Author: FFXnow.com

Driver in Fatal Crash Identified — “On July 25 at 4:09 p.m., officers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Fairfax County Parkway near Old Keene Mill Road in Burke involving a 2022 Mack truck that left the roadway and struck a jersey wall. The driver, Kenneth Davis, 57, of Amissville, was declared deceased on the scene. Preliminary, detectives do not believe alcohol or speed are factors in the crash.” [FCPD]

Search and Rescue Task Force Returns — “Virginia Task Force 1 (VA TF-1), the commonwealth’s specialized search and rescue team, is back home from working victim recovery operations following deadly floods in Texas. The crew of four people and three dogs returned to their home base in Chantilly just before noon Monday after a 17-day deployment.” [DC News Now]

GMU Faculty Resolution Draws Scrutiny — George Mason University’s faculty senate approved a resolution last Thursday (July 24) denouncing the Trump administration’s recent investigations as a “politically motivated attack” similar to the pressure campaign that led University of Virginia president Jim Ryan to resign. The Justice Department is now seeking drafts of the resolution and communications between those who drafted it and GMU President Gregory Washington’s office. [New York Times]

Vigil for Still-Missing Former Inova Nurse — “During a peaceful gathering early Sunday in front of the Prince William County judicial center in Manassas, Sunita Basnet paused for a moment to reflect, reminiscing on the hardship of the past 365 days. July 27 will mark the one-year anniversary of the day Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a Manassas Park nurse and mother, was last seen at UVA Prince William Medical Center, where she worked.” [Inside NoVA]

Hunter Mill Town Hall Tomorrow — “Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill), who represents the Town of Vienna, Reston and other surrounding parts of Fairfax County, will host the town hall. The meeting is planned Wednesday, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Vienna Elementary School cafeteria (128 Center St S, Vienna, VA).” [Patch]

New Attractions Planned for Taste of Annandale — “This free, family-friendly community festival is Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike in the heart of Annandale.” Additions for 2025 will include a petting zoo, an eating contest, a new route for the 5K, additional crafts and artisans, and possible shuttle bus service. [Annandale Today]

RCC Board Candidates Wanted — “Reston Community Center (RCC) is seeking interested candidates to run for seats on its Board of Governors, a nine-member body responsible for oversight of RCC … This year’s Preference Poll will fill three positions for three-year terms. Online and in person voting will take place from September 5 through September 26 until 5:00 p.m.” [RCC]

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be mostly sunny and hot, reaching a high near 98 and heat index values up to 102. The wind is expected to be light and variable. As for Tuesday night, it will start off mostly cloudy and gradually clear up, with a low temperature of around 77. A south wind of 3 to 5 mph is anticipated. [NWS]

Blue Line Metro Stations Reopen — “Blue Line summer construction is complete! Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street stations are now open. Thank you for your patience. Crews updated the train control and signaling system, renewed rails and ties, and repaired lighting.” [WMATA/Bluesky]

VCU Withheld Student’s Diploma — “A year after pro-Palestinian protests at Virginia Commonwealth University, Oakton native Sereen Haddad organized a gathering in late April commemorating the encampment that once stood on campus.” The university later cited Haddad and others for violating student conduct policies and said their degrees would be withheld until the process was resolved. Haddad said Friday (July 25) that a board had cleared her. [WUSA9]

Man Who Fired Gun in Mall Violated Parole — “A popular D.C. rapper who served time for opening fire inside the Tysons Corner Center mall in Northern Virginia will remain free after he was found guilty of violating his probation … [Noah] Settles was ordered to avoid marijuana and continue substance abuse treatment and drug screenings.” [NBC4]

Tysons Office Building Listed for Sale — “Bethesda-based Washington Property Co. has owned the four-story, 1980s-era office at 8618 Westwood Center Drive for more than 20 years, but is now looking to let it go. Offers are due by July 31, according to marketing materials from Cohn Property Group, the seller’s broker.” The site is being advertised as an opportunity for redevelopment, with an illustrative concept plan showing townhouses. [Washington Business Journal]

