Author: FFXnow.com

County Board Schedules Special Meeting — “The Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 9 a.m. to authorize the County Attorney’s Office to petition the Circuit Court, which will then set the date for a special election.” The election would fill the Braddock District supervisor’s seat vacated by James Walkinshaw, who was sworn into Congress yesterday (Wednesday). [Fairfax County Government]

GMU Board Head Rejects Call for Resignation — “George Mason University Rector Charles Stimson informed Democratic leaders in the Virginia Senate that he will not step down from his post on the school’s governing board despite their request for him to do so.” Sens. Scott Surovell, L. Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke argued Stimson’s role as an advisor to the president of the Heritage Foundation is a conflict of interest as Mason faces federal investigations into its diversity policies. [Virginia Mercury]

Two Arrested for Carjacking — A 20-year-old man from Alexandria and a 17-year-old are facing criminal charges in connection with an armed carjacking that occurred in Woodlawn on Monday (Sept. 8). “The victim reported he met with a buyer to sell clothing he advertised online when a second suspect approached him, displayed a firearm, and the two stole his vehicle.” [FCPD]

Swim Club Cell Tower Voted Down — The Mantua Swim and Tennis Club (MSTC) won’t move forward with a proposed project to allow a Verizon cell tower on its property after members declined to approve a necessary amendment to its bylaws, the board of directors said in a statement. “We thank all members who participated in the process and appreciate the engagement from our broader community.” [MSTC]

Mahjong Studio Open in Falls Church — “Local mahjong player Tori Rittinger, who launched Talk Tiles to Me at 113 Rowell Court last week, said she fell in love with the game when a friend got her hooked in 2021.” The new mahjong studio offers lessons for newcomers to the Chinese game, open play hours, event rentals and league nights. [ARLnow]

Tysons Club Plots Return — “Tower Club Tyson’s Corner, the old-school standby in the sky for NoVa’s business types with big wallets, will resurface in late October following a lavish renovation. Around since 1989, the club’s needed makeover to the tune of $1 million includes the addition of two restaurants.” [DC Eater]

Parents Warn About Opioid Overdoses — “Cayden Foster, Sean and Afrodita’s only child, died of a fentanyl overdose in early 2023 at 18 years old. Afrodita found him dead in his bed one morning when he should have been getting ready for school.” The parents have now spoken to thousands of students about the dangers of opioids and stay in contact with the Fairfax County Police Department’s overdose task force. [WTOP]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 80 degrees and a gentle north wind at 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with lows near 60 degrees, as the northeast wind around 5 mph becomes calm in the evening. [NWS]

Driver Charged in Fatal Pedestrian Crash — “Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit have charged the driver from the August 15 fatal pedestrian crash in Springfield with Failure to Stop for Pedestrians in a Crosswalk.” Police say an investigation found that Jay Kim, a 76-year-old Springfield resident, was using a crosswalk on Hunter Village Drive when the driver of a Toyota Camry hit him. [FCPD]

Metro Reports Crime Drop — “As Metro wraps up a yearlong review of its service, the transit agency is reporting two major wins: a sharp drop in crime and a steady rise in ridership. According to Metro’s newly released FY2025 Annual Service Excellence Report, crime across the system fell by 43% between June 2024 and June 2025,” while ridership was up 9% over the previous year. [WTOP]

Fairfax Seeks Balance in Office Space — “In a market that is oversaturated with older office buildings that are unlikely to ever be desirable to tenants again, there has been some progress toward repositioning the stock, panelists said onstage at Comstock’s newly delivered 1800 Reston Row Plaza. But there’s still a long way to go for the Fairfax market to get to a healthy place.” [Bisnow]

Police Dog Dies From Cancer — “The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) announced on Monday that K9 Onyx had died. She served the force for 11 years in the Organized Crime and Narcotics unit and for the U.S. Postal Service.” [DC News Now]

New Steakhouse in Falls Church — “A family-owned steakhouse and raw bar from Maryland hosted a ribbon cutting at its first Virginia restaurant yesterday (Monday) in Falls Church. Olney-based GrillMarX is now open in the Little City, serving hand-cut steaks, hearty entrees and Virginia wines at 510 S. Washington Street.” [ARLnow]

