News | FFXnow - Part 432

Morning Notes

Published September 25, 2023 at 8:15AM

A car in the I-66 Express Lanes approaches the Dunn Loring Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

McLean Woman Sentenced for Fatally Shooting Daughters — “Prosecutors said [Veronica] Youngblood methodically killed her daughters at her apartment at 1519 Lincoln Circle as an act of revenge toward her former husband, Ron Youngblood.” A jury convicted Youngblood of first-degree murder earlier this year and recommended a prison sentence of 78 years. [Washington Post]

Child Partially Paralyzed After Richmond Highway Crash — “Next month Trenton Gatlin-Ketter will turn 6 years old. Instead of playing outside and enjoying his special day, he’ll be in his wheelchair. The child was partially paralyzed after police say a drunk driver crashed into him and his mom.” [WUSA9]

Tropical storm may hit Fairfax County this weekend, bringing heavy rain and winds

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 22, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated September 22, 2023 at 4:04PM

Tropical Storm Ophelia is expected to bring rain and wind to Northern Virginia this weekend (via National Weather Service)

Updated at 4:05 p.m. — A Coastal Flood Advisory issued for parts of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, will now take effect at midnight, earlier than initially anticipated, the National Weather Service says.

Earlier: It’s going to be a cold and rainy weekend in Fairfax County, thanks to Tropical Storm Ophelia.

Software company opens new Capital Beltway-inspired offices at Reston Station

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 22, 2023 at 2:15PM

Reston Station (file photo)

Qualtrics, a technology and data research company, has officially opened its doors in Reston.

The company, which provides artifical intelligence-driven software to assist businesses with customer and employee “experience management,” is adding an office to “serve as a hub for AI innovation and public sector growth,” according to a press release.

Fairfax County plans new mural program to beautify revitalization areas

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 22, 2023 at 11:45AM

The Boro in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is considering a pilot program to support more murals in its commercial revitalization areas.

The pilot program, called Paint It! Fairfax, was introduced at a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors economic initiatives committee meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 19).

Vienna begins cultivating new spring look for Maple and Church streets

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 22, 2023 at 10:15AM

The current Maple Avenue streetscape across from the Vienna Town Green (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Generally speaking, florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, but the Town of Vienna is still counting on new flowers and shrubs to give its commercial corridor some seasonal pizzazz.

Landscaping crews began work yesterday (Thursday) to update the landscaping along Maple Avenue and Church Street for the first time in 20 years. The project is intended to “boost curb appeal in the business district,” according to the town.

Franconia railroad bridge project gets on track with $100M in federal funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 22, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated September 22, 2023 at 6:01PM

The Franconia-Springfield Bypass will add a bridge to accommodate VRE and Amtrak trains (via Virginia Passenger Rail Authority)

(Updated at 6 p.m.) A project to enhance the capacity of a key rail line through Fairfax County is chugging along, thanks to a major infusion of federal cash.

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority has been awarded $100 million in federal funds to design and build a bridge that will allow Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak trains to cross over tracks approaching the Franconia-Springfield station (6880 Frontier Drive), Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced yesterday (Thursday).

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published September 22, 2023 at 8:15AM

Field lights by the basketball courts at Nottoway Park in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Early Voting Begins in Fairfax County — Three locations will open for early voting, starting with the Fairfax County Government Center at 8 a.m., and more will follow on Oct. 26. The Nov. 7 general election ballot includes all local and state races, along with a $435 million school bond referendum. [Fairfax County Government]

Coastal Flood Watch Issued for Saturday — “A Coastal Flood Watch is effective late Saturday night. The worst flooding will be with the Saturday afternoon and evening high tides. Turn around, don’t drown. More than half of all flooding deaths occur in vehicles!” [Ready Fairfax/Twitter]

Police: Woman sexually assaulted at West Falls Church motel, suspect sought

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 21, 2023 at 3:45PM

Quarry Inn Motel in West Falls Church (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County police are searching for a man suspected of raping a woman at the Quarry Inn Motel just west of Falls Church City.

The man allegedly arranged to meet the woman at the motel (7179 Lee Highway) last Saturday (Sept. 16) at 6:40 p.m., according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

More special events, town support sought by Herndon’s business owners

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 21, 2023 at 1:30PM

Herndon’s business community expressed overall levels of satisfaction with the town in a recent survey, but some say they want the town to focus more on expanding support for businesses.

Presented at a Herndon Town Council work session on Tuesday (Sept. 19), the results were gathered from a business survey by Priority Metrics Group (PMG), which included 155 respondents, the average of which has been in the town for 17 years.

Fairfax County Courthouse nears launch of Virginia’s first self-help resource center

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 21, 2023 at 11:30AM

The Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Courthouse will soon lend a helping hand to visitors intimidated by the prospect of navigating the legal system on their own.

The county’s new Self Help Resource Center will officially open at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 with a kick-off event in the courthouse law library (4110 Chain Bridge Road, Room 115), the Fairfax Bar Association recently announced.