Tysons | FFXnow - Part 398

Morning Notes

Published May 3, 2023 at 7:30AM

Parking garage for the Innovation Center Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Police Release Video of Fairfax County Parkway Crash — “Heart-stopping police dash-camera footage shows an out-of-control car spin across a median and hit a stopped car and an officer making a traffic stop in Fairfax County… 17-year-old driver going ‘well over 120 mph’ in a 2018 BMW M3 caused the crash, Chief Kevin Davis said.” [NBC4]

Vienna Councilmember Won’t Seek Reelection — “Steve Potter, who has served on the Council for two terms, said on May 1 he would not be joining the fray in the November election.” The first council member to announce his intentions, he cited health challenges from “living with the effects of diabetes and esophageal cancer and…undergoing immuno-therapy for leukemia.” [Gazette Leader]

News

Group protesting Bangladesh prime minister shuts down Tysons Blvd

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 5:20PM

D.C. area BNP supporters protest against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina outside the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons (via hafizkhandcusa/Facebook)

Tysons Blvd was shut down in front of the Ritz-Carlton this afternoon by demonstrators protesting a visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Police closed the road between Galleria Drive and Park Run Drive starting around 3:50 p.m., according to a Fairfax Alert.

News

Vienna hits gas pedal on plan to slow down traffic on Echols Street

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 2:15PM

The word "stop" will be painted before the stop sign at the Echols Street SE and Berry Street intersection (via Google Maps)

The drive down Echols Street SE is about to get bumpier — and, the Town of Vienna hopes, a little slower.

After some initial skepticism, the Vienna Town Council gave its support on April 24 to traffic-calming measures designed to force drivers to slow down on the two-lane residential street, which crosses over Wolftrap Creek.

Countywide

NEW: FCPS is testing bathroom vape sensors, weapons screening and other safety measures

By Matt Blitz

Published May 2, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools is in the process of instituting new safety and security measures, including vape detection in bathrooms, expanded background checks, and a drone pilot program for the incident response team.

At last week’s school board meeting, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid delivered a comprehensive update on several security and safety measures in advance of a “community conversation” on May 8 at South Lakes High School in Reston.

You’re invited to a Champagne Open House at Pierce Condominiums in Rosslyn

By Sponsor

Published May 2, 2023 at 12:30PM

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News

JUST IN: Tysons Community Alliance selects first permanent CEO

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 2, 2023 at 10:15AM

Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol will serve as the Tysons Community Alliance's first permanent CEO (courtesy TCA)

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) has its first permanent leader.

Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol will take over as the first permanent CEO on July 5, the community improvement district announced today (Tuesday).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 2, 2023 at 7:30AM

Scout on the Circle in Fairfax from Pickett Road intersection (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Tax Rate Decrease on Table for County Budget — “The Board of Supervisors will vote Tuesday on a budget mark-up that provides a lower real estate tax rate but doesn’t fully cancel out the impact of increased assessment values. Pay increases for county employees are also provided in the budget.” [Patch]

Local Man Gets 10 Years for Fatal Crash — “A 45-year-old Fairfax County man was sentenced to 10 years in prison last Thursday for a 2022 crash on Duke Street that killed a Fairfax County man and injured four others…[Carlos] McKethan, who drove a silver SUV, was high on Phencyclidine (PCP) when he attempted to pass a bus at 110 miles per hour.” [ALXnow]

Around Town

Tysons Corner Center whips up first-ever food festival with tastings and cooking demos

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2023 at 2:15PM

Capital Musubi is among the restaurants participating in the first annual Taste of Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Mid-spring is evidently the season to get a taste of restaurants around Fairfax County.

For those who didn’t fill up on samplers from this past weekend’s festivals in Vienna and Annandale, Tysons Corner Center will launch its own “Taste of” celebration to promote restaurants at the mall on Saturday (May 6).

Countywide

Fairfax County offers to split the bill for private stormwater projects

By Vernon Miles

Published May 1, 2023 at 11:45AM

Flooding on Old Courthouse Road (file photo)

Fairfax County is pushing forward on a program that could have the county government split the bill for private stormwater projects with property owners.

Flooding doesn’t end at the property line and the Local Stormwater Management Assistance Fund aims to help boost stormwater management on private property. At an environmental committee meeting of the Board of Supervisors on April 25, staff presented an update on the program.

News

Bijan Ghaisar’s family settles civil suit over five years after fatal shooting by Park Police

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2023 at 10:15AM

A U.S. Park Police cruiser in McLean (file photo)

The federal government has agreed to pay $5 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by the parents of McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar, who was shot and killed by two U.S. Park Police officers in Fort Hunt more than five years ago.

The settlement will allocate up to 25% of the total — or $1.25 million — to the family’s lawyers with the remaining money going directly to James and Kelly Ghaisar, according to court documents.