Author: FFXnow.com

Update: Man Shot by Police Identified — Fairfax City police have publicly released the identity of a man who was shot by an officer outside the local Wawa early Saturday morning (July 11). The man, who was allegedly holding a knife at the time of the shooting, remains in the hospital in critical condition, as of noon yesterday (Sunday). [FFXnow]

Family Displaced by Lorton Fire — “A family is displaced after a fire broke out at a Lorton home Friday afternoon. Just after 1 p.m., firefighters with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a reported house fire in the 9200 block of Blu Steel Way.” The family of six had evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, and no injuries were reported. [DC News Now]

Child Seen Dangling From Six-Story Window — “A toddler was rescued after firefighters said he was found dangling from a sixth-floor window in Seven Corners. According to Fairfax County Fire, crews were called to the 3100 block of South Manchester Street around 3:15 p.m. The firefighters used a drone to find the apartment, before they broke down the door and pulled the child to safety.” [WUSA9]

Confusion Over Cannabis Retail Sales — “Virginia’s decision to revive legal cannabis sales through the state budget instead of standalone legislation has triggered several days of confusion over the commonwealth’s marijuana laws, with lawmakers, local prosecutors, Virginia State Police and legislative officials offering differing interpretations of when key provisions take effect.” [Virginia Mercury]

Va. Allows Crossing and Stop Sign Cameras — “As Virginia communities gain the authority to use automated cameras to enforce stop-sign and pedestrian-crossing violations, privacy advocates and law enforcement officials are offering sharply different views on what the technology means for public safety and civil liberties.” Fairfax County police says they have no plans to deploy Flock Safety-affiliated cameras at crossings or stop signs, noting that the existing speed camera and license plate reader programs are separate. [Fairfax County Times]

What El Nino Could Mean for Fairfax — “A major shift is taking shape in the Pacific Ocean, and it could shape the weather Fairfax County sees through the rest of 2026 and into next winter … El Niño does not affect every region the same way, and its effect on Virginia weather is real but not as strong as in other parts of the country. Still, there are some patterns worth watching.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

AI Company Signs Reston Station Lease — “Virtualitics, headquartered in Pasadena since its founding in 2016, has signed a 3,000-square-foot office lease at Reston Station … according to a joint press release from the company and the development’s owner, Comstock Holding Companies. The new office places Virtualitics among the defense contractors and federal agencies concentrated in Northern Virginia — a region central to the company’s growing government business.” [Pasadena Now]

More Route 29 Lane Closures — Weather permitting, daytime and nighttime lane closures are planned on stretches of Route 29 between Union Mill Road and Fairfax County Parkway through Friday, July 24 to allow work on the years-long project to widen the road from Union Mill to Buckley’s Gate Drive. “Both daytime and nighttime drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of around 84°F. During the night, the weather will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to about 65°F and a light southeast wind. [NWS]

Pedestrians in Bailey’s Crossroads Crash — “Officers responded around 2:53 p.m. [yesterday] to the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Crossroads Center Way following reports of a crash involving two vehicles. Police said preliminary investigation found one of the vehicles left the roadway and hit three pedestrians,” including one teenager. [WJLA]

Man Charged With Killing Infant in Court — “A Fairfax County man accused of fatally punching his infant daughter appeared in court Wednesday as prosecutors presented testimony from a police detective and the medical examiner about the child’s death.” [WUSA9]

Virginia Improves in Business Rankings — “Virginia has climbed a spot in CNBC’s annual ranking of the best states for business, a year after federal job cuts helped knock it out of the No. 1 position. The state placed third in the 2026 rankings released [yesterday], up from fourth last year.” [ARLnow]

Coaches Top Va. Payroll — “Virginia’s highest-paid workers were in a league of their own: university coaches and athletic directors dominated the top of the state’s payroll, with several earning more than $1 million. University of Virginia head football coach Tony Elliott earned over $3.4 million in total pay, the highest salary for a public employee in the Commonwealth in calendar year 2025.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]

Autism Therapy Center Opens in Fairfax — “SPARKS ABA is a contemporary applied behavior analysis, or ABA, provider of center-based autism services for children and adolescents ages 2-18 years. The Fairfax Learning Center provides center-based ABA therapy and on-site diagnostic services, as well as speech and occupational therapy.” [Inside NoVA]

Accessory Unit Zoning Review Continues — “In-law suites, au pair apartments and other home add-ons are becoming more popular as families look for flexible ways to live together — or bring in extra rental income. But in Fairfax County, Virginia, actually building one can be a complicated process. Now, county leaders are considering changes that could make it easier for homeowners to add those spaces.” [WTOP]

Park Authority Honors Volunteers — “At its meeting on June 24, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 21 individuals as 2026 Outstanding Volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system.” [FCPA]

Reston Contractor Acquires Fairfax Firm — “Reston federal technology contractor Empower AI has acquired Fairfax’s Highlight Technologies Inc. in a bid to expand its AI and cloud offerings for the federal government … It’s the first acquisition for Empower AI … since New York investment giant KKR & Co. Inc. purchased a majority stake in the company in 2022.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Friday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 90°F. There will be a west wind at 5 to 7 mph. Overnight, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with isolated showers possible afterward. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F and a light west wind. [NWS]

ICE Seeks Assault Suspect — “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer urging Fairfax County not to release from jail” a man arrested on June 30 in Prince William County. “He has been charged with strong-arm assault and kidnap of an adult with the intent to sexually assault in connection with an incident in September 2025 in the Skyline area of Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Stomach Parasite Sickens Virginians — “Virginia is reporting up to 10 cases of cyclosporiasis, a stomach parasite that can cause severe diarrhea and has infected people in 17 states so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC said 145 people nationwide have gotten sick between May 1 and June 16. Twenty people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.” [WJLA]

