FFXnow is the definitive local news source for Fairfax County, featuring countywide coverage and hyperlocal reporting on the Reston and Tysons areas. This article was written by an editor or other member of FFXnow's full-time staff.
Local delis in Fairfax County provide quick meals, custom sandwiches, and specialty market goods to busy neighborhoods. This week’s Readers’ Choice poll asks residents to select the top deli serving the community.
Launched out of Bread & Water Company’s storefront in Belle View in 2021, Bun Papa has become a local favorite for its filling, hand-crafted burgers, which feature seared beef patties, grilled brioche buns made in house and real cheddar cheese. Now offering a second location in Alexandria City, the shop is equally acclaimed for its Chicago-style hot dogs and chicken sandwiches.
Fairfax County features a rich and diverse culinary landscape, with Chinese restaurants serving both comfort food and unique flavors. This week, FFXnow invites readers to share their favorite spots for Chinese cuisine.
Recently expanded to Vienna, Weird Brothers Coffee has become a local favorite since brothers Paul and Kenny Olsen launched a mobile coffee bar over a decade ago. Now boasting four locations, the Herndon-based roastery and coffeehouse is as well-known for its community involvement as the creatively named drinks on its “mischief” menu.
A total of 2,050 votes were cast.
See every FFXnow Readers’ Choice winner, past and present, here.
Local burger spots serve as gathering places for families and friends, while contributing to Fairfax County’s vibrant dining scene. This week’s Readers’ Choice poll highlights the local establishments crafting the county’s favorite burgers.
From local franchises of national chains to small, family-run businesses, Fairfax’s top gutter cleaners have won over loyal customers by providing timely, thorough services at reasonable prices.
A total of 88 votes were cast.
See every FFXnow Readers’ Choice winner, past and present, here.
Copies of the GazetteLeader newspapers (staff photo)
FFXnow readers now have online access to archives of the GazetteLeader community newspaper from 2023 through 2024.
Local News Now, which acquired the GazetteLeader in September 2024, has merged the newspaper’s coverage into its own websites, with Fairfax-specific articles found at FFXnow and Arlington-related articles on its sister site, ARLnow.
An SUV pulling up to the Vienna Metro station on a rainy night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Rescue Team Dispatched to Panama — “Members of Virginia Task Force 1 are in Panama helping assess damage and support response efforts after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country Friday … Federal officials said the teams will conduct aerial and ground assessments, evaluate damaged structures and provide technical assistance in coordination with Panamanian authorities.” [WUSA9]
Residents Share Thoughts on Dominion Merger — “This summer, NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy filed applications seeking approval for a merger. Dominion Energy said the combined company would serve roughly 10 million accounts across four states. On Friday night at the Fairfax County Government Center in Virginia, supporters and opponents testified before regulators.” [WTOP]
Hurricane Remnants Bring Rain — “The remnants of Hurricane Isaias have produced abundant rainfall in the DC area, with amounts ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 inches through 10 a.m. Sunday.” As the storm moves out of the area, “Tuesday and Wednesday line up for lots of sunshine and generous warmth — two variables that often track together.” [Capital Weather]
Fairfax Man Arrested in Prostitution Sting — “According to the Manassas Police Department, six massage businesses were shut down and three people charged with prostitution-related offenses as a result of what the department called Operation False Front, executed” on Oct. 6. “The department also says several human trafficking victims were found during the operation.” [Patch]
Tysons Office Buildings Sold — Three office buildings near the Greensboro Metro station were sold within the past month. First, the 10-story building at 8270 Greensboro Drive was sold for $48 million on Sept. 30 to Onward Investors. Then, just a day later, Cummings Capital Partners acquired 8260 Greensboro Drive and 1676 International Drive for $18.98 million and $78.13 million, respectively, from Brandywine Realty Trust. [Washington Business Journal]
Reston Contractor Hopes to Add Workers — “A recent survey from the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Pinkston found a third of business executives expect to do some hiring in the next six months. Tim Tkacz is one of them. The founder and CEO of Blue Sky Innovators is building out his Reston, Virginia, headquarters and his team so the company can better serve the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.” [WTOP]
New Discount on Flood Insurance — “Because the county participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) program, it has been able to secure a larger 25% discount on premium costs. This new discount rate applies to all policies issued or renewed on or after October 1, 2026. The previous rate was 20%.” [DPWES]
Fairfax Symphony Opens Season — “The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and its music director Christopher Zimmerman, have always embraced contemporary music. Yet for their season opener Saturday night at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Zimmerman and the orchestra upped the ante.” [Washington Classical Review]
It’s Monday — Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of rain is 30%. Night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 57. [NWS]
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Local coffee houses serve as vital gathering spaces and daily anchors for Fairfax County residents. This week, our Readers’ Choice poll highlights the independent cafes and roasters that keep the community connected and caffeinated every morning.
