Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Special election frenzy heats up with voting for three state races, Braddock school board seat

Published January 12, 2026 at 2:45PM

A sign pointing to a voting site in Fairfax County (file photo)

The blitz of special elections facing Fairfax County voters to start 2026 is ramping up this week, with the ballot for the Braddock District School Board seat now solidified and voting opening or in progress in three state-level contests.

Democratic voters in the Braddock District have chosen Tom Dannan, a local business owner and Terra Centre resident, as their preferred candidate to succeed Rachna Sizemore Heizer, who vacated the district’s Fairfax County School Board seat in December to serve as its new supervisor.

News

Trial begins against husband charged with Herndon double homicide

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2026 at 11:45AM

A framed photo of Brendan Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães on his bedside table in Herndon, provided by police as evidence in their murder case against him (courtesy Fairfax County Police Department via AP, FILE)

Jury selection began this morning (Monday) in the postponed trial against a Herndon man accused by prosecutors of concocting a scheme with his family’s au pair to frame a stranger in the fatal stabbing of his wife.

Brendan Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan at the Banfields’ home in northern Virginia. He has pleaded not guilty in the case.

News

VDH: Child with measles visited Fort Belvoir medical center

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2026 at 11:15AM

The Augusta Military Medical Center Emergency Department at Fort Belvoir (via Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center/Facebook)

A preschool-aged child diagnosed with measles recently visited the medical center at Fort Belvoir, among other locations in the D.C. region, the Virginia Department of Health says.

The child, who lives in Northern Virginia, was present at the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Emergency Department and Executive Medicine Suite (9300 DeWitt Loop) at Fort Belvoir between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., and from 10 p.m. to midnight last Friday (Jan. 9), potentially exposing other patients, visitors and staff.

News

Vienna residents protesting ICE’s fatal shooting of Renee Good line Maple Avenue

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated January 13, 2026 at 5:00PM

Scenes from Jan. 11, 2026 ICE Out for Good protest on Maple Avenue in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A near-constant cacophony of car horns issued from the core of Maple Avenue in Vienna yesterday afternoon (Sunday), and this time, it wasn’t an expression of frustration with congestion.

Instead, passing drivers were honking in support of protestors lining both sides of the town’s main street in response to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shooting poet and mother Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday (Jan. 7).

News

Another pedestrian seriously injured in Saturday crash on Maple Avenue

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 12, 2026 at 8:30AM

Vienna police at the scene of a pedestrian crash near the Maple Avenue W&OD Trail crossing on Jan. 10, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A drizzly, foggy evening served as the setting of another crash on Maple Avenue in Vienna that left a pedestrian critically injured.

The crash occurred around 8:10 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 10) when a driver heading toward Tysons on Maple Avenue East struck the pedestrian near the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail crossing, according to the Town of Vienna Police Department.

News

NOW: Hunter Mill Road closed after driver crashes into electric pole

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 9, 2026 at 3:45PM

Hunter Mill Road closed near Lawyers Road in Oakton after single-vehicle crash on Jan. 9, 2026 (via Google Maps)

A driver is in critical condition after crashing into an electric pole on Hunter Mill Road in Oakton, police say.

The crash involved a single vehicle that ran into a utility pole just south of Lawyers Road. A Fairfax Alerts message suggests it occurred around 2 p.m.

Countywide

Potential bill would exempt Lorton waste incinerator from Va. carbon reduction regulations

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Reworld's I-95 Energy Resource Recovery Facility off of Furnace Road (via Google Maps)

A requirement established by the Virginia Clean Economy Act could force a Lorton incinerator that converts waste into energy to shut down, undermining the intent of the law, state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-34) says.

The Senate majority leader plans to introduce a bill at the Virginia General Assembly’s upcoming session that would exclude Fairfax County’s I-95 Energy Resource Recovery Facility (9898 Furnace Road) from regulations requiring larger electricity generators to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, starting in 2031.

Around Town

Matchbox closes, leaving void at Reston Station

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 9, 2026 at 8:30AM

Matchbox at Reston Station has closed (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Matchbox has fizzled out at Reston Station, leaving behind an empty restaurant and outdoor patio.

The pizza chain permanently closed its doors at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza Drive, Suite 100, at the end of 2025, Greater Reston Living reported, citing posts from residents on the social media site NextDoor.

Around Town

Capitals invite Reston Town Center to ‘Rock the Rink’ skate and watch party

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 8, 2026 at 3:45PM

Ice skaters enjoy the rink at Reston Town Center's pavilion (courtesy Reston Town Center)

When the Washington Capitals take on the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow (Friday), local fans will be able to take in the action while hitting the ice themselves at Reston Town Center.

For the first time, D.C.’s NHL team is bringing a “Rock the Rink” skate and watch party to the town center’s ice skating pavilion (1818 Discovery Street), inviting community members to enjoy a variety of activities before cheering on the boys in red.

News

JUST IN: Driver charged for I-495 crash that killed two on Christmas

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 8, 2026 at 2:30PM | Updated January 9, 2026 at 11:36AM

Su Nguyen and Annie Vu were killed in a crash on I-495 in Idylwood on Christmas 2025 (via GoFundMe campaign)

Police have officially filed charges against a driver who was allegedly speeding when he crashed into a minivan on the Capital Beltway (I-495) on Christmas, killing two of its occupants.

Devin Juliana, a 48-year-old from Steubenville, Ohio, has been charged with reckless driving, the Virginia State Police announced today (Thursday). More charges may be coming, pending their approval by Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office.