Warehouse Fire in Tysons — A fire broke out in a warehouse in the 8400 block of Tyco Road in Tysons Sunday (Aug. 4) evening, which firefighters “quickly extinguished.” No injuries have been reported. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter]
Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil — Pawel Walczewski shared what it’s like being one of the aerial artists who plays Waz in Cirque du Soleil’s “VOLTA.” The show is currently in Tysons until Sept. 29 [DC Metro Theater Arts]
Woman Struck, Killed by Car in Falls Church — “Fairfax County police arrested a man who allegedly struck and killed a Falls Church woman who was walking with a child in the West Falls Church area Saturday afternoon.” [Tysons Reporter]
Visions for Vienna — The Washington Business Journal dove into the town’s “crippling clash between supporters of Vienna’s small-town history and businesses with an eye on the future.” [Washington Business Journal]
Out With the Old, In With the New (Lightbulbs) — Back in July, the Board of Supervisors voted to “require LEDs instead of less-efficient high-pressure sodium streetlights in new developments. This relatively simple change marks a significant step forward in the county’s pursuit of policies that benefit the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” [Fort Hunt Herald]
Falls Church Holding Flash Flood Forum — “The City of Falls Church announced Tuesday that it has organized a public forum for Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers of City Hall for a “July 8 Flood, Impact, Recovery and Response” forum. Citizens are invited to attend as City staff and elected officials review the impact of the flash flood last month.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Falls Church Expands Senior Tax Program — “Measures to better enable older Falls Church residents to “age in place” rather than move out of their homes that were approved by the F.C. City Council last month will benefit all City taxpayers, F.C. Treasurer Jody Acosta [said].” [Falls Church News-Press]
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter
(Updated at 4 p.m. 8/6/19) A driver has been arrested after police say he struck and killed a woman who was walking with a child in the West Falls Church area Saturday afternoon.
The victim was identified by police Sunday (Aug. 4) as 60-year-old Betty Ana Bernstein-Zabza of Falls Church. Police said Bernstein-Zabza died as a result of injuries from the crash, which happened shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Shreve Road and Hickory Street.
“Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit have preliminarily determined that [Bernstein-Zabza] was walking with a juvenile northbound on a pedestrian pathway adjacent to Shreve Road,” police said. “They entered a crosswalk that connected the pathway to a sidewalk when they were hit by a stolen 2013 Nissan Titan pickup truck.”
While police said that couldn’t unable to provide any information about the identity of the child, WUSA9 reported that the child was Zabza’s son.
The crash scene was near the busy W&OD Trail.
Police arrested the vehicle’s driver — 46-year-old South Riding resident David Alan Francis.
“Detectives believe [Francis] lost control of the truck causing it to exit the roadway and hit Bernstein-Zabza and the juvenile,” police said.
More from FCPD:
Bernstein-Zabza was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
The juvenile was treated for minor injuries. Francis ran from the scene but was arrested a short time later. He was not injured.
Both speed and drugs appear to be factors. Francis was charged with one count of felony hit and run. He was taken to the Adult Detention Center where he is being held without bond. Additional charges are anticipated.
Detectives believe Francis may have been involved in additional criminal events yesterday in both Fairfax County and adjoining jurisdictions.
Since 2009, Francis has faced 30 charges including many traffic-related ones like driving under a revoked or suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle, speeding and improper driving, according to court records.
An FCPD spokesperson told Tysons Reporter that police preliminarily believe that within the hour prior to the fatal pedestrian crash, Francis was involved in the following incidents:
- hit and run crash with injury at Route 50/Pleasant Valley Rd around 2:15 p.m.
- hit and run property damage crash in the 7600 block of Virginia Lane
- subsequent hit and run property damage crash in the 7600 block of Virginia Lane
- Falls Church City incident
- subsequent Falls Church City incident
- fatal pedestrian crash dispatched at 2:47 p.m.
Police ask that anyone with information contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).
Image via Google Maps, photo via FCPD
A fire that broke out in a Vienna home caused roughly $125,000 worth of damage and displaced four residents, the fire department said.
Fire investigators have determined a malfunctioning space heater ignited combustible items, causing the accidental home fire in the 400 block of Old Courthouse Road, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.
