Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Stormwater runoff, climate change among top threats to Reston’s environment, report finds

Published August 25, 2025 at 2:50PM | Updated August 26, 2025 at 3:18PM

A Reston sign under a tree (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Invasive species, an overpopulation of deer and climate change are threatening Reston’s valued forests, a report released earlier this summer found.

Reston Association’s 2024 State of the Environment Report (RASER), published in June, deemed Reston’s urban forests to be in “fair” condition due to the “collective severity” of those and other challenges, including negative impacts of construction and yard debris getting dumped in natural areas.

News

Wolf Trap Nursery owners pursue redevelopment with housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 25, 2025 at 9:15AM

Wolf Trap Nursery along Leesburg Pike (via Google Maps)

Residents in the Wolf Trap area might need to find a new source of bonsai and other plants in the future.

The owners of Wolf Trap Nursery are seeking to redevelop the nearly 6.5-acre property at 9439 Leesburg Pike where they have sold a variety of home and garden plants for 53 years, according to a rezoning application recently submitted to Fairfax County.

News

Trump administration demands apology from GMU president for diversity practices

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 25, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated February 5, 2026 at 7:36PM

George Mason University President Gregory Washington delivers his annual report to the Board of Visitors at its Aug. 1, 2025 meeting (via GMU)

George Mason University’s efforts to diversify its workforce violate a civil rights law intended to end segregation, according to the Trump administration.

Following a roughly six-week-long investigation of GMU’s hiring practices, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has found that the Northern Virginia-based university violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race in public education.

Around Town

Drive-thru chain Checkers & Rally’s eyes Fairfax for N. Va. expansion

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 22, 2025 at 2:45PM

Checkers drive-thru restaurant in Manassas (via Google Maps)

Checkers & Rally’s is circling Fairfax County, searching for a spot that one of its drive-thru restaurants can pull into.

No specific locations have been identified yet, but the fast-food chain is actively recruiting franchisees who could introduce it to the county, according to a public relations representative, citing Springfield specifically as one possible area of interest.

News

Franklin Farm church finds developer for proposed affordable housing project

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 22, 2025 at 1:45PM

The Community of Faith United Methodist Church's property in Franklin Farm (photo by Abi Foerster)

A church that wants to build affordable housing on its campus in the Herndon area will soon step up its efforts to win over skeptical neighbors.

The Community of Faith United Methodist Church announced on Wednesday (Aug. 20) that it has partnered with the affordable housing developer Pennrose on the project, which could bring around 90 apartments to its 8.9-acre property at 13224 Franklin Farm Road.

Around Town

Ear piercing studio’s first Virginia location now open in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 22, 2025 at 9:15AM

A Studs customer gets her ear pierced (courtesy Studs)

A new ear piercing studio has set up shop at Tysons Corner Center.

Studs, a growing national chain started in New York City, opened its first Virginia location at the mall’s second level near Nordstrom (1961 Chain Bridge Road, Suite J8U) on Aug. 13.

News

Herndon seeks input on plan that aims to eliminate traffic deaths

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 21, 2025 at 2:45PM

Elden Street at the Grace Street intersection in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Herndon is turning to the public for assistance with identifying the most hazardous spots on its roadways.

Feedback collected through an online survey and other avenues will help shape the town’s new Roadway Safety Action Plan, an initiative that aims to eliminate traffic deaths and drastically reduce serious injuries resulting from crashes over the next decade.

News

Commanders rename training facility after Tysons AI tech contractor

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 21, 2025 at 11:45AM

Rendering of the newly named BigBear.ai Performance Center training bubble (courtesy Washington Commanders)

Though it’s not going to host their new stadium, Fairfax County continues to put its stamp on the Washington Commanders.

D.C.’s NFL team has granted the naming rights to its training facility in Ashburn to BigBear.ai, a Tysons-based contractor that develops artificial intelligence technology.

News

Police make arrests in repeated thefts at Reston Home Depot

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 21, 2025 at 8:30AM

Home Depot in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Home Depot in Reston has been the target of several shoplifting incidents this summer, and Fairfax County police believe they’ve identified the culprits.

Over the past month, the Fairfax County Police Department has arrested and charged seven people allegedly belonging to an “organized retail theft crew” that stole over $20,000 in merchandise across multiple occasions from the home improvement store at 1651 Reston Parkway.

Around Town

Ax dodging, craft brews await at new games and dining venue in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 20, 2025 at 1:45PM

Doors to game rooms at Level99 in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Getting axed will take on a more literal yet more enjoyable meaning in Tysons next week with the arrival of Level99.

Ax Run, where players race along a narrow beam while dodging swinging foam axes, is one of 53 games that will test patrons’ physical and mental agility when the unique entertainment venue opens at Tysons Corner Center on Monday (Aug. 25).