Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Proposal to restore historic Wolf Trap house would enhance trails

Published October 21, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated October 21, 2025 at 6:44PM

Lahey Lost Valley House entrance (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

A historic house in the Wolf Trap area that has previously served as a plantation home and an art studio could soon take on new life once again, thanks to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program.

An application submitted through the program this summer proposes to restore not only the vacant Lahey Lost Valley House at 9750 Brookmeadow Drive, but also the trails and parkland surrounding it.

News

Suspects in fatal Herndon and Chantilly shootings plead guilty to manslaughter

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 21, 2025 at 1:15PM | Updated October 22, 2025 at 9:25AM

Ismael Cruz Delcid and Douglas Sommer both pleaded guilty on Oct. 20, 2025 to voluntary manslaughter for separate fatal shootings (via FCPD)

Two men on opposite ends of the age spectrum pleaded guilty yesterday (Monday) to manslaughter for separate fatal shootings, the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced this morning.

Herndon resident Ismael Cruz Delcid, now 20, was arrested in March 2024 and charged with second-degree murder after shooting 14-year-old Michai Malave outside the Sonesta Extended Stay Suites in the McNair area south of Herndon.

Around Town

Mason Restaurant Week returns for second year with more deals

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 21, 2025 at 9:15AM

Map of restaurants participating in Mason District Restaurant Week 2025 (via Mason Restaurant Week)

Though the weather is getting colder, Fairfax County’s Mason District hopes to get residents out to their favorite local eateries with the return of its nascent restaurant week campaign.

The second annual Mason District Restaurant Week launched yesterday (Monday) and will continue through Sunday (Oct. 26) with 17 participating establishments — almost twice as many as last year.

News

Townhouses proposed to replace nonprofit’s vacant south Reston office building

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 20, 2025 at 1:45PM

Illustrative site plan for High Street District Development's proposed townhouses at 1895 Preston White Drive in Reston (via VIKA Virginia/Fairfax County)

Workdays at 1895 Preston White Drive are getting lonely for the Corporation for National Research Initiatives, the owner and sole occupant of the Reston office building.

After trying without success to attract other tenants, the information technology research nonprofit has given its support to a developer seeking to transform the 4.6-acre office property just south of the Dulles Toll Road into a new residential community.

News

Police give all clear at Fairfax High School after receiving bomb threat

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 20, 2025 at 12:20PM

Fairfax High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax City police have determined that a bomb threat targeting Fairfax High School was unfounded.

A “large” number of police officers descended on the school at 3501 Lion Run this morning (Monday) in response to a bomb threat, the City of Fairfax Police Department said on social media shortly after 9 a.m.

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax County workers ratify first labor agreement in decades

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 20, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated October 27, 2025 at 10:16AM

The entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Update — Members of SEIU Local 512’s Fairfax County chapter officially ratified their collective bargaining agreement on Friday, Oct. 24 by a 99.9% vote, the union announced.

If approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the three-year contract will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Around Town

Mini art vending machine pops up at Fairfax City brewery

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2025 at 2:45PM

Fairfax City Economic Development's Mini Art Vending Machine (courtesy City of Fairfax)

A new vending machine at Commonwealth Brewing Co in Fairfax City gives community members a way to support local artists and parks at the same time.

The Mini Art Vending Machine supplies pocketed-sized works of art that customers can purchase for just four quarters — funds that will benefit the City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department under a partnership with Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED).

Countywide

Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies to return to Fairfax County tomorrow

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated October 17, 2025 at 10:40AM

Protestors along Franconia-Springfield Parkway for a "No Kings" rally on June 14, 2025 (courtesy Indivisible of Franconia)

Hundreds of Fairfax County residents are expected to hit the streets tomorrow (Saturday) as part of a nationwide protest movement opposing the Trump administration.

Though the main event will take place at noon near the National Mall in D.C., a dozen rallies are also planned across the county for this year’s second “No Kings Day of Action,” many of them organized by local chapters of the grassroots, liberal activist network Indivisible.

News

NEW: Evidence for abortion assistance allegations appears fabricated, FCPS says

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2025 at 8:30AM

Centreville High School sign (via Google Maps)

Claims that a social worker at Centreville High School pressured students into obtaining abortions without informing their guardians appear to be baseless, attorneys hired by Fairfax County Public Schools say.

A preliminary investigation found not only that the teacher who made the allegations may have withheld and fabricated evidence, but that state officials might have been made aware of the allegations well before they were publicly reported, King & Spalding partner Sean Royall said in statements sent yesterday (Thursday) to the U.S. Department of Education and Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate education committee.

News

JUST IN: FCPD investigates fatal shooting in Herndon area

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 16, 2025 at 5:45PM | Updated October 20, 2025 at 3:25PM

The 13000 block of Parcher Avenue in Herndon (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County police detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred last night (Wednesday) in the Hutchison neighborhood near Herndon.

Officers were dispatched to the 13000 block of Parcher Avenue at 9:31 p.m. for a “suspicious person” call. The caller reported seeing an unconscious person lying on the ground with “lots of blood coming from the leg,” according to scanner traffic.