Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Police: Motorcyclist killed in crash on I-495

Published April 16, 2026 at 8:30AM

Location of a two-vehicle crash that killed motorcyclist on I-495 near Telegraph Road (via Google Maps)

A motorcyclist died yesterday (Wednesday) after colliding with a pickup truck on the Capital Beltway (I-495).

Around 3:54 p.m., Virginia State Police troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on the highway just west of Exit 176 to Telegraph Road in the Rose Hill area, according to a press release.

Countywide

Fairfax faces ‘moderate heat risk’ with record temperatures possible

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published April 15, 2026 at 11:15AM

Heat forecast for the D.C. region on April 15, 2026 (via National Weather Service)

Fairfax County will get an early taste of summer over the next couple of days, with temperatures expected to climb into the low to mid-90s.

While the D.C. region is no stranger to those temperatures, it would set records for this time of the year, the county government said on its emergency blog, urging residents to “take heat safety seriously” today and tomorrow (Thursday).

Countywide

Democrats line up to run in Virginia congressional districts, even before voters approve them

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey

Published April 14, 2026 at 8:15PM

Voters walk outside the Fairfax County Government Center during early voting for the Virginia redistricting referendum, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Even before Virginia voters decide on a new congressional map, Democrats are piling in to run for districts proposed under a redistricting plan that is designed to give their party a near sweep of the state’s U.S. House seats.

The latest entrant is Olivia Troye, who was an aide to former Republican Vice President Mike Pence and has become a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. She announced today (Tuesday) that she’ll run in Virginia’s newly created 7th Congressional District — one of five that would include Fairfax County — joining an already crowded field.

Around Town

Ruthie’s All-Day to start opening at Fairfax Corner tomorrow

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 14, 2026 at 11:45AM

Ruthie's All-Day at Fairfax Corner (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

It will be one day more before Fairfax Corner visitors can start digging into the buttermilk biscuits and barbecued meats that have made Ruthie’s All-Day a hit in Arlington.

The Southern comfort food establishment will open its second restaurant at 11951 Grand Commons Avenue tomorrow (Wednesday), with dinner service starting at 5 p.m.

News

Herndon office campus for Reston contractor acquired by Comstock

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 14, 2026 at 10:00AM

Rendering of new office building planned for Peraton at 2200 Woodland Pointe Avenue in Herndon (via Gensler/Fairfax County)

Comstock Companies is adding another office campus to its extensive collection of properties in the Silver Line corridor.

The developer, which both built and is based in Reston Station, announced last Friday (April 10) that it has acquired Woodland Pointe, a 6.77-acre office complex in the McNair area of Herndon just south of the Dulles Toll Road.

Countywide

Fairfax could cut wellness program for people getting mental health services

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 13, 2026 at 3:45PM

BeWell provides one-on-one health coaching for individuals with mental illnesses and substance use challenges (courtesy HopeLink)

An Oakton-based nonprofit has been sounding an alarm about Fairfax County’s plans to eliminate funding for a key mental health program.

The fiscal year 2027 budget presented by County Executive Bryan Hill in February would terminate a $618,952 contract for BeWell, a program run by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) and the nonprofit HopeLink Behavioral Health that coaches people living with serious mental illnesses on their overall health and wellness.

News

New arts center with all-day cafe takes shape in downtown McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 13, 2026 at 11:45AM

The MPA Berlage Arts and Education Center is located in the Signet condominiums in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Construction is progressing at a promising clip on the McLean Project for the Arts’ (MPA) new Berlage Arts & Education Center.

The walls were still bare and some internal building systems, including lights and HVAC units, remained exposed when FFXnow took a preview tour on April 2, but it didn’t require a huge leap of imagination to picture the community destination anticipated by the nonprofit’s leaders.

Around Town

Vienna plans 60th birthday party for first N. Va. community center

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

The current Vienna Community Center with Missy and Seth Vandable's "Taking Flight" statue (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Vienna will throw back to the 1960s next week to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its community center.

The decade remembered nationally for the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and NASA’s Apollo space program, among other historical events, will be the theme of an open house hosted by the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department on April 17 to mark the milestone.

Countywide

Fairfax delegate’s bill ending use of Confederate license plates signed into law

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles sign outside its Tysons customer service center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Starting this July, Virginia drivers will no longer have the option to purchase special license plates commemorating the Confederacy.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger approved House Bill 1344 from Fairfax Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) on Monday (April 6) ending the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ authorization to issue or renew license plates honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Around Town

ChalkFest returning to Reston Town Center with new poetry contest

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

ChalkFest at eARTh Day participants at work (courtesy Public Art Reston)

Public Art Reston will take over Reston Town Square Park later this month with the return of its annual ChalkFest.

The centerpiece of Reston Town Center’s eARTh Day Celebration on Saturday, April 25, the event will celebrate the literary arts for the first time as well as visual arts with the addition of a public art poetry contest.