Countywide | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published April 18, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated February 27, 2023 at 1:09PM

Looking up at Tysons Central office building on an overcast day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Saturday Morning Shooting in Herndon Under Investigation — “Officers are investigating a shooting in the 2100 block of Astoria Circle in Herndon. One person taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Suspect(s) believed to have left the area in a silver sedan.” [FCPD/Twitter]

New Route 123 to I-66 Ramp to Open Tomorrow — “The new permanent ramp from Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) South to I-66 West is planned to open during the early morning hours on or about Tuesday, April 19. The current temporary left turn and connector ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 West will close as part of this work.” [VDOT]

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: April 11-15

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2022 at 3:00PM

A shopper looks at produce in Fairfax City's now-open Amazon Fresh (staff photo by David Taube)

The weekend is almost here. Before you get distracted by panda videos or head to bed for some much-needed sleep after avoiding those pranksters, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.

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

Vienna Metro segment of I-66 Trail likely passed over for funding again

By David Taube

Published April 15, 2022 at 11:15AM

A Northern Virginia Transportation Commission committee meets on Thursday, April 14 (photo via NVTC/YouTube)

Whenever the planned I-66 Trail is unveiled, it might have some glaring gaps in Fairfax County.

For a second time, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission has opted not to recommend funding for the county’s planned 1-mile segment of trail from the Vienna Metro station near Nutley Street to Blake Lane in Oakton.

Reston bakery Nordic-Knot competes for $60k prize in national contest

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 15, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:42PM

The business is one of 10 finalists in the country (Photo via Studio-M Photos & Jennifer Heffner Photography)

A Reston-based pretzel bakery is vying for up to $60,000 in prize money from a national small business competition sponsored by Barclays Bank.

The only finalist from Virginia, Nordic-Knot was chosen from a pool of nearly 5,000 entries based on criteria like creativity, innovation, and perseverance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Small Business Big Wins” contest is intended to give businesses impacted by the pandemic a big boost.

Fairfax County employees struggle with rising costs of living, unions say

By David Taube

Published April 15, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:52PM

Tammie Wondong Ware, president of the Fairfax County Government Employees Union, talks before the Board of Supervisors (courtesy photo from SEIU Virginia 512)

Fairfax County government employees called on the Board of Supervisors to support workers with its new budget amid staff retention issues and financial pressures.

Union representatives discussed the impact of inflation and rising housing and health care costs on their members’ ability to live where they work during public hearings this week on the proposed $4.8 billion budget.

Fairfax County School Board chooses new superintendent, despite protests

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2022 at 9:00AM

Fairfax County Public Schools has found its next superintendent, but in the process, it managed the impressive feat of uniting normally opposing factions of the community in protest.

The Fairfax County School Board voted 9-3 last night (Thursday) to appoint Dr. Michelle Reid as the successor to Superintendent Scott Brabrand, who will step down from the position effective June 30.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 15, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated July 13, 2022 at 6:48PM

Flowers and plants line tables on the side of Franconia Road in front of Edison High School for the athletic boosters' spring flower sale, which runs through at least Memorial Day (staff photo by Brandi Bottalico)

Starbucks Workers Vote Down Union — “A streak of unionizing at Starbucks has been broken, with workers at a store in Springfield, Virginia, voting against the union.” [NPR, Twitter]

Last Day for Donations — The donation drive to help Ukrainians that the Northern Virginia Regional Commission organized is coming to an end today. Donations can be dropped off in locations in Fairfax County, Alexandria, Arlington and other locations. [Twitter]

Fairfax County adds composting drop-off site as farmers markets begin

By David Taube

Published April 14, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated February 13, 2024 at 12:09PM

At the Mosaic District FRESHFARM Farmers' Market (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A local effort to divert food from landfills, thanks to composting, is expanding.

Fairfax County is adding another farmers market, this one in Kingstowne, to its list of locations where people can drop off unused food for reuse.

As Virginia Tech shooting anniversary nears, Annandale victim’s memorial relocated

By FFXnow.com

Published April 14, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated April 14, 2022 at 3:43PM

A crew relocates the Mary Read memorial at Canterbury Woods Park (staff photo)

A memorial for the late 19-year-old Virginia Tech student Mary Read has been relocated and enhanced with greenery.

The Annandale resident was one of 32 people killed on April 16, 2007, in the shooting at the university.

FCPS offers free online tutoring with federal Covid relief funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 14, 2022 at 12:45PM

Masked and socially distanced students utilize laptops during Fairfax County Public Schools' limited return to in-person classes in late fall 2020 (via FCPS/Facebook)

After a year of readjusting to in-person learning, local students now have a new option for getting some additional academic support.

Starting today (Thursday), all Fairfax County Public Schools students have unlimited access to online, on-demand tutoring through Tutor.com, and thanks to an infusion of federal coronavirus relief funds, the services come at no cost to families.