Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Jun 12, 2026

By FFXnow.com

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 12, 2026.

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

  • Police identify driver killed in sixth fatal Old Keene Mill Road crash in three years (20016 views)
  • New ice cream shop selling ultra-premium scoops opens in Vienna (8504 views)
  • Dogfish Head Alehouse targets October opening in Reston (6875 views)
  • Fairfax County board OKs pilot program for reduced 20-mph speeds on certain roads (6703 views)
  • IKEA assembles Chantilly store for opening next week (8360 views)
  • Shrinking N. Va. job market flagged as a concern at regional economic forum (6157 views)
  • Three teenagers accused of ‘grab and run’ thefts in Tysons (5085 views)
  • Woman shot by CIA Police pleads guilty after crashing into HQ gate while drunk (4210 views)
  • DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival finds new venues after four years at Dulles Expo Center (4148 views)
  • Planning commission backs more density, community amenities for Lorton (3540 views)
  • Redevelopment of Reston’s Bowman House tract wins support of planning commission (3456 views)
  • Reston space technology company expands to Merrifield (3394 views)
  • Fairfax City Council unanimously updates noise restrictions, adds criminal penalty (3144 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 sunny weather with temperatures reaching a high of around 87°F and a northwest wind at approximately 6 mph. Saturday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 67°F and light, variable winds. 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. 👋

    Weather

    NOW: Over 21K people in Fairfax lose power as storm rolls through

    By Angela Woolsey
    Storm-related power outages in Fairfax County around 7:50 p.m. on June 12, 2026 (via Dominion Energy)

    More than 21,200 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax County have reported losing power as a result of thunderstorms currently passing through the region.

    As of 8 p.m., the majority of outages are focused in the eastern part of the county, though some in the Fair Oaks area have also been affected, according to Dominion’s outage map. In most cases, the utility hasn’t determined an estimated time of restoration yet.

    Go to NOW: Over 21K people in Fairfax lose power as storm rolls through Read more
    Sponsored

    Opening for Sales Summer 2026 in Downtown Leesburg

    By Sponsor
    Image from Opening for Sales Summer 2026 in Downtown Leesburg
    Image from Opening for Sales Summer 2026 in Downtown Leesburg
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    Image from Opening for Sales Summer 2026 in Downtown Leesburg
    Image from Opening for Sales Summer 2026 in Downtown Leesburg
    Image from Opening for Sales Summer 2026 in Downtown Leesburg
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    News

    Robotics teams from Marshall, Hayfield honored by county board for international success

    By Scott McCaffrey
    Marshall High School students at FIRST World Robotics Championship (via FCPS)

    Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (June 9) honored students from robotics teams at two schools for participation in recent international competition.

    The Hayfield Secondary School Night Hawks and Marshall High School Gryphon Robotics each competed in the FIRST Robotics World Championship, held in Houston April 29-May 2.

    Go to Robotics teams from Marshall, Hayfield honored by county board for international success Read more
    News

    Safety initiative would add stop signs at Fairfax County W&OD Trail crossings

    By Angela Woolsey
    A cyclist crosses Cedar Lane on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Dunn Loring (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    Local and state transportation planners hope to provide some additional protection to users of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail with a new safety initiative.

    If approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation, the initiative will add high-visibility stop signs at nine trail intersections in Fairfax County, according to NOVA Parks, which owns the 45-mile-long regional park and is supporting the proposal.

    Go to Safety initiative would add stop signs at Fairfax County W&OD Trail crossings Read more
    Event

    How Do Retirement Communities Work? – A Free Workshop

    Long & Foster Arlington Office

    4600 Cherry Hill Rd.

    Arlington, Virginia 22207

    Contact

    Are you interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirment Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join our free workshop at 5:00 on Tue., 6/16 to learn more and ask questions!

    If you are interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as “Life Plan Communities”), whether for yourself or for a loved one, please join our free workshop on Tuesday, June 16 from 5:00-7:00 at the Arlington office of Long & Foster.

    Go to How Do Retirement Communities Work? – A Free Workshop Read more
    News

    Centreville ‘town center’ concept wins planning commission’s support

    By Mary Stachyra Lopez
    New Braddock Road near Centre Ridge Elementary School in Centreville (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

    A proposed amendment to Fairfax County’s comprehensive plan that could transform Centreville over the next few decades gained a key endorsement from the county’s planning commission this week.

    The commission voted Wednesday (June 10) to recommend adoption of the amendment, which envisions a more walkable 2,700-acre area with a defined “town center,” more affordable and mixed-use housing, and enhanced public transportation.

    Go to Centreville ‘town center’ concept wins planning commission’s support Read more
    Opinion

    Poll: Best wedding venue in Fairfax County

    By FFXnow.com

    The most popular month for weddings is here, and Fairfax County offers a variety of settings for couples looking to tie the knot, from elegant ballrooms to scenic vistas and historic sites.

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

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 26.

    Voting for Best Mortgage Lender in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, June 19 at 8:30 a.m.

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

    1. Reston Association’s summer pool season
    2. Attending a concert at Wolf Trap
    3. Hiking at Great Falls Park
    Weather

    Heat plan activated, outdoor school activities canceled in Fairfax County

    By Angela Woolsey
    Sun glare through tree leaves (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    It’s going to be another hot, humid day in Fairfax County, which will be under Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Friday).

    As it did yesterday, Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities on school grounds during the time covered by the advisory, including recess, extracurricular activities and recreational programs by community groups.

    Go to Heat plan activated, outdoor school activities canceled in Fairfax County Read more
    News

    Planned live-work development not moving forward in Merrifield

    By Angela Woolsey
    The entrance to the vacant office building at 8110 Gatehouse Road in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

    The repurposing of Inova Health System’s former administrative headquarters in Merrifield is seeing mixed success nearly three years after it was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

    While construction continues on a conversion of one office building at 2990 Telestar Court into affordable housing, the live/work units planned for an adjacent building at 8110 Gatehouse Road are no longer moving forward, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik shared at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, June 9.

    Go to Planned live-work development not moving forward in Merrifield Read more
    Around Town

    IKEA assembles Chantilly store for opening next week

    By Mary Stachyra Lopez
    IKEA's new store in Chantilly, at the site of the former Dulles Expo Center (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

    IKEA will open its new Chantilly store at the site of the former Dulles Expo Center on June 18, the company announced yesterday.

    The 107,000 square-foot space at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Drive is the Swedish furniture company’s first full-sized store in Fairfax County and its third in Virginia.

    Go to IKEA assembles Chantilly store for opening next week Read more
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