Angela Woolsey

Herndon seeks ‘Main Street’ status to guide downtown revitalization

Published October 29, 2026 at 3:45PM

Businesses along Station Street in downtown Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

While still fighting to regain control of 5 acres ceded to Comstock Companies in 2020, Herndon officials aren’t waiting on the private developer to bring new life to their historic downtown.

The Herndon Town Council authorized staff on Tuesday (Oct. 27) to submit downtown Herndon for inclusion in Virginia Main Street, a state-led program that provides resources for communities seeking to revitalize and promote their downtowns and commercial districts.

News

Aerospace defense company picks Reston for new East Coast HQ

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 29, 2026 at 8:30AM

The contractor Auria is establishing an East Coast headquarters at 2000 Edmund Halley Drive in Reston (courtesy Auria)

A Colorado-based contractor that provides space-based defense and national security services is ramping up its operations in the D.C. region with plans for a new East Coast headquarters in Reston.

Auria has committed to investing $1.8 million to establish the Fairfax County base, which is expected to bring 78 jobs and supplement an existing office in Warrenton, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) announced on Tuesday (Oct. 27).

News

JUST IN: Two injured in Richmond Highway school bus crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 28, 2026 at 6:45PM

Richmond Highway is partially closed at Mohawk Lane in Woodlawn following a crash involving a school bus and a truck on Oct. 28, 2026 (via 511Virginia)

Two people have been hospitalized following a collision between a truck and a Fairfax County Public Schools bus on Richmond Highway during the afternoon rush-hour, police say.

Officers and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units were dispatched at around 4:56 p.m. for the crash at the intersection of Richmond Highway (Route 1) and Mohawk Lane in Woodlawn, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

Four-time Herndon Town Council candidate aims to cut through partisan conflict

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 28, 2026 at 2:45PM

Stevan Porter (courtesy Stevan Porter for Herndon Council)

Though he hasn’t won elected office before, Stevan Porter is likely a familiar face to many Herndon voters.

In addition to serving as vice chair of the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals, Porter has three campaigns for Herndon Town Council under his belt. After falling just 34 votes shy of winning election in 2024, he’s hopeful that his fourth bid for a seat could put him over the top.

Around Town

South Block to open latest juice shop at Idylwood Plaza on Halloween

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 28, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated October 28, 2026 at 2:16PM

South Block will have its grand opening at Idylwood Plaza on Oct. 31, 2026 (photo by Rosan Choi)

Treats will start coming early this Halloween for South Block fans in the Idylwood area.

The rapidly expanding juice and smoothie chain will unveil its newest location at 7511 Leesburg Pike in Idylwood Plaza this Saturday, Oct. 31 with a grand opening block party at 11 a.m.

News

Herndon man charged with shooting at Dulles Greene apartments

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

A Fairfax County police cruiser (file photo)

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.

Around Town

Vienna Halloween Parade set to return for 80th year with patriotic twist

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 27, 2026 at 2:45PM

Historic Vienna Inc. and Vienna 250 organizers march in the 2025 Vienna Halloween Parade (courtesy Town of Vienna)

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

Initial data from Urban Heat Island Mapping Project points to hottest spots in N. Va.

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 27, 2026 at 9:15AM

A mother and daughter volunteer to collect data for the Northern Virginia Urban Heat Island Mapping Project (courtesy Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions)

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

For 10th anniversary, Food for Neighbors collects 38K pounds to feed students

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 27, 2026 at 8:30AM

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn present a resolution to Food for Neighbors founder Karen Joseph celebrating the nonprofit's 10th anniversary (courtesy Food for Neighbors)

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.

News

Developer to share latest plan for former T-Mobile campus in Reston tonight

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 26, 2026 at 3:10PM

Stanley Martin Homes' East Link development plan (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

Reston residents will have an opportunity to weigh in tonight (Monday) on a potential redevelopment of the former T-Mobile office park near the Herndon Metro station.

Representatives for developer Stanley Martin Homes are slated to host a community meeting at 6 p.m. in Reston Association’s conference center (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) on the proposed “East Link” project, which would turn the currently vacant, 36-acre office site into a residential neighborhood.