Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Shotted will open first drive-thru cafe in former Compass Coffee

Published July 1, 2026 at 11:45AM

Shotted's new West Falls Church building still had signage for Compass Coffee, as of June 28, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The popular Saudi-style coffee shop Shotted is continuing to expand its reach across the D.C. area, setting its sights next on a location in West Falls Church.

Founder and CEO Bandar Alhenaki says the growing chain is on track to open its first drive-thru coffeehouse this summer in the Shops at West Falls Church, where it will take over the vacated Compass Coffee building at 7393 Route 29.

Countywide

Dangerous heat expected in D.C. region leading up to Fourth of July

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 1, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated July 1, 2026 at 10:09AM

Visitors walk past the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in D.C. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Potentially record-breaking heat is expected to take hold of the D.C. area, as the nation’s 250th anniversary nears.

A Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service is scheduled to take effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday), followed by an Extreme Heat Watch that will be in place from 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 3.

News

Federal review board weighs future of USGS HQ in Reston, Franconia warehouse

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 30, 2026 at 3:45PM

The John Wesley Powell Federal Building at the U.S. Geological Survey's headquarters in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The federal government is considering offloading at least parts of its Franconia warehouse and U.S. Geological Survey campuses in Fairfax County.

Both properties were listed by the General Services Administration (GSA) in spring 2025 as potential sale targets as part of the new Trump administration’s bid to slash federal spending.

News

Motorcyclist killed at same Braddock Road intersection as fatal 2022 crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 30, 2026 at 3:00PM

Eastbound Braddock Road at Kings Park Drive in Burke (via Google Maps)

A motorcyclist died yesterday (Monday) after colliding with a car on Braddock Road near the Kings Park neighborhood in Burke.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the crash occurred around 9:36 p.m. at the intersection of Braddock Road and Kings Park Drive — the same location where a pedestrian was killed almost four years ago.

News

Fairfax County seeks review of strategies for luring conference center to Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 30, 2026 at 1:45PM

Drivers on I-495 pass the Tysons skyline at night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County leaders are ready to drill down on what it would take to establish a conference center in Tysons.

At Chairman Jeff McKay’s request, the Board of Supervisors directed County Executive Bryan Hill and his staff on June 23 to work with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Visit Fairfax and other groups “to determine the feasibility of pursuing a conference center in Tysons.”

News

Criminal activity suspected in fire at Fairfax County search and rescue training facility

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 30, 2026 at 8:30AM

Surveillance footage of people at Virginia Task Force 1's training site in Lorton before a fire (via FCFRD/X)

While Virginia Task Force 1 remains busy combing through rubble in Venezuela for potential survivors of the earthquakes that devastated the country last week, Fairfax County officials are investigating a fire at its training facility in Lorton.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, which sponsors the federally funded urban search and rescue team, responded to the 9900 block of Furnace Road at around 5:20 p.m. on Saturday (June 27) after receiving reports that “a large column of black smoke” was issuing from the training facility.

News

The PARC at Tysons to close after five years of hosting community events

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 29, 2026 at 11:45AM

The PARC at Tysons with a fall-themed outdoor lounge (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The PARC at Tysons will shut down at the end of this month, a few months shy of five years since it transformed a vacant retail building on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) into a vibrant community events venue.

Announced on June 17, the closure wasn’t planned or requested by events organizer Celebrate Fairfax, which has called the PARC its home since it opened in 2021. But the nonprofit is approaching the news with a positive outlook, using the occasion to reflect on the venue’s impact on local residents, artists and businesses.

Around Town

Drive-thru Panda Express eyes summer opening in Herndon

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 29, 2026 at 10:00AM

Panda Express under construction in Herndon (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Construction is well underway to transform Herndon’s former Burger King into a future Panda Express.

The Chinese American chain is “tentatively” aiming to open at 598 Elden Street in late July, though the timing could be affected by any construction delays, Panda Express public relations representative Brittany Rouse says.

News

JUST IN: Fundraiser on Sunday to support Burke families displaced by storm ‘microburst’

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2026 at 8:35PM

Workers on the roof of a Burke area home on June 23, 2026 in the aftermath of a June 22 storm (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A fundraiser originally planned to support Alzheimer’s disease research has expanded its mission to include families in Burke affected by Monday’s thunderstorm.

Local resident Kim Pollard has partnered with Bunnyman Brewing in Burke (5583 Guinea Road) to collect donations this Sunday (June 28) for both her Walk to End Alzheimer’s team fundraiser and nine families who lost their homes in the storm on June 22.

Around Town

Great Falls Lodge Bar & Grill nears opening, with Merrifield restaurant to follow

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2026 at 9:15AM

Great Falls Lodge is slated to open soon in Great Falls Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

This summer, Great Falls diners will be able to escape the D.C. region’s heat at a new restaurant designed to mentally transport patrons to a rustic mountain lodge.

Great Falls Lodge Bar & Grill is on track for a soft launch at 9835 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls Center in the first week of July, with a potential opening as soon as Monday, June 29, according to owner and chef Neel Kamal.