Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Apr 24, 2026

By FFXnow.com

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 24, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • UPDATED: Bren Mar Park Elementary deemed OK to open after two-alarm fire (57266 views)
  • Fairfax County voters supported redistricting amendment except in four precincts (30812 views)
  • Fairfax County police sergeant arrested on sexual abuse charges (26005 views)
  • Fairfax County’s second Sheetz could open in Franconia area (23109 views)
  • BREAKING: Va. voters approve redistricting amendment, as Fairfax results pour in (22232 views)
  • Herndon concert series Friday Night Live! unveils 2026 lineup (22200 views)
  • Fairfax High student sentenced to jail for groping multiple girls (17722 views)
  • Historic Dunn Loring Center to close ahead of replacement with elementary school (16504 views)
  • Tysons Galleria’s closing Saks Fifth Avenue might turn into a fitness center (11211 views)
  • Gum Springs leaders rally to save ‘pillar of community’ from county budget axe (8913 views)
  • Independent bookstore crawl gets underway this weekend in N. Va. (8852 views)

    • 📅 Upcoming events

    Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ⛈️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect likely showers and possible thunderstorms after 5 pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 66°F. East winds will blow at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph, and a 60% chance of rain, ranging from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, especially higher during thunderstorms. On Saturday night, showers and potential thunderstorms will continue, with lows around 47°F and northeast winds at 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. There’s a 90% chance of rain, with new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

    🌅 Tonight’s sunset

    The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋

    News

    Woman hospitalized after crash on Route 29 near Centreville library

    By Angela Woolsey
    Fairfax County police controlling traffic on Machen Road at Route 29 after two-vehicle crash (via VDOT traffic cameras)

    A woman was critically injured in a two-vehicle crash this afternoon (Friday) on Route 29 near the Centreville Regional Library.

    Police, firefighters and a medic with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to Route 29 at Machen Road around 5:32 p.m. for a crash involving at least one reportedly trapped person, according to scanner traffic.

    Go to Woman hospitalized after crash on Route 29 near Centreville library Read more
    Countywide

    Fairfax detective, victim rights specialist among those honored with state awards

    By Scott McCaffrey
    Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones with 2026 Unsung Heroes Award recipients (courtesy Office of Attorney General)

    Two Fairfax County Police Department employees were among 19 individuals statewide honored yesterday (Friday) at Virginia’s ninth annual Unsung Heroes Awards.

    Presented by the Virginia attorney general’s office, the awards honor those in and out of government who provide extraordinary support for, and a voice to, victims of crime.

    Go to Fairfax detective, victim rights specialist among those honored with state awards Read more
    News

    Fairfax Connector bus involved in head-on crash near Pentagon, 23 injured

    By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey
    Fairfax Connector and OmniRide collision near Pentagon (via Dave Statter/Bluesky)

    A Fairfax Connector bus was one of two that collided head-on near the Pentagon this morning (Friday), injuring 23 people, including Defense Department workers.

    The Omni Ride and Fairfax Connector transit buses struck each other shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to a press release from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Emergency personnel transported 18 of the injured to local hospitals for further medical evaluation. Five were treated at the scene.

    Go to Fairfax Connector bus involved in head-on crash near Pentagon, 23 injured Read more
    Event

    Race to Rebuild – Reston Hospital’s Trauma Survivor Network

    Reston Hospital Center

    1850 Town Center Parkway Main Entrance

    1850 Town Center Parkway, Virginia Reston

    Website Contact

    The Race to Rebuild is a virtual self-paced Run, Walk, Cycle, Roll, to raise awareness of the Trauma Survivors Network (TSN) and recognize the recovery journey taken by trauma survivors. You can race on your own during the month of May or join Reston Hospital’s in-person team walk/run/roll at 10:30am on May 20th for National Trauma Survivor’s Day!

    Please register by May 1st using the link below to ensure that you receive your T-shirt and other swag in time for our May 20th event! All proceeds are received by and benefit the TSN. Be sure to join Reston Hospital’s team when you do!

    Go to Race to Rebuild – Reston Hospital’s Trauma Survivor Network Read more
    Countywide

    Virginia’s first paid family and medical leave program in pipeline under Boysko legislation

    By Emily Leayman
    State Sen. Jennifer Boysko speaks at a town hall in McLean as Del. Rip Sullivan looks on (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

    A paid family and medical leave program will be set up for the first time in Virginia after Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation from Fairfax County state Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-38) and Prince William County Del. Briana Sewell (D-25).

    Boysko, who represents Reston, Herndon, Great Falls and McLean in the Virginia Senate, told FFXnow she has worked on the legislation for eight years.

    Go to Virginia’s first paid family and medical leave program in pipeline under Boysko legislation Read more
    Around Town

    Tephra ICA Arts Festival to celebrate 35 years in Reston by honoring past

    By Tadi Abedje
    The 2025 Tephra ICA Arts Festival at Reston Town Center (photo by Kelci Friend, courtesy Tephra ICA)

    For over three decades, the Tephra ICA Arts Festival has engaged the Fairfax County and Northern Virginia community through arts and performances. The festival will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a two-day event on May 16-17 at Reston Town Center for the public.

    It will have 200 artists nationwide and from the D.C. region, dance performances, original paintings and a concert.

    Go to Tephra ICA Arts Festival to celebrate 35 years in Reston by honoring past Read more
    Opinion

    Poll: Best real estate agent for sellers in Fairfax County

    By FFXnow.com

    Whether you’re selling a home or a business, Fairfax County has professionals with the expertise and negotiating savvy to ensure you get the best possible return on your investment.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Real Estate Agent for Sellers in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite agent below? Write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 8.

    Voting for Best Moving Company in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, May 1 at 8:30 a.m.

    Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Roofing Company in Fairfax County. The results are now official:

    1. Pond Roofing & Exteriors
    2. St. Joseph’s Roofing
    3. Marshall Roofing
    Countywide

    Langley HS student advocates for county to spend more on library materials

    By Scott McCaffrey
    Kingstowne Regional Library patrons checked out its offerings during opening day on April 11, 2026 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

    Fairfax County supervisors are being asked to provide additional funding for library materials, with some advocates stressing the value of increasing print holdings.

    “Libraries are in fact in desperate need,” Langley High School junior Mia Nash told the Board of Supervisors at an April 15 public hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget.

    Go to Langley HS student advocates for county to spend more on library materials Read more
    News

    ‘Bespoke’ data center buildings proposed near Tysons residences

    By Angela Woolsey
    Conceptual rendering of Serverfarm's Vienna Cloud data centers from the southwest (via Kimley-Horn/Fairfax County)

    An office complex in Tysons that currently hosts some data centers could become exclusively devoted to processing digital data, if its current owner secures Fairfax County’s approval.

    Serverfarm, a California-based operator that appears to be making its first foray into the D.C. region, applied earlier this year for a special exception that would allow it to replace the existing, “groaning” office buildings at 7990 and 7980 Quantum Drive with a “completely modernized” data center.

    Go to ‘Bespoke’ data center buildings proposed near Tysons residences Read more
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