Author: FFXnow.com

Two Injured in Annandale Apartment Fire — “Two people were injured in a three-alarm fire that started at about 2 a.m. on Nov. 23 in a garden-style apartment building in the 4900 block of Americana Drive … Two occupants were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.” [Annandale Today]

Hybla Valley Popeyes Damaged by Fire — “Fairfax County firefighters responded to a fire shortly after 1 p.m. on Nov. 23 at Popeyes restaurant at Mount Vernon Crossroads shopping plaza in Hybla Valley.” The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but no injuries were reported. The restaurant has closed until further notice. [On the MoVe]

No Charges Against Officers in Fatal Penn Daw Shooting — Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced that no criminal charges will be pursued against the police officers involved in last year’s fatal shooting of Brandon Lemagne outside a McDonald’s in Penn Daw. The May 11, 2023 shooting followed a struggle where Lemagne was reportedly able to take a gun from one of the officers. [WUSA9]

Herndon Apartment Residents Report Mold — After experiencing an asthma attack, Cody Segraves investigated the HVAC unit at his home in the Trellis Herndon Apartments and “discovered what he suspected to be mold … Other residents of the Herndon, Virginia, complex said they’ve uncovered something similar in their units. But when the issue gets raised to building management, Segraves said it’s ignored.” [WTOP]

Popular Lorton Restaurant Appears to Have Closed — “The Hometown Grill and Bar, a popular dining establishment that opened in late 2021 at Lorton Station Town Center, has been closed for several days, according to multiple reports from community members. A ‘Closed’ sign appears at the restaurant entrance at 9000 Lorton Station Boulevard, #N, and the restaurant’s Facebook page is no longer active.” [On the MoVe]

State Legislators Consider Response to Student Protests — “House lawmakers studying how some of Virginia’s universities handle campus protests and free speech policies faced criticism Wednesday after arranging a hearing that some in attendance felt leaned heavily toward institutional and pro-Israeli perspectives.” [Virginia Mercury]

McLean Mansion Bought by Private Equity Leader — “A senior managing director with Vista Equity Partners manages Eagles Perch LLC, which paid $25.5 million cash on Oct. 31 for The Cliffs in McLean, according to Virginia records.” The sale of the 33,000-square-foot mansion was the priciest in the D.C. area so far this year and among the top five for the region ever. [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 59, with calm winds turning south at around 6 mph later in the afternoon. As for Monday night, there’s a 50% chance of showers after 1am, accompanied by mostly cloudy conditions and a low of around 49. South winds will persist at 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]

What to Expect From Thanksgiving Travel — “Almost 80 million people nationwide are expected to travel for Thanksgiving, per a AAA forecast — a record that shatters last year’s traveler record.” In addition, driving congestion is projected to peak on “Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 4:30pm on the US-50 East stretch between D.C. and Annapolis, per data transportation group INRIX.” [Axios DC]

Suspect in 2023 Shooting Still at Large — “Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau continue to seek the community’s help in locating Javon Reid, who is wanted for a murder that occurred on May 7, 2023.” A man from D.C. was killed and another man was hospitalized in the shooting in the 3800 block of South George Mason Drive. [FCPD]

Great Falls Restaurant Ranked Among Top 100 in U.S. — “As if it wasn’t hard enough to get a reservation at L’Auberge Chez François, good luck now. The Great Falls restaurant was selected as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in the United States by OpenTable. This marks the second year in a row the old-school French eatery made OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants list.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Redevelopment Rolls Along in Falls Church — A proposal for 223 senior-living residences with ground-floor retail and restaurants on S. Washington Street and S. Maple Avenue is “the latest in a series of projects helping transform the Little City from a bedroom community with aging office and commercial spaces, benefiting from a prime location between Tysons and Arlington.” [ARLnow]

Sushi Restaurant Opens in Annandale — “Issho, an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant and izakaya, had a soft opening in Annandale on Nov. 20. It’s located at 7358 Little River Turnpike in the former Baden spot between a laundromat and Gopchang Story BBQ. For those unfamiliar with an izakaya, it’s a casual, late-night bar with small bites.” [Annandale Today]

Woodlawn Home Getting Renovation — “Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia (Habitat DC-NOVA) is back in Southeast Fairfax County with an active build site in Woodlawn.” The house on Frye Road, first purchased and remodeled by Habitat in 2016, is getting “additional renovations with the goal of selling the house to another family” after its last owner passed away. [On the MoVe]

