News | FFXnow - Part 550

At vigil, Timothy Johnson’s family calls on FCPD to release unedited video of fatal shooting in Tysons

Published March 6, 2023 at 2:30PM

Melissa Johnson speaks at a vigil for her son, Timothy McCree Johnson, who was shot and killed by Fairfax County police officers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As a steady drizzle of rain provided an appropriately somber atmosphere, the parents of Timothy McCree Johnson and their supporters gathered in front of the Fairfax County Government Center on Friday (March 3) to call for justice after his recent death in a police shooting outside Tysons Corner Center.

With support from the Fairfax County NAACP, top among the family’s demands are the continued call for an independent investigation of the shooting and the prompt release of body-worn camera footage captured by the two police officers who fired their guns.

Redevelopment of Centreville Road offices as housing proposed

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 6, 2023 at 1:15PM

A two-story office building would be redeveloped into townhouses (Photo handout Fairfax County Government).

An aging office park on Centreville Road could get new life as a developer moves to replace the property with a residential development.

An affiliate of K. Hovnanian Homes hopes to redevelop an office building at 3078 Centreville Road and a neighboring lot into a residential development called Lincoln Park II. The new complex would have 84 stacked townhouse units and 93 traditional townhouse units.

No roller rink at Mosaic District this year, but ice skating may be planned

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 6, 2023 at 11:45AM

Some roller skaters use the Mosaic District's temporary rink during summer 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Mosaic District roller skating rink won’t come back this year, but the development is still holding out hope for ice skating in the future.

Rink Management Services Corporation, which operates Mosaic Skateland, has decided it won’t “be doing any roller skating during this warm weather season,” Fairfax County’s planning staff told the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) at a Feb. 1 meeting.

Construction on new Fox Mill Road walkway on track to finish in April

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 6, 2023 at 10:30AM

Construction on more improvements will begin in 2024 (Photo via VDOT).

Construction of a new walkway on Fox Mill Road in Reston is nearly halfway complete.

The project — which includes the installation of a walkway from Reston Parkway to Fairfax County Parkway — is 40% complete, according to Robin Geiger, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

Funds approved to expand Chantilly batting cages, restore county parks

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 6, 2023 at 9:30AM

Three projects were approved for matching funds (Photo courtesy FCPA).

Several parks in the county will get a funding boost for renovation work through a matching fund grant approved by the Fairfax County Park Authority earlier this month.

The grant program, Mastenbook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant, will power community-led restoration projects at three parks and the batting facility at Chantilly Park.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 6, 2023 at 7:30AM

Sun and shadow alternate on a walkway over I-66 to the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Regional Earthquake Fundraiser Officially Launches — “On Friday, March 3, Northern Virginia elected leaders and officials gathered to launch a fundraising effort organized by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) to collect money to purchase food packages for those impacted by the earthquakes” that hit Turkey and Syria in early February. [Fairfax County]

Person Burned in Herndon Townhouse Fire — “Units are on scene of a townhouse fire in the 300 block of Reneau Way in Herndon. Arriving units found and quickly extinguished a fire on a deck. One person transported with burn injuries. No reported firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Herndon resident runs for Fairfax County School Board seat

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 3, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated March 4, 2023 at 12:53AM

Kyle McDaniels is seeking the Democratic endorsement for an at-large seat on the school board (Photo courtesy Kyle McDaniel).

(Updated at 12:55 a.m. on 3/4/2023) A Herndon resident has officially thrown his hat in for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board.

Kyle McDaniel, an entrepreneur and father of two, is seeking a Democratic Party endorsement for a countywide seat on the school board, he announced Wednesday (March 1).

Local Army veteran awarded Medal of Honor at White House for saving lives in Vietnam War

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated March 5, 2023 at 10:16PM

Paris Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in a Vietnam War battle that unfolded 58 years ago (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Vietnam War veteran who now lives in Fairfax County was awarded the Medal of Honor at the White House today (Friday) — a recognition that supporters believe is nearly six decades overdue.

Retired Army Col. Paris Davis learned last month that he would receive the U.S. military’s highest honor for his actions in a battle against North Vietnamese forces on June 17-18, 1965, when he led an assault and saved multiple fellow soldiers despite being wounded.

Shootings by Fairfax County police will be reviewed by research group

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County police car with lights flashing (file photo)

The Fairfax County Police Department has agreed to undergo an independent review of its policies and practices after seeing an increase in shootings by officers over the past year.

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a D.C.-based nonprofit that has looked at the department before, will conduct a “broad examination” of officer shootings since 2021 to “identify any performance patterns, deficiencies, or trends,” the FCPD said today (Friday).

Annandale Community Center at Heritage Mall to celebrate grand opening tomorrow

By Acacia James

Published March 3, 2023 at 11:45AM

The new Annandale Community Center at Heritage Mall (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County leaders will celebrate the grand opening of a community center in Annandale’s Heritage Mall tomorrow (Saturday).

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw and the county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will open the Annandale Community Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony, an open-house, and community activities, according to a release.