Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Sep 25, 2026

By FFXnow.com
FFX Now logo and headline 'Daily Debrief for Sep 25, 2026' over a red barn farm scene with a wooden fence under a blue cloudy sky.

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 — Sep 25, 2026.

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

  • Police: SUV passenger shot last night on I-66 near Vienna (16566 views)
  • JUST IN: Man charged with bomb threat against Dulles-area mosque (10395 views)
  • Fairfax County to start electronic monitoring for noisy vehicles in early 2027 (10134 views)
  • Vacant Reston office buildings add to resident complaints of trespassing, vagrancy (8050 views)
  • Report: Close calls with drivers on Fairfax roads are recurring issues, not isolated (6459 views)
  • Fairfax leaders hopeful two-way I-95 toll lanes plan can fix ‘biggest mistake’ in Va. highways (7647 views)
  • County board allows nearly 3,000 homes on Merrifield apartment site (5634 views)
  • Former DOJ prosecutor seeks to unseat Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano (5014 views)
  • Fairfax animal shelter, operating on reduced space, asks residents to help pets find homes (4276 views)
  • Inova acquires medical office buildings, adding to Merrifield footprint (4115 views)
  • Big Greek Cafe to open location in Reston’s North Point Village Center (4024 views)
  • Morning Notes for September 21, 2026 (3948 views)
  • Fairfax City’s Layered cafe to open first expansion at Tysons Corner Center (3435 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 increasing clouds with a high of 68°F and a 60% chance of showers mainly after 2 p.m. with north winds at 15-18 mph, gusting up to 28 mph. Rain could total between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Overnight, showers are again likely after 2 a.m. with a low of around 57°F and north winds at 13 mph, gusting up to 26 mph. Precipitation might total between a quarter and half of 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. 👋

    Countywide

    Fairfax County aims to become ‘a player’ in regional economic development dealmaking

    By Scott McCaffrey
    Woman in a lavender knitted top speaks into a microphone, hands raised in a gesturing moment in a conference room.
    Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives Director Rebecca Moudry (screenshot via Fairfax County)

    Fairfax County leaders are setting the stage to become more aggressive and nimble in competing for economic development deals.

    That could include new financial incentives for businesses seeking to relocate to or within the D.C. region.

    Go to Fairfax County aims to become ‘a player’ in regional economic development dealmaking Read more
    News

    County board OKs $900,000 to plan for future Chantilly arts center

    By Scott McCaffrey
    Older woman with short gray hair and glasses speaks at a microphone in a formal meeting room, wearing a blue-green abstract blazer.
    Supervisor Kathy Smith makes a case for Chantilly Arts Hub funding (screenshot via Fairfax County)

    The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors earlier this month allocated nearly a million dollars to continue planning for a Chantilly arts hub.

    The funding came from dollars left over at the end of the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget and was requested by Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith.

    Go to County board OKs $900,000 to plan for future Chantilly arts center Read more
    News

    Man sentenced to 18 years in attempted child exploitation case

    By Mary Stachyra Lopez
    The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    A man who repeatedly tried to exploit a purported 14-year-old — who was actually an undercover Fairfax County police officer — for lewd images and sex last year was sentenced to 18 years in prison earlier this week.

    According to court records, Mario Alexander Bonilla Canales, 50, was found guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a child during a two-day bench trial held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in June.

    Go to Man sentenced to 18 years in attempted child exploitation case Read more
    Event

    Do it Your Way 0.5k: Support the South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry

    Six adults with race bibs posing for a group photo at an outdoor community event by a brick building and stage setup.

    Event location

    Lake Anne Plaza

    11424 Washington Plaza W

    Reston, Virginia 20190

    Add to Calendar

    The SLHS PTSA Food Pantry will be hosting its 9th Annual “Do It Your Way 0.5K” on September 27th from 2-4pm at Lake Anne Plaza. Join others in our community for music provided by DJ Randy Platts, pre-race warm-ups led by Kurt Rose, Celebrity Starters, cookies based by SLHS culinary students, a live raffle, and the most rewarding 650 steps you’ll take all year. Register online now or in-person the day of the event. All proceeds will directly support over 500 local students and families in the SLHS Pyramid each week.

    Go to Do it Your Way 0.5k: Support the South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry Read more
    Opinion

    Poll: The best lunch spot in Fairfax County

    By FFXnow.com
    Bright cafeteria with a salad bar and buffet counters, wooden tables and chairs, fruit baskets and plants near the windows; large circular 'Reader FFX Now Choice' logo overlay on the right.

    Whether you’re visiting a neighborhood deli, cozy cafe or bustling full-service restaurant, the best lunch spots can strike a balance between quality and speed of service. Fairfax County’s lunch spots are places regulars will return to again and again thanks to their quality menus, attentive staff and lunch specials.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Lunch Spots in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite restaurant below? Write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9.

