Countywide

Fairfax County School Board declines to review rights of student journalists

By Scott McCaffrey
The Fairfax County School Board discusses a proposed review of Fairfax County Public School policies protecting student journalist rights at its meeting on Dec. 5, 2024 (via FCPS/YouTube)

A Fairfax County School Board member’s desire to affirm the defined rights of student journalists in the wake of the Hayfield Secondary School athlete-transfer uproar died on a 9-3 vote at the Dec. 5 board meeting.

At-large board member Ryan McElveen introduced the measure as part of a broader discussion of the Hayfield athletics matter. He said it was in reaction to allegations, which have not been independently confirmed, of student journalists at Hayfield having their work on the issue censored.

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News

Fairfax County seeks input on Gallows Road revamp before final report next year

By James Jarvis
Gallows Road at Prosperity Avenue in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s study of the Gallows Road corridor is entering its final stages, with a report expected to head to the planning commission early next year.

The project aims to address long-standing safety and mobility challenges along the busy stretch of roadway connecting Tysons and Annandale, but proposed redesigns have sparked debate among residents.

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News

Great Falls Park will go cash-free for entry fees in 2025

By Angela Woolsey
An informational sign for Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Great Falls Park has resolved to stop accepting cash as payment for its entry fees in the new year.

The National Park Service announced yesterday (Monday) that it will require visitors to the park at 9200 Old Dominion Drive to pay their entrance fees with a credit or debit card or by electronic means starting on Jan. 1, 2025.

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Countywide

Route 7 bus rapid transit study shifts focus to Seven Corners segment

By Scott McCaffrey
Metrobus 28A on Route 7 in Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Preliminary work for future bus rapid transit service from Tysons to Alexandria along the Route 7 corridor is taking another step forward.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) voted on Thursday (Dec. 5) to send out a request for proposals to firms interested in studying the easternmost leg of the corridor from Seven Corners to Alexandria.

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Event

A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting by local author

Poster advertising book 'A Safe Place' about preventing the next school shooting; features book cover and event details at Centreville Regional Library.

Centreville Regional Library

14200 St. Germain Dr.

Centreville, Virginia 20121

Website Contact

Local author and Fairfax County Public Library librarian Luis D. Aponte invites parents and community leaders to an empowering discussion inspired by his book “A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting.” Drawing on seven years of research into more than 1,200 U.S. school shooting incidents, he shares practical, nonpartisan, research‑based steps families and schools can use to strengthen safety and emotional well‑being. Discover hopeful, community‑building solutions that help every child feel supported and able to thrive. Attendees receive two free ebooks, with a paperback signing to follow.

Adults. No registration required. Free event. For more information, visit ASafePlaceBook.com.

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Countywide

Morning Notes for December 10, 2024

By FFXnow.com
A deer stands next to a discarded pumpkin in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Annandale Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges — “Fairfax County Police charged an Annandale man with multiple counts relating to the possession and production of child sexual abuse materials.” Police say the man was identified based on a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about someone uploading sexual material involving children. [Annandale Today]

Shots Fired Near Fairfax City Apartments Under Investigation — “City of Fairfax Police are investigating a shooting incident that took place early Friday in the Fairfax Square neighborhood. Someone discharged a firearm around 4:10 a.m., in the 9900 Block of Fairfax Square, according to police. Investigators found casings and projectiles at the scene.” [Patch]

Annandale Condo Building Condemned After Fire — The Nov. 23 fire at the Talltree South Condominiums is still under investigation. “Because the fire investigators found asbestos in the building, the nine families who live there are prohibited from getting into their apartments to get their possessions. They haven’t been told when they’ll be able to move back — only that it could be six months to a year.” [Annandale Today]

McLean Man Runs Seven Marathons in a Week — A man from McLean recently “ran seven marathons on seven different continents in just seven days. Longtime marathon runner Frank Fumich started his adventure with a race in the frozen wasteland of Antarctica on Nov. 15 as part of The Great World Race.” [WTOP]

New Korean Restaurant Opens in Falls Church — “A new Korean steakhouse is now open in Falls Church, from the owners behind Honest Grill. Seoul Prime is an intimate, elegant dining experience with an emphasis on high-quality cuts of beef … The new restaurant is at 106 Founders Ave. in the Founders Row apartment complex.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Kids Fly to “North Pole” from Dulles Airport — “Early Saturday morning, a crowd of almost 100 kids was buzzing with excitement as they waited to board their ‘North Pole’-bound flight out of Dulles International Airport … The annual flight, which took off from Dulles for the first time 34 years ago in 1990, provides an incredible journey for children battling life-threatening illnesses, and their families.” [NBC4]

Local Firefighters Warn of Increase in Fires — Cooking-related fires are a common call for service at this time of the year, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Matt Tamillow. “Tamillow told WUSA9 they also see an increase in fires caused by space heaters and fireplaces as the temperatures start to drop.” [WUSA9]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a slim chance of rain after 1pm, cloudy skies, and a high around 61 with calm winds picking up to 5-7 mph from the south later in the day; 20% probability of precipitation. Tuesday night brings rain, potentially heavy, a low of 55, south winds at 7-10 mph, and a 100% chance of precipitation; new rainfall may reach up to three quarters of an inch. [NWS]

Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 9, 2024

By FFXnow.com

Good Monday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 9, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

🌧️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect showers after 1pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 60. A calm south wind will reach 5-7 mph in the afternoon, and there’s a 60% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts will be less than a tenth of an inch. Tuesday night brings heavier rain, a low around 55, and 8-10 mph south wind. The chance of precipitation is 100%, with new amounts between half and three-quarters of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Sports

Falling behind proves costly as Lake Braddock is ousted from football playoffs

By Dave Facinoli
Lake Braddock defenders stop a Madison runningback (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

It was an unwanted déjà vu situation all over again that proved costly for the Lake Braddock Bruins in the team’s state-semifinal football game against the Madison Warhawks.

Just like during an early regular-season game against the Warhawks, the Bruins fell behind 21-0 again in the Dec. 7 Virginia High School League Class 6 state-tournament semifinal, and never caught up.

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Sports

Early leads propel Madison to 14-0 record and state-title appearance

By Dave Facinoli
Madison's defense has helped the team get leads in games (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

A key reason for the undefeated Madison Warhawks’ 2024 success has been the team’s ability to build early leads — often large ones — in football games.

The Warhawks (14-0) have trailed in just three games this season. The squad rallied to win each, two by blowouts.

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Countywide

Regional taxes, longer I-66 toll hours on table for dedicated N. Va. transit funding

By Scott McCaffrey
A train arrives at the Tysons Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fifteen options are now on the table, as regional and state leaders mull ways to establish dedicated funding for Northern Virginia transit operations.

A full range of funding options for Metro and other public transportation systems was presented to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) on Thursday (Dec. 5), including new taxes and fees.

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