A 27-year-old Stafford resident caught allegedly shoplifting at a Tysons Galleria store will go to prison, but not for the attempted theft.
Najee Lewis, who’s also known as “Bebo,” was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday (May 29) for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Driver Injured in Reston Crash — Fairfax County police officers responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 2300 block of Gallant Fox Court shortly before 5 p.m. “The adult male driver was taken to the hospital w/ life-threatening injuries.” Community members were advised to avoid the area while detectives investigated. [FCPD/Twitter]
Mount Vernon Buildings Set for Demolition — Demolitions are expected to begin soon for the former Su Pollo at 8741 Richmond Highway and M&B Automotive Services at 8130 Richmond Highway in preparation for the planned Richmond Highway widening. Su Pollo, a Peruvian chicken restaurant, recently moved to a new spot at Engleside Plaza. [On the MoVe]
Architect Remembered for Great Falls Work — Memorial services were held on May 17 in Wolf Trap for Robert Mobley, an architect who “helped shape Great Falls into the attractive community it is today,” a former Great Falls Citizens Association president says. “Mobley, 85, died of a stroke March 29 after being involved in a minor traffic accident the previous week, his family said.” [Gazette Leader]
Herndon School Evacuated for Smoke — “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said crews responded to Floris Elementary School, located in the 2700 block of Centerville Road, just before 3 p.m. after receiving reports of smoke inside the school.” Responders determined that the smoke came from an “electrical event” related to the HVAC system. No injuries were reported. [DC News Now]
Lorton Park Gets New Bathroom — “Laurel Hill Central Green in Lorton now features a brand new, 32-feet-by-52-feet restroom facility. The restroom facility was installed as part of a two-phase development project at the park. The ribbon-cutting will be held in conjunction with the Park Authority’s #NationalTrailsDay event THIS Saturday, June 1.” [FCPA/Facebook]
FCPS Hosts Summer Extravaganza — “FCPS invites all families to get a jump on summer learning by participating in engaging, educational, and enriching activities for Fairfax County students,” including storytime, food, live music and alpaca petting. The free event will be held at Woodson High School from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday). [FCPS]
New Exhibit Looks at Life in Lorton Prison — A new permanent installation called “Counting the Days” recently opened in the Workhouse Arts Center’s Q-block, which was “known as the Hole” when the site belonged to the Lorton Reformatory. The exhibit was curated by museum staff and filmmaker Karim Mowatt, who was incarcerated at the prison on drug charges for “a considerable hunk” the 1990s. [Washingtonian]
Falls Church HS Student Starts Glass Recycling Business — “For those who see the benefit of recycling but find it cumbersome to bring their glass bottles and jars to a county bin, Falls Church High School student Sam Ross has a solution. Ross launched a business, called Glass Goat, that does it for you.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high around 75 degrees with a north wind of 8 to 13 mph. In the evening, clear skies will persist, and the temperature will drop to about 56 degrees, accompanied by a west wind of 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
A constrained supply of housing has sent prices soaring in Fairfax County, according to new data from a budding real estate startup.
The county’s median home sales price for May exceeded $1 million — $1,033,550, to be precise — which means that half of the homes sold cost more than that, Tomo reports. That’s a roughly 18% increase from the preceding six months of sales, which averaged $870,000, and it surpasses the median price of $882,000 from May 2023.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved alterations on May 22 to a mixed-use residential building already planned for Tysons West.
The building at 8740 Yard Street is proposed to be a five- to eight-story multi-family building with up to 265 dwelling units and 5,000 square feet of retail space. Owned by JBG Smith, the property is situated near Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and is currently undeveloped.
Fairfax County Public Schools is considering a pilot program this fall that would require students to hand over their cell phones during class.
Earlier this month, the Fairfax County School Board directed Superintendent Michelle Reid to develop a plan for students to secure their phones in lockers, magnetic pouches or similar central storage areas — as opposed to their pocket or backpack — with the goal of reducing distractions and improving student focus.
A new option for pickleball has opened in Tysons, drawing players from across Northern Virginia.
The Pickleball Club of Tysons celebrated its launch at 8528 Tyco Road on Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-12) by allowing about 500 people to play on its six indoor courts for free. While no grand opening is expected, members enjoyed food and some friendly competition during a Memorial Day mixer this past Monday (May 27).
Giant Pandas Coming Back to D.C. — “Attention, DC panda lovers: we are so back. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced Wednesday that two giant pandas — Bao Li, a male, and Qing Bao, a female, both two years old — will be arriving in Washington by the end of the year.” [Washingtonian]
Parking Survey for Justice HS Launches — “A working group formed to consider parking solutions for Justice High School urges community members to take a survey on their preferences…The survey can be completed by both parents and guardians of Justice students and community members who live near Justice but have no connection with Fairfax County Public Schools.” [Annandale Today]
Penn Daw Housing Development Under Review — “The developer of the future Alexandria Crossing residential housing community in Penn Daw is working to address several comments on its latest site plan, so it can eventually move into the construction phase.” Approved in 2022, the project will have “385 multifamily apartments, 23 stacked townhomes (46 units) and 35 traditional townhomes, as well as a pool, fitness center and co-working space.” [On the MoVe]
Monks Walking for World Peace Stop in Vienna — Six Buddhist monks stopped at the Vienna Community Center on Tuesday (May 28) “to rest, and community members welcomed them with open arms, food, water, and gifts.” The group is walking nearly 1,500 miles from Key West, Florida, to Niagara Falls in New York “in the name of world peace.” [Town of Vienna/Facebook]
Performers Wanted for Reston Multicultural Festival — “Reston Community Center is inviting artists and performing groups of all ages and cultures to submit an application to perform at the 2024 Reston Multicultural Festival…This year’s festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Reston Town Center.” [Patch]
Shades Under Construction at Burke Dog Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon install two sun shades with seating at Monticello Dog Park. These shades, funded by Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s office, will offer residents and their furry companions reprieve from the summer sun as they enjoy the park.” [FCPA]
Chantilly Students Build Medical Bed — Chantilly Academy students “are putting the last touches on a medical bed that’s been two years in the making. With help from physical and occupational therapy students, the engineering group is creating the bed” to help Liam Bruen, an eighth-grader with muscular dystrophy, attend classes in-person at Chantilly High School in the fall. [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 74 with a north wind around 10 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 53 and a northwest wind at approximately 7 mph. [NWS]
Vida Fitness in Reston is now open.
According to a spokesperson, the new 50,000-square-foot facility, which spans three levels of an office tower at 1845 Reston Row Plaza, held its soft opening this past Saturday (May 25).
Three Tony Award honorees are coming to the Alden Theatre (1234 Ingleside Avenue) in McLean next Saturday (June 8).
At the 7 p.m. event, three members of the original cast of the musical “Hairspray” will mark more than 20 years since the musical debuted on Broadway in the summer of 2002.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave developers the go-ahead last Tuesday (May 21) to build a condominium high-rise in Tysons’ Arbor Row neighborhood in place of a previously approved office building.
Even as they gave their approval on an 8-1-1 vote, some supervisors conceded county staff were “right” to recommend denial of the application based mostly on prospective condo developer Renaissance Centro’s plan to provide cash or off-site workforce housing in lieu of on-site affordable units.