Some Federal Agencies Rehiring — “More than 260,000 employees left the federal workforce since the administration began its efforts to downsize government through reductions in force, early retirement, deferred resignations and a hiring freeze, with the effects felt acutely here in the D.C. region. But now, many agencies are hiring again, raising questions about what DOGE ultimately accomplished and what comes next for the federal workforce.” [WAMU]

Cat With Kittens Exposed to Rabies — “According to veterinarian Kathleen Werden, the cat was found with her kittens in a neighborhood in Chantilly on June 13 … If you or someone you know may have been exposed to the cat between June 6 and June 16, you should contact your local health department immediately.” [WJLA]

Va. Defends Immigrant Tuition Policy — “Virginia defended a policy allowing immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition assistance in a federal court Tuesday as public universities begin preparing for the fall semester … The Justice Department argued federal law preempts a 2020 law dubbed the Virginia Dream Act.” [Courthouse News]

State Highways Ranked Highly for Safety — “A new study shows that Virginia is one of the best states in the country for delivering safety and mobility benefits with the commonwealth generating an estimated $1.95 billion in safety and reliability value as a result of fewer crashes, less property damage and more dependable travel. Still, researchers said, there is still more work to be done.” [Virginia Mercury]

Open Caption Requirement in Effect — “New options are here at movie theaters across Virginia. That’s because a new state law that went into effect on July 1 now requires most movie theaters to provide showings with open captions.” Bill patron Del. Phil Hernandez from Norfolk says he hopes the change makes “the simple pleasure” of seeing a movie “accessible for everyone,” including people who are deaf or hard of hearing, seniors and veterans. [WRIC]

Bailey’s Strip Mall Seeks to Fill Vacancies — “Big changes are coming to the small retail shopping strip at Leesburg Pike and Glen Forest Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. Three units are available for lease: the vacant spaces formerly held by the Mum Aroi Thai restaurant and the Thai Value Food Market, plus the office currently occupied by State Farm Insurance agent David Seidel.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 87°F. An 80% chance of rain continues into the evening, especially before 8 p.m., with a low around 71°F and light southwest winds. [NWS]

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Reston Library Closed for HVAC Repairs — “Reston Regional Library is currently closed for HVAC repairs. The branch will reopen as soon as repairs are made. This closure is expected to last through July 12 as facilities management awaits parts. Holds and due dates will be extended until the branch reopens.” [Fairfax Library/Instagram]

Dead Fish Found in Potomac River — “The Maryland Department of the Environment is investigating a large number of fish deaths in the Potomac River, a phenomenon known as a ‘fish kill.’ Scientists believe the fish kill is likely the result of what’s called a ‘summer turnover,’ when warmer water from the surface and cooler water from lower down suddenly mix.” [WTOP]

Va. Joins Challenge to ICE Reporting Change — “Virginia is joining a 22-state effort led by New York Attorney General Letitia James urging President Donald Trump’s administration to reverse a new federal policy ending investigations and public reporting of deaths that occur shortly after immigrants are released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.” [Virginia Mercury]

Volunteers Map Heat in N. Va. — “To better understand the urban heat island in Fairfax County, Arlington and the City of Alexandria and identify ways to reduce impacts, the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and George Mason University’s Virginia Climate Center are partnering on a new initiative … The alliance is seeking volunteers to help collect heat data on the measurement day, which is expected to occur between July 8 and 24.” [Capital Weather]

Tysons Mall Owner Expands Holdings — “An affiliate of Macerich (NYSE: MAC) paid $5.9 million last month for 8138 Watson St., a half-acre property that is home to the See Clearly Vision eyecare center, according to public records.” The Tysons Corner Center developer now owns the entire 7.75-acre triangle between International Drive and Watson Street except for a Capital One bank branch, but the company declined to comment on any specific future development plans. [Washington Business Journal]

Lt. Gov. Seeks Proactive Review of Dominion Merger — “Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi on Monday urged state utility regulators to require Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy to answer dozens of detailed questions about their proposed merger before formally filing the transaction, arguing Virginia’s six-month review process is too short to adequately scrutinize what would become the largest utility merger in U.S. history.” [Virginia Scope]

Chantilly Office Site Acquired — “Pulte Homes has purchased an 83,300-square-foot single-story office building located at 13990 Parkeast Circle and an adjacent 6.4-acre parcel … from Bethesda-based Finmarc Management Inc. for $26.36 million.” Part of the Park East Corporate Center, which was approved for residential redevelopment in 2024, the 14-acre site could be turned into 126 townhomes and 32 condos. [WBJ]

Shoppers Support Local Food Bank — “Customers at Wegmans stores across the company raised a record $769,300 during this year’s Fill the Bus/Fill the Backpack campaign, with donations from the Reston store helping support Food for Others as summer demand for food assistance rises.” Capital Area Food Bank and the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries were also beneficiaries. [Patch]

Grant to Fund Route 1 Public Art — “The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation is proud to announce it has been selected to receive a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant.” With the grant funding, SFDC will work with Mount Vernon at Home and the Nepenthe Gallery to implement new art installations and “engage older residents throughout the project” to ensure the artwork helps create accessible and welcoming spaces. [Press release]

New Legal Notice — Public hearing on high school boundaries scheduled July 16, 2026. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect patchy fog until 10 a.m., and mostly cloudy skies. The high will be near 82°F. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 2 a.m. with a 70% chance of precipitation. Skies will remain mostly cloudy at night, with a low around 71°F. [NWS]

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