Author: FFXnow.com

Airplane Wings Clipped at DCA — “A plane clipped the wing of another passenger jet carrying several members of Congress on a taxiway at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday afternoon.” No injuries were reported in the collision, which involved an American Airlines flight headed for South Carolina striking another flight bound for New York City. [WTOP]

Contentious Fairfax City Trail Project Delayed — “Fairfax City Council voted unanimously during its Tuesday meeting on a motion not to advertise the controversial George Snyder Trail Project in its present form. The motion, which was introduced by Councilmember Tom Peterson, also directed city staff to explore possible modifications to the project.” [Patch]

Possible Development Near Bren Mar Park Draws Questions — “Of the four development proposals for Mason District reviewed at a community meeting on April 9, the only one to draw concern from residents was a townhouse project on Edsall Road … Bruce Olcott, the representative for the developer, said the project would be a high-end townhouse community with about three dozen homes” adjacent to Bren Mar Park. [Annandale Today]

Automated Metro Trains Raise Red Flags — “Two eye-opening reports released Tuesday are raising concerns about safety on Metro. One details how two trains came within 400 feet of a head-on collision, and another could delay automatic train operation from moving beyond the Red Line.” [NBC4]

Money for Route 28 Bypass Project Returned — “The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to reimburse the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority nearly $7.5 million in funds related to the Route 28 bypass project. The board voted to cancel the project during its Feb. 4 meeting,” citing uncertainty about Fairfax County’s commitment to the regional project as a contributing factor. [Inside NoVa]

Reston Energy Efficiency Firm Has New Leader — “GridPoint Inc., a Reston company that helps its customers reduce commercial building energy costs, has tapped an insider to be its next CEO as it prepares to enter a new stage of growth following a recent $45 million capital infusion.” Derek Booth was promoted from his chief operating officer role this week. [DC Inno]

Pepsi Challenges Coke in Tysons Face Off — “From April 11 to the 13, Pepsi invites local residents to take the Pepsi Challenge and decide for themselves if they prefer Pepsi Zero Sugar over its rival Coke Zero Sugar. The event is open to challengers from noon to 7 p.m. at Tysons Corner Center at 1961 Chain Bridge Rd.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Falls Church Debates Trash Collection Funding — “Falls Church City Council members appear as divided as ever on how costs for trash collection in single-family neighborhoods should be funded. At a Monday work session, Council members split almost down the middle on whether to shift to a fee-for-service model or to stick with funding weekly trash services through the city.” [ARLnow]

It’s Friday — Expect showers with a high near 54, a northeast wind of 8 to 10 mph, and a 90% chance of precipitation bringing three quarters to one inch of rain. There’s a 100% chance of showers at night with a low around 44 and a north wind of 11 mph with gusts up to 21 mph. [NWS]

Springfield Parents Allege Assaults on School Bus — The mother of an autistic kindergarten student at Springfield Estates Elementary School says video footage showed her daughter being sexually assaulted by another student on a school bus that transports special education students. “She contacted police to make them aware, and learned other students may have experienced something similar.” [WTOP]

Driver Crashes into Fairfax Japanese Restaurant — “An elderly man drove his car into the dining room of Ariake, a Japanese restaurant in Fairfax, on Friday, April 4. The incident occurred around noon, just as the lunchtime rush was about to start. About 15 customers were inside Ariake at the time of the accident, Shiho Norris, the restaurant’s manager says.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Dulles Airport Flight Evacuated for Security Search — “Frontier Airlines Flight 4708 inbound from Atlanta landed around 2:30 p.m. and then stopped just off the runway. Several emergency vehicles staged nearby but most kept their distance. According to Frontier, a beeping noise from the cargo area prompted a ‘precautionary security search.'” [WUSA9]

Agriculture Department Could Leave D.C. HQ — “The Agriculture Department is planning to dismantle its presence in Washington, D.C., according to several officials briefed on the plans, and will relocate those it does not lay off to three hubs around the country.” The potential new locations and the extent of layoffs accompanying the moves are unclear. [Government Executive]

Gun Charge Dropped Against N. Va. Man — “The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alexandria is dropping a criminal charge against a Dale City man dubbed by the Trump administration as the East Coast’s top leader of the MS-13 street gang.” Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the firearm possession charge against the 24-year-old man, who was arrested on March 27 in a “dramatic and highly-publicized” raid. [Inside NoVa]

Eden Center Businesses Thrown by Tariffs — “Massive retaliatory tariffs that went into effect today before abruptly going on pause have left Eden Center businesses rethinking pricing and fearing for the future.” The 120-plus family-owned businesses in the Falls Church shopping center rely heavily on imported goods from China, Vietnam and other mostly Asian countries. [ARLnow]

Reston Association Election Results Announced — “At the Reston Association’s annual meeting on Tuesday night, the results of the 2025 board of directors election were announced. Matthew Mullenix and Michael Lanza were elected to serve three-year terms as the new At-Large Director and North Point Director, respectively.” [Patch]

Tysons Steakhouse Rolls Out Brunch — “801 Chophouse Tysons Corner (8484 Westpark Dr.) is thrilled to debut its new Sunday brunch service, available weekly from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.” The brunch menu includes dishes like avocado toast and steak and eggs, along with a selection of cocktails. [Tysons Today]