Book Festival Finalizes Lineup — “George Mason University’s annual fall literary festival, Fall for the Book, is back from October 7 to 11. Big names in literature will attend, including headliner Erik Larson, Jeff Goodell, and Maggie Stiefvater … Celeste Ng was previously announced as a headliner, but her event was cancelled.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Volunteers Clean Up Litter in Culmore — “Local youths and organizations came together on Sept. 6 to pick up litter in the Culmore area of  Bailey’s Crossroads. A total of 106 people participated in Culmore Cleanup Day, reports organizer Andres Curtin of Second Story, the lead agency for Fairfax County’s Opportunity Neighborhoods initiative in Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Alpacas Add Twist to Open House — To sell a five-bedroom, four-bath house at 4635 Wood Glen Road near George Mason University’s Fairfax campus, real estate agent Kat Massetti of Serhant recruited My Pet Alpaca to set up a petting zoo that featured Mochi and Loki the alpacas, Princess Peach the goat and an albino snake. The event on Sunday (Sept. 7) was aimed at families with kids and turned into Massetti’s “most attended open house so far this year.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Wednesday — Showers are likely mainly before 9am, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high near 72. The chance of precipitation is 30%. For Wednesday night, expect partly cloudy conditions, a low around 60, and a north wind between 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]

Herndon House Consumed by Fire — Fairfax County firefighters responded yesterday (Monday) afternoon to a two-alarm house fire in the 12200 block of Folkstone Drive in the Difficult Run area. “Units arrived to fire showing from all levels of the home. Crews are working to bring the fire under control. There are no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/X]

New Advanced Academic Center Proposed — “The Annandale High School pyramid is only one of two pyramids in Fairfax County that doesn’t have an elementary or middle school with an Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) center.” That could change with Superintendent Michelle Reid recommending “a new full-time AAP Center be established at Poe Middle School.” [Annandale Today]

Wine Bar Opens in Reston — Corsica Wine Bar has officially opened in the former Mon Ami Gabi space at Reston Town Center. Coming from the team behind Barcelona Wine Bar, the restaurant is currently allowing walk-in diners from 4 p.m. to midnight on Sunday through Thursday, and from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. [FFXnow]

Woodlawn Carjacking Suspects Arrested — Fairfax County police say they have arrested two people suspected in an armed carjacking reported in the 5800 block of Saint Gregory Lane around 3 p.m. yesterday. “The suspects presented a firearm, stole the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene.” Officers located the vehicle with help from the department’s Real-Time Crime Center and the Fairfax 1 helicopter. [FCPD]

Reston Parkway Property Acquired — “Renaissance Centro bought the 2.4-acre parcel at 1760 Reston Parkway for $9.1 million from RTC Partnership LLC, a joint venture between Richard Whealen and D.C.-based developer Akridge, on Aug. 29, according to Fairfax County property records.” The site was previously approved for an office building that would’ve become Reston’s tallest tower, but developers more recently proposed apartments. That proposal is still “pending,” per Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn. [Washington Business Journal]

Yemeni Cafe Eyes Falls Church — “A cafe franchise promising authentic Yemeni coffee and treats may soon fill a vacant space left by Chasin’ Tails in East Falls Church. Qahwah House, a Michigan-based Yemeni coffee shop, has applied for work permits at 2200 N. Westmoreland Street, which the seafood restaurant left in 2022.” [ARLnow]

Parents Seek More Action on Mold in School — “In August before school started, students arrived at marching band camp at Hayfield Secondary School to find water stains on the ceiling, soaked carpets and fabric chairs appearing furry with mold.” Though the band room was cleaned and declared safe to occupy, some parents “believe the mold issue is widespread and sickening their children.” [NBC4]

Meeting Set on Gallows Road Project — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m., to answer questions and accept feedback on its proposed recommendations for Gallows Road, including Northern, Middle and Southern segments.” FCDOT is accepting comments on its plan to make the roadway more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly through Sept. 30. [FCDOT]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 76 degrees with a northeast wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph. By Tuesday night, the sky will be mostly cloudy with a low temperature near 59 degrees. [NWS]

Pedestrian Injured in Hit-and-Run — Fairfax County police are investigating “a hit-and-run pedestrian crash” that occurred in the 3200 block of Holly Hill Drive” in West Falls Church yesterday (Sunday) morning. “The pedestrian, an adult man, was transported to the hospital in life threatening condition. The driver of the striking vehicle fled the scene.” [FCPD/X]

