News | FFXnow - Part 553

Morning Notes

Published February 28, 2023 at 7:30AM

A pedestrian bridge over Jones Branch Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Four Displaced by Two-Alarm Tysons House Fire — A malfunctioning water heater started a fire in the 200 block of Trailwood Court that resulted in approximately $175,000 in property damages, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says. After an initial dispatch at 3:52 a.m. last Thursday (Feb. 23), additional Fairfax County and Arlington units had to be called to the two-story house, but no injuries were reported. [FCFRD]

Maryland Contractor Plans Fairfax County Move — “Amentum Services, Inc., a leading provider of engineering and advanced solutions and services to the U.S. government, allies, and commercial companies, will invest $495,000 to relocate its headquarters from Germantown, Maryland.” Its operations will be consolidated at 4800 Westfields Blvd in Chantilly, a move expected to create 157 new jobs. [FCEDA]

Potential GMU cricket facility has county board intrigued but cautious

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2023 at 3:45PM

A cricket player at bat (via michael weir on Unsplash)

Fairfax County officials are guarding their wickets carefully as they size up a recent pitch for a possible cricket and baseball facility at George Mason University.

The Board of Supervisors directed county staff last week to monitor and get involved in a feasibility study that Mason and Major League Cricket (MLC) initiated in November.

UPDATED: Dead body found in trash truck around I-66 waste site

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated February 28, 2023 at 2:07PM

A Fairfax County police car (file photo)

(Updated at 2:05 p.m. on 2/28/2023) The contents of a truck that appears to have been carrying trash to the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) included a dead body, police say.

The Fairfax County Police Department has opened an investigation into the body, which it says was found this afternoon “in a trailer used for transporting trash” in the 4600 block of West Ox Road.

Construction on new pedestrian bridge at Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park to begin

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 27, 2023 at 2:15PM

A previous bridge was removed roughly 15 years ago (Photo courtesy FCPA).

Work has begin on a new pedestrian bridge at Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Slated to be completed by the end of the summer, the bridge replaces a span that was removed 15 years ago between Heather Down Drive and Eddyspark Drive.

NEW: Fairfax County NAACP calls for independent investigation into fatal police shooting in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2023 at 1:20PM | Updated February 28, 2023 at 10:05AM

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis addresses police shooting at Tysons Corner Center (via FCPD/Facebook)

(Updated at 10 a.m. on 2/28/2023) The fatal police shooting of a man accused of shoplifting sunglasses at Tysons Corner Center last week has local civil rights groups questioning the Fairfax County Police Department’s commitment to enforcing its own policies.

The Fairfax County NAACP wants “an independent, transparent and comprehensive investigation” into the death of D.C. resident Timothy McCree Johnson, who was shot by officers on Wednesday (Feb. 22) during a foot chase that extended a quarter-mile from the Nordstrom where he allegedly stole a pair of designer sunglasses.

New study highlights need for better bicycle and pedestrian options along Fairfax County Parkway

By Vernon Miles

Published February 27, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 2:36PM

Fairfax County Parkway (image via Google Maps)

Fairfax County Parkway is one of the main arterial routes through western Fairfax County, but staff say it’s due for an overhaul.

At a recent meeting of the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s Transportation Committee, Department of Transportation senior planner Thomas Burke laid out some of the changes recommended in a recent study of the Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield parkways.

Fairfax County revises proposed light regulations around Turner Farm Park Observatory

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

The county is considering ways to preserve dark skies around the observatory (Photo via Fairfax County Government).

A new and expanded version of a policy to preserve dark skies around the Turner Farm Park Observatory in Great Falls is now on the table.

Fairfax County staff have presented an additional round of amendments to the draft policy, which would amend zoning standards for outdoor lighting within a half-mile of the observatory, which is located at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Springvale Road.

Nutley Street roundabouts at I-66 slated to open tomorrow

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2023 at 10:15AM

A finish line is in sight for construction on the redesigned Nutley Street/I-66 interchange (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The overhaul of the Nutley Street and I-66 interchange is nearing completion, promising an end to the unpredictability that has characterized trips near the Vienna Metro station over the past three years.

Two new roundabouts at the interchange are scheduled to open tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, the Virginia Department of Transportation recently announced, cautioning drivers to yield to traffic in the loops when entering.

Police: Driver dies in single-vehicle crash on Braddock Road

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2023 at 9:30AM

Westbound Braddock Road at the Fairfax County Parkway intersection (via Google Maps)

A driver died after crashing their vehicle west of George Mason University’s Fairfax campus shortly after midnight on Saturday (Feb. 25).

The crash occurred at the Braddock Road and Fairfax County Parkway intersection, the Fairfax County Police Department reported at 12:11 a.m. that day.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published February 27, 2023 at 7:30AM

Man walks dog at Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Passenger in Annandale Truck Crash Dies — The 27-year-old passenger of a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado that crashed into a tree and light pole by Little River Turnpike near John Marr Drive on Jan. 27 died at a hospital from his injuries last Tuesday (Feb. 21). The 29-year-old driver may face additional charges after already being charged with driving under the influence and without a license. [FCPD]

Government Center Affordable Housing Approved — Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Residences at Government Center II plan and $14 million in funding. The development will consist of two mid-rise residential buildings with 279 units for those earning between 30 and 70% of the area median income, along with a childcare center and urban park. [Fairfax County]