since opening in Chantilly more than two decades ago, the Smithsonian Institution announced today (Tuesday).

News

Reston Association board split on proposed assessment increase

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 9, 2025 at 9:15AM

Reston Association's logo on its headquarters building (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston Association is weighing another increase in its annual membership fee, as staff hammer out a new budget for the coming year.

In an initial draft presented to the Board of Directors on Aug. 28, RA Chief Financial Officer Ed Vroom proposed raising the assessment to $923 in 2026 — an increase of $75 or 8.8% from the current rate of $848 — to keep up with rising capital project costs and inflation, among other challenges.

Around Town

More eateries coming to former Whole Foods spot in Idylwood

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 8, 2025 at 2:45PM

Potbelly is coming to Idylwood Plaza (photo by Rosan Choi)

A trio of fast-casual eateries is coming to Idylwood Plaza, further filling out space left empty by Whole Foods Market’s departure in February.

Potbelly and Qdoba Mexican Eats are both anticipating opening at the shopping center in the fall of 2026, property owner Federal Realty Investment Trust announced today (Monday).