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

Programs that support solar panel installations warn residents of expiring tax credit

By Angela Woolsey
Rooftop solar panels on a house in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Time is running out for Fairfax County homeowners to get a federal tax credit for adopting solar energy.

The reconciliation bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 will eliminate a residential clean energy credit that lets residential property owners deduct 30% of the cost of installing rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and other clean energy systems from their federal income taxes.

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News

Lake Anne cooling system falters again amid summer heat

By Angela Woolsey
Homes overlook Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Residents of Lake Anne in Reston are once again enduring a heat dome with limited relief after a crucial component of their cooling system failed.

A temporary rental pump installed in late June after residents reported experiencing temperatures of 85 degrees or higher during a heat wave has failed, Reston RELAC President Mark Waddell told customers in an email on Monday (July 28).

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Around Town

Greenheart Juice closes Reston shop, plans transition into cafe

By Angela Woolsey
Greenheart Cafe's new menu items will include a chicken caprese and kale pesto sourdough sandwich (courtesy Greenheart Cafe)

Greenheart Juice Shop is planning to take on a new form, one that required it to shed its short-lived Reston location.

Less than a year after opening, the local juice and smoothie chain has closed its doors at North Point Village Center. This past Monday (July 28) was its final day of business, founder and director of operations Alicia Swanstrom confirmed to FFXnow.

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News

Work to begin on extending I-495 ramp in McLean, affecting traffic

By Angela Woolsey
The merge area from northbound I-495 to the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be temporarily reduced to one lane, starting July 30, 2025 (via VDOT)

The I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project will introduce another change to the traffic patterns in McLean tonight (Wednesday).

Construction crews are scheduled to begin work this week on an extension of the northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop) ramp to southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GW Parkway), requiring the highway to be narrowed.

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News

Vienna home builder plans mixed-use project with condos, future HQ

By Angela Woolsey
The former Truist bank building at 515 Maple Avenue East in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A planned mixed-use development in Vienna could provide new homes for residents as well as its builder.

Sekas Homes intends to revitalize the former Truist bank building at 515 Maple Avenue East by refreshing the commercial space on its ground floor and adding residential condominiums on its upper levels.

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Around Town

Fairfax County Carnival and Fair brings summer fun for 75th year this week

By Angela Woolsey
Visitors leaving the Fairfax County Carnival and Fair (via Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook)

Carnival rides, farm animals, live entertainment and more will mingle at Frying Pan Farm Park this week for the 75th annual Fairfax County Carnival and Fair.

Organized by Fairfax County 4-H and the Fairfax County Park Authority, the festivities at 2709 West Ox Road in the Herndon area will kick off this Thursday (July 31), with the carnival rides and games operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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News

JUST IN: Fairfax realtor charged with inappropriately touching children

By Angela Woolsey
Christopher Dudley of Fairfax (courtesy FCPD)

A prominent real estate agent based in Tysons has been arrested after investigators learned about multiple allegations of him inappropriately touching children, Fairfax County police say.

Detectives began investigating Christopher Dudley, a 46-year-old man living in the Fairfax area, after Fairfax County Child Protective Services received a referral for a child who was reportedly “inappropriately touched by an adult male,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

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Around Town

French-inspired bakery and cafe to open soon on Leesburg Pike

By Jared Serre and Angela Woolsey
De Ma Vie is coming to 7787 Leesburg Pike in Idylwood (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Idylwood will soon welcome a French bakery and cafe.

Construction permits have been filed for De Ma Vie, a new venture that will take over the first floor of the commercial building at 7787 Leesburg Pike.

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News

Private school for special-needs students coming to Reston this summer

By Angela Woolsey
Sign for Isaac Newton Square in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Virginia private school that serves students with autism and other behavioral health needs is relocating from Loudoun County to Reston.

Rivermont Schools announced last Wednesday (July 23) that its Sterling campus at 45305 Catalina Court will move next month to a new facility at 11411 Isaac Newton Square South. The buildout is expected to finish in August, in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

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News

Dramatic transformation underway at Tysons’ 1st Stage theater

By Angela Woolsey
Welcome banner at the entrance to 1st Stage theater in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For its next act, 1st Stage Theatre in Tysons will get a major face-lift.

The nonprofit theater company is in the midst of a three-year campaign to raise $4 million that will be used to upgrade its home in the Spring Hill Business Center (1524 Spring Hill Road), increase staff pay, expand programming and more.

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