News | FFXnow - Part 338

Morning Notes

Published May 7, 2024 at 8:15AM

Workers remove a banner over Maple Avenue in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Firefighters Participate in Rescue Challenge — “Who’s that suspended from ropes under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge? It’s your friendly neighborhood technical rescue operations team. From 5/6-5/9 #FCFRD is participating in the 28th Annual Rescue Challenge. This training involves scenarios including a rescue under the bridge.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Oyster Bar Coming to Old Town Fairfax — “Local chef and restauranteur Bill Hamrock will be opening Kelly’s Oyster House and Bar at 4069 Chain Bridge Road in Old Town Fairfax. The building is the former home of the Capital Ale House. Hamrock already owns and operates Hamrock’s Restaurant, which is located just down the street at 3950 Chain Bridge Road.” [Patch]

Fairfax County board likely to approve consolidation of animal control services

By James Jarvis

Published May 6, 2024 at 4:45PM

Fairfax County Animal Shelter on West Ox Road (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) will likely assume the duties of the Animal Protection Police, starting this summer.

At a mark-up session last Tuesday (April 30), the Board of Supervisors indicated that it will implement the consolidation by transferring a position from the Fairfax County Police Department and creating a new chief animal control officer (ACO) as part of the fiscal year 2025 budget, which is scheduled to be formally adopted tomorrow (Tuesday).

Washington Capitals-donated skating rink nears opening at Lake Fairfax Park

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2024 at 2:30PM

A new inline hockey rink donated by the Washington Capitals is being installed at Lake Fairfax Park (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Washington Capitals will soon unveil a new sports facility in Northern Virginia — one likely to be much less controversial than the team owner’s failed push for an arena in Alexandria.

Installation of the inline skate rink donated by the D.C.-based professional hockey team to Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) in Reston is expected to finish this week, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Vienna will require developers to preserve trees, starting this summer

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2024 at 1:30PM

A yard sign advocates for saving Vienna's trees (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Going forward, developers in the Town of Vienna will be required to save trees, not just replace them.

After years of study and discussion, the Vienna Town Council voted on April 29 to adopt a new tree conservation ordinance and create an advocacy committee in a bid to preserve and expand the town’s declining canopy.

Burke resident dies in private plane crash, state police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2024 at 10:30AM

Police and first responders at the scene of a fatal plane crash in Palmyra (courtesy Virginia State Police)

Two people, including a 73-year-old Burke resident, were killed yesterday (Sunday) when their plane crashed in central Virginia, police say.

According to the Virginia State Police, the sheriff’s office in Fluvanna County got a 911 call at 8:54 a.m. from residents of Palmyra who reported seeing a “low-flying plane,” followed by “what sounded like an explosion.”

Photos: Barnes & Noble temporarily closes Tysons store, will relocate within mall

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2024 at 9:30AM

Barnes and Noble at Tysons Corner Center on May 4, 2024, a day before it temporarily closed (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Barnes & Noble has closed up shop at Tysons Corner Center for the year.

Yesterday (Sunday) was the bookstore’s last day serving customers in the two-level space it has occupied since the mall’s expansion wing opened in 2005. In the month leading up to the closure, shelves were emptied and some areas closed, including the cafe, as the store cleared merchandise through “last chance sale” discounts.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 6, 2024 at 8:15AM

Fog shrouds Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Early Voting Underway for Congressional Races — Fairfax County opened three early voting sites on Friday (May 3) for the June 18 Democratic and Republican primaries, which will determine nominees for multiple House and Senate seats. “An additional 13 early voting sites open on June 8…The last day to vote early in person is June 15.” [Fairfax County, NBC4]

One Injured in Merrifield House Fire — “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personel extinguished a fire late Thursday night at a two-story home in the Merrifield area. Initial reports said no one was injuried, but a department spokeswoman told Patch on Friday afternoon that one civilian was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.” [Patch]

Oakton hoop coach inducted into Virginia Sports Hall of Fame

By GazetteLeader

Published May 3, 2024 at 6:00PM | Updated October 1, 2024 at 5:49PM

Priester has won more than 800 career high-school games at the helm

Quite a gathering assembled with Fred Priester the evening of April 28 in Charlottesville to watch the longtime Oakton High School girls basketball coach be inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.

Fairfax pro golfer to compete among nation’s best in 2024 PGA Championship

By James Jarvis

Published May 3, 2024 at 1:30PM

Larkin Gross celebrates sinking a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the PGA Professional Championship at PGA Frisco on May 1, 2024, in Frisco, Texas. (courtesy of Ryan Lochhead/PGA of America)

Local golf professional Larkin Gross has qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where he will face off with some of the U.S.’s top male golfers in two weeks.

Gross, a Fairfax resident and assistant professional at the Westwood Country Club in Vienna, secured a spot in the Professional Golfers Association of America’s annual tournament after competing in the PGA Professional Championship in Frisco, Texas.

Reston Association launches public survey on proposed Shadowood renaming

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 3, 2024 at 11:30AM

A sign for Reston's Shadowood Recreation Area (via Reston Association)

The push to rename Reston’s Shadowood Recreation Area has reached a new phase with the launch of an online survey.

Reston Association announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it’s officially seeking community input on a possible name change for the swimming pool and tennis courts on Springwood Drive.