News

The longtime band director at Carter G. Woodson High School in Fairfax has been arrested after detectives found evidence of child sexual assault materials during an investigation into his conduct with a minor, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Aaron Morgan, 38, a Fairfax resident who has been director of bands at Woodson since 2016, is now facing five counts of possession of child sexual assault material and a charge of solicitation of a minor.


News

Dulles International and Reagan National airports in the D.C. area are among those affected by a nationwide ground-stop ordered this afternoon (Friday) by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA notice said the ground stop was being imposed “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.”


Around Town

While Black Friday is just around the corner, the holiday shopping season will begin in earnest for many this weekend with the return of holiday marketplaces and bazaars across Northern Virginia.

While one of the best-known events in the local area, the Northern Virginia Christmas Market, was cancelled, Fairfax County will still have plenty of markets to check out over the next few weeks — including a virtual option for those who prefer to do their shopping at home.


News

Within the next few years, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will welcome dozens of new neighbors to the Idylwood property where it has stood for nearly six decades.

The developer EYA announced earlier this month (Nov. 4) that it has officially closed an acquisition of undeveloped land behind the church at 7526 Idylwood Road for Idylwood Hill, a 70-unit townhouse community expected to be fully delivered in late 2028.


Event

BrownTown returns to the DC Improv with headliner Nina Kharoufeh; also featuring Badar Tareen, Yasmin Elhady, Mahmoud Jaber, and Mike Kurtz. Come for stand-up, stay for a civil-rights lawyer grilling a white comedian about race. Every show has sold out—get tix now!


News

After a disastrous free skate derailed his shot at an individual gold medal in his Olympic debut earlier this year, Vienna resident and figure skating phenom Ilia Malinin is ready to restart the four-year journey to the next Winter Games.

The easy choice would have been to step away from the spotlight, like most figure skaters do after the grueling mental and physical demands of an Olympic cycle. Malinin could have loaded up on classes at George Mason, where he’s been working toward a degree, and forgotten all about lutzes and axels and loops for a while.


Opinion

Independent and local bookstores serve as vital cultural hubs, fostering literacy and community connection across Fairfax County. This week’s Readers’ Choice poll invites residents to highlight their favorite spots for discovering new books and gathering for literary events.

Here are the nominees for Best Bookstores in Fairfax County as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice awards. Did we miss your favorite shop? Write it in!

Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Voting for Best bakeries in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.

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

  1. 🥇 The Deli — 111 votes
  2. 🥈 Celebrity Delly — 107 votes
  3. 🥉 Chutzpah Deli — 89 votes
  4. The Italian Gourmet — 77 votes
  5. Santini’s New York Style Deli — 71 votes

Edging out West Falls Church’s longstanding Celebrity Delly, The Deli has been serving up delicious Italian subs in Herndon since 1979. Additional locations of the family-owned business in Fairfax City and Leesburg have built up equally devoted customer bases.

A total of 678 votes were cast.

See all FFXnow Readers’ Choice winners.


News

The Town of Herndon is preparing to assume control of the public access TV channels that broadcast its official meetings and local events.

The board of the nonprofit that has operated Herndon Community Television (HCTV) for 36 years notified town officials on June 27 that it plans to dissolve the organization, Herndon Chief Communications Officer Brent Heavner explained to the town council at a Nov. 4 work session.


News

Fairfax County police are pursuing criminal charges against a McLean couple after a party at their house reportedly drew hundreds of teens and became unruly.

Officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Woodacre Drive at around 9:03 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 after 911 received multiple calls about “a large party that had gotten out of control,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department.