News | FFXnow - Part 500

Morning Notes

Published May 1, 2023 at 7:30AM

Wolftrap Creek in Wildwood Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPS Scales Back Falls Church HS Expansion — “The renovation and expansion of Falls Church High School, currently underway, is going to cost millions of dollars more than anticipated. As a result, some aspects of the original plan will be eliminated, and completion of the project has been pushed back a full year — from summer 2025 to summer 2026.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax Runner Banned from Triathlons — “Collin Chartier, the triathlon champion who grew up in Fairfax and has strong ties to NoVA, has been banned from the sport for three years for taking a banned substance…Chartier admitted on Instagram to taking the drug and said he has no plans to return to the sport.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

FCPD: Woman arrested for abducting 3-year-old at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 28, 2023 at 2:15PM

The outdoor play area at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A D.C. woman has been arrested for allegedly abducting a kid from the Cox Discovery Cove at Tysons Corner Center.

Officers with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Tysons Urban Team were called to an outdoor play area — described as having a “sailboat design” — at 5:47 p.m. yesterday (Thursday) for a report of a missing 3-year-old child, police said in a news release today.

Man who allegedly abducted woman, exchanged gunfire with police on I-95 faces attempted murder charge

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 28, 2023 at 11:45AM

After a pursuit that started in Springfield, Virginia State Police reportedly exchanged gunfire with Michael Davis near the I-95 exit to Quantico (via Google Maps)

A man who ended up in a shootout with state police and one Fairfax County officer after an extended chase on I-95 earlier this month has now been charged with attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer.

Michael C. Davis, a 34-year-old man from North Chesterfield, was also charged on Wednesday (April 26) with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and eluding policy, the Virginia State Police announced yesterday. All three counts are felonies.

Proposed design guidelines imagine downtown McLean as ‘neighborhood village’

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 28, 2023 at 11:00AM

Proposed design guidelines for downtown McLean envision Elm Street as one of two future main streets (via Fairfax County)

In the future, the heart of downtown McLean will be at the meeting of Beverly Road and Elm Street.

A newly released set of draft design guidelines for development in McLean’s Community Business Center (CBC) designates Beverly and Elm as “main streets” that will help turn the area from a collection of strip malls into an active, more streamlined neighborhood village.

Two hospitalized after pickup truck crashes on Beltway, catches fire

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 28, 2023 at 9:30AM

A Virginia State Police vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A pickup truck carrying multiple vehicles became consumed by fire after crashing on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in the Rose Hill area early this morning (Friday).

Virginia State Police responded to the crash near the Van Dorn Street exit at 3:50 a.m., according to a news release.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 28, 2023 at 7:30AM

A pedestrian bridge over Backlick Drive in Springfield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Arlington Residents Suing Over “Missing Middle” Look to zMOD Ruling — “The Virginia Supreme Court forced Fairfax to revert to an older zoning code because of this procedural misstep prior to the new laws taking effect. The 10 plaintiffs in the Missing Middle suit say it is a point in their favor, arguing the state Supreme Court signaled it takes seriously procedural violations.” [ARLnow]

New Signage Installed on GW Parkway — A temporary traffic pattern on the George Washington Parkway “has led to some confusion among drivers.” The National Park Service said new signs and barriers would be added to address issues, mostly in the afternoon rush hour, with northbound drivers trying to use the new center lane. [WTOP]

BREAKING: Three people found shot dead in West Springfield house

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 27, 2023 at 4:30PM | Updated April 28, 2023 at 2:20PM

Fairfax County Police Deputy Chief Eli Cory updates media on an investigation into three shooting deaths in the 8500 block of Wild Spruce Drive (via FCPD/Facebook)

Updated at 2:20 p.m. on 4/28/2023 — Police are officially investigating yesterday’s shooting as a double murder and suicide case.

Based on a preliminary investigation, detectives believe that 47-year-old Tiku Berhane Gebreeyesus shot his wife, 38-year-old Meskerem Belachew Solomon, and her brother, 31-year-old Amanuel Belachew Solomon, before shooting himself.

Primary for 37th Senate District pits ‘old-fashioned’ incumbent against ‘progressive’ newcomer

By Matt Blitz

Published April 27, 2023 at 3:00PM

Chap Petersen and Saddam Salim are running against each other for State Senate in the 37th District (photos courtesy of the campaigns)

The primary race for Virginia’s 37th Senate District pits an “old-fashioned” incumbent against a “progressive” who’s relatively new in Virginia politics.

Facing off for the Democratic nomination are longtime state Sen. Chap Petersen and Fairfax Young Democrats vice president Saddam Azlan Salim. Last week, a second challenger, Erika Yalowitz, dropped out to support Salim.

After losing Barton Hills appeal, Reston Association seeks tweaks to county zoning ordinance

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 27, 2023 at 2:15PM

The Barton Hill Recreation Area in Reston is slated for upgrades (via Google Maps)

Earlier this spring, the Virginia Supreme Court declared Fairfax County’s modernization of its zoning ordinance (zMOD) invalid because it was adopted at virtual meetings.

In light of the pending re-adoption of the new zoning ordinance, Reston Association is pitching a change that would clarify if additions or enhancements require a Planned Residential Community (PRC) plan — a lengthy process that involves the development of detailed plans and public hearings before the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

Fence-jumping reckless driver nearly hit people in shopping center parking lot, Vienna police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 27, 2023 at 1:30PM

A reckless driver allegedly nearly hit several people in the Maple Avenue Shopping Center parking lot (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna police have identified the alleged reckless driver who was arrested last week after leading officers on a wild vehicle and foot chase.

John Thomas Prince IV of Haymarket has been charged with three felonies and four misdemeanors, for reckless driving, property destruction, eluding police, attempted unlawful entry and driving on a revoked license — and that’s just in Vienna.