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Morning Notes

Published July 25, 2022 at 7:30AM

Insomnia Cookies has a line for its grand opening at University Mall in Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Judge Orders Records Release in Reston Homicide Case — Fairfax County Circuit Judge Brett A. Kassabian denied a motion to seal records related to a double homicide that occurred in Reston in 2017. In a case that may not see trial until mid-2023, Nicholas Giampa has been indicted on murder charges in the shooting and killing of his girlfriend’s mother and stepfather. [The Washington Post]

Driver Charged in Route 1 Hit-and-Run — “Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit have charged the driver of the 2007 Toyota Camry from the July 6 fatal pedestrian crash. The driver, Diego Juarez Gomez, 19, of Maryland was traveling south on Richmond Highway, struck McPhail in the roadway and did not stop at the scene.” [FCPD]

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: July 18-22

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 3:50PM

Thomas A. Edison High School along Franconia Road (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

The weekend is almost here. Before you search for relief from this weekend’s heat wave or head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:

FCPD releases footage of man shot by police at Springfield Town Center

By Brandi Bottalico

Published July 22, 2022 at 3:30PM

Springfield Town Center's parking lot was partly blocked off after a fatal police shooting yesterday (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Fairfax County Police Department released dashboard and body camera footage today (Friday) from the fatal police shooting at Springfield Town Center last month.

An approximately 9-minute and 30-second video shows footage from dash cams and body cameras edited together to show the police response from Thursday, June 30, to the shopping center parking lot.

Free food alert: Insomnia Cookies gets grand opening in Fairfax

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated July 22, 2022 at 4:28PM

Insomnia Cookies is opening a bakery at University Mall in Fairfax City (courtesy Insomnia Cookies)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Insomnia Cookies has set up shop in Fairfax County.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the late-night bakery chain will open the doors of its new location at University Mall (10669 Braddock Road, Suite D-7) with a 13-hour grand opening event — and yes, there will be free cookies.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 22, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated July 22, 2022 at 8:41AM

A plane at Dulles International Airport, visible from Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Arrested for Fairfax Church Thefts — “On June 28, our officers responded to the Saint Mary’s of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax for a man who stole a purse from a car in the parking lot. The man used stolen credit cards from the purse at several stores nearby. On July 4, the same suspect returned to the church and stole from two donation boxes. At least one stolen check was cashed from donation box.” [FCPD]

Covid Cases Close Reston Pools — “RA is currently experiencing a lifeguard shortage due an uptick in Aquatics staff testing positive for Covid-19. As a result, the Ridge Heights and Upland pools will be closed for the next five days (Friday through Tuesday).” [Reston Association/Twitter]

JUST IN: Former Annandale church youth leader sexually assaulted teen, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2022 at 4:50PM | Updated July 21, 2022 at 5:40PM

Police leave the Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by David Taube)

(Updated at 5:40 p.m.) A Fairfax man who once served as a youth leader at the Saint Matthews United Methodist Church in Annandale has been arrested for multiple alleged sexual assaults of a teenager, the Fairfax County Police Department said today (Thursday).

Thomas Weaver, 61, was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) and has been charged with five counts of indecent liberties of a minor by a custodian as well as 20 counts of possession of child pornography, the FCPD announced.

Fairfax County considers more speed devices after fatal Oakton crash

By Brandi Bottalico

Published July 21, 2022 at 3:00PM

The scene of a crash that injured six people in Oakton (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is looking into purchasing additional “Know Your Speed” signs after a fatal crash that killed two Oakton High School students, and seriously injured a third.

After the Oakton crash in early June, the devices were placed on Blake Lane, where the teenagers were walking on the sidewalk before they were struck by a speeding car. Police say the driver, an 18-year-old who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, was going around 81 mph where the speed limit was 35 mph.

County heightens scrutiny of Tysons accessibility after issues at The Boro

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2022 at 2:15PM

Community members have criticized the placement of tree planters by curbside parking spaces in The Boro (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The accessibility of Tysons is under a microscope after community members pointed out oversights at The Boro that make the development challenging to navigate for people with disabilities.

In a presentation to the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s Tysons Committee last week, county staff said they’re looking more closely at how developments are designed — from the availability of drop-off zones to the slope of a sidewalk — and flagging potential issues earlier when reviewing new proposals.

Board approves $250 million cost increase for Silver Line extension

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 21, 2022 at 10:15AM

The extension could open in time for Thanksgiving travel.

The long-delayed extension of the Silver Line into Loudoun County will cost $250 million more than first anticipated — a cost that will largely be shouldered by Dulles Toll Road users.

At a meeting yesterday (Wednesday), the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board approved the cost overrun — including $188 million through tolls on the Dulles Toll Road.

Fairfax County under Heat Advisory today as temperatures climb

By Brandi Bottalico

Published July 21, 2022 at 9:30AM

The sun sets behind layers of buildings and clouds (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County and the surrounding area are under a Heat Advisory today (Thursday), as temperatures are expected to feel like it’s above 100 degrees outside.

The advisory begins at 11 a.m. and will remain in effect until 8 p.m. as temperatures in the upper 90s, combined with humidity, will have heat index values around 105 degrees. The hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur, the advisory warns.