Two of the three soldiers on the Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger jet over the Potomac River on Wednesday (Jan. 29) have been identified.
One of the bodies that has been recovered so far appears to be that of Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, a 28-year-old Lilburn, Georgia, native who had served in the Army as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot since 2017, the Department of the Army announced today (Friday).
Fairfax County leaders anticipate asking voters to support funding this fall for early childhood education facilities.
Details of the potential standalone bond referendum, including the proposed dollar amount and projects to be supported, will come when County Executive Bryan Hill unveils his fiscal year 2026 budget and related capital-improvement program on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Local law enforcement is still on the lookout for one suspected serial burglar, despite arresting two others in recent days.
The Fairfax County Police Department is seeking help from the community to identify a man believed to have perpetrated two burglaries and two larcenies in nine days.
Fairfax County Park Authority staff laid out a $12 million, multi-year plan on Tuesday (Jan. 28) to factor equity into the costs paid by county residents for park services.
However, FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole’s presentation of the proposal to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a health and human services committee meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 28) sparked concerns about the expected administrative costs.
For Virginians who spend hundreds of dollars on tolls each month, relief could be on the horizon — if lawmakers can stomach the price tag.
A proposal to ease toll burdens for frequent drivers and low-income residents cleared a key hurdle in the state legislature this week, as a House Transportation subcommittee advanced the measure for further review.
Construction to Detour GW Parkway Traffic — “Southbound traffic on GW Parkway will be detoured between Route 123 and Spout Run Parkway this weekend. The detour begins at 10 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) and lasts through 5 p.m. on Sunday. One northbound lane will remain open as work on the North Parkway Rehabilitation Project continues.” [ARLnow]
Teen Charged with Herndon Shooting — Police arrested a 15-year-old boy yesterday (Thursday) who allegedly shot a man near Worldgate Centre on Wednesday (Jan. 29). The charges include malicious wounding, use of a firearm to commit a felony, shooting into an occupied vehicle and willfully shooting a gun in public. [Herndon Police/Facebook]
National Airport Crash Highlights Crowding Concerns — “In the wake of a deadly collision near Reagan National Airport between a passenger plane and an Army helicopter, two Virginia Congress members said they’ve been voicing concerns over D.C.’s crowded airspace for ‘many, many years,'” though Sen. Mark Warner noted that the cause of the crash remains to be determined. [WTOP]
Loudoun Supervisors Urged to Oppose Casino Bill — “A coalition of Loudoun residents concerned about a bill passing through the General Assembly that would add Fairfax County to the list of counties eligible to house a casino last week pushed the Board of Supervisors to oppose it. County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) said the board would not take a position on the legislation.” [Loudoun Now]
Halal Eatery Coming to Annandale — “Blazin Halal … is moving into the space formerly occupied by Munch & Co. and Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt in the Eastgate shopping center in Annandale. The shop could open as early as mid-February, says a company spokesperson. It’s located at 4367 John Mar Drive next to Glam Karaoke.” [Annandale Today]
Lingerie Store to Leave Fairfax Corner — “Belle Mode Intimates, a lingerie store in Fairfax Corner, has announced that it will be moving out of its current storefront. The owner, Nicole Martin, says the store will relocate.” The new store will be “in a nearby area” and is expected to open this spring. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Local Golf Courses Named Among Top 50 in U.S. — “Burke Lake Golf Center and Oakmont Golf Center have been recognized as two of the top 50 public golf ranges in the country by Golf Range Magazine. This magazine is published by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) and the Professional Golf Association (PGA).” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — Expect rain with a high near 55, south wind at 9-11 mph, and gusts up to 30 mph. Precipitation is guaranteed, with new amounts ranging from half to three-quarters of an inch. There’s a 50% of continued rain at night until 1am, followed by clearing skies and a low of around 42. [NWS]
After a couple of seasons of inactivity on the football field, Alex Jreige was back in action this past fall.
The Madison High School graduate was a sophomore runningback for the Division I State University of New York University at Albany Great Danes team. The 5-8, 210-pounder played in seven games.
The Flint Hill Huskies are having a solid basketball season, but there is one particular hurdle the boys squad has had trouble clearing.
The high-school team has lost a number of close games to non-conference state opponents, like falling to the visiting St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Saints, 64-59, on Wednesday night (Jan. 29).
The victims of last night’s deadly airplane and helicopter crash outside Reagan National Airport included multiple Fairfax County Public Schools students and their parents, Superintendent Michelle Reid says.
All 64 people on American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, and three soldiers on the military helicopter — a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk that was on a training mission from Fort Belvoir — are believed to have perished in the crash.
The D.C. region is reeling in the aftermath of a crash involving an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport that officials say left no survivors.
Arriving from Witchita, Kansas, the airplane was making its descent when it collided with the helicopter over the Potomac River around 8:50 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday). The crash drew a massive emergency response that included personnel from Fairfax County’s police and fire departments.
