Author: FFXnow.com

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]

FCPS Argues for Federal Funding — Fairfax and Arlington county public schools “made their legal arguments in federal court Wednesday in their lawsuit against the Department of Education. At the heart of this case is the debate on which restrooms transgender students may use.” The attorney representing the schools says Loudoun and Alexandria are expected to join the lawsuit. [NBC4]

New Analysis Warns of Recession — “Economists point to a number of contributing factors in Maryland, Virginia and the D.C. A new analysis by Moody’s, the financial services company, highlights federal workforce layoffs, canceled federal contracts, high inflation and interest rates and a slowing housing market as signs of economic trouble.” [FOX5]

Visit to Springfield Intelligence Agency Nixed — “Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia had arranged meetings with top officials this Friday at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which analyzes data from spy satellites for the Pentagon and the intelligence community, but said his visit was abruptly canceled late Tuesday night after [Laura] Loomer attacked him and the agency’s director online.” [Washington Post]

Hospitals Urged to Speak on Funding Changes — Warner and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott “delivered warnings about looming federal funding changes that will affect health care access and affordability in the years ahead. Both lawmakers expressed frustration with some hospital chains in Virginia for not speaking out about how the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ reconciliation bill that Congress passed this summer will impact health care providers and patients in the state.” [Virginia Mercury]

Reston Lab Helps Close Sexual Assault Case — “For the first time in history an identical twin has been convicted of a crime based on DNA evidence.” Russell Marubbion, 54, was convicted on Aug. 21 of sexually assaulting a gas station cashier in Woodbridge in 1987. “The landmark case was cracked by Reston’s Parabon NanoLabs and its genetic genealogy chief, CeCe Moore.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Yarn Shop Opening in Falls Church — “Entangled will sell supplies and host events for knitters and crocheters at 103 Rowell Court. Kelly Schnapp, a Coast Guard veteran, federal employee and longtime knitter from Falls Church, hopes to help customers ‘escape from everyday stress’ and connect to art.” [ARLnow]

Cut-Through Permit Zones Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved two ‘residential cut-through permit zones’ in Mason District. One of the zones is between Sleepy Hollow Road, Juniper Lane, and Leesburg Pike. The other one affects homes between Columbia Pike and Old Columbia Pike … Residents of those zones can apply for a permit online or in person.” [Annandale Today]

Inova Blood Drive in Chantilly — “Medical emergencies have left Inova’s blood inventory for Type O blood critically low. Inova is in need of all blood types, but a boost to the supply of Type O will help patients significantly. Therefore, the Sully District, in cooperation with Inova, is hosting a blood drive this Monday, September 8, at the Sully District Governmental Center from 2pm – 6pm.” [Sully District newsletter]

It’s Thursday — Thunderstorms are possible after 5pm, with increasing clouds, a high near 86, and a 30% chance of precipitation. At night, expect showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, followed by a chance of showers until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 65. [NWS]

YouTube Star Visits Tysons Mall — “The YouTube streamer known as iShowSpeed drew crowds during stops he made in Northern Virginia and D.C. on Monday [Sept. 1], most of which streamed to millions of followers.” His appearance at Tysons Corner Center drew “several hundred people,” prompting Fairfax County police to respond for crowd control. [WJLA]

Oakton Doctor in Drug Case Must Pay Victims — “An Oakton doctor sentenced to prison in a ‘pill mill’ scheme has been ordered to pay restitution and give up two properties. Multiple fatal drug overdoses were tied to the doctor’s drug prescribing scheme.” The order follows David Allingham’s sentencing in May t0 13 years in prison for distributing oxycodone and amphetamines, among other charges. [Patch]

Lake Accotink Water Lowered — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will lower the water level at Lake Accotink after Labor Day in order to complete an assessment of the dam. The assessment is being conducted to evaluate the integrity of the structure and identify any maintenance or repair needs, the Park Authority states.” [Annandale Today]

Woman Charged With Stealing Slushie Machines — “An officer from the Mount Vernon Police District has arrested a woman responsible for stealing more than a dozen Ninja Slushi appliances from stores across Fairfax County, totaling over $10,000 in theft.” The incidents date back to May and primarily targeted Target stores in Springfield and Seven Corners. [FCPD]

