GAINSWave Therapy in Centreville, VA

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Severe thunderstorms brought rain, hail and high winds to parts of the DC region Friday. WUSA9 weather watchers spotted hail through Allegany County, Maryland to Frederick County, Fairfax County and Prince William County in Virginia.

You can share your photos and videos with WUSA9 using the Near Me Map on the WUSA9 app.

Storms started popping up in Eastern Allegany County, Maryland at around 4:00 p.m Friday. Matt Jones shared this photo of the hail near his house.

Credit: Matt Jones

That storm then dumped hail in Brucetown, Virginia near the West Virginia line.

Credit: Beverly Ball

Credit: Beverly Ball

In Loudoun County, Virginia the hail fell for about 15 minutes in the town of Bluemont according to Weather Watcher Michael R. Van Dyke. The hail stones were just smaller than a quarter.

Credit: Michael R Van Dyke

Storms then swept through Centreville, Virginia in Fairfax County. Weather Watcher Ann Susie Rourke captured the hail, which took down tree leaves in her yard. "I've never seen anything like it," Rourke told WUSA9 Friday.

"All of a sudden I had to get up and run. It was cold, and hail just was flying onto the deck, the wind, there was so much hail," Rourke said.

Credit: Ann Susie Rourke

Credit: Ann Susie Rourke

Hail drift against the back of the house. C-ville @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/U9N7Sm9vgh

— Brian Engelmann (@BrianEngels) June 16, 2023

Storms also brought hail and high winds to Woodbridge in Prince William County, Virginia. Tanya Kelminsky shared this video.

Storms then crossed the Potomac and over into Southern Maryland. In La Plata, Jen Harris said the storm sounded like a tornado. There was no tornado warning issued, or indication of a tornado from radar. Harris said there was damage to some neighboring homes.

Credit: Jen Harris

Credit: Jen Harris

Credit: Jen Harris

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CENTREVILLE, Va. - Parents in Fairfax County are outraged after a teacher casts students as slaves and landowners during a classroom activity.

A family at Centreville Elementary School spoke with FOX 5, saying they are frustrated that their children’s school forced students to take part in a slavery reenactment.

Now, they’re calling on the administration and the teacher to be held accountable.

The issue was brought to the Lowery family’s attention when an email was sent out after school Thursday saying a teacher made students take part in a simulation based on the economics of slavery.

The school says during the activity, the teacher made some students act as slaves, and others as landowners.

We reached out to Fairfax County Public Schools to clarify what grade this incident happened in and if this is an appropriate and typical lesson for this age group.

The school system sent the following statement to FOX 5:

"Earlier this week a student teacher at Centreville Elementary School, under the supervision of a Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) teacher and while being observed by a university supervisor, conducted an inappropriate activity on the economics of slavery. During the activity, students participated in a simulation where they acted as slaves and a landowner. This exercise was not part of the approved lesson plan or division curriculum. The school has apologized directly to the families of the students who took part in this exercise, and to the wider community, for this regretful lapse in judgment made by an inexperienced trainee teacher who was subsequently counseled on the inappropriateness of the lesson.

FCPS is committed to nurturing a community that is grounded in dignity, humanization, and belonging with an emphasis on culturally-responsive practices. In partnership with our school community, the Chief Equity Office and the Equity and Cultural Responsiveness team, will continue to provide coaching, professional development, and support for all FCPS employees."

The Lowery family says they and several other families they’ve spoken to were floored as to why this teacher thought this was okay.

Northern Virginia school under fire after students instructed to play ‘runaway slave game'

"We’ve learned about slavery and the economics of slavery and Jim Crow and redlining all without ever having to pretend or simulate being a slave. You can teach it without that," Gerald Lowery said.

"Anyone who sort of sits with it and thinks about what it means to be enslaved it’s a horrible thing. It’s like asking someone to role-play the holocaust," Meredith Lowery added. "Who in their right mind would do that? So to me, it’s kind of like why would you pick something so incredibly traumatic that still has remnants in 2023 to make a point? I’m almost curious … Was it really a mistake or lapse in judgment?"

The principal of Centreville Elementary School sent a letter to parents Thursday evening, saying the activity is not part of the division curriculum and was not an appropriate or culturally responsive way to engage students.

