Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

JUST IN: Man convicted of murder for 2021 shooting at Annandale apartments

Published June 27, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 4:18PM

The Fairmont Gardens apartments in Annandale (via Google Maps)

A 21-year-old man is facing the possibility of life in prison for fatally shooting a teen at the Fairmont Gardens Apartments in Annandale over an alleged gang rivalry.

Ezequiel Diaz-Mondragon was convicted yesterday (Thursday) by a Fairfax County jury of first-degree murder for killing 18-year-old Anthony “Tony” Benitez on Feb. 19, 2021, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office announced today.

News

Proposal for Spring Hill housing subdivision in McLean reemerges

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 27, 2025 at 8:30AM

Wormald Companies' proposed plan for the Spring Hill Reserve development in McLean (via Bowman Consulting Group/Fairfax County)

A developer has returned to Fairfax County with a new proposal to add housing on Spring Hill Road in McLean.

The new Spring Hill Reserve subdivision would deliver 14 single-family, detached houses on a nearly 5-acre lot across the street from the Sunrise of McLean assisted living community, according to a rezoning application submitted to the county in late May.

News

Major traffic shift on I-495 in McLean scheduled to begin Friday

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2025 at 2:45PM

The general purpose lanes on southbound I-495 in McLean will close as traffic shifts to new lanes (courtesy VDOT)

After three years of construction on its I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, the Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing to advance work on the actual toll lanes.

To make way for the new lanes, crews will shift traffic for all four southbound, general-purpose lanes on I-495 (also known as the Capital Beltway Outer Loop) to newly built lanes in McLean, starting tomorrow (Friday) around 8 p.m.

Around Town

Potbelly to celebrate new looks at Fairfax Corner, Reston stores with giveaways

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2025 at 1:45PM

Potbelly in Fairfax Corner with the old signage (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Potbelly has put the finishing touches on makeovers for its restaurants in Fairfax Corner and Reston.

The national sandwich chain will officially unveil the new looks tomorrow (Friday) with celebrations at both locations, offering a variety of giveaways to customers.

Countywide

NEW: Flood Watch issued for D.C. area starting this afternoon

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2025 at 12:15PM | Updated June 26, 2025 at 1:11PM

Storm clouds over Oakton Shopping Center on June 19, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Though the thunderstorm that the National Weather Service warned about yesterday (Wednesday) was largely felt in the form of some strong winds, a new round of storms coming this afternoon (Thursday) could potentially have a more meaningful impact.

The NWS has issued a Flood Watch for the D.C. region, including Fairfax County, that’s currently scheduled to take effect at 3 p.m. and stay in place until midnight. About 1 to 2 inches of rainfall are possible, the agency says, though isolated areas could see as much as 3 to 4 inches.

Around Town

Fox-y new mural to spruce up Old Town Fairfax retail building

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2025 at 11:45AM

Rendering of Bailey Sullivan's finished "Fox in the Flowers" mural in Old Town Fairfax (courtesy Fairfax City Economic Development)

A new mural is taking shape in the heart of Fairfax City.

Richmond-based illustrator Bailey Sullivan is currently working on “Fox in the Flowers” and expected to finish painting tomorrow (Friday). The completed mural will be officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on July 10.

News

Lake Anne residents ‘suffering’ after cooling system fails during heat wave

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2025 at 8:30AM

The Vantage Hill Condominiums in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston residents are becoming increasingly frustrated by the cooling system that serves properties around Lake Anne, saying equipment issues and unresponsive management have forced them to endure intense heat this summer without relief.

Residents who shared their experiences with FFXnow say temperatures in their homes have climbed up to 85 degrees or higher this week after one of the chillers that Reston RELAC uses to cool water from Lake Anne shut down last Friday (June 20).

Countywide

NOW: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 25, 2025 at 3:15PM | Updated June 25, 2025 at 3:32PM

Radar forecasts a storm approaching Fairfax County on June 25, 2025 (via National Weather Service)

A thunderstorm is bearing down on Fairfax County, bringing some potential, albeit limited relief from the ongoing heat wave.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the D.C. area, including northwestern Fairfax County. Damaging winds with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.

News

Herndon ‘hires’ Elden the Bear as parks and recreation mascot

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 25, 2025 at 2:45PM

The Herndon Parks and Recreation Department introduces Elden the Bear as its new mascot (via Town of Herndon/YouTube)

It has been a couple of weeks now since a black bear ventured into Herndon, but the town is still riding the high of that rare visitation.

The bear has inspired a new promotional campaign from the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department, which announced Monday (June 23) that it has “hired” Elden the Bear to serve as its ambassador.

Around Town

New Mosaic District cafe serves Oprah-endorsed cookies, coffee and more

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 25, 2025 at 1:45PM

The bakery and cafe maman is open at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new breakfast and brunch option is now available at the Mosaic District in Merrifield.

Maman, a New York-based cafe chain, opened its first Virginia location in the former Oath Pizza space on June 11, and the response so far has been as warm as the recent weather, according to company co-founder Elisa Marshall.