Tysons | FFXnow - Part 428

Morning Notes

Published February 8, 2023 at 7:30AM

Traffic in downtown Herndon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Hybla Valley Murder Case Dismissed — Fairfax County General District Court Judge Vanessa Jordan dismissed a second-degree murder case yesterday (Tuesday). Court records don’t explain the dismissal, but the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office says it plans to ask a grand jury to indict Francisco Joel Juares, who was arrested in August for the fatal shooting of D’Mari Norris. [The Washington Post]

Six New Markers Recognizing Black History Planned — “Six Historical Markers were chosen from a field of 53 submissions to honor the Black/African American Experience in the county…The next step in the process will be working with staff and members of the History Commission to refine the language of the markers, work with a vendor to create the marker and plan installations” [Fairfax County]

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax County sets date to end Covid pandemic state of emergency

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 7, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated February 8, 2023 at 11:20AM

The Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 11:20 a.m. on 2/8/2023) When March arrives, the COVID-19 pandemic will no longer be an officially declared emergency in Fairfax County.

After honoring individuals and organizations in the community who helped the county respond to the pandemic this weekend, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today (Tuesday) to terminate the local state of emergency declaration that has been in place since March 17, 2020.

Around Town

Loyal Companion to close all Fairfax County pet stores at end of month

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 7, 2023 at 2:15PM

Loyal Companion is closing all of its Fairfax County stores, including one at the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Loyal Companion is letting out one final howl before permanently shuttering all of its stores in Fairfax County.

Independent Pet Partners, the pet wellness chain’s parent company, announced yesterday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to close all its stores outside of Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

News

Proposed McLean field conversion revives worries about health risks of synthetic turf

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 7, 2023 at 11:00AM

The baseball diamond at Linway Terrace Park (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) wants Fairfax County to reconsider its embrace of synthetic turf for athletic fields, as a decision nears on whether to replace the grass baseball diamond at Linway Terrace Park (6246 Linway Terrace).

The organization, which represents residents of the greater McLean area, has called for a review of the county’s practices regarding synthetic turf, particularly the potential health and environmental risks posed by crumb rubber — bits of recycled tire commonly used for artificial fields.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published February 7, 2023 at 7:30AM

Walking on Strawberry Lane in the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Local Task Force Deployed to Turkey — “Members of Virginia Task Force 1 in Fairfax County are making plans to head to Turkey and Syria after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit parts of the countries, killing thousands of people and leaving thousands of others missing among the rubble. The task force team will consist of 79 people and six dogs, the task force said in a tweet Monday afternoon.” [Patch]

County Honors Partners in Covid Response — “On Saturday, Feb. 4, more than 1,000 community members and organizations gathered at the Fairfax County Government Center for an official recognition ceremony hosted by the Health Department and the Board of Supervisors.” [Fairfax County]

News

Tysons has been adding more public facilities, but for a library, expect to wait

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 6, 2023 at 3:00PM

Existing public facilities are in red, while planned ones are blue (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County has made some progress over the past decade in introducing public amenities to support its growing community in Tysons.

Since adopting its Tysons Comprehensive Plan in 2010, the county has secured sites for 14 new, major public facilities, including the completed Scotts Run Fire Station and Capital One Hall, which is privately owned but guarantees space for community groups under an agreement with ArtsFairfax.

Neighborhood Expert: 8 Super Bowl food specials to try!

By Sponsor

Published February 6, 2023 at 12:30PM

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or Laura@GuidingYourMove.com.

GO BIRDS!

News

JUST IN: Construction workers stranded on Tysons high-rise rescued

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 6, 2023 at 12:05PM | Updated February 7, 2023 at 10:04AM

Fire and Rescue units assist workers stuck on scaffolding at 1800 Chain Bridge in Tysons (via FCFRD/Twitter)

(Updated at 10:05 a.m. on 2/7/2023) A power outage has left construction workers on a high-rise in Tysons stranded 13 stories in the air.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units are on the scene at 1800 Chain Bridge Road in Scotts Run after one worker fell from just above some raised scaffolding.

News

Repairs underway on GW Parkway’s Pimmit Run bridge in McLean

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 6, 2023 at 11:00AM

Construction crews are building a temporary lane on the GW Parkway in McLean (courtesy NPS)

Work has begun on repairs to the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s bridge over Pimmit Run in McLean.

Construction crews are repairing façades of the structures that support the Pimmit Run Bridge as part of the ongoing project to rehabilitate the parkway’s northern section from the Capital Beltway (I-495) to Sprout Run Parkway in Arlington, according to the National Park Service.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published February 6, 2023 at 7:30AM

People gather at Fairfax City's Old Town Square for a Chocolate Lovers' Festival event (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Daring Deer Dashes Across I-66 — Fairfax County police officers “were called to the Monument Drive ramp of I-66 just after 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 28. When officers arrived, they found a deer that appeared to be stuck on the scaffolding…Animal Protection Police attempted to catch the deer but the animal eluded officers before taking off across the roadway. Thankfully, the deer was not hurt and a serious crash was avoided.” [WUSA9]

No Jail Time for Driver After Fatal Herndon Crash — “A Northern Virginia family wants laws changed after a distracted driver caused an accident that killed an 86-year-old grandfather and war veteran. The driver walked away from court with just a small fine and not a single day of jail time.” [WUSA9]