Tysons | FFXnow - Part 398

Morning Notes

Published October 27, 2023 at 8:15AM

A bridge over Reston's Lake Audubon in autumn (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Halloween Events Galore This Weekend — “Whether you’re looking to be scared silly or for some Halloween events for kids to just have some good old-fashioned family fun this year, check out the activities below to find the perfect Halloween activities. And beware, you never know what could turn up on these hallowed grounds at these Halloween events.” [Visit Fairfax]

Escaped Inmate Arrested at Springfield Hotel — “Naseem Roulack, 21, was arrested at approximately 9 a.m. at a hotel in the 6700 block of Commerce Street…Roulack was serving a 13-year sentence for charges of aggravated malicious wounding, grand larceny and hit-and-run when he escaped custody, but is also facing kidnapping, armed robbery, armed carjacking, first-degree assault and vehicle theft charges for a Sept. 1 incident in Gaithersburg, Maryland.” [U.S. Marshals Service]

Around Town

Where to find Spirit Halloween in Fairfax County this year

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 26, 2023 at 1:15PM

The costume store Spirit Halloween has several locations in Fairfax County this year, including at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With Halloween less than a week away, time is running out to assemble a costume and housing decorations ghoulish enough to impress neighborhood trick-or-treaters.

Fortunately for those making last-minute preparations, the seasonal pop-up Spirit Halloween has taken possession of several vacant retail stores across Fairfax County.

Around Town

Recently opened Café de Vienna serves up coffee and sweets in century-old building

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 26, 2023 at 11:45AM

Cafe de Vienna is now open at 131 Church Street NW in Vienna (photo by Amy Woolsey)

It was love at first sight for Afsaneh and the 123-year-old building at 131 Church Street NW where she recently launched Café de Vienna.

Constructed in 1900, per Fairfax County property records, the quaint, two-story house atop a hill on Vienna’s historic Church Street was converted at some point into a commercial space. It was home to Money & King Funeral Home — the town’s oldest still-operating business — until the now-closed Guarantee Shoe Repair took over in 1990, according to The Connection.

Countywide

NEW: County will continue leaf collections into 2026, pausing plan to end service

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 26, 2023 at 10:30AM

Fairfax County offers curbside fall leaf collection services (courtesy DPWES)

Fairfax County will continue providing fall leaf collection services at least until the 2025-2026 season, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced today.

Consideration of a proposal to eliminate the service has been suspended for now. The department sought public feedback on the recommendation this summer, citing environmental concerns, rising costs and “operational issues,” including staff shortages and collection delays.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 26, 2023 at 8:15AM

A man walks a dog in Vienna, passing a tree with red leaves (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More Early Voting Sites Open — Fairfax County will open 13 additional early voting sites at 1 p.m. today (Thursday) for the Nov. 7 general election. Joining the Fairfax County, Mount Vernon and North County governmental centers, the new locations will be open until 7 p.m. on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29. [Fairfax County Office of Elections]

One Killed, Three Injured in Tysons Crash — “The crash happened around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday along the eastbound lanes of the Dulles Access Road near the I-495 interchange…Investigators say a sedan with three people inside stopped in the roadway near a ramp to the Dulles Toll Road when it was struck from behind by a Jeep.” [FOX5]

Countywide

Local Republican candidates for General Assembly pitch changes to I-66 tolling

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 25, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated October 26, 2023 at 9:31AM

Republican General Assembly candidates, led by Senate District 37 contender Ken Reid, propose changes to Virginia's I-66 and I-495 tolling policies (via Ken Reid/YouTube)

(Updated at 9:30 p.m. on 10/26/2023) Several Republicans campaigning to represent parts of Fairfax County in the General Assembly have vowed to change up Virginia’s interstate tolling system if they’re elected on Nov. 7.

With the McLean Metro station in Tysons as a backdrop, the candidates unveiled a “Tolling Equity and Relief Plan” last Friday (Oct. 20) that they argued would reduce congestion and lower the cost of using the Express Lanes on I-66 and the Capital Beltway (I-495).

Countywide

Va. joins 32 states suing Meta over allegations its social media platforms harm youth

By Meghan McIntyre / Virginia Mercury

Published October 25, 2023 at 11:45AM

Meta owns the social media sites Facebook and Instagram (via Brett Jordan/Unsplash)

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced [on Tuesday] the commonwealth is joining 32 other states in a federal lawsuit against Meta over allegations its social media platforms are purposely harmful to children.

The lawsuit alleges that Meta knew about the extent of the psychological and health harms suffered by young users addicted to its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, but falsely assured the public they are safe and suitable for children and teens.

News

Vienna pushes developer to clean up idle site of demolished Wolf Trap Hotel

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 25, 2023 at 11:00AM

Construction has yet to start on 444 Maple, a mixed-use development planned at the corner of Maple Avenue and Nutley Street in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Roughly 20 months after Vienna’s Wolf Trap Hotel and Tequila Grande were demolished, construction has yet to begin on the mixed-use development slated to replace them.

However, a chain-link fence surrounding the 2.8-acre site at the corner of Maple Avenue and Nutley Street has been removed, and some neatly trimmed bushes have been planted around the perimeter, suggesting the community shouldn’t expect to see construction crews any time soon.

Countywide

More FCPS students expected to walk out in support of Palestinians

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 25, 2023 at 9:30AM

Justice High School students walked out on Monday in support of Palestinians (courtesy Justice High School Muslim Student Association)

Students at schools across Fairfax County have or are planning to walk out this week in a show of solidarity with Palestinians suffering in the latest war between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.

Dubbed a “Humanitarian Walkout Week,” the demonstrations began last Friday (Oct. 20) at Annandale High School and continued on Monday (Oct. 23) at Justice High School in Lake Barcroft. Organizers at Oakton High School reported that at least 200 students participated in their walkout yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 25, 2023 at 8:15AM

A sail boat on Lake Audubon in Reston (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Gunfire Incidents in Springfield Under Investigation — “Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau are investigating two reckless discharges of a firearm that occurred in Springfield. After midnight on October 22, officers responded to the 6900 block of Cabin John Road for the sound of gunshots in the area.” Gunfire was also reported on Oct. 13 around Highland Street and Channing Road. [FCPD]

Fairfax City Gets First Bikeshare Stations — “The first of 10 Capital Bikeshare stations in Fairfax City [were] installed Tuesday, Oct. 24, on Beech Drive near Draper Drive Park. Three more stations will be installed this week at Scout on the Circle, Foxcroft Colony condominiums, and the apartment complex on Layton Hall Drive.” [City of Fairfax]