Author: Melanie Pincus

Melanie Pincus is a reporter and editor from northern Virginia. She has contributed to FFXnow as a freelancer since 2022 and was a summer intern for Local News Now in 2018.

Countywide

Fairfax County Police Department expands drone unit’s work

By Melanie Pincus
The Fairfax County Police Department has expanded the scope of its drone program (Photo courtesy FCPD).

The Fairfax County Police Department’s drone unit has taken on new responsibilities and added a full-time drone program manager.

The drone unit now conducts more detailed work with the FCPD’s helicopter program, according to an FCPD news release. Among other tasks, the drone unit complements the helicopter program in crime scene and crash scene investigations, FCPD Second Lieutenant Brad Woehrlen wrote in a statement to FFXnow.

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Around Town

Fairfax City Summer Restaurant Week set to return, starting Labor Day

By Melanie Pincus
The Auld Shebeen is among the participants in Fairfax City's Summer Restaurant Week this year (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Lobster crab ravioli, Azerbaijani plov, lamb vindaloo, bubble tea and much more are on the menu for Fairfax City’s second annual Summer Restaurant Week.

Promotions start this coming Monday, Sept. 4 and run through Sunday, Sept. 10 at more than 30 locations, listed on the Fairfax City Restaurant Week website. Diners can explore $25 brunch and lunch menus and $40 dinner menus, plus two-for-$10 deals at participating establishments.

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News

VDOT to develop safety improvements for Burke Centre Parkway after fatal crash

By Melanie Pincus
Some community members say a median on Burke Centre Parkway should be extended at a roadway out of the Burke Centre Shopping Center (via Google Maps)

In October, the Virginia Department of Transportation will put together recommended improvements for the portion of Burke Centre Parkway where a fatal crash occurred last month.

The recommendations will come after VDOT staff can review the official police investigative report on the crash in September. The department is also planning to conduct studies on potential speed limit changes and the feasibility of a traffic signal in September and October.

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Countywide

Fairfax County Library renews Children’s Summer Reading Festival for this weekend

By Melanie Pincus
Children's Summer Reading Festival tote bag (courtesy Xande Anderer/Fairfax Library Foundation)

As the new school year approaches, young readers can celebrate summer reading this Sunday (August 13).

The Fairfax Library Foundation will bring a second edition of its Children’s Summer Reading Festival to the Chantilly Regional Library (4000 Stringfellow Road) from noon to 3 p.m.

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Countywide

County proposes giving developers option to move affordable housing off-site

By Melanie Pincus
The Residences at North Hill, an affordable housing development in Hybla Valley (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

In the future, Fairfax County property owners planning to redevelop rental properties may be able to replace affordable housing units on-site with units in nearby locations.

Under drafted administrative guidelines, the county would only provide the option if it’s not “financially feasible” for the property owner to maintain the affordable units on the existing site.

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Countywide

Fairfax County growth skews toward mixed-use areas, multifamily housing

By Melanie Pincus
Reston Station is among the new developments that have popped up around Fairfax County over the past decade (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Growth in Fairfax County is focused in Tysons, the Dulles Suburban Center and other mixed-use areas.

In addition, growth in multifamily housing units outpaced growth in single-family housing between 2010 and 2023, and office space continues to lead the way in non-residential development potential, county staff said in a presentation at the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s policy plan committee meeting on July 13.

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Countywide

New plan offers guidance for arts venues in Fairfax County

By Melanie Pincus
Capital One Hall in Tysons, one of Fairfax County's newest arts venues (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) Fairfax County has a new plan that could help inform arts venue development in the county for the next 20 years.

Adopted unanimously by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday (July 11), the 49-page Fairfax County Master Arts Plan: Facilities includes an inventory of the county’s arts venues, an examination of gaps in resources, options for funding new facilities and more.

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Countywide

Here’s where to watch fireworks this Fourth of July in Fairfax County

By Melanie Pincus
Fireworks shows return to Fairfax County for Fourth of July (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fourth of July may be on a Tuesday this year, but Fairfax County residents can celebrate with fireworks starting this weekend.

On Tuesday, it’s possible to see the National Mall fireworks from locations along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. But fireworks shows will light up the skies around Fairfax County, too.

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Countywide

Fairfax County bolsters extreme heat resources for unsheltered residents

By Melanie Pincus
All of Fairfax County's public libraries have been designated as cooling centers during extreme heat events (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As homelessness increases in Fairfax County, affected residents can use revamped county resources to cope with extreme summer heat.

The county will activate its extreme heat response when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory, excessive heat watch or excessive heat warning.

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News

Annandale’s Seoul Plaza to swap parking for outdoor dining space

By Melanie Pincus
Seoul Plaza in Annandale (via Google Maps)

Annandale diners could soon see more outdoor seating at Izakaya Khan in Seoul Plaza (4231 Markham Street).

To make room for year-round outdoor dining at the Japanese restaurant, the center will lose off-street parking spaces, dropping its total from 210 to 200 spots. In addition to removing nine regular parking spaces, Seoul Plaza will also remove one accessible parking space to make possible a new trash dumpster layout.

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