News | FFXnow - Part 499

Morning Notes

Published December 5, 2023 at 8:15AM

Sunset over Fair City Mall in Fairfax City (photo by Susan Woolsey)

FCPD Steps Up DUI Enforcement for Holiday Season — “During this campaign, running from December 4 to December 29 the squad will increase their staffing and focus on ensuring our roadways remain safe this holiday season. These initiatives are aimed at promoting sober driving, pinpointing impaired drivers, and increasing officer presence on the roads.” [FCPD]

ICYMI: Pedestrian Hit by Metrobus in Annandale — A woman was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries last night (Monday) from a crash on Little River Turnpike and Hummer Road. First responders found her trapped under the front axle of a Metrobus, shutting down eastbound Little River, per scanner traffic. [FFXnow]

NOW: Pedestrian hit by Metrobus on Little River Turnpike, seriously injured

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 4, 2023 at 11:40PM

Eastbound Little River Turnpike is closed at Hummer Road after a Metrobus driver reportedly hit a pedestrian (via Google Maps)

A woman suffered serious injuries earlier this evening (Monday) when she was apparently hit by a Metrobus on Little River Turnpike.

“Officers are investigating a bus crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Little River [Turnpike] and Hummer [Road] in Annandale,” the Fairfax County Police Department said. “The pedestrian, an adult female, was transported in life-threatening condition.”

Report: As Northern Virginia prospers, some neighborhood conditions worsen

By Meghan McIntyre / Virginia Mercury

Published December 4, 2023 at 3:45PM

A new report says disparities in health, economic status and other issues have persisted between Fairfax County neighborhoods (via Northern Virginia Health Foundation)

In between the sprawling lawns of Loudoun County and the riverside lofts of Alexandria lie clusters of struggling, predominantly non-white neighborhoods that are increasingly left out of the success and prosperity experienced by Northern Virginia as a whole, recent research notes.

In fact, conditions in some of those neighborhoods — called “islands of disadvantage” — have been in decline for years.

Town of Herndon set to create donation program for new cultural festivals

By Fatimah Waseem

Published December 4, 2023 at 3:00PM

Herndon government offices (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Town of Herndon is formalizing its donation program for cultural festivals in an effort to create a system for supporting and encouraging events that encourage cultural celebrations and promote its brand.

The move follows the council’s adoption of a policy statement that supports community cultural festivals on Oct. 24.

Italian soccer club picks Tysons site for first U.S. youth academy

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 4, 2023 at 2:15PM

AC Milan, the Italian soccer club, is opening a Virginia youth training academy in Tysons (courtesy AC Milan)

A top-tier Italian soccer club is making a play for Tysons.

AC Milan, which claims to be the “most popular Italian football brand” in the U.S., announced last month that it has chosen Fairfax County as the site of its first youth training academy in North America.

Fairfax County moves to update guidelines requiring developers to assist displaced tenants

By Acacia James

Published December 4, 2023 at 11:45AM

The Wedgewood Apartments and other properties owned by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority would be subject to the new relocation guidelines if redeveloped (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County is looking to update its guidelines for how rental and mobile home developers can assist displaced tenants for the first time in a decade.

Director of Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development Tom Fleetwood presented the proposed guidelines to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting last week (Nov. 28).

Reston nonprofit opens food distribution center in Sterling

By Fatimah Waseem

Published December 4, 2023 at 11:00AM

Cornerstones celebrated the grand opening of the food distribution hub on Nov. 20 (Photo courtesy Cornerstones).

Cornerstones, a Reston-based nonprofit organization, has expanded into Sterling.

The nonprofit organization — which has offered food and other supports for individuals and families in need since it was founded in 1970 — opened the Free from Hunger Center last week.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published December 4, 2023 at 8:15AM

A bicyclist on the W&OD Trail in fog (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Local Family Mourns Loved Ones Killed in Gaza — Hani Almadhoun and his family are “numb with grief” after his brother, sister-in-law and their four children were all killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza the morning after Thanksgiving — just before a pause in attacks that resumed Friday (Dec. 1). A memorial service was recently held in Franconia. [NBC4]

Lumber Yard Closes After Two Centuries in Business — Smoot Lumber yard shut down Friday after operating for more than 200 years. Located in Springfield at the border with Alexandria City, the “supplier of mouldings, doors and windows has been a staple for local builders since it was founded in 1822.” [ALXnow]

Falls Church man arrested for armed massage parlor robberies two years apart

By Fatimah Waseem

Published December 1, 2023 at 1:30PM

Deep Blue Massage is located in the Professional Courts Condominiums in Seven Corners (via Google Maps)

Local police are searching for additional victims after arresting a Falls Church man in connection to two robberies of massage parlors: one that occurred this fall and one from 2021.

Mohamed Tahir, 33, was arrested on Sept. 9 after a reported robbery at Deep Blue Massage (6105 Arlington Blvd) in Seven Corners, the Fairfax County Police Department reported this morning (Friday).

Fairfax County could lower income ceiling of for-sale workforce housing policy

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 1, 2023 at 11:45AM

The Foster Glen townhomes in Oak Hill are the only development in Fairfax County currently selling workforce dwelling units at 120% AMI (via Google Maps)

In the future, people who earn more than Fairfax County’s median income will likely no longer be able to buy workforce housing.

A task force recommended to the Board of Supervisors housing committee on Tuesday (Nov. 28) that the top income bracket be dropped from the Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Homebuyer Program, which currently provides price-controlled townhouses and condominiums to people who make 80% to 120% of the area median income (AMI).