McLean | FFXnow

Local moms achieve goal of funding McLean Central Park playground renovation

Published December 21, 2023 at 1:15PM | Updated December 22, 2023 at 12:47AM

The new McLean Central Park playground and tot lot will feature updated and accessible equipment (courtesy Joseph Cox from Cunningham Recreation)

(Updated at 12:45 a.m. on 12/22/2023) No holiday miracle was necessary for the McLean Central Playground Team to reach its goal of raising $400,000 to update the play equipment at their local park.

The group of moms announced on Tuesday (Dec. 19) that they have reached their fundraising target with days to spare before a year-end deadline set by the Fairfax County Park Authority, which is responsible for the planned renovation of the playground and tot lot at McLean Central Park (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd).

News

McLean restaurant owner gets prison for evading taxes, stealing Covid relief funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 20, 2023 at 1:15PM

Gholam and Karen Kowkabi own Divan, a Persian restaurant in McLean (staff photo by David Taube)

The man behind Divan in McLean has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for failing to pay taxes and stealing COVID-19 relief funds — including money used to establish the Persian restaurant.

Gholam “Tony” Kowkabi, 63, of Vienna was sentenced by a federal judge on Monday (Dec. 18) to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty on Aug. 14, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of D.C. announced.

News

Grants approved to fund improved facilities at McLean, Reston area parks

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 15, 2023 at 2:30PM

The Cricket Association of Fairfax County is seeking to replace the cricket pitch at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston (via FCPA)

Some facility upgrades are in the works for three Fairfax County parks.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Board approved a total of $55,325 in Mastenbrook grants on Wednesday (Dec. 13) to help fund improvements at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, McLean Central Park and Frying Pan Farm Park south of Herndon.

News

Police: Construction worker injured in crash on GW Parkway in McLean area

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 15, 2023 at 11:45AM | Updated December 15, 2023 at 1:04PM

Northbound GW Parkway is closed at Chain Bridge Road in McLean after a crash (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 1:05 p.m.) Traffic on northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway is being detoured after a man was hit by a vehicle near Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) in McLean this morning (Friday).

The U.S. Park Police (USPP) says its officers responded to the area of the GW Parkway and Route 123 interchange around 8:50 a.m. for a crash that involved “a vehicle and a person on foot.”

News

UPDATED: Man found dead after two-alarm house fire breaks out in McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 11, 2023 at 10:00AM | Updated December 11, 2023 at 10:47AM

Firefighters battle a two-alarm house fire on Ridgeview Circle (staff photo)

(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) A man was found dead in a McLean house where a two-alarm fire broke out this morning (Monday).

Several Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units were dispatched at 9:15 a.m. to the house fire on Ridgeview Circle near Rosamora Court, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

News

Boundary changes approved for McLean elementary schools

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 7, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated October 18, 2024 at 2:06PM

Fairfax County Public Schools recommends adjusting boundaries for McLean elementary schools to relieve crowding at Kent Gardens (via FCPS)

Kent Gardens Elementary School should finally get some substantial capacity relief, starting next school year.

The Fairfax County School Board approved tweaks to the boundaries of five elementary schools in McLean on Monday (Dec. 4) with the goal of alleviating crowded conditions at Kent Gardens (1717 Melbourne Drive), which was at 121% of its programming capacity, as of the 2022-2023 school year.

News

Police arrest two men for McLean area home robbery, seek third suspect

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 1, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated December 1, 2023 at 10:47AM

Fairfax County police helicopter (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 10:45 a.m.) Fairfax County police have arrested two men who allegedly broke into a house in the McLean area earlier this week and robbed and assaulted its residents at gunpoint.

Officers were called to the 1300 block of Spring Hill Road — just north of Tysons and the Dulles Toll Road — at 5:45 a.m. on Monday (Nov. 27) when a 911 caller reported that at least one stranger was in her house “screaming about money,” according to the dispatch on Open MHz.

News

New McLean elementary school boundaries recommended to alleviate Kent Gardens crowding

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

Fairfax County Public Schools recommends adjusting boundaries for McLean elementary schools to relieve crowding at Kent Gardens (via FCPS)

A proposal to ease overcrowding at Kent Gardens Elementary School will require adjustments at four other elementary schools in McLean, but local middle and high schools have been spared.

The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. this Thursday (Nov. 30) to get community feedback on the recommended boundary changes, which will affect an estimated 380 students, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.

News

McLean native among youths chosen to help guide federal environmental policies

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 22, 2023 at 11:00AM

McLean native Sophia Kianni will represent Virginia on the first-ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (via Environmental Protection Agency)

A 21-year-old from McLean will help give young Virginians a say in how the U.S. government addresses climate change and other environmental issues.

Sophia Kianni, who founded the nonprofit Climate Cardinals, is one of 16 people appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever youth advisory council, which will provide independent guidance and recommendations on policies related to greenhouse gas emissions, clean air and water, and more.

Around Town

New Thai eatery coming to Chesterbrook in McLean from D.C. restauranteurs

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 21, 2023 at 10:15AM

Chesterbrook Shopping Center is adding new tenants, while undergoing renovation (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Thai restaurant is on its way to Chesterbrook Shopping Center (6224 Old Dominion Drive) in McLean, though it will be some time before its doors open.

Sorn Thai will be a new concept from the team behind Donsak, a Thai restaurant that opened in D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood last November, property owner Federal Realty announced.