Vienna Extends Tax Deadline — “Due to technical problems, the deadline to pay Town real estate taxes is extended to July 31, 2025. Payments can be made in person, dropped in the night deposit box at Town Hall, or mailed. No late fees will be assessed to mailed payments postmarked on or before 7/31.” [Town of Vienna/X]

Auto Parts Store Opens in Annandale — “AutoZone is now open next to Pep Boys at 7121 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. It’s located in the space formerly occupied by Pep Boys’ auto supply store but is completely separate. The store sells everything for cars, from motor oil to wiper blades, from batteries to air fresheners.” [Annandale Today]

Totally Trucks Returning to Reston — “Bring the kids for an up-close look at the big trucks Reston Association uses to keep our community beautiful! If available, police and fire trucks may also be on display. Each child will receive a ‘Totally Trucks’ construction helmet. Some vehicles will be horn-free for a sensory-friendly experience.” The event will be held at RA’s Central Services Facility (12250 Sunset Hills Road) this Friday (Aug. 1) from 8:30 a.m. to noon. [Reston Association]

Outdoor Movie Series Starting Soon — “Introduce your family to the magic of the drive-in theater this summer at Starlight Cinema, part of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series. During the first four Saturdays in August, bask in the dreamy atmosphere of movies by starlight at Sully Historic Site, located at 3650 Historic Sully Way.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with highs reaching near 95 and heat index values as high as 101. A northwest wind around 6 mph will provide some relief. For Monday night, the sky will be mostly clear and temperatures will drop to a low of around 76 with calm winds. [NWS]

Cases of Viral Disease Rising — “Over the last two months, there has been an increase in the number of people seeking emergency care for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially involving young children, ages 0 to 4-year-olds in Fairfax County.” The Fairfax Health District has seen six outbreaks of the viral disease so far this year, including five reported within the past two months. [Fairfax County Health Department]

Agriculture Dept. Moving D.C.-Area Jobs — “The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will relocate about 2,600 jobs out of the D.C. area and vacate the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center building in Prince George’s County. The positions are more than half of the agency’s workforce in the region,” where about 4,600 employees live. [NBC4]

Washington Gas Bills to Go Up — “The utility said in a statement to customers that due to above-average temperatures from October 2024 to May 2025, it collected lower revenues than approved by the State Corporation Commission. Therefore, Washington Gas said, the utility will be collecting additional charges from Virginia customers during the billing months of August, September and October.” [WTOP]

Virginia Braces for Medicaid Changes — “As Virginia lawmakers heard from state health officials Wednesday about potential effects of federal healthcare funding changes approved by Congress earlier this month, it became clear to Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News: ‘we at this time do not have a true sense of what we’re up against.'” Virginia Medicaid Director Cheryl Roberts said the 600,000-plus people who became eligible for Medicaid starting in 2018 will be most affected. [Virginia Mercury]

‘Walking Taco’ Eatery Now Open — “Flavor Hive, the beloved food truck that turned heads with its viral walking taco, is officially opening its first brick-and-mortar location [Thursday] in Annandale.” Located at 4260 John Marr Drive, the restaurant serves Mexican and Middle Eastern-style food, such as “quesadillas, loaded fries, rice bowls, pita pouches, pita melts, and falafel pieces.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Medical Office Buildings Acquired — “Chicago’s Remedy Medical Properties and Los Angeles-based Kayne Anderson Real Estate recently acquired eight medical office buildings in Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria.” The sales include the Children’s National Health System building (3023 Hamaker Court) in Fairfax, Prosperity Medical Center (8501, 8503 and 8505 Arlington Blvd) in Merrifield, Woodburn Medical Park (8289-99 Woodburn Road) in Annandale, and Metro Park III (6354 Walker Lane) in Springfield. [Washington Business Journal]