“A Vienna police officer was patrolling the area and noticed smoke pushing out of a basement window and notified Vienna [Police Department] dispatch,” the fire department said.
Firefighters responded around 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, and “quickly extinguished” the fire in the basement in a two-story, single-family home.
No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. Four residents were offered Red Cross assistance, which they declined.
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter
Parents thought someone had entered their Vienna home and taken things while they were on vacation — not knowing their son’s friends had come over.
The parents, who live in the 200 block of Cedar Lane SE, had been on away since July 10, according to Vienna police.
More from the Vienna Police Department from a July 30 report:
When they arrived home, they found signs that someone had been in their apartment. Multiple items were moved, some items were missing, and kitchen items had been used. A neighbor advised they saw multiple people inside the residence and assumed they were family friends.
It was later determined that the resident’s juvenile son gave his key to friends and allowed them to use the apartment while the family was away.
Police counseled the son about “providing false to the police,” according to the report. “It was determined that no charges would be placed and the parents will handle the matter.”
Photo via Facebook
For the entire month of August, Falls Church Distillers will celebrate the now-closed Mad Fox Brewing Company.
Michael Paluzzi, a co-founder of Falls Church Distillers, told Tysons Reporter that he wanted to honor Bill Madden, the owner of Mad Fox Brewing Company, who Paluzzi called “a legend in D.C. for brewing.”
Even though Falls Church Distillers is focused on spirits instead of beer, Paluzzi said, “We’re all artisans. We’re all in the craft industry.”
The distillery will have Mad Fox beers on tap, including Defender APA, Broad Street IPA, pilsners, Big Chimney Porter and a Barleywine-style beer, Paluzzi said.
The celebration lasts “until either the end of August or the beer runs out in distribution,” according to the Facebook event. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are endless draft ticket days for $30 from 4-8:30 p.m.
Paluzzi said that he talked to Madden about the planned celebration, and “he was very supportive of the idea.”
Paluzzi said that he and Madden go back about 15 years. Last year, Falls Church Distillers and Mad Fox Brewing Company collaborated on turning beer into a coffee liquor.
“I think Falls Church loved Mad Fox and Bill and what they were doing,” Paluzzi said. “If I can extend that to those people by providing access to the beer, that is our honor.”
Photo via Falls Church Distillers LLC/Facebook
Jim Koons Automotive is expanding its car dealership near the Spring Hill Metro station.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the expansion plans on Tuesday (July 30) on the north side of Leesburg Pike right below the Dulles Toll Road.
The two-phase development would convert a 73,000-square-foot warehouse into vehicle storage and offices for the dealership, reconfigure a parking lot and allow for a second dealership franchise.
“The warehouse was once showroom space for an Ourisman dealership on the site, but Koons acquired the property in a $19.4 million land deal in 2016, according to county records,” the Washington Business Journal reported.
Koons is one of the D.C. area’s largest car dealers and has two other Tysons locations in addition to the Koons Tysons Toyota at the 8600 block of Leesburg Pike, WBJ noted.
According to the county’s staff report:
Auto sales and retail uses are the predominant land uses along Leesburg Pike, along with one high-rise office building. This area is developed and planned for auto sales and retail uses, as well as portions developed and planned for office use with support [from existing] retail and service uses.
“This proposal will improve the appearance and repurpose an aged building that is located along Leesburg Pike in Tysons with minimal site disturbance,” Lynne Strobel, an attorney representing Koons, told the board.
Image via Fairfax County
Fairfax County police arrested three people in connection with a burglary at a Maserati dealership in Tysons.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight Thursday (Aug. 1) at 8448 Leesburg Pike.
More from FCPD:
Officers responded to a report of several suspects that were seen inside a dealership. The suspects ran when officers arrived. Two suspects were immediately caught by officers and a third suspect was caught with the assistance of a police K9.
Police arrested and charged an 18-year-old man from D.C. with burglary and destruction of property. “Two juveniles face similar charges,” police said.
In a separate incident, more Infiniti cars were stolen from the Infiniti dealer at 8527 Leesburg Pike around 4 a.m. on Wednesday (July 31).
