News | FFXnow - Part 377

UPDATED: Three killed in Braddock Road crash in Burke

Published February 5, 2024 at 3:15PM | Updated February 7, 2024 at 8:02PM

Bradfield Drive and Braddock Road (via Google Maps)

Updated at 8 p.m. on 2/7/2024 — A third person — Yan Zhou, 68, of Burke — has died as a result of Sunday’s crash at the Braddock Road and Bradfield Drive intersection in Burke, police said. There have now been five deaths from vehicle crashes in Fairfax County this year.

Updated at 4:55 p.m. on 2/6/2024 — One of the two people hospitalized with serious injuries from Sunday’s crash on Braddock Road has died, bringing Fairfax County’s traffic death toll for the year up to four people, police announced today (Tuesday).

Police: Man dies days after head-on crash in Clifton

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 5, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated February 5, 2024 at 3:11PM

Clifton Road at Johnny Moore Lane (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) An 85-year-old man who crashed head-on into a sedan on Clifton Road last month has died.

The crash may have been the result of a medical emergency suffered by 85-year-old Manassas resident Charles McCallister, who was driving north on Clifton Road during the afternoon rush hour on Jan. 24 when he veered over the center line and collided with a 2017 Honda Civic, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Va. lawmakers consider sweeping changes to special education

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published February 5, 2024 at 11:45AM

Books and ABC blocks on a classroom desk (via Element5 Digital on Unsplash)

Two Virginia lawmakers are proposing sweeping measures to improve the state’s provision of special education services as criticisms from parents and the federal government over Virginia’s compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act continue.

Sponsored by Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, and Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, the proposals would create a statewide system to oversee the development and use of individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with special needs, require more training for educators about how to provide inclusive special education instruction, set up eight regional “special education parent support centers” and provide additional specialists to divisions.

New Tysons senior living community nears opening of first high-rise

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 5, 2024 at 10:15AM

The Mather Tysons is a 293-unit senior living apartment complex on Westpark Drive (courtesy Mather)

Older residents will have a new housing option in Tysons next month.

After almost two years of construction, The Mather Tysons will start opening the first of its two high-rise apartment buildings at 7929 Westpark Drive during the first week of March, according to Mather Senior Vice President of Connections and Sales Gale Morgan.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published February 5, 2024 at 8:15AM | Updated February 5, 2024 at 2:00PM

A Love sign stands in Fairfax City's Old Town Square (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

One Dead, Six Hospitalized After Annandale Crash — “Fairfax County Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash in Annandale, Virginia that sent seven people to the hospital Sunday morning, including one man who died en route…People who live in the area tell WUSA9 they’re shocked to see this happen but they said there’s been a long history of drivers speeding” on Braddock Road, where the crash occurred. [WUSA9]

Alleged Brothel Operators Indicted — “Three people arrested and charged in November 2023 in connection to brothels operating in Boston and Northern Virginia have been indicted by a federal grand jury…According to charging documents, the defendants operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as in Fairfax and Tysons.” [WTOP]

Reston Association announces candidates for Board of Directors race

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 2, 2024 at 2:30PM

Reston Association (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Two of three races for Reston Association’s board of directors will be competitive in this year’s election, which takes place in March.

Four seats are open on the nine-member board.

Fairfax County may extend fee waivers for installing electric vehicle chargers

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 2, 2024 at 11:45AM

An electric vehicle charger and designated parking space in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County may continue waiving permitting and installation fees for electric vehicle chargers, following an initial trial period of 18 months that showed mixed results.

At a land use policy committee meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 30), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said he hopes to extend the trial period by one year.

Nonprofit that serves free meals gets support for continuing McLean operations

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 2, 2024 at 11:00AM

SevaTruck provides free meals at the Annandale Community Center in March 2023 (courtesy Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services)

A food truck that delivers free meals throughout Fairfax County has encountered nothing but support in its bid to stay long-term at the Lewinsville Center in McLean, county staff recently told the Fairfax County Planning Commission.

The commission gave SevaTruck Foundation another endorsement by recommending after a public hearing on Jan. 24 that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approve a special exception amendment so the nonprofit can continue to operate out of the center, which includes a senior center, adult day care and two child care programs.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published February 2, 2024 at 8:15AM

A cargo train rides the rails in Springfield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

State Legislators Plan Town Hall on Casino — Sen. Jennifer Boysko, Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra and other Fairfax County representatives will hold a town hall at McLean High School tomorrow (Saturday) “to hear public concerns and comments” about the bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County. The legislation won’t get a vote this year, but it “will re-emerge during the 2025 General Assembly Session and can be voted on by the Senate.” [Jennifer Boysko]

County Library Marks 85th Birthday — “We are incredibly proud of how far we have come in providing access to books, programming and other resources in the last 85 years. We have a lot planned by way of celebrating this milestone so we hope you join us, not only as we look back, but also as we look forward to what we can achieve in the many years to come.” [Fairfax County Public Library]

BREAKING: Fairfax County casino bill put on hold until next year

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 1, 2024 at 5:30PM | Updated February 2, 2024 at 11:32AM

State Sen. Dave Marsden presents SB 675, which would make Fairfax County eligible for a casino, before a Senate resources subcommittee (via Virginia Senate)

(Updated at 11:30 a.m. on 2/2/2024) The push to allow a casino in Fairfax County has stalled — at least for 2024.

A Virginia Senate subcommittee voted this afternoon (Thursday) to “continue” Senate Bill 675 until next year so a more in-depth analysis of the potential casino can be conducted.