News

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 22, 2026

By FFXnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Fairfax County. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.

📈 Today’s most-read stories

  1. Toys R Us makes comeback with two Fairfax stores as part of national expansion (2,539 views)
  2. FCDOT proposes new bike lanes, crosswalks for road restriping program
  3. Nash & Smashed offers free meals for grand opening in Pimmit Hills

🕗 More from today

Everything else we published today, Oct 22, 2026.

📣 Announcements

Workshops You’ll Love at Art House 7
Explore exciting fall workshops at Art House 7! Coming up October 24–25, master artist Teresa… [Announcement]

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Fairfax County, from our event calendar.

⭐ Featured events

Lunch with Dr. T: Let’s Talk About Perimenopause and Menopause
Oct 23: A free lunch and talk on perimenopause and menopause with Kavita Tripathi, MD [Event]

🗑️ Shred Day with Lafayette Federal
Oct 24: Shred your documents safely and free [Event]

Party at the Polls- Celebrate Vote Early Day!
Oct 24: Celebrate early voting! [Event]

Child Safety Fun Fair & Car Seat Check
Oct 25: Get your child car seat inspected by a Nationally Certified Technician for FREE! [Event]

Interchangeable String Quartet & Friends
Oct 25: Total Program Length–2 hours. Free, no ticket required. Donations welcome supporting the St. Anne’s Food Pantry. [Event]

Building Your New Mom Village Mixer
Oct 29: First-time pregnant moms, new moms and perinatal providers – let’s connect! Note: this location is near MOSAIC DISTRICT. [Event]

Alloy! Celebration & Cocktail Party
Oct 29: Tephra ICA Celebration and Cocktail Party [Event]

Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light – Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris
Nov 1: Celebrate the spirit of Diwali with us at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center for a joyful and uplifting afternoon for the whole family. [Event]

Dialogue for Democracy
Nov 3: Dialogue for Democracy invites high school students from across the DMV to George Mason University. [Event]

How Retirement Communities Work – A Free Workshop
Nov 4: Interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirement Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join us on 11/4 to learn more! [Event]

Submit events, announcements, or home listings to FFXnow.

🌤️ Weather update

Today: Fairfax County saw a high of 62° at 7:52 p.m. (5° below normal), a low of 36° at 7:25 a.m. and no rain.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45. North wind around 8 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind around 8 mph.

Thanks for reading!

News

City Centre West mixed-use plan may need tweaks to be viable, developer says

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Construction site barrier with a banner reading 'AN OASIS OF ELEGANCE' showing a rendering of a modern building, trees and blue sky in the background.
A rendering of Ox Hill Companies' City Centre West development on fencing around the planned construction site in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Once on track to break ground this year, the City Centre West mixed-use development now needs numerous changes to be financially viable, a representative for developer Ox Hill Companies recently told the Fairfax City Planning Commission.

Approved by the City Council in 2023, Ox Hill’s application for housing and retail on a 1.7-acre site of three lots from 10501 to 10523 Main Street was eventually closed by the city in September 2025 due to inactivity, despite two buildings having been demolished.

Go to City Centre West mixed-use plan may need tweaks to be viable, developer says Read more
Sponsored

Reston Station Presents: Fall-A-Palooza Featuring Gonzo’s Nose

By Sponsor
Image from Reston Station Presents: Fall-A-Palooza Featuring Gonzo's Nose

Fall-A-Palooza Brings Free Seasonal Fun to Reston Station

Fall into the fun at Reston Station’s Fall-A-Palooza on Sunday, October 25, from 4–7 p.m. Celebrate the season with an afternoon of live music, family-friendly activities, delicious food, and harvest-inspired drinks at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza in Reston.

A live DJ kicks off the festivities from 4–5 p.m., followed by the cover band headliner Gonzo’s Nose from 5–7 p.m., bringing an energetic soundtrack to your fall afternoon.

Between songs, explore a petting zoo, let the kids bounce into the fun at the bounce house, or add a little sparkle with glitter tattoos. Outdoor games and a photo booth offer plenty of ways to play and capture the day, while Sip-n-Stroll lets guests enjoy a festive drink as they explore.

Come hungry for giant Bavarian pretzels, pies, apple cider donuts, cotton candy, gelato, and more. Toast the season with seasonal cocktails and spiked apple cider, or cozy up with hot apple cider and hot chocolate.

Gather your friends and family and make an afternoon of fall’s favorite flavors, lively entertainment, and seasonal fun at Reston Station.

Learn More
News

Surovell expresses ‘full support’ for Lucas amid marijuana criminal conspiracy charges

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press
Older African American woman with gray hair wearing a pearl necklace and beige blazer, sitting in a conference setting with a thoughtful expression.
FILE - Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, listens to debate on the Senate floor, Feb. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) called for restraint as the state’s political establishment reels from accusations of marijuana trafficking and money laundering against Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas.

One of the state’s most powerful Democrats and Portsmouth’s representative in the state Senate since 1991, Lucas (D-18) was charged today (Thursday) by the U.S. Department of Justice with racketeering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Go to Surovell expresses ‘full support’ for Lucas amid marijuana criminal conspiracy charges Read more
News

Local leaders wary of state legislature’s push to consolidate N. Va. bus systems

By Scott McCaffrey
Yellow transit bus at a curbside stop in a shopping center parking lot, with storefronts and parked cars in the background under a blue sky.
A Fairfax Connector bus at a stop in Springfield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Regional leaders agree more collaboration could be beneficial, but see little reason to pursue a consolidation of four Northern Virginia bus systems into one.

“I did come here … with an open mind, open to any compelling reason [to support consolidation],” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said at an Oct. 21 roundtable convened by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). “I’m still looking for it — I don’t see it.”