“Someone broke into the business and stole a 2015 Infinity QX60 and a 2009 Infinity FX35,” according to police.
The dealership also had a 2012 Infiniti QX 56 and a 2008 Infiniti M35 stolen on Thursday, July 25, and a 2011 Infiniti G35 and a 2010 Infiniti FX35 taken in June.
Image via Google Maps
A fire that broke out in the garage of a McLean home caused roughly $60,000 worth of damage.
The fire broke out around 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, at a two-story, single-family home in the 6700 block of Osborn Street, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.
Firefighters from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and the Arlington County Fire Department arrived on the scene with smoke showing from the garage.
More from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue:
Crews quickly located and extinguished a fire in the garage. There were no reported firefighter or civilian injuries.
The fire was discovered when a passerby noticed smoke coming from the garage and called 9-1-1. There were no occupants home at the time of the fire. Smoke alarms did not activate due to the location of the fire.
Fire Investigators determined that the fire started in the garage. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Red Cross services were offered but not accepted. Damages are approximately $60,000. The damage total includes a vehicle lift system and a classic car that was parked in the garage.
McLean Garage Fire Causes $60K In Damage. Units from #FCFRD and @ArlingtonVaFD arrived on the scene of a two-story, single-family home with smoke showing from the garage. More: https://t.co/UY9NPF9fQG #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/0wVmmbT1cy
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) August 1, 2019
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter
Warby Parker is eyeing an opening in the Mosaic District next week.
The prescription designer eyeglass retailer plans to open on Saturday, Aug. 10, according to a press release.
“This new library-inspired location will feature an ultra-graphic mural created by the Atlanta-based VCU alum [and] contemporary artist, Alex Brewer (aka HENSE),” the press release said. “HENSE’s playfulness with colors and shapes fit right in with our new space.”
Customers at the store will be able to browse the full selection of optical and sunwear glasses, including the recently launched Trace Edition collection, along with kids’ frames in two sizes.
The Mosaic District spot will be Warby Parker’s third Virginia location, joining Alexandria and Tysons.
A wraparound outside 2920 District Avenue, Suite 130 indicates that Warby Parker is moving into Northern Outfitter’s former spot. The store’s hours will be 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday.
Images 2-3 courtesy Warby Parker
Construction on improvements to Kirby Road south of Chesterbrook Elementary School is slated to start in September.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation gave residents an update yesterday (Wednesday) on the sidewalks project spanning from Birch Road to Corliss Court along Kirby Road.
Latesa Turner, an FCDOT engineer, gave a presentation to a small group of people at Chesterbrook Elementary School (1753 Kirby Road) last night shortly after 7 p.m.
The project would add the following new elements to Kirby Road:
- a 5-6-foot wide concrete sidewalk and ADA-accessible curb ramps
- concrete curb and gutter
- drainage inlets and pipes
- driveway entrances
- pedestrian crossing and median refuge at Powhatan Street
- re-alignment of Chesterfield Avenue intersection
- water main reconstruction and upgrades
- road pavement and striping
The first phase of the project, which will last between three to four months, will involve closing the westbound lane of Kirby Road to construct the water line relocation, according to the presentation. Drivers can expect traffic maintained in both directions during the lane closure.
Then, the second phase will involve closing the westbound lane of Kirby Road for drainage and utility work, along with work on the curb ramps, driveway entrances, sidewalk and gutter. The second phase is expected to last five to six months, according to the presentation.
The contractor will come out within the next week for clearing and tree removal. Then, construction will start in September. The first phase is slated to be done around December and most of the work will be completed by February. All of the work is slated to be finished by April 2020.
Once finished, Turner said that the Virginia Department of Transportation will maintain the sidewalks.
When asked why it took two years for the project to start construction, Turner said that many steps had to take place after the idea was approved including finalizing the plans, receiving VDOT approval, permitting and bidding for the project after the land acquisition in late 2017.
Despite some grumblings among attendees about waiting for the improvements, many expressed support for the upcoming work.
“I’m really glad you’re doing this,” one attendee told Turner toward the end of the meeting.
Image 4 via Fairfax County
