McLean | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published August 5, 2022 at 7:30AM

Lewinsville Park basketball courts in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

McLean Police Shooting Not Justified, Family Says — The parents of Jasper Aaron Lynch, who was fatally shot four times by a Fairfax County police officer during a mental health crisis call on July 7, said in a statement that the police “could have, and should have, handled this far differently.” Their comments came after the county police department released footage of the encounter. [WTOP]

Bailey’s Crossroads Car Dealership to Expand — “The Radley Acura dealership on Columbia Pike near Route 7 in Bailey’s Crossroads will undergo a major expansion. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning application Aug. 2 by Radley Management LLC to build a three-level parking garage with 307 spaces and an enclosed customer service drop-off addition.” [Annandale Today]

Countywide

With fatal McLean shooting under review, FCPD to add mental health clinician soon

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 4, 2022 at 3:50PM | Updated August 4, 2022 at 9:01PM

Body camera video shows Fairfax County police officers encountering Aaron Jasper Lynch in McLean (via Fairfax County Police Department/YouTube)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) The clinician who participated in an initial mental health call at a McLean house in early July wasn’t present for a subsequent call that concluded in a fatal shooting because he was doing paperwork, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said today (Thursday).

The Fairfax County Police Department currently has just one mental health clinician available to accompany officers on calls for mental and behavioral health crises as part of the county’s still-new co-responder program, according to Davis.

News

Upgrade coming for McLean Central Park bridge this August

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 2, 2022 at 11:00AM

A wooden bridge in McLean Central Park is set to be replaced (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

While the long-term vision for McLean Central Park continues to take shape, community members can expect to see a more immediate change later this month.

Work will begin in mid-August to replace an aging, wooden bridge in the park (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd) with a fiberglass bridge that will last longer and require less maintenance, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced last week.

News

Brace for noise and traffic changes from Georgetown Pike bridge demo

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 25, 2022 at 1:30PM

Drivers coming onto I-495 South from the GW Parkway will be detoured while the north side of Georgetown Pike bridge is demolished (via VDOT)

Nights are about to get noisier in McLean, as work begins in earnest this week on the demolition of the Georgetown Pike bridge over the Capital Beltway.

As early as Wednesday (July 27), construction crews working on the I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project will start demolishing the northern side of the bridge, which is being replaced and widened to fit six lanes and a new 6-foot-wide sidewalk.

News

Possible rebuild and land sale in store for 52-year-old McLean church

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 2:15PM

Garfield Memorial Christian Church on Great Falls Road in McLean (via Google Maps)

Garfield Memorial Christian Church wants to stay in McLean, but in order to do so, it may need to sell part of its land.

The church’s board of trustees is seeking a special permit from Fairfax County that would enable it to construct a new, two-story building on a 0.87-acre portion of its property at 1731 Great Falls Street, according to an application filed on July 11.

News

Return of McLean theater group put on hold due to Covid cases

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2022 at 11:00AM

The McLean Community Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The show will not go on for the McLean Community Players — at least not yet.

After a three-year hiatus, the nonprofit community theater group had been set for a comeback this weekend with “The Show Must Go On!,” a showcase of past musical performances that will also tease highlights yet to come.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 21, 2022 at 7:30AM

A popsicle melts at Capital One Center's The Perch in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dog Dies in Newington Townhouse Fire — Unattended cooking started a fire at a townhouse in the 6700 block of Red Bird Woods Court last Friday (July 15) that displaced one resident and caused approximately $93,750 in damages. County firefighters found a dog while searching the property that was given medical care but didn’t survive. [FCFRD]

Fairfax Nonprofit Helps Rescued Beagles — The Fairfax-based animal rescue group Homeward Trails is one of several shelters across the country helping the Humane Society find homes for beagles rescued from a Cumberland breeding facility. The nonprofit will place 1,500 of the dogs and has already received almost 1,000 adoption applications. [Washingtonian]

News

VDOT agrees to support Scotts Run stream restoration in McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 19, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated July 19, 2022 at 2:47PM

Scotts Run stream seen from Old Dominion Drive (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) Fairfax County has sealed the deal on a plan to restore a portion of Scotts Run stream parallel to the Capital Beltway.

The county’s Board of Supervisors approved an agreement today (Tuesday) with the Virginia Department of Transportation, which will contribute almost $1.4 million to the project’s design and construction.

Countywide

FCPD to release video of gun incident after Fairfax County NAACP urges speed

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 15, 2022 at 11:50AM | Updated July 15, 2022 at 12:29PM

Fairfax County police badge (via FCPD/Facebook)

The Fairfax County Police Department will release video footage this afternoon (Friday) of a recent incident in West Falls Church where officers pointed their guns at a person who was filming them.

Police Chief Kevin Davis will host a press conference at 2:30 p.m. It was announced almost exactly one hour after the Fairfax County NAACP released a statement urging the FCPD to immediately release all body camera and vehicle dashboard camera footage related to the gun-brandishing incident and fatal shootings in Springfield and McLean.

News

McLean group calls for traffic signal or beacon at Ingleside Avenue

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 12, 2022 at 10:30AM

Afternoon rush-hour traffic clogs up Dolley Madison Boulevard at the Ingleside Avenue intersection in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As Fairfax County explores ways to improve the flow of traffic on Dolley Madison Blvd., the McLean Citizens Association sees an opportunity to also address safety issues at the Ingleside Avenue intersection.

The residents’ group urged the Fairfax County Department of Transportation last week to consider installing a traffic signal there or at the adjacent Elm Street intersection as part of the county’s ongoing Dolley Madison Corridor Study.