When Audrey Ortiz-Peterson was in middle school, she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps by joining the military someday. His suggestion to start running for fun, though, was a lot less appealing.
“I was not a fan,” Ortiz-Peterson, a senior at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, recalled. “It was not very fun to me.”
Fairfax County Parkway will be inaccessible from Popes Head Road for the next week, as the Virginia Department of Transportation prepares to start opening the reconfigured interchange in Fairfax Station.
As of 10 a.m. today (Wednesday), Popes Head Road is closed to drivers, and the traffic signal has been taken out of commission.
Something unique is happening in the heart of Tysons, Virginia: A new venue for assisted living and memory support is offering a fresh, hospitality-driven approach to care—where residents explore possibilities for creativity, purpose, and connection. Opened in fall 2025, Kokua is part of Mather, an innovative pioneer in senior living.
For a limited time, Kokua is welcoming new residents seeking assisted living or memory support in the DC area with exclusive move-in incentives. Nestled in a lively urban neighborhood, our LEED-Gold certified community incorporates biophilic design that brings the outside in to enhance health and wellbeing.
In our assisted living and memory support neighborhoods, residents enjoy a collection of thoughtfully designed spaces that feel like an upscale hospitality destination.
Multiple restaurants offer chef-prepared cuisine with flexible, open-hour service, complemented by demonstration kitchens, art and music studios, as well as gathering spaces. A spacious outdoor terrace, Marzenia Salon, and beautifully appointed amenity areas create opportunities for wellness, connection, and everyday enjoyment.
Residents enjoy opportunities to choose from enriching programs, meaningful social opportunities with experiences such as sensory walks, meditation, acupuncture, Reiki, songwriting workshops, poetry readings, Sensory Symphony Swim, and more. (more…)
Once expected to be demolished in 2025, the vacant office buildings at 1831 and 1861 Wiehle Avenue in Reston are still standing almost half a year later, with not even a construction fence to signal their future demise.
Plans to redevelop the two parcels with a senior living facility and apartment buildings, including one anchored by The Fresh Market, have ground to a halt after developer Comstock Companies reportedly relinquished control of the properties.
The Original Pancake House, long known for its cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, oven-baked ‘Dutch Baby’ pancake coated with powdered sugar, as well as charitable endeavors in the Falls Church area, has closed its doors for good.
“After 15 amazing years, our restaurant will be closing,” a notice on the front door reads. “We are incredibly thankful for the loyalty, support, and friendships our customers have given us throughout the years. Serving this community has been a true privilege. From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for being part of this journey.”
🔥 The Summer Cookout Cook Off is ON! 🔥
Get ready to fire up your taste buds, Fairfax! On Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 1-5 PM, Unity of Fairfax is hosting its very first Summer Cookout Cook Off, and YOU are the judge.
Fairfax County police are searching for the driver behind a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred early yesterday (Tuesday) morning in Seven Corners.
Officers responded at around 1:22 a.m. to Arlington Blvd (Route 50) at Patrick Henry Drive after a caller reported that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle and was lying in the roadway, according to scanner traffic.
Toddler in Oakton Crash Has Died — “On Thursday, police with the Fair Oaks Police District announced that the 2-year-old toddler hospitalized from the double-fatal car crash succumbed to her injuries … Police say the driver was going 116 mph with two children in the backseat, before crashing into a barrier.” [WUSA9]
Gun Background Checks Not Happening — “The General Assembly passed a bill on April 22 with an emergency enactment clause added by Gov. Abigail Spanberger to increase the legal age to purchase a handgun in Virginia from 18 to 21 years old.” However, a month later, the Virginia State Police still hasn’t started conducting background checks as mandated by the legislation, frustrating patron Del. Garrett McGuire (D-17). [Cardinal News]
Man Sentenced to Prison for Murders — “Anthony Eugene Robinson, dubbed the ‘shopping cart killer,’ has been sentenced to two life sentences plus 10 years in prison … Robinson was found guilty of killing Beth Redmon and Tonita Smith in Harrisonburg in 2021.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Walkinshaw Secures Dem Nomination — Yesterday, Rep. James Walkinshaw “officially became the Democratic nominee for Congress in Virginia’s 11th District.” The first-time Congressman had been set to face a primary challenge from Bree Fram, but the former Space Force colonel ultimately ended her campaign after Virginia’s new district maps were nixed, telling ABC News the change didn’t leave her enough time to pivot. [James Walkinshaw/Bluesky]
Speed Humps Proposed on Reston Road — “Residents along part of Fairway Drive in Reston are voting on a Fairfax County traffic-calming proposal that would add three speed humps to the west end of the road … The ballot period began in April and ends June 13, according to Steve Sarandos, who heads up the task force” that has been looking at speed and traffic issues on Fairway Drive for seven years now. [Patch]
Va. Seeks to Spend Toll Revenue on Transit — “Virginia is pushing to reinvest express lane and toll revenue into public transit instead of road projects, even as public concerns persist about using priced roadways. The focus on reinvesting express lane revenue is reflected in the estimated $46.5 million the commonwealth expects to generate from its express lanes.” [Virginia Mercury]
Fairfax City Leads in Population Growth — “Fairfax City posted the fastest population growth rate among Virginia cities and towns with at least 20,000 residents between 2020 and 2025, according to newly compiled Census data. Fairfax City’s population grew from 24,146 residents in 2020 to 26,772 residents in 2025.” [Patch]
Tysons Media Company Names CEO — “Tegna Inc. on Monday named longtime D.C.-area media veteran Patrick Paolini its new CEO as the Tysons-based TV station operator works through litigation that aims to undo its merger with Nexstar Media Group Inc … Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said on the company’s earnings call earlier this month that Tegna is officially operating as a subsidiary of Nexstar until the litigation is resolved.” [Washington Business Journal]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with patchy fog before 11am and a high near 80°F. Showers and thunderstorms are likely into the evening, tapering off around 11pm, with patchy fog developing until 1am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 64°F. There’s a 60% chance of rain. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Good Tuesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — May 26, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and possible thunderstorms today, with patchy fog in the morning. Highs will reach around 80°F, and winds will shift to the west at about 6 mph. Rainfall will likely be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with heavier amounts possible in storms. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely until 11 pm, then a chance of showers with patchy fog before 1 am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 64°F, and winds from the northwest at 3 to 6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation, with similar rainfall amounts expected. See more from Weather.gov.
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
The spotlight will be on the nation’s capital this summer as the D.C. region hosts numerous events to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. But you don’t have to commute into the city to celebrate — or wait until July 4th.
There are plenty of events taking place in Fairfax County, the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, as well as the Towns of Vienna, Herndon, and Clifton.
A new fast-casual cafe has opened its doors in Merrifield’s Mosaic District, with a menu focused on “health-conscious living.”
Pura Vida Miami is now open, serving up all-day breakfast, acai bowls, salads and more from its new space at 8296 Glass Alley, next to the Archer Hotel where Parc de Ville once stood.
