Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Police arrest man who allegedly grabbed toddler at Fair Oaks Mall

Published July 21, 2025 at 2:45PM

The indoor play area at Fair Oaks Mall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County police have arrested a man who allegedly stole a vehicle and tried to abduct a toddler at Fair Oaks Mall.

Officers were called to the 11700 block of Fair Oaks Shopping Center at 11:43 a.m. last Thursday (July 18) for a report of an abduction, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

News

Reston man found dead in vehicle parked near Delaware beach

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2025 at 1:45PM

A Delaware State Police cruiser under northern lights (via Delaware State Police/Facebook)

A body found in a parked vehicle in Delaware has been identified as an 85-year-old man from Reston.

Investigators determined that Lewis Johnson died from natural causes and was subsequently driven to Rehoboth Beach by a family member, Delaware State Police said today (Monday) in a news release.

News

Costco in Fairfax to temporarily close gas station for expansion

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2025 at 10:00AM

The Fair Oaks Costco is preparing to start construction on an expansion of its gas station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Costco’s heavily used gas station in the Fair Oaks area will soon be out of commission.

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), the big-box warehouse at 4725 West Ox Road is temporarily closing its gas station to allow construction on an expansion. The existing pumps are expected to close for about 48 days, according to notices posted at the checkout lines.

News

Senior living towers proposed for Shipgarten site in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2025 at 9:15AM

A rendering of the proposed Corso Tysons senior living facility viewed from Chain Bridge Road and Colshire Drive (via Torti Gallas + Partners/Fairfax County)

Tysons’ supply of housing for seniors could get a major boost from proposed changes to the Scotts Run development plan.

Cityline Partners, the developer behind the neighborhood south of the McLean Metro station, has enlisted the Atlanta-based senior living company Galerie Development to deliver three towers for a continuing care facility with rental homes, assisted living and memory care services, and a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-like” array of amenities.

News

Fires, flooding break out over weekend in Reston area

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2025 at 8:30AM

Fairfax County firefighters battle blaze in the Point at McNair Farms apartments near Herndon on July 20, 2025 (via FCFRD/Facebook)

Firefighters battled both fire and water in the Reston area over the past weekend.

Firefighter injured in Herndon apartment fire

News

Trump administration increases pressure on GMU with third investigation

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 18, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated July 18, 2025 at 2:38PM

A statue of George Mason stands at George Mason University's Fairfax campus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Trump administration has opened up yet another investigation into George Mason University in what many students, faculty and lawmakers fear is an attempt to oust GMU President Gregory Washington.

The Justice Department announced yesterday (Thursday) that its Civil Rights Division is investigating Virginia’s largest public university for allegedly “discriminatory” employment practices — specifically its past commitments to increase representation and support for women and people of color.

News

Vienna makes progress on signal, accessibility upgrades along Maple Avenue

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 18, 2025 at 8:30AM

Construction is underway on new curb ramps at the Maple Avenue and Lawyers Road intersection in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Drivers heading through Vienna on Maple Avenue might’ve encountered some construction work over the past month.

Since mid-June, contractor Sagres Construction has been working to replace the brick crosswalks and curb ramps at the commercial thoroughfare’s intersections with East Street and Lawyers Road.

Around Town

Maryland fashion boutique opens first Virginia store in McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 17, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated July 17, 2025 at 9:52PM

Sassanova owner Angela Tandy at the new McLean store (courtesy Sassanova)

The new Sassanova in McLean’s Chesterbrook Shopping Center is a milestone in more ways than one.

Officially opened today (Thursday), the fashion boutique at 6224G Old Dominion Drive represents the Maryland company’s first expansion into Virginia, and at 2,262 square feet, it’s the largest location yet.

Countywide

N. Va. business leaders report impacts from federal spending cuts in new survey

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 17, 2025 at 9:15AM

The Mitre headquarters in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Despite continued concerns about inflation, federal worker layoffs and other issues, business leaders in Northern Virginia are feeling more upbeat about their own economic prospects and those of the region than they were this spring, a new survey found.

The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) worked with the marketing firm Pinkston to survey 135 corporate executives and business owners about their experiences with the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government, their expectations for the near-future and their policy priorities.

News

Building under construction in Merrifield caves in, injuring three people

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 16, 2025 at 3:25PM | Updated July 16, 2025 at 4:24PM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue response to building collapse in Merrifield (via FCFRD/X)

Three people were hospitalized earlier this afternoon (Wednesday) after a building under construction in Merrifield collapsed.

Fairfax County and Fairfax City firefighters were dispatched to the site in the 3000 block of Cedar Lane north of Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) around 1:18 p.m., Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) spokesperson Ashley Hildebrandt says.