News

VDOT and Great Falls group clash over safety improvements on Walker Road

By James Jarvis
Walker Road bridge over Piney Run in Great Falls (via Google Maps)

The Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) is voicing strong objections to safety improvements proposed by the Virginia Department of Transportation for Walker Road, arguing that the plans could make the rural roadway more hazardous rather than safer.

VDOT released an assessment in October of the 2-mile stretch connecting Colvin Run Road to Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. The report recommends several safety improvements, including clearing vegetation, installing new signage and replacing the one-lane bridge over Piney Run with a two-lane structure.

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Around Town

NEW: Whole Foods will relocate Idylwood store to Falls Church

By Angela Woolsey
Whole Foods Market at Idylwood Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The clock is ticking on Whole Foods Market’s time in Idylwood.

The grocery store has rolled out signs at its Idylwood Plaza location (7511 Leesburg Pike) announcing that it will relocate “soon” to Falls Church City, where it will anchor the new Broad and Washington development at 103 E. Broad Street.

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News

Fairfax property manager will go to prison for embezzling funds from local HOAs

By Angela Woolsey
The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (file photo)

A former Fairfax City property manager will serve two years in prison for embezzling money from the 70-plus homeowners’ associations she served.

Rose Kasande Bailey, a 60-year-old Warrenton resident, was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday (Tuesday) after pleading guilty in August to wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

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Around Town

Kids’ soccer facility in Fairfax area targets December opening

By Jared Serre
One angle of the future location of the indoor pitch at Fairfax's KidsUnited (photo courtesy of KidsUnited)

A new facility allowing kids to work on their soccer skills year-round is expected to open in the Kings Park West neighborhood next month.

KidsUnited, which uses soccer as a means of athletic and emotional development for kids, is targeting a December grand opening for its forthcoming Fairfax location, a company spokesperson told FFXnow.

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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 November 27, 2024

By FFXnow.com
The Washington & Old Dominion Trail bridge over Center Street in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

County Shares Holiday Giving Guide — “There are many ways to support your neighbors and community this holiday season. We’ve rounded up a list of giving opportunities right here in Fairfax County.” Options include the Toys for Tots campaign, a Winter Gear Donation Drive hosted by the Providence District office, and gift card and food donations. [Fairfax County Government]

Help Wanted for Annandale Fire Victim — “Deveri White has launched a fundraising drive to support her friend and coworker, Catherine ‘Kitty’ Dragonera, who was injured in a fire at her apartment in Annandale in the early morning of Nov. 23. The fire totally destroyed Kitty and her husband Matthew’s apartment at 4925 Americana Drive, and they lost everything.” [Annandale Today]

Undeveloped Tysons Site Sold — “A piece of the 40-acre Scotts Run development that was approved for a high-rise apartment project has traded hands for the second time in five years. Northmarq announced Friday it brokered the $18.5M sale of the 1.3-acre site, and a spokesperson for the brokerage told Bisnow the buyer was Falls Church-based Rushmark Properties.” [Bisnow]

Fairfax City Ice Cream Shop Reopens With New Owners — “Earlier this year, Sugar Mama’s Ice Cream closed [its] doors, but new owners Neel Vaidya and Palak Pael decided to reopen the long-time Fairfax City favorite. The couple also owns and runs Troy’s Italian Kitchen in Arlington … On Friday, the couple celebrated Sugar Mama’s grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.” [Patch]

Groveton School Hopes to Phase in Montessori Program — “Administrative leaders from Bucknell Elementary School (ES) in Groveton recently informed FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid that based on feedback from the school community, they would recommend phasing in a Montessori program for Pre-Kindergarten through third grade students from the 2025-2026 through the 2028-2029 school years.” [On the MoVe]

Police Make Arrest in Woodlawn Robbery — A 36-year-old man was charged with robbery, drug possession and obstruction of justice after allegedly robbing a woman at knifepoint on Nov. 22. The victim told police who responded to the 8200 block of Richmond Highway around 3:58 p.m. that the man “approached her with a knife, pushed her to the ground, and took her handbag.” [FCPD]

Springfield Record Factory Keeps Vinyl Alive — WTOP recently got a backstage tour of Furnace Record Pressing, one of the world’s largest independent vinyl record pressing companies. “Metallica bought a majority stake in Furnace’s operation about a year ago, and the Northern Virginia team said they’re grateful that the heavy metal giants have allowed them to continue to make records their way.” [WTOP]

It’s Wednesday — Expect increasing clouds and a high of 54 with calm winds in the afternoon. Rain will begin late tonight, accompanied by patchy fog and a low of 45; precipitation chances are 90%, with up to a quarter-inch expected. On Thanksgiving Day, rain will continue until early afternoon, followed by dissipating fog by 10am. The high will be around 54. [NWS]

Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Nov 26, 2024

By FFXnow.com

Good Tuesday 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 — Nov 26, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect increasing clouds and a high of 53 with calm winds turning south at 6 mph in the afternoon. Rain will begin Wednesday night, mainly after 1am, with patchy fog developing after 3am and a low around 44. Southeast winds persist at 6 mph, with a 100% chance of precipitation and potential amounts ranging from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. Thanksgiving Day will see rain mainly before 1pm, alongside patchy fog before 1pm, and a high near 53. Light winds will become westerly at 6-11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. There is a 90% chance of precipitation and potential amounts between a tenth and quarter 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

Three field-hockey players each from Oakton, Fairfax teams win all-state honors

By Dave Facinoli
Oakton field hockey players were chosen all-state (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Three players from the state-runner-up Oakton Cougars girls field-hockey team were chosen to the Virginia High School League Class 6 all-state first team, as were three from Fairfax High School.

Oakton senior forward Avery DeKoven, junior midfielder Marisa Rubano and freshman defender Daniella Rubano were Oakton’s first-team selections.

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Countywide

Metro officials eye impacts of return-to-office push by incoming Trump administration

By Scott McCaffrey
Commuters wait for a train at the McLean Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

It’s something that hasn’t been seen in nearly five years: A large percentage of the federal workforce exclusively back in the office — with many using Metro to get there.

But the incoming Trump administration has signaled it plans a major back-to-the-office push, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) leaders are watching carefully to see how it plays out.

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News

Springfield pilot killed in New York plane crash, but two dogs survive

By Associated Press
Seuk Kim, 49, of Springfield was killed in a plane crash in New York on Sunday, Nov. 24 (via Ever Loved obituary)

WINDHAM, N.Y. (AP) — A pilot and a rescue dog he was transporting to an animal shelter were killed when a small plane crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, though two other dogs were later found to have survived, authorities said.

Seuk Kim, 49, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed Sunday evening in a remote area of Windham, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of Albany, officials said.

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