News | FFXnow - Part 434

Morning Notes

Published September 19, 2023 at 8:15AM | Updated September 19, 2023 at 4:47PM

Cirque du Soleil's Big Top tent is set up at Lerner Town Square in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Lawsuit Seeks to Disqualify School Board Candidate — The Fairfax County Republican Party and three residents argue Marcia St. John-Cunning should be removed from the Franconia District race, saying six signatures on her campaign petition are invalid. Endorsed by local Democrats, St. John-Cunning is competing against GOP-endorsed Kevin Pinkney to succeed Tamara Derenak-Kaufax, who isn’t seeking reelection. [Patch]

Singer Challenges Wolf Trap’s Merchandise Sales Commissions — Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts has drawn some criticism after acoustic singer Sarah Beth Tomberlin told fans that the venue was seeking a 41% cut of all her merchandise sales. Tomberlin instead opted not to sell merch when she opened for Ray LaMontagne on Sunday (Sept. 17). [DCist]

School board proposes changing namesake of Woodson High School

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2023 at 3:30PM

Sign for W.T. Woodson High School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Woodson High School may soon drop “W.T.” from the beginning of its name.

The Fairfax County School Board launched a formal process last week to consider renaming the school just outside Fairfax City, adding it to a growing list of local institutions and landmarks whose monikers have been reevaluated in recent years.

Merrifield sewer upgrade inches closer to construction, despite land rights holdout

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2023 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County plans to install a 20-inch sewer pipe under seven properties at the corner of Route 29 and Eskridge Road in Merrifield (via Fairfax County)

The value of an office building just outside the Mosaic District will determine whether Fairfax County has to go to court to boost a Merrifield sewer’s capacity.

The owner of 8315 Lee Highway is the lone remaining holdout in land rights negotiations with the county, which has reached agreements for six of the seven properties that will be affected by the project, land acquisition staff reported to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week.

Plan for Ebbitt House restaurant, Reston Row neighborhood approved

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 18, 2023 at 1:30PM

The future Ebbitt House in Reston Row (courtesy Comstock)

A new concept for Ebbitt House — a suburban remodel of the District’s Old Ebbitt Grill — and changes in Reston Row — a mixed-use neighborhood near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station — are officially moving forward.

At a meeting last Tuesday (Sept. 12), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved changes to the project.

FCPD: Man sexually assaulted girl in Burke, may be linked to more cases

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2023 at 11:30AM | Updated September 18, 2023 at 12:18PM

Police are investigating assaults against minors that occurred in September around trails in the Burke area (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 12:20 p.m.) Fairfax County police believe a single man may be responsible for a series of assaults on minors in the Burke area.

A 65-year-old Burke man has been arrested and charged with sexual battery of a minor in connection to an incident that occurred on Sept. 7, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Monday).

Vienna Police: Man arrested for reporting vehicle involved in crashes as stolen

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2023 at 10:30AM | Updated September 19, 2023 at 9:57AM

Vienna Police (file photo)

(Updated at 10 a.m.) An Arlington man faces criminal charges after Vienna police learned that a vehicle he reported as stolen had, in fact, been involved in a hit-and-run crash.

The Vienna Police Department got a report on July 30 from a supposed resident who said his vehicle had been stolen out of his garage on Battle Street SE sometime between midnight on July 29 and 9 a.m. on July 30.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published September 18, 2023 at 8:15AM

Fountains run in front of Fiesta Fairfax banner at Old Town Square in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

One Injured in Herndon Vehicle Crash — Yesterday afternoon (Sunday), Herndon police shut down “two lanes into town and one lane out of town on Sterling Rd…due to a crash investigation. Light pole blocking 3 lanes. Dominion power responding. One patient has been transported w non life threatening injuries.” [Herndon Police/Twitter]

Fairfax City Opens Addiction Recovery Center — “With a ribbon cutting held Friday, the city’s new 6,700-square-feet addiction recovery center run by the Chris Atwood Foundation stands to help those in the community fighting the disease and looking for resources, particularly low-income families.” [WTOP]

FCPD: Young bicyclist seriously injured in Dunn Loring crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 16, 2023 at 3:10PM

Fairfax County police car with lights on (file photo)

A child has been hospitalized with serious injuries after he was hit by a sedan while riding his bicycle on Idylwood Road, police say.

“Officers are on scene of a serious crash involving a cyclist at Idylwood Rd and Greenbrier Way in Dunn Loring,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a tweet at 1:04 p.m. “A juvenile male was taken to the hospital in serious condition.”

Langley HS student and others lauded by county for working to improve environment

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 15, 2023 at 2:30PM

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck (via Fairfax County)

A senior at Langley High School, a county planner who helped craft an environmental plan for Reston, and a local business dedicated to reducing waste are among the recipients of this year’s Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards.

Handed out annually since 2000, the awards recognize residents, county staff, businesses and other organizations “who demonstrate extraordinary leadership within the community and exceptional dedication to the preservation and enhancement of the county’s natural resources,” according to the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

County poised to swap land with Inova for Reston Town Center North site

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 15, 2023 at 1:30PM

Reston Regional Library (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County is gearing up to officially swap land with Inova, moving forward several key elements of the redevelopment of Reston Town Center North.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Tuesday (Sept. 12) by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn asking the county executive to move forward with a real estate exchange agreement with Inova.