It’s Thursday — Expect cloudy skies and temperatures reaching up to 57. Southeast winds will range from 6-10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph, and there’s a 60% chance of precipitation, mainly after 2pm. Night will bring a 90% chance of rain, lows around 47 and east winds of 7-10 mph. [NWS]

School Bus Camera Program Begins Today — “Fifty bus camera systems will be installed during the initial rollout, with warning citations beginning on Wednesday, April 9. At the end of the grace period, beginning on Monday, May 12, violators will be subject to a fine of $250, sent in the mail, underscoring the seriousness of ensuring drivers obey laws tied to student safety.” [Fairfax County Government]

Supreme Court Allows Federal Worker Firings — “The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Trump administration can move forward with the termination of 16,000 probationary federal workers across six agencies and departments, rescinding a lower court order that they be reinstated as litigation challenging the layoffs continues.” [ABC News]

Nominees for Next Va. Governor Solidified — “The 2025 election season in Virginia is officially underway — and the landscape is coming into sharp focus after last week’s filing deadline for the June 17 primaries.” Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is the Republican gubernatorial nominee after two potential challengers failed to qualify for the primary ballot, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger will lead Democrats’ bid to win back the governor’s mansion. [Virginia Mercury]

New Traffic Safety Campaign Launched — “Motorists in the D.C. area may notice signs and other advertisements encouraging them to slow down and be more aware of pedestrians and bicyclists.” The “Street Smart” campaign is part of a regional effort to reduce fatalities after 110 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed last year. [WTOP]

Funeral Held for Firefighter Who Died From Cancer — “A procession and funeral was held Tuesday for beloved Fairfax County Fire Captain Barry Maham, who passed away following a long battle with occupational cancer. The procession started around 11 a.m. at Jefferson Funeral Chapel in Alexandria and traveled to Expectation Church in Fairfax.” [WJLA]

Volunteers Help Clean Up County’s ‘Trashiest Stream’ — “Little Hunting Creek got a much-needed clean-up April 5, when Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mt. Vernon) hosted his annual Little Hunting Creek Cleanup in the Hybla Valley area at Janna Lee Avenue Bridge and at the Mount Vernon Shopping Plaza.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Students Learn About Public Health at Inova — “About 80 Youth Ambassadors from Justice and Mount Vernon high schools took part in the [Dream B!G] event, which featured presentations from professionals and hands-on activities aimed at encouraging the students to consider careers in healthcare.” [Annandale Today]

Korean Community Center Celebrates in Tysons — More than 550 people attended the 51st Annual Gala for the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) at the Hilton McLean hotel on Sunday (April 6). Organization leaders said they remain committed to its mission of “providing social services and mental health support to empowering immigrants, seniors and youth through education, language access and advocacy.” [WUSA9]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunshine today accompanied by a high of 55 degrees with mild, fluctuating winds that will pick up to 6 mph from the southwest in the afternoon. At night, there will be some cloudiness and a 20% chance of light showers after 2 am, with a low around 42 degrees and light south wind at 6 mph. [NWS]

Fox in Loudoun Tests Positive for Bird Flu — “Preliminary testing indicates a red fox taken to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center from the town of Hamilton in Loudoun County was infected avian influenza, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reported Friday.” The department says it’s the first known infection of a mammal in Virginia, though cases have been reported in birds, including in Fairfax County. [Inside NoVA]

Felony Charge Dropped in Strangulation Case — “Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office, in a plea agreement, dropped a felony charge against [a man] for allegedly strangling a woman in exchange for a guilty plea for brandishing a machete/blade in January, which is a misdemeanor, according to court documents 7News obtained.” [WJLA]

McLean Man Charged With D.C. Robberies — “A 28-year-old McLean man was arrested on [April 1] for his role in a pair of robberies in Washington D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department.” The man has been charged with attempting to commit robbery and second-degree theft. [Patch]

Route 29 Widening to Close Road — “Weather permitting, Willowmeade Drive (Route 5407) between Route 29 and Knight Arch Road (Route 7699) will be closed from 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 until 7 a.m. Saturday, April 12 to continue installing a water main as part of the Route 29 widening project.” [VDOT]

GMU ‘Body Farm’ Advances Forensic Science — “Since May 2024, researchers at George Mason University have been studying human decomposition in real time, taking meticulous notes as their donors melt into turmeric-colored puddles. The work is thankless, underfunded, and extraordinarily smelly. But it also has the potential to transform how homicide cases are solved.” [Washingtonian]

Ben and Jerry’s Offers Free Ice Cream — “Ben & Jerry’s is spreading joy with its annual Free Cone Day on Tuesday, April 8, from 12 to 8 p.m. No minimum purchase is required. Participating locations in Northern Virginia include Reston Town Center, Fairfax Corner, Vienna, and Old Town Alexandria.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Falls Church Planning for America’s Birthday — “The Little City is starting to think big for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026. Much remains up in the air, including the question of how much funding the City of Falls Church will set aside. At a March Falls Church250 committee meeting, however, officials floated ideas ranging from history talks to planting a remembrance tree.” [ARLnow]

Herndon Seeks Applicants for Boards and Commissions — “The Town of Herndon is seeking applicants interested in serving on town boards, commissions, and advisory committees.” Some positions requiring specific expertise, such as the planning commission and Architectural Review Board, are compensated, while others feature volunteers. [Town of Herndon]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 47 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds at 14 to 16 mph and gusts reaching up to 29 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 30 degrees, while northwest winds will blow at 5 to 11 mph. [NWS]