News | FFXnow - Part 421

Morning Notes

Published October 18, 2023 at 8:15AM

A condominium building is under construction at 6707 Old Dominion Drive in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Rabid Animal Incidents Alarm Health Department — “After identifying a rabid raccoon and skunk within a mile of each other over the last 25 days, the Fairfax County Health Department is asking residents in the Centreville/Bull Run area to steer clear of wild animals and to report any animal attacks right away…To date, 22 animals have been diagnosed with rabies in the Fairfax Health District in 2023.” [FCHD]

Reston Man Charged With Sex Crimes Against Teen — “A 21-year-old Reston man is facing charges after a sex crimes investigation involving victims under the age of 18. The charges stem from ‘criminal incidents that occurred in 2020,’ Arlington County police said. ACPD says they’re now seeking other potential victims of the suspect.” [ARLnow]

Police: Man shot by crossbow in Bailey’s Crossroads

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2023 at 3:10PM

Fairfax County police (file photo)

Fairfax County police are on the lookout for an individual who apparently shot a man in Bailey’s Crossroads with a crossbow.

A caller told 911 shortly after midnight on Sunday (Oct. 15) that he was walking down Carlin Springs Road at Columbia Pike when something struck his back, like “he was shot with something,” but he couldn’t tell what it was, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Chantilly corporate center eyed for housing with gardens inspired by county park

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2023 at 1:15PM

The proposed Park East at Westfields housing development (via LDC/Fairfax County)

An homage to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park could take root in place of a partially developed business center in the Westfields area of Chantilly.

Developer Pulte Homes is seeking to transform the Park East Corporate Center (14150 Parkeast Circle) into a new residential neighborhood with green spaces “that follow a theme designed to be consistent” with the 650-acre park south of the property, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County.

Candy maker Mars entices county planning commission with HQ expansion proposal

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2023 at 10:30AM

Mars Inc. is seeking to expand its headquarters in McLean (via VIKA/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County’s planning commissioners weren’t quite as giddy as kids in a candy store when presented with Mars Inc.’s plan to expand its McLean headquarters last week, but the general level of enthusiasm wasn’t too far off.

The only note of disappointment sounded during the public hearing last Wednesday (Oct. 11) came when Sully District Commissioner Evelyn Spain joked that she had hoped to get some early Halloween treats.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 17, 2023 at 8:15AM

Parking lot lights in Chantilly at sunset (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Deadline Extended for Input on Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects — Initially set to close yesterday (Monday), the deadline for community members to take Fairfax County’s Active Transportation Project Funding Survey has now been moved to midnight on Thursday (Oct. 19). The survey will narrow down a list of proposed pedestrian and bicycle projects up for $100 million allocated by the county board. [FCDOT]

Groveton Neighborhood Named a Historic Site — “Randall Estates looks like so many Fairfax County subdivisions built in the early 1960s…But its development — undertaken by a Black public-school teacher to provide homes for African American professionals who had few opportunities for home ownership during Jim Crow in Virginia — was recently recognized by the Fairfax County Registry of Historic Sites.” [On the MoVe]

Higher interest rates continue to weigh on Northern Virginia real estate market

By Inside NoVA

Published October 16, 2023 at 3:30PM

A miniature house with a key (via Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash)

The continuation of higher mortgage rates put a damper on Northern Virginia home sales in September, which were down 18.2% compared to a year earlier, according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.

That decline was worse that August’s year-over-year decline of just 12.4% and reversed a trend of an improving market that had been seen since the spring.

County board takes key step to fund future Tysons Community Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 16, 2023 at 1:30PM

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing's planned Dominion Square West development will include a Tysons Community Center (courtesy APAH/KGD Architecture)

Fairfax County will sell bonds to finance the Tysons Community Center planned as part of the Dominion Square West housing project.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority was authorized by the Board of Supervisors last Tuesday (Oct. 10) to sell up to $43 million in facilities bonds to fund the community center, which has an estimated cost of $41 million.

School board advances W.T. Woodson High School renaming

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 16, 2023 at 9:30AM

W.T. Woodson High School is getting renamed (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is moving forward with a name change for W.T. Woodson High School.

The Fairfax County School Board voted 10-0 with two members absent on Thursday (Oct. 12) to drop former FCPS superintendent Wilber Tucker Woodson as the namesake of the 61-year-old school at 9525 Main Street outside Fairfax City.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 16, 2023 at 8:15AM

Picnic tables in Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Driver Injured in Chantilly Crash — “Officers are investigating a single-vehicle crash at Walney Rd and Poplar Tree Rd in Chantilly.” The driver was taken to a hospital with injuries initially considered life-threatening. Their condition was later upgraded, but they remain hospitalized. [FCPD/Twitter]

Antisemitic Flyers Reported in Wolf Trap — “Fairfax County police are trying to find out who left anti-Semitic flyers in a neighborhood near Wolf Trap. Police said at least four or five of the flyers were left in and around driveways, and there may be more they are not aware of yet.” The area was previously targeted by dozens of flyers last year. [WJLA]

FCPD: Teen arrested for Tysons carjacking, victim hit by liquid candy

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 13, 2023 at 1:30PM

Outside a parking garage at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Maryland teen was arrested last night (Thursday) for a carjacking at Tysons Corner Center where the victim was hit by a mystery fluid that turned out to be candy.

The 14-year-old and another teenager stole a BMW X5 yesterday from a man who was sitting in the SUV while parked in one of the mall’s garages, the Fairfax County Police Department said.