News | FFXnow - Part 362

Morning Notes

Published March 11, 2024 at 8:15AM

A tree with pink flowers outside Jammin Java in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

General Assembly Approves State Budget — “Virginia lawmakers wrapped up their 60-day legislative session Saturday by approving a two-year budget that includes pay raises for teachers and state employees, increases education funding and extends the state sales tax to cover digital services.” [Associated Press]

Man Gets Prison for Killing Lorton Landlord — “A Prince William County man was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for slaying his 72-year-old landlord in Lorton. Brian Sayrs Jr., 28, pleaded guilty in August to second-degree murder and concealing a body in the June 2021 killing of Emily Lu, who was found dead about 50 days after she vanished following what authorities said was a rent dispute with Sayrs.” [Washington Post]

Flint Hill basketball player nets 1,000th point in junior season

By GazetteLeader

Published March 8, 2024 at 6:00PM | Updated September 30, 2024 at 10:22PM

Guard/forward is one of program’s all-time scoring leaders

The team didn’t have a strong season, but individually Raigan McCalla enjoyed a standout girls basketball campaign for the Flint Hill Huskies.

National architecture firm consolidates N. Va. offices in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 8, 2024 at 1:30PM

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting recently moved its D.C. area office to Pinnacle Towers in Tysons (courtesy Little Diversified Architectural Consulting)

The architecture consulting firm that helped design Capital One Center’s baseball stadium now has a base of its own in Tysons.

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting moved into a new office in Pinnacle Towers (1753 Pinnacle Drive) at the end of February, a spokesperson for the national company announced on Feb. 29.

Bill to allow marijuana sales in peril after breakdown on Virginia arena deal

By Graham Moomaw / Virginia Mercury

Published March 8, 2024 at 11:45AM

Cannabis plant (via Rick Proctor on Unsplash)

Hopes that Gov. Glenn Youngkin might sign a bill legalizing retail sales of marijuana in Virginia faded fast this week as Democrats blocked one of the governor’s top priorities: the plan to bring a professional sports arena to Northern Virginia.

As recently as Wednesday, according to multiple Capitol sources, the cannabis bill was being raised in closed-door budget talks with the governor as one of several Democratic priorities that could conceivably have been part of a package deal with the arena.

Artist behind Reston’s ‘Bronze Bob’ statue to visit for 20th anniversary

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 8, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated March 8, 2024 at 12:47PM

Artist Zachary Oxman unveils his "Bronze Bob" statue at Lake Anne Plaza (courtesy Reston Museum)

It’s been 20 years since an iconic sculpture honoring Reston’s founder Robert E. Simon was unveiled at Lake Anne Plaza.

To celebrate the anniversary of the sculpture’s installation, Reston Museum is hosting an event featuring its creator, artist Zachary Oxman. The event will take place at Reston Community Center Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza North) next Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

Fairfax County seeks community feedback on supply of accessible parking

By Acacia James

Published March 8, 2024 at 9:30AM

Spaces reserved for people with disabilities in a Centreville parking lot (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After updating its parking standards last fall, Fairfax County is conducting an online survey seeking feedback from the community on its current supply of accessible/ADA parking spaces.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted new parking standards last September for the first time in 35 years through its Parking Reimagined initiative. Among other changes, the amendment created a tiered system for parking requirements based on a development’s density and proximity to transit.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 8, 2024 at 8:15AM

Girl Scouts sell cookies and a scooter user waits for the light at the corner of University Drive and North Street in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Prospect Iffy for Wiz and Caps Stadium in Alexandria — “A visibly frustrated Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a last-minute appeal to the Virginia legislature to support the Potomac Yard arena ahead of the General Assembly adjourning on Saturday…Senate Finance and Appropriations Chairwoman L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) told the Washington Post [on Wednesday] that the Potomac Yard arena won’t be in the budget compromise.” [ALXnow]

Design of Route 1 BRT Stations Under Revision — Fairfax County’s “Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project team continues to work on art design concepts for five of the nine future BRT stations…The county finalized artwork for windscreens to be located at the Lockheed, Hybla Valley, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir stations” based on concepts submitted last year by high school students. [On the MoVe]

Herndon Community Center to celebrate 45 years with special deals, swim challenges

By James Jarvis

Published March 7, 2024 at 3:30PM

Herndon Community Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Herndon Community Center is planning a week-long series of events later this month to celebrate its 45th anniversary.

The center, which has been provided health, wellness, and recreational activities for the community since its inception in 1976, is inviting residents to participate in the festivities, starting Monday, March 25 and concluding on March 28.

West Falls developer launches sales for new mixed-use condominium building

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 7, 2024 at 2:30PM

The Oak, a new mixed-use condominium building in Falls Church, will feature rooftop terraces among its residential amenities (courtesy of Hoffman Realty)

A mixed-use condominium building taking shape in the upcoming West Falls neighborhood is now seeking prospective residents.

Developer Hoffman & Associates announced on Monday (March 4) that it has opened sales for the 126 condos in The Oak, a 174,000-square-foot, 11-story building under construction at 255 West Falls Station Blvd in Falls Church.

Chantilly brewery seeks to expand food services to maintain competitiveness

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 7, 2024 at 1:30PM

Mustang Sally Brewing Company in Chantilly (via Google Maps)

Mustang Sally Brewing Company is hoping to serve up something new out of its brewery in Chantilly.

The business, which currently operates as a production brewery with a tasting room, hopes to expand its food service at 14140 Parke Long Court in an effort to become more competitive in the brewing industry.