News | FFXnow - Part 536

Unionized workers at Kingstowne Safeway protest potential grocery store merger

Published April 6, 2023 at 10:15AM

UFCW Local 400 members protesting in front of the Kingstowne Safeway (courtesy Jonathan Williams)

Local union members protested in front of the Kingstowne Safeway yesterday (Wednesday) in opposition to the proposed merger between grocery store conglomerates Kroger and Albertsons.

About 30 members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 marched near the front door of the Safeway at 5980 Kingstowne Towne Center. The local protest was part of a nationwide day action from a coalition of organizations hoping to stop Albertsons, which owns Safeway, from merging with Kroger, which owns Harris Teeter.

Woman reportedly abducted in New York killed in gunfight between police and suspect on I-95

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated April 6, 2023 at 6:12PM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

(Updated at 6:10 p.m.) A woman who was allegedly abducted in New York died last night (Wednesday) after a police chase that started on I-95 in Springfield ended in gunfire near Quantico.

According to Virginia State Police, at 9:40 p.m., one of its troopers attempted to stop a Jeep Cherokee traveling south on I-95 near the Backlick Road exit for having the wrong license plates on display.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 6, 2023 at 7:30AM

Cars on Route 123 approach Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna Metro Station Gets New Bikeshare Stop — “We partnered with @fairfaxcounty to install a new Capital Bikeshare Station at Vienna Metro Station and relocate our bike racks under a canopy for increased protection from the elements. This means a better biking experience for all of our customers!” [WMATA/Twitter]

Herndon Robbery Under Investigation — “The victim told police that two men approached him from behind as he was walking on the sidewalk on March 29. One of the men showed what appeared to be a handgun and they demanded the victim hand over his property, according to police. Once he did, the two men drove off in vehicle that was driven by a third suspect.” [Patch]

Draft Reston Comprehensive Plan revised to avoid conflicts with county policy

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 5, 2023 at 3:00PM

Construction continues on the Reston Row neighborhood in Reston Station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County staff have pared down the draft of Reston’s proposed comprehensive plan from 180 pages to 133.

At a Fairfax County Planning Commission workshop on March 30, staff walked through their amendments to the proposed plan, a process that kicked off more than two years ago with a community-driven task force initiated by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.

Fairfax County library’s annual food drive kicks off, as need continues to rise

By Matt Blitz

Published April 5, 2023 at 1:30PM

Patrick Henry Library in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Library’s annual food drive “Read and Feed” is now underway, replacing the “Food for Fines” program.

The county library system is asking residents to drop off “unexpired, commercially produced food items” as well as new, reusable grocery bags and kitchen tools to any of its 23 branches during their regular operating hours.

Therapeutic riding nonprofit seeks expansion to horse barn in Great Falls

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 5, 2023 at 11:45AM

The nonprofit organization seeks to use existing barns on the site (Image via Google Maps).

A local nonprofit organization is hoping to expand its therapeutic riding services for people with disabilities in Great Falls.

Based at 9700 Georgetown Pike, Lift Me Up hopes to extend its services to a new horse barn with eight stables across six acres at 1051 Kelso Road near Difficult Run Stream Valley Park.

Police: Series of robberies in Culmore under investigation, one arrested

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 5, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated April 5, 2023 at 10:33AM

Fairfax County police are investigating robberies that all occurred around Glen Carlyn Drive and Bellview Drive in Culmore (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) Fairfax County police are investigating a string of robberies that all took place last month around the same block near Culmore, though it’s not clear yet if they’re connected.

A suspect was arrested in the most recent incident, which took place at 12:06 p.m. on March 29 in the 6000 block of Vista Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Tuesday).

Police: Two hospitalized by separate shootings in Reston and Groveton

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 5, 2023 at 9:15AM | Updated April 5, 2023 at 3:56PM

Fairfax County police car with lights flashing (file photo)

(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) A shooting in a parking lot near Isaac Newtown Square and Wiehle Avenue in Reston left one individual hospitalized with life-threatening injures last night (Tuesday).

Police believe the individual was shot in an act that does not appear to be random, authorities wrote in a social media post.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 5, 2023 at 7:30AM

Springfield Town Center parking lot (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Reopening Date Set for Metro Yellow Line — “The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced [Tuesday] that the Yellow Line will open again on Sunday, May 7, at the start of rail service. The line has been out of service since September to allow work on the Potomac River tunnel and bridge.” [ALXnow]

Omicron Booster Vaccine Eligibility Expands — “The updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available as a booster dose for children 6 months-4 years old who completed their primary series of three doses.” Just 13% of Fairfax Health District residents under 5 have completed an initial series of Covid vaccinations. [Fairfax County Health Department]

County invites residents to drop off food and yard waste for composting at I-66 facility

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 4, 2023 at 3:00PM

Fairfax County will kick off a two-year Compost Outpost pilot at the I-66 Transfer Station on Wednesday (courtesy DPWES)

Fairfax County wants your food scraps and yard waste.

The county will officially launch its new compost outpost at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).