Library Unveils New Logo — Fairfax County Public Library is debuting a new logo that evokes ” the endless possibilities available at your library once you step through our doors or open a book.” Coinciding with Library Card Sign-Up Month, the new logo will be incorporated into library materials and displays over the coming months, and FCPL is holding a contest through Sept. 30 to come up with new library card designs. [FCPL]

Route 29 Lane to Close — “The right lane of southbound Route 29 will be closed from Buckleys Gate Drive/Summit Drive to Meadow Estates Drive/Hampton Forest Way between 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, and 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, to perform water main tie-ins as part of the Route 29 widening project … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]

Bikeshare Stations Relocated — “We’ve moved the Becontree Ln & Goldenrain Ct station to N Shore Dr & Washington Plaza/Lake Anne in Fairfax County. Additionally, the Vantage Hill Rd & Wainwright Dr station has been relocated to Westwood Center Dr & Sheraton Tysons Dr.” [Capital Bikeshare/X]

Tickets on Sale for ArtsFairfax Awards — “Following three years of sell-outs for the event, ArtsFairfax has moved the luncheon to the Hyatt Regency Reston, a larger location enabling the nonprofit to sell single tickets and increase sponsorships.” The awards ceremony will be led by former WUSA9 reporter Peggy Fox and feature musical performances. [ArtsFairfax]

It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of around 81°F, with calm winds picking up from southeast at around 5 mph during the afternoon. Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with a low temperature of around 63°F and south winds at 6 mph. [NWS]

Dems Reject More GMU Board Appointees — “On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections rejected 14 appointments: four for the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), four for the University of Virginia (UVA) and its affiliates and six for George Mason University (GMU).” GMU’s board of visitors now lacks the eight members needed for a quorum, stalling any potential action affecting President Gregory Washington. [Virginia Mercury]

Two-Alarm House Fire in Centreville — Fairfax County firefighters responded Sunday morning (Aug. 31) to a two-alarm house fire in the 15400 block of Meherrin Court. “Units arrived to fire showing from all levels and through the roof of the home.” No injuries were reported, but an investigation into the fire is still underway. There was also a fire at a townhouse in the Herndon area south of the Innovation Center Metro station on Saturday (Aug. 30). [FCFRD/Facebook]

New Contender for Possible Braddock District Race — “Sabrina Mattin, a small business owner and community activist, is running as a Democrat for the Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. That position will be vacant if Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw is elected to Congress in a special election on Sept. 9.” [Annandale Today]

Feds Pause Charitable Campaign — “The Office of Personnel Management has paused, at least temporarily, the Combined Federal Campaign, a longtime program allowing federal employees to give part of their paycheck to participating nonprofits.” The Chantilly-based organization America’s Charities began warning its nonprofit partners that the program’s end might be announced after Labor Day, but an OPM spokesperson said Friday (Aug. 29) that “no decision has been made.” [Washington Business Journal]

Herndon Graduate Wins Pole Vault Championship — “Austin Miller, a 2012 graduate of Herndon High School and a 2016 graduate of High Point University, captured the USA Track and Field National Championship title in the pole vault. He will represent Team USA at the World Championships in Japan later this month.” [Reston Letter]

Bakery Opens in Fairfax City — “Tatte Bakery & Cafe took a different approach to celebrating the grand opening of its new location in Fairfax City on Wednesday [Aug. 27]. Rather than having a ribbon-cutting ceremony, city officials and business leaders helped the bakery’s staff to cut a garland to mark the occasion.” [Patch]

Reston Condos Add EV Charger — Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn recently “attended the ribbon cutting for the new electric vehicle charging station at the Midtown North Condos in Reston … This 75-unit condo association installed their new dual-port level 2 EV charger in their garage with help from Charge Up Fairfax.” [Hunter Mill District News]

Thumbs Up for Annandale Eatery — Despite her skepticism of its viral “walking taco,” Northern Virginia Magazine’s food critic has been won over by Flavor Hive’s first brick-and-mortar location, which opened in July near K Market in Annandale. “The thing that I’ll remember is the tingle of spice. Layers of piquancy build with each bite of chicken, sauce, marinated vegetables.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching a high near 78 degrees and a mild north wind around 6 mph. As for Tuesday night, the skies will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to a low around 58 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. [NWS]