New Athletic Field for Annandale School — “Sixteen years after the Westminster School purchased an adjoining property on Gallows Road in Annandale, it’s clearing the site for a full-size athletic turf field. The field will be used for soccer, lacrosse, and softball. Tree clearing is expected to be done next week, and the field should be completed in January 2026, says Nancy Schuler, head of the highly acclaimed private school.” [Annandale Today]

Registration Coming for Fall Camps and Classes — “Registration for FCPA classes opens Tuesday, July 29 at 9 a.m. Don’t wait, explore the full lineup today at by visiting the Parktakes website. Register by Aug. 8 and save $8.” The Fairfax County Park Authority will also host camps for kids throughout the fall on topics from sports to the performing arts. [FCPA]

It’s Friday — There’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Despite increasing clouds, temperatures will reach a scorching high of 98 with a heat index up to 106. Friday night, more precipitation is possible before 7pm, followed by partly cloudy conditions and a low of 77. [NWS]

Medicaid Cuts Could Affect Hospitals — “Virginia hospitals will lose out on $26 billion over 14 years under changes to the Medicaid program in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law, according to new state estimates … The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates it will lead to 10 million fewer people with health insurance in 2034.” [Virginia Public Media]

Driver Killed in I-495 Crash Identified — “The Virginia State Police provided more information on the beltway crash on July 21 that resulted in the death of a driver … According to the VSP, five vehicles were involved, not four as initially reported. Suzzane K. Colbert, 60, of Arlington, the driver of a Scion XB, was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.” [Annandale Today]

Immigration Lawyer on ICE Arrests — Fairfax-based immigration lawyer Ofelia Calderón “says that since Donald Trump took office for his second presidential term in January, she has had about the same number of clients but she’s getting a lot more calls from clients in ‘drastic situations.'” She advises documenting everything if people see ICE agents in their neighborhood. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Lawsuit Challenges Felon Voting Ban — “In a high-stakes voting rights battle with roots in the Reconstruction era, civil rights groups on Friday filed two new motions in a federal lawsuit that could restore voting rights to thousands of Virginians with felony convictions.” A bid for class-action status would expand the case’s impact beyond its plaintiffs to the “more than 300,000 Virginians who they say remain disenfranchised.” [Virginia Mercury]

Mental Health Center Opens — “On Tuesday, Dominion Hospital cut the ribbon on its new Fairfax Mental Health Assessment Center in Fairfax City, providing individuals ages 5 through adulthood with timely evaluations and care recommendations for free … Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the Fairfax Mental Health Assessment Center is located at 10721 Main St., Suite 1300.” [Patch]

Parking Ticket Fight Leads to Charges — “A grand jury indicted a 29-year-old Virginia woman after she allegedly robbed a parking enforcement officer of their ticket machine in late June.” The Annandale woman allegedly took the D.C. officer’s machine after a “verbal altercation” over a ticket issued to her sister for not moving out of a “no parking zone.” [WJLA]

Fairfax City Economic Development Head to Leave — “After nearly a decade of leading Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), Christopher Bruno will step down as CEO and Director in late August. Bruno will join New York Law School as its inaugural Chief of Economic Development Programs and Strategies and as a member of its Senior Leadership Team.” [FCED]

Tysons Contractor Boosts Startups — “McLean, Virginia-based government contracting giant Booz Allen Hamilton has tripled its commitment to investing in promising startup companies, specifically in cybersecurity, defense and intelligence. Booz Allen Ventures, launched with $100 million in 2023, has invested in 17 startups to date.” [WTOP]

Bank Eyes N. Va. Expansion — “Powhatan-based, New Horizon Bank has hired two local bankers from M&T Bank to help build a book of business in Northern Virginia as it eyes a branch opening in the region in the next 12 to 18 months.” The company hasn’t identified a location yet but aims to draw “$20 million and $30 million in deposits and $50 million in loans” in the region over the next year with a primary focus on real estate deals. [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 87 degrees, accompanied by a calm wind that will shift to the southeast at 5 to 7 mph in the morning. On Wednesday night, the skies will be mostly clear as the temperature drops to around 69 degrees, with a south wind of 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]