Trump to Propose Pentagon Renaming — “President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Friday to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, his latest effort to project an image of toughness for America’s military. The Republican president can’t formally change the name without legislation, which his administration would request from Congress.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]
Raising Cane’s Coming to Merrifield — “Raising Cane’s, the fast-growing chicken fingers chain, has inked a lease to replace a nearly 30-year-old Wendy’s [in Gatehouse Plaza] just off Arlington Boulevard in Merrifield … It is unclear exactly when the Wendy’s will close, but a Raising Cane’s representative tells me the goal is to open by the fourth quarter of 2027.” [Washington Business Journal]
Questions Around Covid Vaccine Access — “Federal policy shake-ups have turned Virginia into one of several states where getting a COVID vaccine now requires a prescription at major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens … The FDA recently revoked the broad emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines, ending the blanket access that once let most Virginians walk into a pharmacy to get one without a doctor’s note.” [Axios Richmond]
Minors Followed at Fair Oaks — “A 22-year-old is behind bars after he was accused of touching a person inappropriately at a store and following minors in Fair Oaks … Officers responded to the 12200 block of Apple Orchard Court for a person acting suspiciously just after 9 a.m. on Aug. 31. Two people also reported that the man was acting strangely in the neighborhood and had attempted to follow a minor.” [DC News Now]
FCPS Schedules Next Meetings on Boundary Plan — Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid has announced the next round of community engagement meetings on the countywide boundary review, starting Sept. 15 at Justice High School. “Because this is a busy time of year for our schools, we are working to finalize all of the meeting locations. The meetings will be hybrid, so you may participate in person or virtually via Zoom.” [FCPS]
Mount Vernon Pool Reopens — “Fairfax County Park Authority is excited to welcome the community to the much-anticipated reopening of Mount Vernon Rec Center pool. The swimming facilities now include a heated, indoor pool and beach entry equipped with two spray features.” [FCPA]
Temporary Home for Culmore Clinic — “The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit healthcare facility that serves lower-income adults, is moving to a temporary space in Falls Church while its current location, at First Christian Church, is being renovated. Eventually, the clinic will move into Kindred Crossing, an affordable housing project for seniors” that’s expected to break ground next door to the church next year. [Annandale Today]
Local Lost Dog Cafe Celebrates Anniversary — Lost Dog Café celebrated its 13th anniversary in Dunn Loring yesterday (Thursday). Opened on the ground floor of the Halstead Square apartments in 2012, the restaurant “has welcomed thousands of patrons who have made it part of their personal stories — from first jobs and first dates to first meals after moving to the neighborhood.” [Lost Dog Cafe]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 88 today, with light southwest winds picking up to 5-10 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 71 and south winds at around 6 mph. [NWS]
