Author: Emily Leayman

Emily Leayman is a senior reporter at ARLnow, ALXnow and FFXnow. She was previously a field editor covering parts of Northern Virginia for Patch for more than eight years. A native of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, she lives in Northern Virginia.

News

Officials narrowing down source of gas leak behind Centreville house explosion

By Emily Leayman
Eric Craven, the assistant chief of operations for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, speaks at a news briefing on Feb. 18 about the Centreville home explosion (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Authorities are still working to stabilize and identify the exact source of the natural gas-related home explosion in Centreville on Sunday (Feb. 15). The ongoing leak has led to days-long evacuations and gas service shutoffs for nearby homes.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates gas transmission pipeline incidents, is leading the federal investigation into the home explosion.

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Around Town

New restaurant Wow Nepal brings couple’s favorite home recipes to Fairfax

By Emily Leayman
Wow Nepal in Fairfax (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Though Fairfax City has a varied dining scene, a couple from Nepal saw a void that they could fill with their home country’s cuisine.

The resulting restaurant Wow Nepal, located at 10728 Fairfax Blvd, had its soft opening on Jan. 28. Chef Bewek Bastola runs it alongside his wife, Samrina Pandit.

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Around Town

Indoor trampoline park targets opening later this year at Fair Oaks Mall

By Emily Leayman
Children jump at Sky Zone (courtesy of Sky Zone)

Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park, will soon bounce into the remaining space left by Sears at Fair Oaks Mall.

The indoor trampoline park chain confirmed to FFXnow that it is targeting a late 2026 or early 2027 opening at 1750 Fair Oaks Mall #1230. Sky Zone has four other Northern Virginia locations, including one in Springfield and one that just opened on Feb. 9 at Dulles Town Center in Sterling.

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News

Vienna officials tackle safety concerns with e-scooters, other mobility devices

By Emily Leayman
Bird scooters parked at the Vienna Town Green (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With its first Capital Bikeshare stations on the way, Vienna leaders want to tackle concerns about the safety of micro-mobility devices like electric scooters and electric bikes head on.

Earlier this month, the Vienna Town Council endorsed an educational campaign recommended by the town’s Transportation Safety Commission about the laws and risks of e-scooters, e-bikes and other shared micromobility devices.

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Around Town

Secondhand retailer to repurpose former adult entertainment store in Springfield

By Emily Leayman
Future location of Remix Market in Springfield (courtesy of Boosalis Properties)

A secondhand furniture, home goods and clothing retailer is expanding into the Fairfax County market with a future location in Springfield.

Last week, Remix Market signed a five-year lease at 6909 Old Keene Mill Road, according to real estate firm Boosalis Properties, which represented the tenant in the transaction. The 6,250-square-foot standalone Springfield Executive Building has been vacant for years since MVC Couples Boutique, an adult entertainment store, closed in 2019.

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News

GMU cheers on fellow student Ilia Malinin during Olympics watch parties

By Emily Leayman and Associated Press
Olympics watch party for figure skater and student Ilia Malinin at George Mason University (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

In between classes, George Mason University students gathered at the Johnson Center in Fairfax to cheer one of their own going for the gold in the winter Olympics.

Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old figure skater competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics, is also studying for a not-yet-declared major at GMU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The university held a watch party yesterday (Tuesday) as Malinin competed in the qualifying round of the individual men’s short program.

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Around Town

Sweetgreen opening new Tysons location soon with giveaways

By Emily Leayman
Sweetgreen's location on Leesburg Pike in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fast-casual salad and bowl chain Sweetgreen will debut its latest location in Tysons with giveaways and support for a local nonprofit.

Sweetgreen will open on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 8405 Leesburg Pike in Tysons. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the location will serve seasonal light bites from Sterling-based restaurant Local Provisions and offer plants from Falls Church-based Botanologica.

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News

Sully District supervisor hopes vision for Centreville includes more housing options

By Emily Leayman
Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith speaks at the 2026 State of Centreville (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

As Fairfax County officials prepare recommendations for Centreville’s future for review, one supervisor hopes to see a focus on options for boosting housing.

Fairfax County is updating its Centreville comprehensive plan, a long-term land use guide for the community’s core to complement the zoning ordinance. The Centreville plan amendment was one topic Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith (D) addressed in remarks at the 2026 State of Centreville hosted by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Friday (Feb. 6).

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News

Vienna Town Council weighs next steps for proposed aquatics center

By Emily Leayman
A bird's eye view of the Vienna aquatics and fitness center concept proposed for the former Vienna Baptist Church site (via Kimmel Bogrette Architecture report)

Vienna Town Council members have concerns about uncertain costs for the proposed aquatics and fitness facility and other pressing capital projects as a key vote looms later this month.

The town council is scheduled to consider awarding a contract on Feb. 23 to a firm that will oversee the planning and design of the aquatics facility, Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman said in a presentation on Monday (Feb. 2).

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News

Retirements, low vacancies lead to $450K budget deficit projection in Vienna

By Emily Leayman
Flags wave outside Vienna Town Hall in snow (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna officials are expecting a year-end budget deficit as a result of rising retirement costs, overtime pressures and limited staff vacancies.

According to a mid-year budget update presented to the town council on Monday (Feb. 2), Town of Vienna Finance Director Steven Barlow outlined the $450,000 deficit anticipated in the $34.7 million general fund budget when fiscal year 2026 ends on June 30.

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