Around Town

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 — Jun 26, 2026.

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

  • DEVELOPING: More than 25,000 without power in Fairfax County after storms (21735 views)
  • Not Your Average Joe’s in Reston to close for good next month (13921 views)
  • Fairfax County leaders request exemption for Potomac River if Va. declares drought emergency (9827 views)
  • UPDATED: Springfield Town Center cleared after reported bomb threat (9789 views)
  • Coyote recently attacked resident and dogs in Great Falls, county says (7857 views)
  • Annandale man charged with indecent exposure, attempted abduction in Wakefield Park (7344 views)
  • Recent stabbing in Hunters Woods area of Reston under investigation (7337 views)
  • New trail along I-495 in McLean to open this week with community fun run (6679 views)
  • Fairfax County preps for impact of ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ on local SNAP, Medicaid recipients (5707 views)
  • N. Va. officials stress safety, as e-bikes become more common, faster (5337 views)
  • FCPD seeks suspect in Wakefield Park attempted abduction (4382 views)
  • County board approves sweeping vision for mixed-use, walkable spaces in Centreville (3785 views)
  • Northern Virginia has a fitness challenge nobody talks about (3022 views)
  • Fairfax County board urges ‘patience and respect’ as e-bikes proliferate among youth (2948 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 showers and possible thunderstorms throughout the day, with patchy fog before 11am and a high of around 82°F. Light winds will shift to the south in the afternoon. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with potential rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. In the evening, showers and possible thunderstorms are likely before midnight, becoming scattered later. Patchy fog may develop after 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of around 68°F. Winds will be calm, and the chance of precipitation is 60%, with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in thunderstorms. 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

    A fundraiser originally planned to support Alzheimer’s disease research has expanded its mission to include families in Burke affected by Monday’s thunderstorm.

    Local resident Kim Pollard has partnered with Bunnyman Brewing in Burke (5583 Guinea Road) to collect donations this Sunday (June 28) for both her Walk to End Alzheimer’s team fundraiser and nine families who lost their homes in the storm on June 22.


    Around Town

    Some of the biggest fireworks shows in the county are kicking off this weekend, as America prepares to mark its semiquincentennial on July 4.

    In the week ahead, local communities and organizations will offer everything from classic community celebrations to alternatives to traditional fireworks displays, such as a daytime option at Mount Vernon or the Fairfax County Park Authority’s new patriotic drones lights show at Lake Fairfax Park.


    News

    A Herndon man was arrested Thursday after a hit-and-run involving a dump truck that eventually burst into flames in Fauquier County.

    On Thursday afternoon, deputies responded to a vehicle fire involving a dump truck on Route 17 in Bealeton. Once on scene it was determined the dump truck caused a three-vehicle crash. The dump truck was fully engulfed in fire, and the driver had fled on foot.


    Event

    Celebrate 250 years of Independence and Religious Freedom. Featured speakers will be Eric Baxter, Vice President and Senior counsel from the Becket Fund and Judge Thomas B. Griffith (Ret), former Circuit Judge from the DC Circuit Court. There will be a presentation with a Q & A panel.

    This event is free and open to the public.


    Countywide

    A Virginia judge has hit pause on a new state law prohibiting assault weapons, preventing it from taking effect next week as planned.

    The legislation, introduced by Fairfax County state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) and Del. Dan Helmer (D-10), was scheduled to ban the sale and manufacturing of assault-style firearms starting July 1. But yesterday (Thursday), a judge in Lancaster County issued an injunction that puts the law on hold amid a pending lawsuit and directs Virginia State Police to not enforce the ban.


    Opinion

    Whether you’re diving into the housing market for the first time or planning a relocation, real estate agents in Fairfax County can help find the right property for your needs and price range.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Real Estate Agent for Buyers 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, July 10.

    Voting for Best Golf Course in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, July 3 at 8:30 a.m.

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

    1. Paradise Springs Winery
    2. Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
    3. L’Auberge Chez Francois

    News

    Planning is underway for a Northfax Linear Park that will one day have open green spaces, capture stormwater, and connect neighborhoods with a trail and retail plaza in Fairfax City.

    During the Fairfax City Council’s work session on Tuesday (June 23), staff presented an early concept for what the park could look like, along with a timeline for finalizing the design guidelines.


    Around Town

    This summer, Great Falls diners will be able to escape the D.C. region’s heat at a new restaurant designed to mentally transport patrons to a rustic mountain lodge.

    Great Falls Lodge Bar & Grill is on track for a soft launch at 9835 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls Center in the first week of July, with a potential opening as soon as Monday, June 29, according to owner and chef Neel Kamal.


    News

    A Springfield resident could face more than a decade in federal prison after guns and explosive devices were found in his home while he was being evicted.

    A federal jury in Alexandria convicted 42-year-old Amer Taisir Zghailat Qaralleh yesterday (Thursday) of possessing an unregistered firearm and improper storage of explosive materials, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.