Falls Church Wine Store Recovers From Theft — “The overnight intruder is believed to have smashed a window at Dominion Wine and Beer in Falls Church last week before cutting a hole in a wine cabinet and climbing through it to access the store, owner Arash Tafakor told ARLnow.” The suspect made away with about $3,000 worth of wine. [ARLnow]

South Run Trail Project Undergoes Maintenance — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has begun a trail maintenance project in South Run Stream Valley Park. The project includes trail repairs, culvert replacements and related improvements to enhance safety and usability.” Occasional trail closures may be needed, but the repaving is expected to finish by next Wednesday, Nov. 27. [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Scattered snow showers will turn into a mix of rain and snow between 11am and noon, likely followed by rain after noon. Expect increasing clouds and a high of 44. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation, but negligible snow accumulation. Night could bring scattered showers before 10pm with a low of 38. The precipitation chance decreases to 40%. [NWS]

Input Wanted for Arts and Culture Survey — “The Fairfax County Arts Committee is seeking your views about arts and culture preferences through a survey that will help various organizations (such as ArtsFairfax) plan for and understand community needs better. The survey will take 5-8 minutes and will inform county arts policy, resourcing and marketing efforts.” [Fairfax County Government]

Arrests Made in Mosaic District Robbery — Four people have been arrested and charged with allegedly robbing a business in the 2900 block of District Avenue in Dunn Loring on Nov. 16. Police say the individuals “entered a store, stole merchandise, and threatened the employee with pepper spray before fleeing” out of the business and into a vehicle. [FCPD]

Man Charged in McDonald’s Stabbing — A 27-year-old man from Alexandria has been charged with malicious wounding in connection with the stabbing at McDonald’s in Bailey’s Crossroads on Tuesday (Nov. 19). He allegedly stabbed another man “unprovoked,” leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries, police say. [FCPD]

WMATA Leader Guides Metro Comeback — “This crowd, here for the inaugural ‘Metro Fest,’ is admittedly self-selecting … Still, the level of recognition that Clarke, WMATA’s general manager and CEO since July 2022, has attained among them is remarkable — more befitting a charismatic politician or musician than the head of a transit authority.” [Washingtonian]

Community Members Shelter Homeless Residents — A couple in Reston offered use of their temporarily vacant home to three seniors displaced by the closure of the “Hill” encampment on Sept. 10, the advocacy group RestonStrong says. Two of the individuals have now secured long-term homes, though one can’t move in until Nov. 26 due to paperwork delays. [Patch]

Home Health Care Company Expanding — “Agnes Home Health Care, a company in Centreville that helps people age in place, is opening a second location in Annandale on Nov. 25. It’s located on Columbia Pike in a renovated building formerly housing an Ethiopian church across the street from Walgreen’s.” [Annandale Today]

Paris Baguette Opening Near Lincolnia — “Paris Baguette is opening a new location in the Seminary Plaza shopping center (4616 Kenmore Avenue) sometime in the first week of December. The bakery offers a variety of cakes (either by the slice or whole cakes), pastries, bread and sandwiches, along with both hot and cold coffees and teas.” [ALXnow]

It’s Thursday — Expect clouds to increase with a high temperature of around 51, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 8 to 11 mph and gusts reaching up to 23 mph. As night rolls in, the skies will be partly cloudy with a low temperature of 36, and the west wind persists around 10 mph, gusting as high as 28 mph. [NWS]

Men Charged With Alexandria Double Shooting — “The Alexandria Police Department (APD) announced that two Fairfax County residents have been arrested for a non-fatal double shooting in the Braddock neighborhood earlier this year … Two juveniles were shot while they sat in a parked car on Wythe Street.” [ALXnow]

Parents Discuss School Boundary Change Priorities — “Parents and community members discussed their priorities for a districtwide boundary review at Glasgow Middle School on Nov. 18. This is the first time Fairfax County Public Schools is looking at school boundaries in a holistic way in nearly 40 years, Superintendent Michelle Reid told approximately 170 attendees.” [Annandale Today]

Donors Still Wanted for McLean Blood Drive — Appointments are still available for the Red Cross blood drive that the VFW Post 8241 in McLean is hosting this Friday (Nov. 22). The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1051 Spring Hill Road, and all donors will get free holiday socks. “Please help the Red Cross save lives by donating blood before the holidays.” [VFW Post 8241/Facebook]

