News

Good Tuesday 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. Initial data from Urban Heat Island Mapping Project points to hottest spots in N. Va. (2,728 views)
  2. Herndon man charged with shooting at Dulles Greene apartments
  3. Falls Church man pleads guilty to shooting e-bike rider in Fair Oaks area

🕗 More from today

Everything else we published today, Oct 27, 2026.

📣 Announcements

Settle Down Easy Brewing – Mixed Beverage License
After 8 years in operation, Settle Down Easy Brewing would like to expand their offerings to… [Announcement]

Always Becoming: Next Chapter
Join artist Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha’p’o Owenge ([Santa Clara Pueblo]), creator of Always Becoming… [Announcement]

Artful Evenings: Water’s Edge with Artist Sky Hopinka
Reserve your spot for an after-hour event with multi-disciplinary artist Sky Hopinka, Thursday… [Announcement]

📅 Upcoming events

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

⭐ Featured events

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]

🎗️ Do It for Dan Fall Fundraiser
Nov 8: Join the Do It For Dan Foundation on Nov. 8 at Caboose Commons for live music, trivia, raffles & more, benefiting lung cancer research at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. [Event]

Submit events, announcements, or home listings to FFXnow.

🌤️ Weather update

Today: Fairfax County saw a high of 72° at 3:20 p.m. (7° above normal), a low of 45° at 3:20 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 18 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind around 5 mph.

Thanks for reading!


News

A Herndon man has been charged in connection with a shooting that injured an acquaintance and a bystander at the Dulles Greene apartment complex last night (Monday).

Olmer Danilo Perez Villegas, 32, turned himself in this morning (Tuesday) after the Fairfax County Police Department identified him as the suspect in the shooting, which was allegedly sparked by an argument with one of the victims.


Sponsored

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.


Around Town

After sundown tomorrow night (Wednesday), Maple Avenue in Vienna will come alive with goblins, ghouls and ghosts from America’s past.

That’s when the town’s annual Halloween Parade is set to return for its milestone 80th anniversary, extending a local tradition that dates back to the end of World War II and a year-long celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial with the theme of “Haunted History: 250 Years of America.”


Countywide

The Fairfax County School Board is asking lawmakers in Richmond to increase state funding for K-12 programs, provide state-funded universal Pre-K programs, and make changes to Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act as part of its 2027 Legislative Program.

In preparation for the General Assembly’s coming session in January, the school board voted unanimously (with the exception of one absent member) on Oct. 8 to adopt eight priority positions for the state legislature and another 11 at the federal level.


Event

Menopause is more than a physical transition—it can also be a time of profound change in how we see ourselves and what we want from life. As familiar roles, responsibilities, and priorities shift, many women find themselves asking, “Who am I now?” In this presentation, we'll explore how our identities have been shaped and consider which parts of ourselves still fit and which may be ready to change.

RSVP: erica@indigotangles.com


News

A Falls Church man could spend decades in prison following his conviction in connection to the non-fatal road rage shooting of an e-bike rider near West Ox Road in the Fair Oaks area earlier this year.

Milad Attai, 26, agreed to plead guilty yesterday (Monday) to malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney announced.


Countywide

The hottest parts of Fairfax County identified by this summer’s “Urban Heat Island Mapping Project” likely won’t come as a huge surprise to local residents.

Tysons, Reston, Fair Lakes, Chantilly and Springfield were among the hot spots recorded by 80 volunteers who fanned out across Northern Virginia on July 16 for the project, which was organized by the nonprofit Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) in conjunction with the new Virginia Climate Center at George Mason University and the American Red Cross-National Capital Chapter.


News

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Food for Neighbors carried out a now-familiar routine: the mobilization of thousands of volunteers to pick up and sort food donations left in red bags on doorsteps across Northern Virginia.

The nonprofit concluded its Red Bag collection day on Saturday (Oct. 24) with over 38,000 pounds of food heading to food pantries in 60 different area middle and high schools.


Countywide
Fall foliage along I-66 near Fairfax Corner (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two Shot in Hutchison — Police responded last night to a “domestic-related shooting in the 2200 block of Astoria Circle in Hutchison” just west of Herndon. “Officers located two adult male victims with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect has been identified and is known to one of the victims.” [FCPD/X]

Person Injured in Metro Train Incident — Firefighters responded to the Wiehle Metro station at 8:39 p.m. yesterday (Monday) for a report of a pedestrian getting hit by a train. “Arriving units determined a patient had been caught between a Metro Rail car and the platform. The patient was able to free themselves prior to FCFRD arrival.” They were transported to a local hospital for care. Trains temporarily single-tracked between Wiehle and Spring Hill. [FCFRD/Facebook]

State Reviews License Plate Reader Use — “A Virginia prosecutor’s recent decision not to charge a police officer for sharing license plate reader data with federal authorities without authorization could spur reform efforts in the commonwealth … Although the recent data-sharing case in Isle of Wight was intended to support an investigation, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said localities should face penalties if they don’t share data the right way.” [Virginia Mercury]

Primary Challenger for Vivian Watts — “John Michael Forrest, a Democratic candidate running for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2027, is focusing on reducing the costs of rental housing, enacting stricter rules on campaign financing, and regulating AI. Forrest is the first candidate to announce plans to go up against Del. Vivian Watts in a Democratic Primary expected to be held next spring.” [Annandale Today]

Region Makes Progress on Ozone — “After decades of efforts to reduce pollution, the DC region has finally met federal air quality standards for ozone. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced Thursday that the region is now in compliance with the 2015 federal ozone standard and has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for formal recognition.” [Capital Weather]

Cause of Lorton Townhouse Fire Found — A townhouse fire that occurred on Oct. 18 at the intersection of Hagel Circle and Richmond Highway was sparked by “an electrical event” in the home’s second-floor bedroom, investigators found. One person was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and two residents were displaced as a result of the fire, which caused an estimated $143,150 in property damages. [FCFRD]

Tysons Diamond Retailer Sold — Mervis Diamond Importers is being acquired by Atlanta-based Solomon Brothers Jewelers, but its three D.C.-area showrooms, including the flagship in Tysons, will remain intact with no name change. Brothers Zed and Ronnie Mervis say the deal will give them more resources to expand their product offerings and compete against larger chains, while allowing them to keep “serving the loyal customers and friends who have supported Mervis” since it launched in Rockville in 1981. [Washington Business Journal]

Woman Charged With Assault at Wawa — “A Fairfax woman faces a felony charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanor charges after police said she resisted arrest at a Wawa early Oct. 20.” Officers responded to the convenience store at 9700 Fairfax Blvd after receiving a report of a woman previously trespassed from the business returning. [Patch]

It’s Tuesday — Sunny with a high near 69 and a light northeast wind around 3 to 6 mph. Night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 50 and a light east wind. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.