News | FFXnow - Part 465

Fairfax County and Virginia leaders call for investigation into FBI HQ site selection

Published November 13, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated November 13, 2023 at 4:09PM

The current FBI headquarters in D.C. (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) Virginia’s elected leaders may not agree on issues like abortion access or education, but they remain united by the conviction that the Commonwealth would be a better host than Maryland for the FBI.

After coming together to pitch a Springfield warehouse as the best site for the law enforcement agency’s new headquarters, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined Democratic senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Virginia’s bipartisan House delegation last Thursday (Nov. 9) to blast the federal government for awarding the facility to Prince George’s County instead.

Land development consultant to open new office in Dunn Loring

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 13, 2023 at 2:30PM

The MetroPlace I office building in Dunn Loring (courtesy LDC)

A land design and engineering firm will expand soon with a new office in Fairfax County, where it already regularly consults on development projects.

Headquartered in Woodbridge, Land Design Consultants (LDC) announced Thursday (Nov. 9) that it will open a second Northern Virginia office in Metroplace I, an 8-floor office building at 2650 Park Tower Drive near the Dunn Loring Metro station.

Expansion of Herndon Elementary School moves forward following bond vote

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 13, 2023 at 1:30PM

An addition is planned at Herndon Elementary School (via FCPS)

(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) The planned expansion of Herndon Elementary School (630 Dranesville Road) is moving forward following voters approved a bond referendum last Tuesday (Nov. 7).

At a meeting tonight (Monday), the Herndon Planning Commission is set to consider a proposal by Fairfax County Public Schools to add roughly 25,000 square feet to the school, which has been in the school system’s renovation queue since 2009 and was built in 1969.

County’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ food drive makes virtual return ahead of Thanksgiving

By Acacia James

Published November 13, 2023 at 11:45AM

A shuttle for Fairfax County's Stuff the Bus food drive from 2021 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s annual Stuff the Bus food drive has gone virtual, allowing people to make online donations directly to local nonprofit organizations that provide food assistance in the county.

This is the county’s 12th year partnering with local nonprofits to participate in the campaign, according to a county release. Previously, people could only make physical donations directly inside Fastran buses parked outside grocery stores or libraries.

Pedestrian still hospitalized after Route 29 crash in West Falls Church

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 13, 2023 at 11:00AM

A driver hit a pedestrian on eastbound Route 29 at Hollywood Road on Nov. 11 (via Google Maps)

A pedestrian remains hospitalized two days after he was hit by a driver on Route 29 in the West Falls Church area, police say.

Medics and police were dispatched to Route 29 at the Hollywood Road intersection around 8:07 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 11), according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Reston chamber of commerce and others urge businesses to help workers if federal government shuts down

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 13, 2023 at 10:15AM

The U.S. Capitol Building in D.C. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is joining other local chambers and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission to offer help to federal government employees and contractors if the government shuts down.

Local businesses can sign up online to offer a discount in the event Congress fails to pass a budget by this Friday, Nov. 17.

Seven Corners restaurant holds fundraiser to support humanitarian aid in Gaza

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 13, 2023 at 9:30AM

Bawadi Mediterranean Grill in Seven Corners (via Google Maps)

A restaurant in Seven Corners will raise funds tonight (Monday) for Palestinian refugees after its owner’s family members were recently killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Bawadi Mediterranean Grill announced last week that it will donate 50% of sales made between 6 and 9:30 p.m. to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is tasked with distributing food and other aid in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published November 13, 2023 at 8:15AM

A walkway at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Teen Arrested for Hybla Valley Shooting — “Preliminarily, Major Crimes Bureau detectives determined the victim was walking to a nearby apartment. He was approached by the 14-year-old suspect who displayed a firearm and shot the victim. A nearby home was also struck by one round, where no one was injured.” The teen was taken into custody Saturday (Nov. 11) evening after his mother brought him to the Mount Vernon District Station. [FCPD]

Occoquan Dam Siren Will Go Off Tomorrow — “Fairfax Water has scheduled its annual siren system test for the Occoquan Dam on Tuesday, Nov.14, at 10 a.m. This is a routine test to ensure the siren system is functioning properly in the unlikely event of a dam failure.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Newly reelected State Sen. Jennifer Boysko launches campaign for Congress

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 9, 2023 at 3:30PM

State Sen. Jennifer Boysko has launched a campaign for the 10th District seat in Congress (courtesy Jennifer Boysko for Congress)

State Sen. Jennifer Boysko has joined the race to replace Rep. Jennifer Wexton as Virginia’s 10th Congressional District representative.

Boysko announced her candidacy today (Thursday), just two days after winning reelection as senator for the 38th District, which encompasses Reston, Herndon, McLean and Great Falls. The district includes portions of the former 32nd District represented by State Sen. Janet Howell, who opted not to seek reelection after redistricting paired her with Boysko.

UPDATED: Fairfax County saw dip in voter turnout for crucial state, local elections

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 9, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated November 10, 2023 at 10:54AM

Democrats celebrate a near-sweep in the 2023 general election (courtesy Mike Beaty)

(Updated at 10:55 a.m. on 11/10/2023) About 40% of registered Fairfax County voters participated in this year’s general election, which decided state and local representatives who will shape policies on issues from abortion to land use in the coming years.

As of Friday (Nov. 10), 308,855 of the county’s 787,171 registered voters cast a ballot — a 39.2% turnout rate, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.