Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

JUST IN: Former FCPS teacher charged with assaulting student

Published April 29, 2025 at 6:00PM

Parklawn Elementary School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A now-retired Fairfax County Public Schools teacher is facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a student and a colleague.

Detectives began investigating Mary Simons, 63, of Arlington after Child Protective Services received a tip on March 28 alleging that she had assaulted a student while teaching at Parklawn Elementary School in Lincolnia, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

Police: Teen shot during struggle with state trooper in Kings Park West

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 29, 2025 at 11:15AM

A Virginia State Police vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A teen was shot after being tackled by a Virginia State Police trooper during a pursuit in the Kings Park West neighborhood early this morning (Tuesday).

The trooper encountered the 16-year-old boy while investigating a vehicle that had reportedly fled from a Fairfax City police traffic stop near Burke Station Road and Main Street at around 12:43 a.m., according to VSP spokesperson Matthew Demlein.

Countywide

Reston golf course redevelopment pitch not recommended by county staff

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 29, 2025 at 9:45AM

NVR's proposed concept for redeveloping Reston National Golf Course (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County planning staff appear to agree with many neighboring residents that Reston National Golf Course should remain a golf course.

Property owner War Horse Cities and developer NVR’s proposal to replace the 168-acre golf course at 11875 Sunrise Valley Drive with housing and parkland or other public uses is among eight potential Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan amendments not recommended for advancement in a staff report.

News

FCPD: Man shot in Mount Vernon neighborhood after storage unit dispute

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 28, 2025 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County police car with lights on (file photo)

Fairfax County police have arrested and charged a man for a shooting over the weekend that was allegedly sparked by a dispute over a storage container unit.

Officers were dispatched to the 3100 block of Woodland Lane in Mount Vernon’s Woodland Park neighborhood for a reported shooting at 8:10 a.m. on Saturday (April 26).

News

Motorcyclist killed in fiery crash on I-66 after police pursuit

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 28, 2025 at 9:00AM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

A motorcycle rider died in a fiery crash yesterday (Sunday) after allegedly speeding on I-66, police say.

According to the Virginia State Police (VSP), a trooper spotted a motorcyclist traveling over 100 mph on eastbound I-66 near Nutley Street in Merrifield at around 12:09 a.m.

News

Nonprofit that offers free piano lessons seeks to extend range in Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 17, 2025 at 3:45PM

A student in Piano and More's Play It Forward program performs a recital at Jordan Kitt's Music in Merrifield (courtesy Piano and More)

A nonprofit music studio in Arlington is hoping to get more donors and supporters to tune in, so it can expand a program that offers free piano lessons to low-income students into Fairfax County.

Piano and More currently has two participants from Fairfax and three from Arlington in its Play It Forward program, which provides free lessons, keyboards and other resources to students at Title I schools.

Countywide

NOVA Parks leader to retire after overseeing regional park system’s expansion over 20 years

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 16, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated April 17, 2025 at 1:01PM

NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert at a Juneteenth 2024 event (courtesy NOVA Parks)

When Paul Gilbert finishes leading NOVA Parks, the regional park system will be nearly 2,000 acres larger than it was when he started.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority announced last Friday (April 11) that Gilbert will retire as its executive director by the end of 2025. His 20-year tenure included the addition of 15 new parks and several signature attractions, from the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial at Occoquan Regional Park to the winter light festivals in Bull Run and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

Countywide

NEW: Visas revoked for multiple international students at GMU

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 16, 2025 at 9:00AM

George Mason University (file photo)

More than a dozen international students at George Mason University have recently had their visas terminated or revoked by the federal government, the university says.

The U.S. departments of state and homeland security apparently changed the statuses of 15 students without any involvement by or prior notice to university officials, GMU President Gregory Washington and Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell told the community yesterday (Tuesday).

Around Town

These Fairfax restaurants are finalists for the 2025 RAMMYS Awards

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2025 at 11:15AM

Stellina Pizzeria at Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The list of top contenders for the 2025 RAMMYS Awards is here, and it includes a few nods to the dining scene in Fairfax County, particularly in Tysons.

Among the five finalists for Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year is Ometeo, which was eligible for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) annual awards for the first time after opening at Capital One Center (1640 Capital One Drive) in Tysons in December 2023.

News

Tysons Community Alliance turns to tax district for transportation project funding

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2025 at 9:45AM

A Tysons Community Alliance sign outside the Spring Hill Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In the future, a share of tax revenue generated by the Tysons Transportation Service District could go to transportation-related projects shepherded by the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), including ones on private property.

The district’s advisory board voted last Wednesday (April 9) to recommend that $1 million be allocated to the TCA for fiscal year 2026 to support its work to close gaps in the Tysons transportation network, reduce traffic from single-occupant vehicles, and boost public awareness and engagement.