Tysons | FFXnow - Part 311

Fatal McLean police shooting was ‘tragic’ but not ‘legally unreasonable,’ auditor says

Published May 2, 2024 at 4:30PM

Media gathered for a police briefing on officer's fatal shooting of Jasper Aaron Lynch in McLean on July 7, 2022 (via FCPD/Twitter)

An officer who fatally shot a McLean man in 2022 violated Fairfax County Police Department policies, but the shooting itself was within policy and legal bounds, a new report on the FCPD’s investigation says.

In the report, which was released yesterday (Wednesday), Fairfax County Independent Police Auditor Richard Schott affirmed the police department and Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s findings that none of the three responding officers violated criminal law when they tased and shot 26-year-old Jasper Aaron Lynch at his home on July 7, 2022.

The Nose That Knows: Why should young people delve into the world of wine?

By Sponsor

Published May 2, 2024 at 12:30PM

Clear wine glass overlooking orchard (Photo by Kym Ellis on Unsplash)

This sponsored column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road in Arlington). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Experience Arrowine’s Tastings & Events. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

This question often perplexes those of us in the industry. However, the answer, in its essence, is remarkably straightforward.

News

Report: Inova backs off plans for mixed-use ‘innovation district’ on Merrifield campus

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2024 at 11:30AM

Inova's Center for Personalized Health campus in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Inova Health System appears to be narrowing its vision for the former ExxonMobil headquarters site in Merrifield to health care.

The nonprofit has “no immediate intention” of pursuing previously approved plans to turn the 117-acre campus at 8095 Innovation Park Drive into a mixed-use development, Inova President and CEO Dr. Stephen Jones recently told the Washington Business Journal.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 2, 2024 at 8:15AM

The "Hoop-La" sculpture in front of Capital One's Tysons headquarters (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Police Continue Traffic Enforcement Campaign — “Between April 22 and 28, the Fairfax County Police Department worked in conjunction with the Virginia State Police (VSP) and raised the bar by issuing over 6,500 citations and warnings, with over 200 citations for reckless driving on our roadways…Wave three of Road Shark will commence on June 17.” [FCPD]

Family of Woman Killed in Shooting Starts Fundraiser — “Kate Laporta was one of eight cousins in Zubrick’s family that were closest to him in age. But earlier this month, she was shot and killed — with Laporta’s boyfriend charged in her killing…To honor her memory, the cousins have launched an online fundraiser. They say the money collected will go into [college] savings plans for Laporta’s children.” [NBC4]

Around Town

Sushi Umi’s new Tysons restaurant is now open

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 2:30PM

Sushi Umi is now open at Scotts Run in Tysons (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Sushi Umi has arrived in Tysons.

The Japanese restaurant began accepting pick-up orders at 7615 Colshire Road in the Scotts Run neighborhood on April 19 and quietly opened to dine-in customers on April 22.

Countywide

Fairfax County board approves real estate tax hike, laments state under-funding

By James Jarvis

Published May 1, 2024 at 11:30AM

Fairfax Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Jan. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has signed off on a 3-cent bump in its real estate tax rate, a move it said was partly forced by insufficient state funding.

The board approved the new rate yesterday (Tuesday) as part of a mark-up session on the fiscal year 2025 budget, which will be formally adopted next Tuesday, May 7. The 3-cent hike is expected to generate about $97 million in additional revenue for the county — about $32.3 million less compared to the 4-cent increase initially proposed.

Around Town

Vienna to open farmers market, sell native plants this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 10:30AM

The Vienna Conservation and Sustainability Commission's Spring Native Plant Sale will return this weekend (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Vienna Community Center will be abuzz with activity this Saturday (May 4), thanks to the simultaneous return of the town’s farmers market and native plant sale.

Operated by the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, the Vienna Farmers Market will launch at 8 a.m. in the community center’s parking lot at 120 Cherry Street SE. More than two dozen food and produce vendors have been lined up for the new season, which will continue on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through October.

News

Expanded Route 7 is now fully operational from Reston to Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 9:30AM

Route 7 has been expanded to six lanes from Reston to Tysons (courtesy VDOT)

New vehicle lanes and a shared-use trail are officially open to travelers on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) after almost five years of construction.

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced last night (Tuesday) that it has finished expanding the roadway from four to six travel lanes — three in each direction — between Riva Ridge Drive in Reston and Jarrett Valley Drive just north of the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 1, 2024 at 8:15AM | Updated May 1, 2024 at 9:35AM

Buildings are under construction near the Wiehle-Reston Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Gets Life in Prison for N. Va. Gang Killings — An MS-13 leader was sentenced to life in prison yesterday (Tuesday) for giving orders that led to multiple murders in Northern Virginia during the summer of 2019. Prosecutors say Melvin Canales Saldana told gang members to kill rivals “more aggressively,” prompting some to target “random civilians so they could increase their status within the gang.” [Associated Press/WTOP]

Tysons Satellite Company Will Be Acquired — “Intelsat SA said Tuesday it has reached a deal to be acquired by SES SA for $3.1 billion in cash…The deal will position SES to better compete with broadband satellites of SpaceX-owned Starlink and Amazon.com Inc. The combined company will have a fleet of more than 100 geostationary and 26 medium orbit satellites.” [Washington Business Journal]

Countywide

Fairfax County Park Authority debuts new ‘Wonder Wagon,’ taking nature on the road

By James Jarvis

Published April 30, 2024 at 3:30PM

The Fairfax County Park Authority launches its Wonder Wagon on Saturday, April 20, 2024 (courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority)

Fairfax County is now bringing nature to residents’ doorsteps.

Last week, the Fairfax County Park Authority launched a new, fully electric mobile nature center called the Wonder Wagon. The tricked-out nature-themed van, operated by park staff, is intended to bring outdoor wonders to underserved communities and Title 1 schools.