News | FFXnow - Part 332

Morning Notes

Published May 21, 2024 at 8:30AM

Strawberry Park at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Governor Vetoes Dozens of Bills — “Last week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed 48 more bills passed by the Democratic-led General Assembly, blocking legislation aimed at preserving contraception access, ending state perks for Confederate heritage groups and legalizing slot machine lookalikes known as skill games.” [Virginia Mercury]

Developer Buys McLean Hotel — “Hunter Hotel Advisors has arranged the sale of the Staybridge Suites Tysons-McLean. SAK Developers acquired the five-story property for an undisclosed price.” Hunter Hotel Advisors says the move will allow SAK to “further expand their D.C. Metro portfolio and capitalize on the unique location and dynamic demand centered around this hotel.” [Hotel Business]

Men indicted in Marriott hotel and Burke Lake Park murder cases

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 20, 2024 at 3:45PM

The entrance to the Marriott hotel at 3111 Fairview Park Drive (via Google Maps)

Men arrested last fall in connection to two separate killings were both indicted on murder charges by grand juries today (Monday), the Office of the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney has announced.

Rami El-Sayed, a 34-year-old Vienna resident, per court records, faces a second-degree murder charge for allegedly killing Cara Abbruscato, a 40-year-old Fairfax resident who was found dead in Burke Lake Park’s campgrounds on Sept. 30, 2023.

Fairfax County reports decline in homelessness despite broader regional surge

By James Jarvis

Published May 20, 2024 at 1:30PM

A tent encampment has become a fixture of the woods near Sunrise Assisted Living in Reston (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County was the only locality in the D.C. area where homelessness declined last year, decreasing by 2% from 1,310 individuals to 1,278, according to a new report.

County officials stated in the report, which was published last week by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), that the decrease is primarily due to fewer families residing in shelters and temporary housing provided by the county.

Driver charged with DUI in fatal Groveton motorcycle crash

By Inside NoVA

Published May 20, 2024 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County police DUI enforcement squad (via FCPD/Twitter)

An Alexandria man has been charged with driving under the influence in connection with a deadly Friday morning (May 17) motorcycle crash in Fairfax County.

Around 1:16 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of South Kings Highway and Memorial Street in Groveton for the crash involving a 2023 Kawasaki ZX and a 2007 Ford F-150.

Tysons condo project survives grilling over developer’s workforce housing pledge

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 20, 2024 at 11:00AM

Developers Cityline Partners and Renaissance Centro have proposed a condominium building in place of offices for Block C2 of Arbor Row in Tysons (via Fairfax County)

Developer Cityline Partners got its plan to swap an office building for condominiums in Tysons’ Arbor Row neighborhood past the Fairfax County Planning Commission last week, but concerns about its affordable housing commitments remain a hurdle.

The commission voted 8-1 last Wednesday (May 15) to recommend approval of a 23-story, 240-unit residential high-rise at 7925 Westpark Drive. The lone “nay” came from Hunter Mill District Commissioner John Carter, while Mount Vernon District Commissioner Walter Clarke abstained after arriving late to the meeting.

Herndon to add road diet as safety measure for Sterling Road

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 20, 2024 at 10:15AM

Sterling Road at the Elden Street intersection (via Google Maps)

A road diet is coming to a portion of Sterling Road in Herndon, providing interim safety improvements while the town scours for funding to support a larger-scale overhaul.

Crews are slated to begin restriping the road between Herndon Parkway and Elden Street tomorrow (Tuesday), necessitating detours and lane closures, the town said in a newsletter sent Friday (May 17). The Herndon Police Department advises avoiding the area “until the road work has been completed.”

CNN pundit found dead in Belle View neighborhood

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 20, 2024 at 9:30AM

CNN commentator Alice Stewart was found dead in Belle View on Saturday, May 18 (via CNN)

Fairfax County police are investigating the death of a conservative political advisor and CNN commentator who was found in a ditch in the Belle Haven area Saturday (May 18) morning.

CNN announced that evening that Alice Stewart had died at 58 years old after what officers believe was a medical emergency. Her body had been found outdoors in the Belle View neighborhood, but “no foul play is suspected,” the news organization said.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 20, 2024 at 8:15AM

Cars with anime designs and food stalls line University Drive for the Asian Festival on Main in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

UAE Eyes Diplomatic Compound in McLean — “The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government dropped $55 million for 18 acres stretching along the Potomac River in McLean, where it plans to build a diplomatic compound, reports the Washington Business Journal (WBJ).” [Axios DC]

Two Charged in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Detectives have charged two men in connection with [Friday’s] shooting in Bailey’s Crossroads that left one man dead.” A 20-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Alder Perez Argueta from Bailey’s Crossroads, and a 25-year-old faces charges of robbery resulting in death and gang participation. [FCPD]

County requests federal funding for hybrid and diesel Fairfax Connector buses

By James Jarvis

Published May 17, 2024 at 11:30AM

Fairfax Connector (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has the green light to apply for a federal grant to replace dozens of buses in its Fairfax Connector fleet.

However, none of the new buses will be all-electric, despite the county’s earlier pledges to electrify its fleet of vehicles.

Fairfax County seeks public input on historic Gum Springs preservation efforts

By James Jarvis

Published May 17, 2024 at 9:30AM

A sign welcoming all to Gum Springs, at the corner of Fordson Road and Richmond Highway (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Fairfax County will hold a community meeting later this month to gather feedback on its efforts to document one of the region’s oldest African American communities.

The first meeting — scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gum Springs Community Center (8100 Fordson Road) — will give community members a chance to learn more about the timeline and goals of the Gum Springs Heritage Resources Study.