READ MORE: Middle school teacher faces charges for assaulting students in Loudoun County classroom: police

He went on to say the school will use this as a learning moment and school leaders have met with students in the class to give them the ability to process their experience.

The Lowerys said they do plan to speak with the principal to address their concerns and ensure there is some sense of accountability.

They also said they want to continue the conversation to make sure this does not happen again.

Read the full letter sent to Centreville Elementary School parents below:

Dear Centreville Elementary School Families,

Earlier this week, our administration team spoke directly to parents of students who participated in a classroom activity while teaching a lesson on slavery. This activity was inappropriate, and not part of our approved division curriculum.

I am sharing this now with our broader community to reinforce our commitment to nurture a community that is grounded in dignity, humanization, and belonging.

The lesson involved the economics of slavery. During the activity, students participated in a simulation where they acted as slaves and a landowner. I want to reiterate that this activity was not part of the division curriculum, and was not an appropriate or culturally responsive way to engage students.

We have been and will continue to use this as a learning moment for the teachers and our entire staff. We have also met with the students in the class to give them the space and opportunity to process and share their experience. Raising consciousness to actions, intentional or not, that cause harm to our students and families, is critical to creating a safe and inclusive school environment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I would like to hear your ideas about making Centreville Elementary School a more welcoming and culturally responsive environment where each and every student feels safe and a sense of belonging.

Thank you for your partnership,

Josh Douds

Principal

Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of Transportation have kicked off construction to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Route 29 near Centreville.

Though there will be a ceremonial groundbreaking today (Wednesday), construction on the project began Feb. 9 to add two lanes to the roadway between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive.

By the time work finishes in spring 2026, there will be six lanes instead of four on that stretch of road. In addition to the new lanes, the project aims to make improvements to sight distance for drivers and shared-use paths on the roadway.

It will also connect pedestrian and bicycle trails located at the Fairfax County Parkway/West Ox Road interchange.

This work has been on VDOT’s radar for years, with the project first coming to the public at a meeting in October 2018. Notes from a 2019 public hearing say that a 2005 VDOT study “explored the feasibility of providing a continuous 6 lane section from Centreville to the City of Fairfax.”

“Over the past several years, portions of Route 29 have been widened to six lanes (three in each direction) between Centreville and the City of Fairfax,” Mike Murphy, a senior communications specialist at VDOT, wrote in an email to FFXnow.

After this widening, a continuous six-lane section will exist “along the five-mile stretch between Pickwick Road and Shirley Gate Road/Waples Mill Road to improve capacity and safety through the corridor,” Murphy wrote.

The project is removing trees between Stringfellow Road and Meadow Estates Drive on the north side of Route 29. To accommodate that work, residents will need to use alternate routes in place of part of Willow Pond Trail through April 2023.

The estimated cost is $97 million, and those dollars come from four sources: federal, state and local money, plus funding from a I-66 concession fee.

Today’s groundbreaking will be held on the Route 29 service road, near the Brightview Fair Oaks senior living facility. Two members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors — Pat Herrity (Springfield) and Kathy Smith (Sully) — plan to attend.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Dog Stop, the all-inclusive and award-winning dog care brand rapidly expanding across the U.S, is on the brink of a significant milestone as it prepares to open its first location in Northern Virginia in the city of Centreville. Located at 6001 Centreville Crest Ln., the new facility’s doors are set to open on September 9th and promises a comprehensive range of services designed to enrich every facet of a dog’s life. From daily daycare and year-round boarding to opulent nutrition and a full-service grooming spa, The Dog Stop has earned accolades for its ability to captivate both dogs and their devoted owners alike.

The grand opening event is poised to be a jubilant affair for owners and dogs alike, featuring door prizes, raffles for both dogs and their companions, engaging dog-centered activities, exclusive service discounts, coupons for the neighboring El Fresco, and more. Beyond this inaugural celebration, The Dog Stop actively participates in charitable efforts by collaborating with community shelters and rescues, demonstrating their commitment to supporting adoption and fostering initiatives, as well as other facets of the community like schools and local businesses. The Mehta family has been very close to some of these organizations as a previous foster home for many dogs, as well as having adopted their own dogs through them to bring new members permanently into the family.

