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City of Falls Church police are looking for the burglar(s) who sawed into a jewelry store’s safe.
“At this time, it appears one or more suspects broke into the vacant store at 1118 W. Broad Street (formerly Apple Federal Credit Union), entered the adjacent Yassini Jewelry store (1120 W. Broad Street) by breaking through the cinderblock wall, gained entry into the store safe with a saw, then fled the scene,” Clare Casey, a spokesperson for the City of Falls Church, told Tysons Reporter.
The incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. yesterday (Monday, Nov. 26).
“It is unknown the items taken or the estimated value at this time,” Casey added. “Police do not have a description of the suspect(s), and there are no surveillance photos or video available at this time.”
Anyone who might have information about the burglary is asked to contact the police at 703-248-5053.
Hat tip to Bob M.
Image via Google Maps
Two new local locations for Jersey Mike’s are gearing up to open soon.
The spot at 1501C Cornerside Blvd by the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons plans to open next Wednesday (Dec. 4), according to the website.
Over in Falls Church, the Falls Plaza location at 1108-A West Broad Street is also expected to open the same day, according to a spokesperson for the company.
The sandwich chain currently has job openings in Falls Church.
Two meetings next week plan to gather community input on a proposed boundary change for McLean and Langley high schools in McLean.
In October, Fairfax County School Board approved an amendment to its Capital Improvement Program that kicks off a boundary study about moving some students from McLean High School (1633 Davidson Road) to Langley High School (6520 Georgetown Pike).
The meetings next week are meant to give locals a chance to provide feedback and talk to FCPS staff, according to a newsletter from McLean High Students, Parents and Community Expect Sensible School Size (McSPaCES).
The first meeting is set to take place from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 2) at Langley’s cafeteria. The second meeting is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 4) at the cafeteria in McLean High School.
“McLean High is projected to have an enrollment of 2,500 by 2023 making it the most crowded of the 24 high schools in FCPS,” according to McSPaCES. “At least 500 students would need to be moved out of McLean High School for it to approach its building design capacity of 1,993 and not require trailer classes and/or modular class complex.”
Langley, which was recently renovated, has extra space to accommodate the students.
In a letter posted on McSPaCES from the assistant superintendents for the regions that include the two schools, they wrote that no decisions will be made at the meetings, which will include small group work and presentations from FCPS staff.
”The community feedback from the boundary scope meetings will be collected and used to develop options,” the superintendents wrote. “The options will be presented to the community at boundary study meetings in the spring.”
On “Giving Tuesday,” people can play with puppies at Tysons Corner Center.
Wolf Trap Animal Rescue will be bringing adoptable puppies to raise funds, according to a press release. For $5, people can have five minutes of “puppy cuddles.”
The local animal rescue, which has a mailing address in Merrifield and remote locations across the country, is a nonprofit that works to transport, foster and adopt rescued puppies and kittens at risk of euthanasia by states in the South.
People can find the puppies in front of BrandBox on the first level of the mall from 4:30-7 p.m. next Tuesday (Dec. 3).
Credit cards and cash will be accepted at the event, and all of the proceeds will go to Wolf Trap Animal Rescue.
See a dog you want? The animal rescue will have its last adoption event of the year at the PetSmart (8204 Leesburg Pike) in Tysons at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Before and after Hozier’s show at The Anthem in D.C., the “Take Me to Church” singer and his band were backstage playing with puppies from Wolf Trap Animal Rescue.
The local animal rescue, which has a mailing address in Merrifield and remote locations across the country, is a nonprofit that works to transport, foster and adopt rescued puppies and kittens at risk of euthanasia by states in the South.
About a year ago, Wolf Trap Animal Rescue (WTAR) created a puppy therapy program, which helps to lower humans’ stress and increase their endorphins, Sarah Barker, the foster and volunteer coordinator for WTAR, told Tysons Reporter.
Lizzo’s performance at The Anthem in September was the first time that WTAR partnered with the D.C. music venue to bring its puppy therapy program to performers. Since then, WTAR has brought its puppy therapy to about half a dozen artists, Barker said.
“It’s nice to see these people who get so stressed to play with puppies,” Barker said.
When Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, known professionally as Hozier, came to perform at The Anthem last Monday (Nov. 18), representatives at the D.C. music venue suggested that WTAR bring its puppies back.
Barker said that Hozier and his band weren’t told about the puppies until after their soundcheck. They spent about an hour with the puppies both before and after the show, she said.
Hozier tweeted about the experience: “Thanks to the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue for introducing us to these beautiful pups. Please check them out if you’re in the DC area and looking to give a dog a home for life!”
Thanks to the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue for introducing us to these beautiful pups. Please check them out if you’re in the DC area and looking to give a dog a home for life! pic.twitter.com/P7I1umdZid
— Hozier (@Hozier) November 19, 2019
WTAR also offers the program to corporations via donations that determine how many puppies they will bring.
For small events — like the Hozier one — Barker said WTAR will bring about four to five dogs, while a larger event can have up to 20.
For people who want to feel like a celebrity playing with puppies, WTAR will be bringing the puppies to Tysons Corner Center on Tuesday (Dec. 3) 4:30-7 p.m.
