Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

Countywide

BREAKING: Gov. Spanberger vetoes Fairfax County casino bill

By Angela Woolsey
A 'No Fairfax Casino' sign (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has rejected legislation that would’ve opened the door for a casino in Fairfax County.

The governor vetoed SB 756 from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell today (Thursday) ahead of an April 13 deadline for her to take action on all of the bills passed by the General Assembly during its 2026 session.

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News

Design options unveiled for art on future Richmond Highway BRT stations

By Angela Woolsey
The planned route and stations for Fairfax County's Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit system (via FCDOT)

Fairfax County is starting to narrow down its options for the artwork that will grace its future Richmond Highway bus rapid transit (BRT) stations.

Earlier this week, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) launched a survey that asks community members to rank three different windscreen designs proposed for each of the bus service’s nine planned stations.

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News

Driver hospitalized after vehicle explosion near Burke Town Plaza

By Angela Woolsey
A Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department ambulance responds to a vehicle explosion on Lee Chapel Road in Burke (via FCFRD/X)

A vehicle explosion rattled Burke earlier this morning (Thursday), sending the driver to the hospital and shutting down Lee Chapel Road.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched around 7:34 a.m. to Lee Chapel Road at Old Keene Mill Road for a vehicle fire near Burke Town Plaza, a shopping center anchored by Safeway.

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News

Route 1 BRT, Elden Street upgrades among transportation projects vying for regional funds

By Angela Woolsey
Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is pinning all its hopes for a new round of regional transportation funding on a single major project, but local travelers could also benefit from some of the other contenders.

As authorized last fall by the Board of Supervisors, the county is seeking $463 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for its planned “The One” bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which would serve nine stations along a 7.4-mile stretch of Richmond Highway, also known as Route 1, from Huntington to Fort Belvoir.

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Countywide

Fairfax school board wrestles with possible calendar changes after disruptive year

By Angela Woolsey
Woodson High School sign advertises first day of the 2025-2026 school year (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As the current school year enters its final stretch, the Fairfax County School Board is considering tweaking the calendar for the next year in response to mounting complaints about disruptions to class schedules.

At the board’s meeting tomorrow (Thursday), members led by governance committee chair Melanie Meren will propose nixing Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Veterans Day as official student holidays and limiting the number of scheduled early release days to four per year.

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Around Town

After delay, Hershey experience to open at Tysons mall this month

By Angela Woolsey
Hershey Super Sweet Adventure is coming soon to Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After a month-long delay, Hershey is finally ready to unwrap its new interactive experience at Tysons Corner Center.

Perhaps to reward families for their patience, Hershey Super Sweet Adventure will let guests sample its goods starting this Friday (April 10) ahead of an official grand opening on April 24.

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News

Transportation impacts of new Lofts at Reston Station homes draw scrutiny

By Angela Woolsey
Pulte Group's concept plan for Lofts II at Reston Station (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County staff are prepared to allow housing on an aging office property near the Wiehle Metro station in Reston with the expectation that the future developer will also deliver some transportation improvements.

The county’s planning commission will hold a public hearing tonight (Wednesday) on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would pave the way for Lofts at Reston Station builder Pulte Group to redevelop three low-lying office buildings at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive with stacked townhouses and condominiums.

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News

Multifamily housing proposed to replace neighboring Richmond Highway hotels

By Angela Woolsey
Apartment building proposed to replace Days Inn on Richmond Highway in Huntington (via Hord Coplan Macht/Fairfax County)

A pair of adjacent hotels along Richmond Highway in Huntington are being eyed for redevelopment.

Separate developers have proposed replacing Moon Inn Hotel (6140 Richmond Highway) and Days Inn by Wyndham (6100 Richmond Highway) with multifamily residential buildings that could deliver more than 500 homes combined, according to rezoning applications submitted last month to Fairfax County.

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Countywide

Freeze Warning and elevated fire threat issued for Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey
A dusting of ice on a shrub with berries (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After a warmer-than-usual start to spring, the D.C. region is expected to be hit overnight with a throwback blast of winter.

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for much of the area, including Fairfax County, starting at midnight and continuing until 9 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

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Around Town

Five Fairfax restaurants among 2026 RAMMYS Awards finalists

By Angela Woolsey
A jetski bagel sandwich with a drink from Call Your Mother (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A handful of restaurants with Fairfax locations are still in the running for the D.C. region’s 44th annual RAMMYS Awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time ever, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) includes regional chains and hip, chef-driven spots as well as a longstanding local favorite.

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