Inside GMU President’s Stand Against Trump Admin — “An engineer by training, [Gregory] Washington is a planner by nature. When he became George Mason’s first Black president — the latest of many barriers he has broken — he vowed to faculty to overcommunicate. So he couldn’t stay silent when the allegations of civil rights violations came.” [Washington Post]

Va. Lawmakers Consider A.I. Rules — “Virginia was among the first states in the nation to write new, online privacy laws. Now lawmakers are also asking if they should be ahead of the curve on artificial intelligence as well.” General Assembly members discussed potential legislation ahead of the 2026 session at a Joint Commission on Technology and Science meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 3). [WVTF]

Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Dog Walker — “On Thursday, City of Fairfax Police arrested a 19-year-old man who they say attacked and threatened someone walking their dog Tuesday evening in Kamp Washington. Officers responded around 7:43 p.m. for the report of a weapons violation in the 4000 block of Gateway Drive.” [Patch]

Plane Passenger Appeals Sentencing for Assault — “A Stafford man filed an appeal Thursday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit after receiving a prison sentence for attacking a deaf passenger during a flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport last year.” [Patch]

Tysons Restaurant Thanks Military Service Members — Fogo de Chao in Tysons hosted the Military Bowl Foundation’s 20th annual “Home of the Free … Because of Brave” dinner, which gave free steak dinners to dozens of military service members and also served as a watch party for the first NFL game of the season. [WTOP]

Discounts Offered for Rec Center Memberships — “Make strides toward your wellness goals this fall with an annual membership to Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers — get a 15% discount throughout September … Annual membership provides access to any of our nine Rec Centers, each with their own amenities.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 75 with a gentle northeast breeze at 7 mph. Overnight, the skies will remain mostly clear as the temperature drops to around 54, and the east wind at 5 mph will calm down by evening. [NWS]

Trump to Propose Pentagon Renaming — “President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Friday to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, his latest effort to project an image of toughness for America’s military. The Republican president can’t formally change the name without legislation, which his administration would request from Congress.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Raising Cane’s Coming to Merrifield — “Raising Cane’s, the fast-growing chicken fingers chain, has inked a lease to replace a nearly 30-year-old Wendy’s [in Gatehouse Plaza] just off Arlington Boulevard in Merrifield … It is unclear exactly when the Wendy’s will close, but a Raising Cane’s representative tells me the goal is to open by the fourth quarter of 2027.” [Washington Business Journal]

Questions Around Covid Vaccine Access — “Federal policy shake-ups have turned Virginia into one of several states where getting a COVID vaccine now requires a prescription at major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens … The FDA recently revoked the broad emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines, ending the blanket access that once let most Virginians walk into a pharmacy to get one without a doctor’s note.” [Axios Richmond]

Minors Followed at Fair Oaks — “A 22-year-old is behind bars after he was accused of touching a person inappropriately at a store and following minors in Fair Oaks … Officers responded to the 12200 block of Apple Orchard Court for a person acting suspiciously just after 9 a.m. on Aug. 31. Two people also reported that the man was acting strangely in the neighborhood and had attempted to follow a minor.” [DC News Now]

FCPS Schedules Next Meetings on Boundary Plan — Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid has announced the next round of community engagement meetings on the countywide boundary review, starting Sept. 15 at Justice High School. “Because this is a busy time of year for our schools, we are working to finalize all of the meeting locations. The meetings will be hybrid, so you may participate in person or virtually via Zoom.” [FCPS]

Mount Vernon Pool Reopens — “Fairfax County Park Authority is excited to welcome the community to the much-anticipated reopening of Mount Vernon Rec Center pool. The swimming facilities now include a heated, indoor pool and beach entry equipped with two spray features.” [FCPA]

Temporary Home for Culmore Clinic — “The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit healthcare facility that serves lower-income adults, is moving to a temporary space in Falls Church while its current location, at First Christian Church, is being renovated. Eventually, the clinic will move into Kindred Crossing, an affordable housing project for seniors” that’s expected to break ground next door to the church next year. [Annandale Today]

Local Lost Dog Cafe Celebrates Anniversary — Lost Dog Café celebrated its 13th anniversary in Dunn Loring yesterday (Thursday). Opened on the ground floor of the Halstead Square apartments in 2012, the restaurant “has welcomed thousands of patrons who have made it part of their personal stories — from first jobs and first dates to first meals after moving to the neighborhood.” [Lost Dog Cafe]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 88 today, with light southwest winds picking up to 5-10 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 71 and south winds at around 6 mph. [NWS]