Tysons | FFXnow - Part 517

Morning Notes

Published November 10, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated November 10, 2022 at 9:06AM

Oakton United Methodist Church at sunset (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Last Day to Compete for Silver Line Tickets — The deadline to win one of 50 “Silver Tickets” to ride the first train on Metro’s extended Silver Line is 5 p.m. today. The tickets will go to 50 customers who share their favorite Metro story while tagging @wmata and using #YourMetroMemory. [WMATA/Twitter]

McLean Double Murder Conviction Vacated — A judge vacated Megan Hargan’s conviction yesterday after her attorneys alleged a juror “had inappropriately used her own rifle at home to test out evidence.” Hargan was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found her guilty of killing her mother and sister at their McLean home in 2017. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office intends to retry the case. [The Washington Post]

Around Town

Tysons Corner Center ignites holiday season with tree lighting next week

By Vernon Miles

Published November 9, 2022 at 3:00PM

Tysons Corner Center’s 2021 tree lighting (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The winter holiday season is kicking off in Tysons next week with a holiday tree lighting ceremony, featuring an appearance from Santa.

The event is planned to include Santa lighting the tree, a few musical performances, complimentary s’mores and hot chocolate, and more. The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in The Plaza section of Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road).

News

Fairfax County voter turnout falls short of 2018 midterms, as House incumbents seal victory

By Matt Blitz

Published November 9, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated November 9, 2022 at 3:36PM

Voting at Cunningham Park Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated, 3:35 p.m.) With most incumbents running away to victory, it appears that Fairfax County’s voter turnout for the general election this year will fall short of the 2018 midterms.

About 53% of registered, active county voters took part in this year’s midterm elections, per Fairfax County election officials. That’s about 16 percentage points off from the midterms four years ago. It’s also lower than last year’s gubernatorial election, which had a 60% turnout.

Aging Well: Science supports sound wellness

By Sponsor

Published November 9, 2022 at 12:30PM

Research shows that incorporating sound in wellness -- such as sound bathing -- may help with stress, fatigue, and depression symptoms.

This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.

How do you Age Well? There are so many avenues for pursuing personal wellness, it can be overwhelming. Yet it’s so fulfilling to try something — whether an exercise class or a new habit — that instantly “rings true” with you.

News

Custom home builder pleads guilty to defrauding McLean residents

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 9, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated November 9, 2022 at 5:08PM

A construction worker on a house building frame (via Josh Olalde on Unsplash)

(Updated at 5:10 p.m.) A 57-year-old contractor from Centreville could face up to two decades in jail for using his custom home building company to defraud McLean homeowners.

Pedro Felipe Valdes Sanchez pleaded guilty yesterday to defrauding “several couples” who hired his company to build or remodel their houses in and around McLean, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published November 9, 2022 at 7:30AM

A pedestrian walkway to the McLean Metro station over Route 123 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

ICYMI: Herndon Mayor Wins Reelection — “Mayor Sheila Olem will get a second term as mayor of the Town of Herndon after securing a narrow win against council members Sean Regan and Jasbinder Singh in today’s primary election.” [FFXnow]

Georgia Election Investigation Comes to Fairfax County — “Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican who represented Georgia, is scheduled to appear in a Fairfax County courtroom Wednesday morning to fight a demand that he testify before a Georgia special grand jury investigating possible attempts in that state to manipulate the 2020 presidential election.” [The Washington Post]

Eliminate pain and stay in the game! Free Injury Consult with Rehab 2 Perform

By Sponsor

Published November 8, 2022 at 4:30PM

Are nagging back issues or that sharp knee pain holding you back from your fitness goals? Schedule a Free Injury Consult with your new physical therapists in Virginia!

Just opened in the Tysons Corner District, Rehab 2 Perform serves the active adult, competitive athlete, and those looking to be more active through a fitness focused, and modern approach to Physical Therapy.

News

Proposed design of new Dunn Loring Elementary School to be unveiled

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 8, 2022 at 3:00PM

The Dunn Loring Administrative Center is slated for replacement with an elementary school (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Local residents will get their first glimpse of the planned Dunn Loring Elementary School later this week.

Fairfax County Public Schools will kick off the public input portion of the project’s design process on Thursday (Nov. 10) with a meeting at the Gatehouse Administrative Center (8115 Gatehouse Road) in Merrifield.

Countywide

FCPS mental health survey shows increase in depression and suicidal thoughts among teens

By Vernon Miles

Published November 8, 2022 at 1:30PM

A new survey of Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students shows local teens have been facing a decline in mental health over the last few years.

The Fairfax County Youth Survey is an anonymous and voluntary survey of students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The newest survey, compiled from the 2021 school year, involved the participation of 33,479 students. There was no survey during 2020, making this the first look at student health since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

Countywide

More than 200,000 Fairfax County residents have voted so far in the 2022 midterms

By Matt Blitz

Published November 8, 2022 at 11:55AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:08PM

A Cunningham Park Elementary School voter at the ballot box for the 2022 general election (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 3:50 p.m. — With polls open for another three hours, Fairfax County has hit 45% turnout for the midterm elections, including 28% today, as of 3:48 p.m.

Earlier: With Election Day 2022 now underway, more than 200,000 Fairfax County residents have already voted.