News | FFXnow - Part 191

NOVA Parks leader to retire after overseeing regional park system’s expansion over 20 years

Published April 16, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated April 17, 2025 at 1:01PM

NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert at a Juneteenth 2024 event (courtesy NOVA Parks)

When Paul Gilbert finishes leading NOVA Parks, the regional park system will be nearly 2,000 acres larger than it was when he started.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority announced last Friday (April 11) that Gilbert will retire as its executive director by the end of 2025. His 20-year tenure included the addition of 15 new parks and several signature attractions, from the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial at Occoquan Regional Park to the winter light festivals in Bull Run and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

Driver killed in fatal crash south of Merrifield

By Vernon Miles

Published April 16, 2025 at 1:10PM

Fatal crash at Prosperity Avenue and Morningside Drive (staff photo by Jared Serre)

One man was killed in a single-vehicle crash at Prosperity Avenue and Morningside Drive near the Mantua neighborhood and south of Merrifield.

According to police, the driver struck a tree near the intersection and was declared deceased at the scene. The crash occurred around noon, according to scanner traffic.

D.C. region leaders still not sold on I-495 Southside Express Lanes proposal

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 16, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated April 17, 2025 at 1:17PM

I-495 "Southside Express" HOT-lanes proposal (via Virginia Department of Transportation)

A recent briefing from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) did little to quell questions and concerns from regional leaders about a proposal to extend the I-495 Express Lanes from Springfield into Prince George’s County, Maryland.

The Southside Express Lanes project is a “complex and lengthy” undertaking, VDOT Northern Virginia District Megaprojects Director Michelle Shropshire told the D.C. region’s Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at a meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Lorton man gets prison time after Dulles Airport officials found child sex abuse material on phone

By Jared Serre

Published April 16, 2025 at 9:45AM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Lorton man will spend most of the next two decades in federal prison after coercing young girls to create and send him sexually explicit content on social media.

Jose Alejandro Belmonte Cardozo, who pleaded guilty in November to one count of transporting child pornography, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison yesterday (Tuesday) by a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

NEW: Visas revoked for multiple international students at GMU

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 16, 2025 at 9:00AM

George Mason University (file photo)

More than a dozen international students at George Mason University have recently had their visas terminated or revoked by the federal government, the university says.

The U.S. departments of state and homeland security apparently changed the statuses of 15 students without any involvement by or prior notice to university officials, GMU President Gregory Washington and Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell told the community yesterday (Tuesday).

Futsal court and other improvements could be coming to Dunn Loring neighborhood park

By Vernon Miles

Published April 15, 2025 at 2:30PM

The basketball court at Dunn Loring Park (image via Fairfax County)

Some major upgrades could be coming to Dunn Loring Park’s athletic fields.

The Fairfax County Park Authority announced last week that it’s exploring plans to resurface and expand the existing basketball court at 2540 Gallows Road, possibly turning it into a dual-purpose basketball/futsal court.

Weapons detectors to be tested at Fairfax County high schools next week

By Jared Serre

Published April 15, 2025 at 1:15PM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid discusses the upcoming weapons detection pilot program with students (via FCPS/YouTube)

Starting next week, Fairfax County Public Schools will begin rolling out a pilot program intended to prevent guns and other weapons from being brought into school buildings.

Randomly selected high schools in the district will see the installation of OpenGate detectors at the building’s main doors, allowing students, faculty and visitors to be screened when entering the school.

Tysons Community Alliance turns to tax district for transportation project funding

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2025 at 9:45AM

A Tysons Community Alliance sign outside the Spring Hill Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In the future, a share of tax revenue generated by the Tysons Transportation Service District could go to transportation-related projects shepherded by the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), including ones on private property.

The district’s advisory board voted last Wednesday (April 9) to recommend that $1 million be allocated to the TCA for fiscal year 2026 to support its work to close gaps in the Tysons transportation network, reduce traffic from single-occupant vehicles, and boost public awareness and engagement.

Maryland man who punched Dulles Airport gate agent to appear in court

By Jared Serre

Published April 15, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated April 15, 2025 at 9:30AM

The tarmac at Dulles International Airport (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Maryland man who reportedly punched a gate agent at Dulles International Airport is scheduled to make his first federal court appearance later this week.

Accused of striking an employee of United Airlines “in the face with a closed fist,” Christopher Stuart Crittenden will appear in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Thursday (April 17), according to court records.

Farmers market season takes root across Fairfax County, starting this week

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 15, 2025 at 8:15AM

Lorton Farmers Market on June 30, 2024 (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority, 2024 Farmers Markets)

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s annual farmers market season kicks off Wednesday (April 16) with the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers’ Market outside the Sherwood Regional Library (2501 Sherwood Hall Lane) in Fort Hunt.

It will be one of three sites to begin 2025 operations in April, with seven others opening their seasons in May.