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.
Approximately 100 Fairfax County Police Department personnel will be on hand in D.C. to provide public safety support services on Inauguration Day.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding today (Tuesday) with the D.C. government and U.S. Attorney for the District, authorizing county staff to participate in Presidential Inaugural Task Force from Jan. 17-21.
Tree leaves are starting to change colors along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Metro to Discuss Earlier Weekend Trains — “Metro is considering running trains earlier on the weekends, starting them at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.” The proposal will be discussed at the Metro board meeting on Thursday (Oct. 24), which will also look at options for addressing the transit agency’s “long-term funding needs.” [NBC4]
County Hopes to Lure Korean Tech Firms — “Aiming to reinforce its reputation as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East,’ Fairfax County … is seeking to bring in more Korean tech firms specializing in emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and aerospace, David Kelley, the vice president of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said.” [Korea Herald]
Lawsuit Challenges Police Use of License Plate Readers — “A civil liberties organization has filed a federal lawsuit in Virginia arguing that widespread surveillance enabled by Flock, a company that sells networks of automated license plate readers, is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment.” The complaint targets Norfolk, but the Fairfax County Police Department has also adopted the technology. [404 Media]
Veterinary Clinic Approved for Fort Belvoir — “Military working dogs and other government-owned canines around the National Capital Region will have a more expansive place to get preventive and surgical care in the future with the recent approval of a new veterinary clinic at Fort Belvoir.” The facility “will be more than three times the size of the current veterinary facility located nearby.” [On the MoVe]
When Fall Foliage Might Peak — “Western parts of Virginia and Maryland are already awash in vibrant colors, but the states’ forestry officials said this year, with a hotter than average summer, it’s been particularly difficult to predict the color change in foliage.” In Northern Virginia, trees might develop more color in the first week of November. [WTOP]
New Furniture Shop Open in Annandale — “A new shop in Annandale, Elegant Snob, offers carefully curated furniture, art, clothing, and accessories … The shop is located on the first floor of an office building at 7620 Little River Turnpike, next to Wells Fargo Bank.” [Annandale Today]
Volunteers Wanted for Nonprofit Boards — “Leadership Fairfax is looking for people passionate about helping others to serve on the board of a nonprofit organization. On Wednesday, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Leadership Fairfax is hosting Board and Brew at the Lake House located at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave. in Reston.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of around 81°F, with light south winds of around 5 mph picking up in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows near 51°F, and south winds remaining at about 5 mph. [NWS]
Expect a sunny day with highs near 81 and calm winds transitioning to a southerly direction at 5 mph in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear with lows around 49 and a steady 5 mph south wind. See more from Weather.gov.
A worker opens an umbrella for an outdoor table on the plaza at the Shops at Avenir Place near the Dunn Loring Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
What to Expect This Winter in N. Va. — “According to NOAA’s latest Winter Outlook, Virginia residents should prepare for some interesting weather patterns this upcoming winter season. The forecast, which covers December 2024 through February 2025, shows that La Nina conditions will play a major role in shaping our winter weather.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Reston Woman Charged with Child Abuse — “A 9-year-old boy told police he was locked in a room, forced to urinate in a bottle and repeatedly beaten in a Reston, Virginia, apartment by a woman who was supposed to be caring for him, court documents say … An anonymous call to the Department of Family Services prompted the investigation in mid-August.” [NBC4]
Nearby: Loudoun Seeks to Boost Water Supply — “With most of the D.C. area dependent on the Potomac River, and an ongoing study to seek an alternative to D.C.’s drinking water supply, Loudoun County, Virginia, is taking steps to make sure it doesn’t get caught short … Loudoun Water is in the midst of converting a now-empty Luck Stone quarry into a raw water storage facility.” [WTOP]
Puppy Stolen From Chantilly Pet Store — “The search is on for a puppy allegedly taken from a pet store in Northern Virginia. It happened this week at the XO Pups store in Chantilly. Fairfax County Police are reviewing surveillance video after the store owner reported a 10-week-old Maltipoo stolen.” [NBC4]
Affordable Housing Waitlists Open — “Affordable housing waitlist applications will open on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. and will remain open through Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. for select properties.” Options include Coralain Gardens in West Falls Church, the Residences at North Hill in Hybla Valley and, for seniors, Little River Glen in the Fairfax area. [Fairfax County Housing and Community Development]
Fairfax City Gets New Korean BBQ Restaurant — The Woo Korean BBQ & Cuisine opened in Fairfax City’s West Fairfax Centre near Lowes at 4070 Jermantown Road on Oct. 9. Featuring the tabletop grills typical for Korean barbecue restaurants, the 2,500-square-foot space “has an upscale feel to it” and “appears to be the first location for the brand.” [The Burn]
McLean Startup Launches Online Housebuying Platform — “Sellona Inc., a three-person startup, debuted its built-from-scratch, zero-commission ‘digital platform’ on Oct. 9, joining a variety of other home-buying and -selling apps. Its founders say it differs from the competition in that it doesn’t charge users any commissions, subscription or other fees whatsoever.” [Washington Business Journal]
Artist Opens Pop-Up Shop at Reston Town Center — The Ovissi Foundation opened a pop-up concept called the Ovissi Boutique “at the former home of Lou Lou at 11955 Freedom Drive in Reston Town Center” over the weekend. Through Nov. 17, visitors can buy “the work of 90-year-old Nasser Ovissi, who has lived in Reston for more that 40 years.” [Patch]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a comfortable high of about 77°F, accompanied by a light northwest wind at around 6 mph. As night falls, the skies will remain clear and the temperature will drop to a cool 51°F with calm winds. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high near 69 degrees and a gentle 6 mph northwest wind that will calm down as the morning progresses. As night falls on Saturday, the skies will remain clear, and the temperatures will drop to a low of around 42 degrees with calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Trees and a light pole silhouetted against the setting sun at Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