Here are the nominees for “Best Coffee Shops in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice awards. Did we miss your favorite coffee shop below? Write them in!
Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Voting for Best Gutter Cleaners in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Led by Mike’s American, which has been serving its signature hickory-grilled salmon, prime rib, pasta and other hearty dishes in Springfield since the late 1980s, these eateries are known as much for their sense of community as their food, giving generations of diners a reliable destination for a midday repast.
See every FFXnow Readers’ Choice winner, past and present, here.
People sit in lounge chairs at Strawberry Park in the Mosaic District on a fall day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Hearing Tonight on Dominion Merger — “The Virginia State Corporation Commission will hold a local public hearing in Fairfax to receive comments on the proposed merger between Dominion Energy Inc. and NextEra Energy Inc.” The in-person hearing will take place in the board auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center tonight (Friday) from 6-8 p.m. [Fairfax County Government]
Funding for Metro Near Football Stadium — “The D.C. Council approved hundreds of millions of dollars for Metro upgrades addressing challenges getting fans to and from the new Washington Commanders football stadium.” The District will allocate $300 million “to renovate and add capacity to the Stadium-Armory station, which could serve more than 30,000 fans before and after games.” [NBC4]
State Reports Gains in School Performance — “The Virginia Department of Education released its accountability results, showing how schools are performing against state expectations. The data will be used to identify schools that need additional support. The results mark the second release under Virginia’s new School Performance and Support Framework, which replaced the state’s previous accountability system.” [Virginia Mercury]
Spirit Halloween Takes Over Vacant Sears — “This year’s pop-up Spirit Halloween store in Mason District is located in the Sears building at 6211 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners. Spirit Halloween sells costumes,” decorations, and other spooky season decor and accessories. [Annandale Today]
Va. Developing Tree Plan — The Virginia Department of Forestry is getting close to finalizing a forest and urban tree canopy plan that will provide a clear picture of how much of the state has tree cover and “guide future decisions” around managing those forested acres. “The plan is crafted by a Technical Advisory Committee and about two years in the making.” [WVTF]
Late State Senator Honored — “Arlington Democrats are honoring the legacy of former Virginia Sen. Janet Howell, who died Aug. 2 at age 82 … Emerging out of civic activism in Reston, Howell was elected to the Senate in 1991, becoming one of a small group of female senators.” [ARLnow]
Trails in Fair Oaks-Area Park Reopen — “The trails at Random Hills Park reopened last week following the completion of a major improvement project. The work was part of the Transform 66 effort to create a continuous shared-use trail along the Interstate 66 corridor.” The Virginia Department of Transportation is expected to begin work “soon” on a nearby crosswalk project on Random Hills Road. [Fairfax County Park Authority]
General Assembly Celebrates 250 Years — “Over the summer, America celebrated its 250th anniversary. This week, the Virginia General Assembly is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its first session. A special commemorative session of the General Assembly was held in Williamsburg Wednesday.” [WVTF]
Mason Restaurant Week Returns — “The third annual Mason District Restaurant Week, hosted by Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez, kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 10 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 17.” For this year’s campaign, 19 participating restaurants throughout the district are offering a range of promotions, from special menus to discounts off in-person and to-go orders. [Annandale Today]
It’s Friday — Mostly sunny with a high near 74 and a light northwest wind at 3 to 7 mph. Friday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 54 and calm winds. [NWS]
No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news. Subscribe to the FFXnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.