    Voting for Best Park in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m.

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

    1. Cox Farms Fall Festival
    2. Hiking at Great Falls or Scott’s Run
    3. Celebrating Oktoberfest in Vienna
    News

    Fairfax leaders hopeful two-way I-95 toll lanes plan can fix ‘biggest mistake’ in Va. highways

    By Scott McCaffrey
    Aerial view of a multi-lane highway surrounded by green trees, with heavy traffic on the right and lighter traffic on the left lane Waves into the distance under a blue sky.
    Backup on I-95 corridor with Express Lanes in center (via Transurban/Virginia Department of Transportation)

    Fairfax County leaders have reacted favorably to a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) proposal for expanding Express Lanes on I-95 to reduce traffic bottlenecks.

    VDOT officials sketched out their plan on Tuesday (Sept. 22) for converting the existing reversible I-95 Express Lanes, which can be used only in one direction at a time, into a bidirectional network running 45 miles from Fairfax south to Spotsylvania County.

    Go to Fairfax leaders hopeful two-way I-95 toll lanes plan can fix ‘biggest mistake’ in Va. highways Read more
    News

    Dominion Energy-NextEra merger headed to in-person hearing in Fairfax County

    By Emily Leayman and Associated Press
    The entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    Amid pushback on the proposed Dominion Energy merger with NextEra Energy, an in-person hearing to gather public testimony has been scheduled in Fairfax County.

    The State Corporation Commission, which is reviewing the proposed merger, scheduled a public hearing for 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at the Fairfax County Government Center in the Board Auditorium (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).

    Go to Dominion Energy-NextEra merger headed to in-person hearing in Fairfax County Read more
    News

    Proposed Aurora Station at Dulles residences secure planning commission’s support

    By Nolan Stout
    Aerial view of a large development with white rectangular buildings, green courtyards, roads, a central pool, a yellow boundary, and red dashed restricted areas; zones labeled A–D and A1–D4.
    Illustrated development plan for Pomeroy Companies' proposed Aurora Station at Dulles project (via VIKA Virginia/Fairfax County)

    Despite some lingering concerns, Fairfax County officials are moving forward with a large mixed-use development proposal near the Innovation Center Metro station.

    At its Sept. 16 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval of several applications for the Aurora Station at Dulles development.

    Go to Proposed Aurora Station at Dulles residences secure planning commission’s support Read more
    News

    Morning Notes for September 25, 2026

    By FFXnow.com
    Red barns with metal roofs sit behind a wooden fence on a sunny, grassy farm under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
    Barns at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    Fight Brewing Over Federal Worker Pay Freeze — “Over 100 members of Congress are calling on their colleagues to approve a 4.1% raise for federal employees in 2027 as opposed to enacting a pay plan proposed by the Trump administration that would prevent most civilian workers from getting an increase in their base pay next year.” [Fox5DC]

    Voting Rights Being Restored for Some with Felony Convictions — “Nearly 235,000 Virginians are being notified that their felony convictions should have never kept them from voting and they can now register in time for the 2026 general election, according to the Department of Elections (ELECT) … The notifications come after months of confusion on who are now eligible voters, and as early voting is underway in the 2026 general election. [VPM]

    Meeting Planned on Oakton Congestion and Safety Study — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is hosting the third public meeting for the Oakton Congestion and Safety Study on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, 7-9 p.m., in the Oakton High School cafeteria (2900 Sutton Road, Vienna). FCDOT will present results from the first survey, the analysis conducted for future traffic scenarios and proposals for active transportation improvements.” [Fairfax County]

    Fort Belvoir’s Oktoberfest Continues Through Weekend — “The four-day festival will bring authentic German cuisine, beverages, music and dancing to the Fort Belvoir community. Guests can also enjoy a carnival, the Volksmarch 5K/10K Walk and family-oriented activities throughout the event.” [Inside NoVA]

    Dolly Parton Day Events Set for Friday —Sept. 25 has been proclaimed as Dolly Parton Day, and various activities are planned around the region to mark the occasion. Among the festivities are a Dolly Parton Concert and Look-Alike Contest in Reston and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Fundraiser in Herndon. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

    New Fantasy Bookstore Coming to Falls Church — “The Dark, Unbound, in the works for over a year, has been gradually taking form at 112 W. Broad Street. A new sign for the ‘mystic parlor,’ which plans to sell incense, herbs and candles in addition to books from diverse authors, says it’s planning to open this fall.” [ARLnow]

    New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks on/off-premises mixed-beverage, wine, and beer license. [Public Notices]

    It’s Friday — It will be mostly sunny with a high of around 72°F. Expect a north wind at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 23 mph. Overnight, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of about 56°F, and the north wind will continue at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]

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