The animal rescue is also set to have its last adoption event of the year at the PetSmart (8204 Leesburg Pike) in Tysons at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Fairfax County is looking at where it might need to add more outdoor spaces for dogs and their owners.
The county currently has 11 dog parks, according to its map of parks. The closest one to the Tysons area is at the Blake Lane School Site (10033 Blake Lane) in Oakton, which could become a new public elementary school.
In the Tysons area, several apartment buildings have dog parks, like Halstead Square (2655 Prosperity Avenue) by the Dunn Loring Metro station, The Mile Dog Park at the Highgate at the Mile (7915 Jones Branch Drive) or the “bark park” for residents of The Boro (8301 Greensboro Drive).
The Town of Vienna has a dog park (700 Courthouse Road SW). There’s also the Mosaic Dog Park (45 Penny Lane).
In the future, an approved mixed-use development in Tysons North called The Mile plans to add a dog park.
Currently, the county’s Park Authority has a study underway to determine where the county might need new dog parks.
People can participate by taking an online survey to help the county determine where it might need new off-leash dog parks.
“Based on community input, spatial analysis, and a review of national trends in dog park planning, the Park Authority will adopt strategies for long-term planning, development, and management of dog parks,” according to the county.
The survey will be open through Dec. 15. Written comments can be submitted to Project Manager Adam Wynn at Fairfax County Park Authority (12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 406, Fairfax, VA 22035) or emailed to [email protected].
Let Tysons Reporter know in the poll below if you think the Tysons area could use some more parks for pooches. If so, tell us where in the comments section.
Image via Fairfax County Planning Commission
Fairfax County police say a female pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a car along Lee Hwy in Merrifield.
Police received the call at 10:14 a.m. on Saturday (Nov. 23) for the crash involving a Toyota Solara and a female pedestrian, Sgt. James Curry, a police spokesperson, told Tysons Reporter.
Police tweeted about the crash shortly after 11 a.m, noting that eastbound Lee Hwy was closed at Cedar Lane.
“The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with injuries considered to be life-threatening,” the tweet said.
Shortly after 1 p.m., police tweeted again to say that Lee Hwy had reopened and that “the pedestrian remains in critical condition.”
Curry said that, as of 9:30 a.m. today (Monday), the police are awaiting an update on the woman’s condition.
The driver involved in the crash remained on the scene, Curry said, adding that no arrests have been made in connection to the crash.
The location of the pedestrian when the crash occurred and the cause of the crash are pending investigation, Curry said.
UPDATE: Lee Hwy is now open. The pedestrian remains in critical condition.https://t.co/LRqBVGd1tH
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) November 23, 2019
Map via Google Maps
Hozier Gives Shout Out to Local Shelter — Irish musician Hozier, who is known for the song “Take Me to Church,” gave the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue a mention on Twitter, along with a video of an adorable puppy. [Twitter]
A Look Inside a Tysons Software Engineer’s Wallet — As part of Refinery 29’s money series, a software engineer in Tysons gave readers a glimpse into how she spends her $100K salary. [Refinery 29]
Staying Home for Thanksgiving? — Here’s where to find local restaurants that will be open. [Patch, Our Community Now]
Vienna Residents Mad About Chopped Down Trees — “Neighbors are furious Wawa cut down three 100+ year-old maple trees that were not on the company’s property.” [WJLA]
Local Tech Company Growing — “McLean-based AppTek, which makes speech apps for enterprises, on Tuesday announced its acquisition of Ignite-Tek… The merger adds to a significant growth streak for AppTek, which says it has doubled its team in 2019.” [DC Inno]
Church and Retirement Center Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner — “Lewinsville Presbyterian Church and the Lewinsville Retirement Residence are teaming up for a community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 28 at noon at the retirement facility, 1515 Great Falls St. in McLean.” [Inside NoVa]
Part of Dominion Square Sold — “Capital Automotive Real Estate Services Inc. has sold part of its 18-acre Dominion Square development site near Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons for $60.2 million after taking the larger 3.6 million-square-foot mixed-use project through Fairfax County’s entitlement process.” [Washington Business Journal]
Another Raccoon with Rabies Found in Falls Church — Earlier this month, a raccoon with rabies was euthanized by police — the second one found in the city in recent months. “While there were no human exposures to the animal in this case either, the community should be cognizant of the rabies threat at all times.” [City of Falls Church]
Fairfax County police are asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect linked to a robbery and sexual assault in Tysons.
Police said that a woman was sexually assaulted and robbed at a hotel in the 8600 block of Leesburg Pike on Tuesday (Nov. 12).
“Officers responded to the hotel around noon that day after a woman reported she had been attacked,” according to a police report.
More from the report:
A subsequent investigation revealed that the woman was in her room when she answered a knock at the door and was confronted by a man who may have previously contacted her through a social media app. The man sexually assaulted the victim and stole her personal property. She was taken to a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.
“The suspect is described as a black male in his late 20s, around 6′ tall with brown eyes, short black hair and a short beard,” police said.
Anyone who has information can contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800.
Photos via FCPD