View of the Mason Pond fountain and ADA parking from George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax (photo by Amy Woolsey)
FCPS Tests Google AI Blocker — Fairfax County Public Schools “is rolling out a new tool that will block students’ access to artificial intelligence-generated answers and summaries when they conduct a Google search on school-issued laptops … The county’s Chrome extension is being rolled out at 11 elementary and middle schools, with a focus on getting feedback from teachers and other school staff..” [WTOP]
Lt. Gov. Opposes Dominion Merger — On Tuesday (Oct. 6), Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi became the first state-level elected official to go on the record opposing Florida-based NextEra Energy’s proposed $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy. “The lieutenant governor recently completed a five-city tour across the Dominion coverage area to hear firsthand Virginians’ concerns.” [Virginia Mercury]
Potomac River Restored After Sewage Spill — “DC Water says expanded testing of the Potomac River found no evidence of lasting harm from the January 19, 2026 sewer rupture that released an estimated 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River and nearby tributaries over eight days.” [MoCo Show]
DCA to Get Head’s Up for Presidential Helicopter — “Following a safety incident involving communication issues between President Donald Trump’s Marine One helicopter and Reagan National Airport in August, a new protocol has been set up to make sure air traffic controllers are notified that the president’s helicopter is about to take off, according to two people familiar with the matter.” [Washington Post]
New Law After Death at Group Home — Virginia will require group homes to conduct regular emergency medical drills, starting in December. Legal advocates and families had long questioned workers’ ability to handle medical emergencies, including in the case of Erol Graeber, a nonverbal man with disabilities who died in 2024 after staff at the Hartwood Foundation in Springfield told 911 they didn’t know how to perform CPR on him. [NBC4]
Reston Contractor Plans Layoffs — ICF International notified Virginia’s Rapid Response Program on Oct. 2 that it anticipates laying off 82 employees after the federal government decided “to consolidate rather than recompete” a previously awarded contract. Though the company is headquartered in Reston, the layoffs are expected to primarily affect workers in Arlington, taking effect on Dec. 7, per the WARN notice. [Patch]
Input Wanted on Home Day Care Changes — Fairfax County staff are reviewing potential zoning changes to make the process to establish a home-based day care center “more accessible while ensuring neighborhood compatibility.” Virtual meetings to provide information and gather feedback on the changes will be held on Oct. 14, 15 and 21. [Fairfax County Government]
Annandale Stormwater Pond Needs Repairs — “The stormwater retention pond on Americana Drive next to the Vista apartments in Annandale is no longer working, so the Stormwater Management Division of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is preparing to develop a project to fix it.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Thursday — Sunny with a high near 77 and northwest winds of 6 to 15 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Night will be clear, with a low around 53 and light northwest winds of 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]
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Old Keene Mill Road near the Springfield commuter parking garage pedestrian bridge at sunset (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Data Center Construction Draws Complaints — “Residents living near a data center construction site in Reston say constant drilling, banging and bright nighttime lights are disrupting their daily lives. The construction site is less than 100 feet from some homes on Cocquina Drive, residents say. A three-story, roughly 75-foot structure now towers over their backyards.” [WUSA9]
Refunds for Taxpayers Penalized by Error — “Fairfax County, Virginia, officials said it will refund some residents impacted by a system glitch that caused some users to pay late fees on personal property taxes before the actual deadline … Officials said the system deadline was set to start issuing late penalties and interest after 11:59 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) instead of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).” [WJLA]
In-State Tuition for Migrant Students Upheld — “Months after the U.S. Department of Justice sued to end Virginia’s Dream Act, a federal judge ruled on Monday, Oct. 5, that the policy could continue … The Dream Act gives undocumented and refugee students in-state tuition rates if they meet certain criteria like graduating from a Virginia high school and paying state taxes.” [WRIC]
Fraud Emails Impersonate County — “Fairfax County has received reports of fraudulent emails targeting county vendors. The messages impersonate county employees and request payment to address purported vendor compliance issues. Fairfax County does not require vendors to pay a deposit or fee to resolve a records or vendor compliance issue, and the county does not request vendor payments by email.” [Fairfax County Procurement]
Local News Outlet Baffles Community — “The Winchester Gazette, a news website covering this city of 28,000 people in the Shenandoah Valley, calls itself ‘a publication committed to reporting the truth.’ But city leaders, residents, newsmakers and a former reporter say the truth about the Gazette is a mystery.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]
Republicans Propose Gas Tax Holiday — “Virginia Republican leaders on Tuesday called for Gov. Abigail Spanberger to summon lawmakers to Richmond and suspend the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days, arguing that the temporary break would help families, farmers and trucking companies cope with high fuel prices.” [Virginia Mercury]
Regional Funding for I-95 Projects to Open — The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission “anticipates that between $45 million and $50 million will be available for local projects in the I-395/95 corridor during the FY 28-29 funding cycle. Localities and transit agencies have a two-month window — Oct. 19 to Dec. 18 — to submit funding requests.” [ARLnow]
Call for Traffic Signals at Woodburn ES — “Community and safety organizations are urging Fairfax County officials to require a developer proposing dozens of new homes along Gallows Road to install traffic signals near a local elementary school, citing pedestrian safety concerns at two intersections bordering the property.” The planning commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal for 32 homes in Annandale tonight (Wednesday). [Patch]
Sushi Restaurant Coming to Falls Church — “Ian Sushi is currently hiring employees and completing work on a space at 112 S. West Street, in the Modera apartment complex. The restaurant’s website advertises flame-seared sushi and house-made sauces, with a wide menu of dishes named after movies.” [ARLnow]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny weather with a high of around 70 degrees and a gentle south wind blowing at 5 to 9 mph. Night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to about 54 degrees. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
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☀️ Wednesday’s forecast
Expect sunny weather with a high around 71°F and a south wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. Wednesday night will be clear with temperatures dropping to about 54°F, and a gentle south wind at 3 to 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