How Fatal TWA Plane Crash Changed N. Va. — TWA Flight 514 crashed on Dec. 1, 1974, killing all 92 people on board, after a snowstorm forced it to divert from Reagan National Airport to Dulles International Airport. Reporter Buzz McClain, who happened to be on the next flight scheduled to land, looks back on the crash and its aftermath. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

D.C. Region’s First Padel Facility Opens — “Padel Up, the first facility dedicated to the sport of padel in the area, opened in Sterling on Monday. The hope is to grow awareness for the game in the US while offering a community meeting space complete with four enclosed courts and a lounge with a smoothie and coffee bar.” [Washingtonian]

Beagle Sniffs Out Contraband at Dulles Airport — “Found on the streets just a few years ago, Freddie is now one of six dogs on the sharp-nosed Beagle Brigade patrolling Washington Dulles International Airport for plants and meat products that travelers are prohibited from bringing into the country to prevent disease or infestation by foreign plants, insects or microbes.” [Washington Post]

New Restrooms Celebrated at Fort Belvoir Park — “Members of the Woodlawn Little League community joined Fairfax County officials and staff Nov. 16 in celebrating the completion of a new building with restrooms, concessions and storage space at McNaughton Fields Park in Fort Belvoir.” [On the MoVe]

Wakefield Teacher Shares Native American Heritage — “November is Native American Heritage Month. At Wakefield Forest Elementary School in Fairfax, advanced academics resource teacher Tony Gray has added a lifetime of experience to his lesson plan.” [WTOP]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers after 4pm with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 65. Winds will pick up from the southeast in the afternoon. Night brings a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4am with a low around 43. Rainfall amounts may range between a quarter and half of an inch. [NWS]

Va. Attorney General to Seek Reelection — “Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican who has embraced prosecutions against election fraud and other conservative causes, said Monday that he will seek reelection next year, dispelling speculation of a potential gubernatorial bid.” [Associated Press]

School Boards Seek Delay in Accountability Changes — “Northern Virginia’s school systems are urging the Virginia Board of Education and the Virginia Department of Education to delay for at least a year the implementation of the state’s new School Performance and Supports Framework,” which was approved in August and is intended to reflect how well schools are meeting academic expectations. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Man Charged With Voter Intimidation — “A 23-year-old Woodbridge man was arrested for voter intimidation on Election Day outside a Fairfax City polling place, according to the City of Fairfax Police. Officers responded around 4:17 p.m. on Nov. 5 for the report of a man making hand gestures and verbally threatening people outside the polls at the Sherwood Center at 3740 Blenheim Blvd.” [Patch]

Chantilly Office Depot to Close — “The Office Depot store in the Chantilly Crossing shopping center is closing its doors next month… The Burn confirmed with employees that Office Depot is expected to close in mid-December, on or around Saturday, December 14.” [The Burn]

Former D.C. Area Radio Anchor Dies — “Evan Haning, whose 50-year radio career included almost a decade as an anchor and reporter at WTOP, has died at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer.” His daughter, Amber, says working at the Chevy Chase-based radio station, which covers the D.C. region, was his favorite job. [WTOP]

Asian Food Hall Expects to Open Soon — “After three years in the works, Pop-Up District, a new food hall and lounge at Eden Center, plans to open for business sometime next month… The food hall has confirmed five restaurants and a bar across its 8,000 square feet.” [ARLnow]

Child Care Center Proposed in West Falls Church — “The Gardner School has proposed building a childcare center at 6637 South Street next to Annandale Road.” The single-story building would replace a structure that’s temporarily hosting the Fort Buffalo Fire Station during construction on a permanent station in Seven Corners. [Annandale Today]

Real Time Crime Center Helped Make Arrest — “The Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) license plate reading technologies and new Real Time Crime Center enabled officers from the Mount Vernon District Station to make a key arrest last week.” The Nov. 11 incident began when a Flock camera flagged a vehicle with a stolen license plate at Walmart in Belle Haven. [On the Move]

It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high of around 63 and light winds shifting to the southeast at 6 mph in the afternoon. Night brings a 20% chance of showers, mostly cloudy conditions, and a low of about 51 with light southeast winds. [NWS]