Spearheading this exciting venture is Hiral Mehta, whose passion for the highest quality of care for all dogs had her searching for a place made for dogs by those who love them. The Dog Stop was exactly that. With one new location and the dream of many to come, Hiral is accompanied by her husband Bhavesh, son Sahil, and daughter Anjali who all have rolled up their sleeves to help bring this vision to life. To the Mehtas and the rest of the dog community, The Dog Stop is more than a business and is the beginning of a bigger family brought together by a profound love of animals.

As their children transitioned into adulthood and began their own paths, Hiral is transitioning from her IT job to a dog-centered vocation. “Our journey with The Dog Stop isn’t just about providing a place for dogs to stay but to create a place where we would feel confident leaving our dogs - because they are family, we want only the best for any pet or parent that comes through our doors,” Hiral explains. “Centreville has been our home and a place where our family flourished, and our commitment to enhancing the lives of its residents, both human and furry, is paramount.”

The foundation of The Dog Stop goes beyond its top-tier services and products. The Centreville facility has been meticulously crafted to offer a sanctuary for our four-legged friends. Equipped with a state-of-the-art hospital-grade HVAC system and UV lights targeted to kill airborne viruses, bacteria, mold and more, the facility prioritizes the health and well-being of both canine visitors and their human companions with this advanced cleaning protocol.

Hiral further emphasizes, "The Dog Stop's comprehensive approach to pet care perfectly suits our community's needs. As lifelong dog owners ourselves, we understand the importance of a dedicated space that caters to every aspect of a dog’s requirements. This venture allows us to extend our heartfelt care to fellow pet owners, bringing them the exceptional and trustworthy pet care they deserve.”

Owned and operated by dog people since 2009, The Dog Stop understands the complex process involved in dog care and knows that there is no such thing as a one size fits all approach. At The Dog Stop, expert staff at each location stay up-to-date on the ever-changing science that applies to dog care, behavior, grooming, and nutrition. A one-stop-shop also offering pet care products and supplies, each item on its shelves is the latest and greatest in its respective category, ensuring that each dog who stops by receives the very best treatment.

“We are eager to partner with the Mehta family to bring The Dog Stop to the Virginia area,” said Jesse Coslov, CEO and Co-Founder of The Dog Stop. “We are committed to filling a gap in the community for reliable, high-quality boarding and other dog care services, and providing a level of care that Centreville and the surrounding area can trust.”

For more information on The Dog Stop or its franchise opportunities, visit https://thedogstop.com.

Spa World in Centreville brings jjimjilbangs to the DMV.

CENTREVILLE, Va. — To celebrate AAPI heritage month we're celebrating local businesses with AAPI roots. Spa World in Centreville, Virginia, offers a unique experience in our area that honors an age-old Korean tradition.

When Sang Lee immigrated to the U.S. at 17, he knew that one day he would take a leap of faith. He knew he wanted to bring something from his homeland to his new home.

"What can we bring in that is so Korean, but beneficial to everybody, and that was a spa," Lee said. "We wanted [customers] to experience Korean bathing culture, which is separated by gender and children friendly."

Spa World is modeled after a traditional Korean bathhouse. In Korean, it's called jjimjilbang, which translates to "heated rooms."

"The tradition was was everybody, father and son, mother and daughter, go to the bath house and scrub each other's backs. That's the tradition," Lee said.

It's an essential part of South Korean culture, found in many cities and towns. Just about everyone of all ages in Korea go to jjimjilbangs.

"Everybody from the ancient world, everybody wants to live a long life, from the king, to civilians. Everybody wants to live a long life," Lee said.

Korea has a long history of sauna bathing and wellness. It's a tradition that dates back to the 15th century and was first used for medicinal purposes. Over time, it evolved into a gathering place for relaxation, beauty rituals and health benefits that go beyond a quick soak.

But the unspoken code of manners can make a first-time visit intimidating.

"When you first come in we give you a locker and a uniform," Jean Lee said. "The purpose of getting fully undressed and having the gender-separated areas is we want you in your purest form."

The nearly 50,000 square foot building is a wellness oasis with a lot under one roof. You can choose from six different sauna rooms. Each room has qualities good for your health, including minerals and temperature settings for therapeutic and healing effects.

For Sang Lee, nothing is more rewarding than modest beginnings to achieving success.

"We came here with the small dream of making the American dream and well after 40 years, I think I'm still dreaming," he said.

To visit Spa World yourself, check out their website for details.

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WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.