Go to Local leaders wary of state legislature’s push to consolidate N. Va. bus systems Read more
Event

Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light – Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris

Diwali festival poster with a family lighting lamps, festive menu icons, and event details for Nov 1, 2026 at Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in Charllottly, VA.

Event location

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center - VA

14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Add to Calendar

Celebrate the spirit of Diwali with us at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center for a joyful and uplifting afternoon for the whole family.

Enjoy delicious food, meditation, dance, spiritual stories, creative activities for children, candle lighting, blessings, abundance mantras, and more as we come together with family, friends, and community to celebrate peace, love, kindness, and abundance for all.

Go to Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light – Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris Read more
Around Town

Nash & Smashed offers free meals for grand opening in Pimmit Hills

By Angela Woolsey
Strip mall storefront with a bright Nash & Smashed sign; dog grooming shop to the left and banners in the windows, a white SUV parked in front.
Nash and Smashed at Tysons Station in Pimmit Hills with a banner advertising its grand opening (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

An eatery serving up smash burgers and fried chicken is ready to officially introduce itself to the Pimmit Hills community.

After soft-launching in the Tysons Station shopping center in early September, Nash & Smashed will celebrate its grand opening at 7450-B Leesburg Pike this Saturday, Oct. 24 with free meals from 5-8 p.m.

Go to Nash & Smashed offers free meals for grand opening in Pimmit Hills Read more
Around Town

Toys R Us makes comeback with two Fairfax stores as part of national expansion

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Entrance to a toy and game shop in a shopping mall, with shelves of plush toys visible inside and a red sign announcing calendars, games, toys, books.
The Go! Calendars, Games and Toys at Fair Oaks Mall will convert to a Toys R Us soon (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Nostalgic retail brand Toys R Us is expanding its presence in Fairfax County by opening two new standalone stores, one in Fair Oaks Mall and the other in Springfield Town Center.

The Fair Oaks Mall location (11750 Route 50, #J226) will open at an unspecified date soon, while the Springfield store (6677 Springfield Mall, Space 22049) opened Sept. 23.

Go to Toys R Us makes comeback with two Fairfax stores as part of national expansion Read more
Around Town

Customizable furniture store opens first Virginia location in Fairfax Corner

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Joybird storefront sign on a brick-and-white building along a tree-lined sidewalk with pedestrians and parked cars.
Joybird's new store in Fairfax Corner (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A handcrafted, customizable furniture store has opened its first Virginia storefront and 19th nationwide in Fairfax Corner.

Joybird opened Oct. 9 at 11948 Grand Commons Avenue, Suite E948, in the space vacated by King Arthur Baking Company earlier this summer.

Go to Customizable furniture store opens first Virginia location in Fairfax Corner Read more
News

FCDOT proposes new bike lanes, crosswalks for road restriping program

By Angela Woolsey
Wide street intersection with crosswalks, several cars, a bus shelter on the left, and trees lining both sides under a clear sky.
Bowman Towne Drive at the Fountain Drive intersection in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is proposing to add on-road bicycle lanes and crosswalks to a number of streets as part of the state’s annual repaving and restriping program.

Virtual meetings to gather public input on the proposed locations will be held in early November before a final list is sent to the Virginia Department of Transportation, which typically conducts paving work from April to December.

Go to FCDOT proposes new bike lanes, crosswalks for road restriping program Read more
Countywide

Morning Notes for October 22, 2026

By FFXnow.com
A bench at the corner of Brandon Avenue and Bland Street near the highway in Springfield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Early Voting Sites Expand — “From Annandale to Burke, Centreville to Great Falls, 13 additional early voting locations open Thursday. Thursday marks the start of 10 consecutive days to vote early, which ends Saturday, Oct. 31″ ahead of the Nov. 3 general elections. [Fairfax County Office of Elections/Bluesky]

Falls Church Moves Red Light Cameras — “Red light cameras went live today (Wednesday) at two of the most hazardous intersections in Falls Church. A 30-day warning period has begun for violators at the intersections of E. Broad Street with Washington Street and Roosevelt Street.” [ARLnow]

Fundraiser to Help Townhome Fire Victims — “A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the residents of a townhome in Springfield recover from a devastating fire on Oct. 18. The campaign was posted by a family friend, who says Nina Garcia, her two children, and her mother are ‘in urgent need of financial assistance as they begin to rebuild their lives.'” [Annandale Today]

State Faces Road Maintenance Gap — “Virginia needs to take significant resources from the state’s new construction budget to maintain its roads according to the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Transportation. Blame was put on the previous administration at a Senate Finance meeting Tuesday.” [WVTF]

Community Center Upgrades Planned — “The Minnie Peyton Community Center in Bailey’s Crossroads is getting an update.” The “piece-meal modifications,” including a conversion of locker rooms into storage space, LED lighting retrofits and a customer service desk replacement, are focused on supporting programs and bringing the building into compliance with current building codes. [Annandale Today]

Udvar-Hazy Adds Plane to Collection — “After a storied career, an F-117 Nighthawk is now on display at the National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. The aircraft arrived in Chantilly last week. Public viewing opened on Wednesday.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

New Signs Honor Black Community — “The Fairfax County Park Authority, in partnership with stewards of The Pines heritage, will unveil new interpretive signage honoring The Pines, a historically Black community established in Annandale in the early 1900s. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. at Pine Ridge Park, located at 183 Woodburn Road in Annandale.” [FCPA]

Land Use Database Going Briefly Dark — “Fairfax County’s Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) will be offline Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 p.m. to Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 a.m., while it transitions to a new cloud-based platform … During the transition, no applications or services will be available.” [Fairfax County Government]

It’s Thursday — Sunny with a high near 66 and a north wind around 8 to 10 mph. Night will be mostly clear, with a low around 47 and a north wind around 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]

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