Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

‘We’re standing with them’: N. Va. residents advocate for national parks after ranger layoffs

Published March 25, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated March 25, 2025 at 10:50AM

Community members express support for national parks and their workers at a Resistance Rangers rally on March 22, 2025 at Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The steady stream of visitors who descended on Great Falls Park this past weekend likely noticed little amiss, as they enjoyed a hike, picnic and scenic views of the Potomac River on a balmy spring day.

But the couple dozen protestors who lined a path near the McLean park’s visitor center on Saturday (March 22) fear that may soon change, if the Trump administration’s plans to terminate hundreds of federal workers and open up more public lands for resource extraction move forward.

News

Inspired by ‘Friendsgiving’ dish, Herndon students win D.C.-area schools culinary contest

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 25, 2025 at 9:00AM

Herndon High School’s Culinary Challenge-winning Creamy Dreamy gnocchi soup, garlic bread dippers and zesty sunshine salad (courtesy Real Food for Kids)

A dish inspired by one gathering among friends will now be served in schools across Fairfax County.

With a “Creamy Dream” gnocchi soup complemented by sides of whole wheat garlic soup dippers and a Zesty Sunshine Salad, four students from Herndon High School won the competitive lunch category at the 13th annual Culinary Challenge, held this year at Hayfield Secondary School (7630 Telegraph Road) on March 8.

Around Town

Founder’s Day returns to Reston with new name, same celebratory spirit

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 24, 2025 at 3:00PM

The boardwalk at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo)

Founder’s Day is out, Celebrate Reston! is in.

The annual festival honoring Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s birthday will return to Lake Anne Plaza on April 5 from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. under a new name that organizers believe more clearly conveys the event’s “spirit of enjoyment and celebration,” Reston Museum Executive Director Lisa Watts says.

News

NOW: Vehicle fire closes I-66 West near Vienna, sends one to hospital

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 24, 2025 at 2:30PM

A collision between a truck and a sedan led to a fire on I-66 West prior to Nutley Street (via FCFRD/Facebook)

A truck caught fire after colliding with a sedan on I-66 in the Vienna area earlier this afternoon (Monday), requiring a shutdown of all westbound lanes.

Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to I-66 West prior to Nutley Street for the crash around 1:15 p.m., per scanner traffic.

Countywide

Fairfax County hosts community meetings on new development proposals

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 24, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated March 24, 2025 at 4:51PM

The proposed plan amendment for Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon would allow a residential building instead of a previously approved office building (via Fairfax County)

Community members will now get their first chance to weigh in on dozens of pitches submitted to Fairfax County earlier this year for potential future developments.

The county will host a series of community meetings over the next month so the developers can share information about their proposals with the public, who can then ask questions and provide feedback.

News

Centreville man charged with assaulting rideshare passenger

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 24, 2025 at 9:00AM

Fairfax County police logo (file photo)

A Centreville man has been charged with assault after allegedly attacking a passenger in the rideshare vehicle he was driving.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives went to Prince William County on March 18 for a reported assault case.

News

Upcoming protest at Great Falls Park seeks to rally public support for national parks

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 21, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated March 21, 2025 at 9:03PM

A sign welcoming visitors to Great Falls Park in the fall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The “resistance” to the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal government is coming to Great Falls Park.

The park at 9200 Old Dominion Drive in McLean is expected to host a rally tomorrow (Saturday) as part of a nationwide Protect the Parks Protest organized by a group of off-duty, former and retired National Park Service rangers and staff known as the Resistance Rangers.

Around Town

Stir-fry restaurant honeygrow opens in West Springfield with more sites to come

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 21, 2025 at 2:30PM

Honeygrow employees celebrate the opening of the chain's new restaurant at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center in West Springfield (courtesy honeygrow)

The national stir-fry and salad chain honeygrow is continuing to nurture its Northern Virginia presence.

Honeygrow opened its fifth restaurant in the region today (Friday) at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center in West Springfield. Located at 8426 Old Keene Mill Road, the 2,500-square-foot space can be found on the Planet Fitness side of the strip mall, in between Massage Envy and Visionworks.

News

Police: Man burglarized Fairfax City games store in Spider-Man hoodie

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 20, 2025 at 3:05PM

A man wearing a Spider-Man hoodie allegedly burglarized Gaming Giant in Fairfax City (via City of Fairfax Police Department/Twitter)

A 20-year-old man from Maryland was arrested earlier this week for allegedly stealing from a gaming supply store in Fairfax City while dressed as Spider-Man.

Officers with the City of Fairfax Police Department were dispatched at 11:01 a.m. last Saturday (March 15) for a report of a burglary that occurred overnight at Gaming Giant (4021 University Drive), according to a press release.

News

Fairfax leaders urge Dominion to stop cutting trees along W&OD Trail

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 20, 2025 at 9:45AM

Tree stumps under Dominion Energy power lines along the W&OD Trail in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) is turning up the pressure on Dominion Energy to end widespread tree clearings along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.

At the regional agency’s request, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-0 to approve a resolution on Tuesday (March 18) urging Dominion to halt reported plans to cut down any tree along the 45-mile-long trail that might someday interfere with its overhead power lines.