Author: Jared Serre

Jared Serre covers local business, public safety and breaking news across Local News Now's websites. Originally from Northeast Ohio, he is a graduate of West Virginia University. He previously worked with Law360 before joining LNN in May 2024.

Around Town

Jamaican eatery set for grand opening after moving to Fair Oaks Mall

By Jared Serre
Fair Oaks Mall sign (file photo)

Fair Oaks Mall will welcome the second chapter of a local Jamaican restaurant later this month.

Jas & Fam Caribbean Flavor will celebrate its grand opening in the mall (11709L Fair Oaks Mall) on Jan. 17, following the closure of its restaurant at 3850 Blenheim Blvd in Fairfax City last September.

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Vienna Police: Man brandished firearm amid dog-related dispute

By Jared Serre
Vienna Police Department sign on headquarters building (file photo)

A 26-year-old man was arrested last month on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Vienna for brandishing a firearm after he became “aggressive” during a dog-related dispute.

Members of the Vienna Police Department responded to the trail on Dec. 21 after the 26-year-old — who had been told to stop whistling at the dog — began following the dog and its owner before pulling out a gun.

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Fairfax Dems to endorse Braddock school board candidate with open caucus

By Jared Serre
Tom Dannan and Alexa Krezel (photos via candidates)

Braddock District Democrats will meet this weekend to determine their favored candidate for a vacant school board seat.

Though school board seats are non-partisan, local political parties can endorse a candidate. With two people running to represent the district on the Fairfax County School Board, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) will let voters to decide who receives its backing.

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Early voting opens this weekend to fill David Bulova’s delegate seat

By Jared Serre
Gretchen Bulova and Adam Wise (photos via campaign and Fairfax GOP)

Some Fairfax County and city voters will head to the polls this weekend to fill a vacancy in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Tomorrow (Saturday) marks the first day of early voting in the 11th House District, which includes Fairfax City, Oakton and Fair Oaks. The seat, formerly held by David Bulova, was vacated last month after he was accepted a job as secretary of natural and historic resources for the administration of Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.

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Around Town

Wendy’s to close longstanding Vienna restaurant today

By Jared Serre
Wendy's in Vienna (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), Vienna residents will have to travel a bit further to satisfy their Wendy’s cravings.

The fast food chain’s store in the neighborhood, located at 411 Maple Ave East, is closing after wrapping up service at midnight today (Monday), an employee confirmed to FFXnow.

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Nonprofit chairman claims narrow win in Democrats’ 17th House District primary

By Jared Serre
Garrett McGuire (photo via campaign)

The Democratic Party’s nominee for a deep-blue House of Delegates seat in southeast Fairfax County was determined yesterday (Sunday) by a mere 54 votes.

Ultimately, it was United Community Board of Directors chair Garrett McGuire who claimed victory in Sunday’s firehouse primary, narrowly besting veteran teacher Joy McManus in the race to succeed Mark Sickles as delegate in the 17th House District.

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Del. Mark Sickles to vacate seat for finance post under Gov.-elect Spanberger

By Jared Serre
Mark Sickles (photo via House of Delegates)

Another one of Fairfax County’s veteran state lawmakers is leaving the House of Delegates for a job in the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.

Del. Mark Sickles (D-17), who has represented Franconia, Huntington, Rose Hill and Hayfield in Richmond since 2004, has been appointed as Virginia’s next secretary of finance, Spanberger’s transition team announced today (Tuesday).

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Around Town

Sports, trading card shop opening in Herndon early next year

By Jared Serre
Goatz Sports Cards in Herndon (photo courtesy of Bryan Janick)

A store selling increasingly-popular cardboard collectibles plans to open in Herndon early next year.

Scheduled for a grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 3, Goatz Sports Cards replaced a former chiropractor’s office in the strip of businesses at 208 Elden Street.

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Around Town

Indoor golf club and cafe swings for spring opening in Merrifield

By Jared Serre
Rendering of NextVision Golf Club in Merrifield (via NextVision Golf Club)

A business hoping to offer the feel of a traditional golf course inside a Merrifield storefront is hoping to open next year.

NextVision Golf Club, which will offer indoor golf simulators, coaching, a cafe and more, anticipates a “late spring 2026 opening,” owner Sean Oh told FFXnow.

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Special election gives Republican new shot at David Bulova’s delegate seat

By Jared Serre
Adam Wise (photo via candidate)

A familiar Republican face is seeking the 11th District seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates.

The GOP has named Adam Wise, a firearms instructor and self-defense teacher, as its nominee for next month’s special election — only two months after he was defeated by incumbent Democrat David Bulova in the November general election.

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