National Airport Could Add More Long Flights — “Five airlines have received tentative approval to run new long-haul flights out of Reagan National Airport.” The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that it intends to grant one extra round-trip flight per day to San Antonio, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego. [ARLnow]
Mount Vernon Estate to Partially Close for Rehab — “On Nov. 1, the bulk of Washington’s famous home is due to close for several months as it undergoes the next phase of its largest-scale rehabilitation in over 150 years.” Various restoration projects have been undertaken at the Mount Vernon estate in recent years, with this latest work expected to wrap up in 2026. [Washington Post]
Gainesville-to-Reston Commuter Bus Could Be Axed — “Two new OmniRide commuter bus routes serving Warrenton and Front Royal and traveling into Washington, D.C., will be considered in a series of upcoming public hearings that will also involve discussion around the proposed elimination of the Gainesville-to-Reston route.” [WTOP]
Local Teen Stars in German Movie — “Tamino Beba, a freshman at West Springfield High School in Fairfax County, had always loved movies, and being in one had always been a ‘far fetched dream’ until one day that dream came true. Beba’s family had heard about a casting call for ‘Woodwalkers,’ a German-language movie series based on the novels of the same name by German author Katja Brandis.” [NBC4]
Tour de Mount Vernon Returns — “Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck invites you to join us for a Community Bike Ride AND Youth & Family Ride on Saturday October 19 2024, starting and ending at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.” Registration remains open for the event, which costs $35 per rider and starts at 8:30 a.m. [Mount Vernon District Office]
Halloween Movie Screening in Tysons Tonight — “To honor one of our favorite Halloween films of all time, The Boro will host an outdoor screening of Practical Magic on October 18 starting at 7:00pm in Boro Park.” Attendees can get a drink ticket for a midnight margarita, receive a palm reading and buy soap and lotion from a local vendor. [Eventbrite]
Trail in Burke to Close for Repairs — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will be conducting trail maintenance and repairs along the Huntsman Lake Trail beginning Oct. 21. The repairs include repaving work and replacement of timbers along the trail. Weather pending, the trail will reopen Oct. 26.” [FCPA]
Photos of Fairfax County Wanted — “Do you have stunning photos capturing the essence of Fairfax County? Whether it’s from a local park, a community event, a breathtaking skyline, a departmental gathering, or a newly launched initiative, we want to see them! Fairfax County is seeking exceptional images to feature in the Third Annual [Strategic Plan] Report.” [The Walkinshaw Advisory]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature of around 67 degrees and a north wind around 9 mph. The night will be clear and cool with a low temperature of around 44 degrees and a north wind ranging from 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies with a high near 67 and a north wind of 6 to 8 mph. Friday night will be clear with a low around 43 and a north wind around 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
Here in Fairfax County, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive townhouses sold last month (September 2024).
Outdoor dining at Barrel & Bushel in Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Speed Cameras Proposed on GW Parkway — Rep. Don Beyer plans to introduce legislation in January to allow speed cameras on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, particularly around the Belle View Road and Belle Haven Blvd intersections, which remain “confusing and dangerous” despite previous changes. Design work is underway on a road diet and other improvements in the corridor. [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Task Force Returns From Hurricane Relief — “VA-TF1 has been demobilized by @fema after supporting the local response in Florida & North Carolina for Hurricane Helene.” The urban search and rescue team was expected to return to its base in Chantilly after 7:30 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday). [VA-TF1/Twitter]
New Details in Herndon Double Murder Case — Fairfax County police believe Brendan Banfield’s mother helped pass along messages to Juliana Peres Magalhaes after the au pair was arrested and charged with murder, according to a search warrant affidavit. Banfield is also accused of murder after his wife was stabbed and a stranger shot at his home. [NBC4]
Fire Station Construction Prolonged — “Construction of the Fort Buffalo Station Fire on Sleepy Hollow Road in Seven Corners is nearly completed, but it’s not expected to open until February due to a construction problem.” Delivery of the apparatus bay’s front doors has been delayed by a change in manufacturer. [Annandale Today]
Reston VC Firm to Create National Security Fund — “Venture capital firm Razor’s Edge Ventures aims to raise a half-billion dollars — its largest fund to date — to invest in companies developing national security technology, an area of increasing interest to investors. The company indicated the $500 million goal for its fourth fund in an Oct. 1 Securities and Exchange Commission.” [Washington Business Journal]
Volunteers Tackle Invasive Plants Along GW Parkway — “National Park Service officials say that 29 percent of the parkway’s plants are invasive, not native to the area. Local volunteers with the Friends of Dyke Marsh, the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail and others work regularly, trying to manage these plants, but it’s a daunting task.” [On the MoVe]
Springfield Neighborhood Built by Students — “Spring Village Estates in Springfield may look like many other Fairfax County neighborhoods … But for those in the know, one thing makes the neighborhood stand out: It was built with the help of high school students” under a partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Foundation for Applied Technical Education. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Springfield Town Center Hosts FallFestival — “Join us for the Springfield Town Center Fall Fest on Saturday, October 19th from 11 AM-5 PM in the parking lot next to the Macy’s Parking Garage. This family-friendly event allows you to stroll through the dozens of fun exhibitors outdoors while enjoying various fall activities including pumpkin decorating, live music, a DJ, character performances, a magic show, and much more.” [Springfield Town Center]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 58 degrees with north winds from 7 to 11 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. For Thursday night, clear conditions will continue, along with a low of approximately 42 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds at about 7 mph. [NWS]
Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 58 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 7-11 mph and gusts reaching up to 18 mph. In the evening, the sky will remain clear with temperatures dropping to around 40 degrees, and the northwest wind will continue to blow at about 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
