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.

News

Pickup truck driver dies in fiery crash on I-66 near Fair Lakes

By Angela Woolsey
Traffic is backed up after a fatal crash on I-66 at Fairfax County Parkway (photo by Phil Foss)

Police expect to bring charges in connection with a crash on I-66 that killed one driver and sent another to the hospital over the weekend.

Troopers responded to a reported crash with injuries at 5:51 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 2) on I-66 West at Fairfax County Parkway near Fair Lakes, according to the Virginia State Police (VSP).

Go to Pickup truck driver dies in fiery crash on I-66 near Fair Lakes Read more
Around Town

Restaurant Chef Tan starts serving Hunan Chinese cuisine in Vienna

By Angela Woolsey
Chef Tan is now open at Danor Plaza in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Though one longstanding Chinese restaurant recently closed, another has opened in the Tysons area.

Chef Tan launched its soft opening at Danor Plaza in Vienna Thursday night (July 31), serving up Hunan-style cuisine in the former Zenola suite at 132 Branch Road SE.

Go to Restaurant Chef Tan starts serving Hunan Chinese cuisine in Vienna Read more
News

New mental health clinic opening in Fair Oaks offers ‘alternative’ treatments

By Angela Woolsey
A transcranial magnetic stimulation machine (courtesy Serenity Mental Health Centers)

A mental health care provider is charting new territory in Virginia.

Serenity Mental Health Centers will open a clinic in the Fair Oaks area next week, its first in the state. A temporary clinic will launch at 12150 Monument Drive, Suite 375, on Monday (Aug. 4), with a permanent location following later in Suite 815, also in the One Monument Place office building.

Go to New mental health clinic opening in Fair Oaks offers ‘alternative’ treatments Read more
News

JUST IN: Man dies in Fairfax County jail hours after arrest

By Angela Woolsey
Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An Alexandria man died yesterday (Thursday) at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, the second death to occur in the jail this year.

Omar Maknassi, 32, was arrested and transported to the jail on Wednesday evening (July 30), but early the following morning, a Fairfax County sheriff’s deputy found him unresponsive in the cell where he was being held, according to statements from the sheriff’s office and Fairfax County Police Department.

Go to JUST IN: Man dies in Fairfax County jail hours after arrest Read more
News

Invasive hydrilla plant resurfaces at Lake Thoreau in Reston

By Angela Woolsey
RA's environmental team took photos on July 29, 2025 showing hydrilla blooming in Lake Thoreau (courtesy Reston Association)

Like a monster in a horror movie franchise, the hydrilla that long plagued Lake Thoreau before lying low over the past couple of years has now returned.

Though past management efforts have seen some success, the invasive aquatic plant, whose full scientific name is Hydrilla verticillata, has resurfaced in “significant quantities” throughout the lake this summer, Reston Association announced on Monday (July 28).

Go to Invasive hydrilla plant resurfaces at Lake Thoreau in Reston Read more
Around Town

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma to perform with Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in new season

By Angela Woolsey
Yo-Yo Ma (photo by Jason Bell)

Acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma is tuning up for a visit to Fairfax County later this year.

Ma, a household name even outside the classical music world, will perform with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on Dec. 6 as part of the local ensemble’s 2025-2026 season.

Go to Cellist Yo-Yo Ma to perform with Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in new season Read more
Countywide

Storms could bring flash flooding to Fairfax County this afternoon

By Angela Woolsey
Excessive rainfall risk for D.C. area on July 31, 2025 (via National Weather Service)

After several days of hot, muggy weather, a major cooldown is in store for the D.C. region in the wake of storms expected to land this afternoon (Thursday).

However, the heavy rain will bring a risk of “significant flash flooding,” according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a Flood Watch for the entire area, including Fairfax County.

Go to Storms could bring flash flooding to Fairfax County this afternoon Read more
Countywide

GMU faculty describe tense mood on campus as possible vote on president’s future nears

By Angela Woolsey
George Mason University students and faculty protesting outside a Board of Visitors meeting on May 1 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The next meeting of George Mason University’s Board of Visitors could be among the most heavily scrutinized in the Northern Virginia school’s 53-year history.

In addition to revisiting an anti-diversity-programs resolution that was tabled in May, the board is scheduled “to discuss the performance goals” of GMU President Gregory Washington during a closed session at its annual meeting tomorrow morning (Friday).

Go to GMU faculty describe tense mood on campus as possible vote on president’s future nears Read more
Around Town

Simply Social Coffee is brewing an expansion to Reston

By Angela Woolsey
A sign and building permits for Simply Social Coffee can be seen in a window above Expressions Dental Care at Reston's Sunrise Valley Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Construction is underway on a new coffee shop in Reston.

Simply Social Coffee, which can currently be found in Vienna’s Cedar Park Shopping Center and next to Burlington Coat Factory just outside Fairfax City, has been working on a third location in Reston at 11511 Sunrise Valley Drive, Unit 9.

Go to Simply Social Coffee is brewing an expansion to Reston Read more
View More Stories