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.

Countywide

Polls open for Va. gubernatorial election after strong early voting period across Fairfax County

By Jared Serre
A "vote here" sign outside the PARC at Tysons, one of Fairfax County's polling precincts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Voters across Virginia are now casting their Election Day ballots, but many in Fairfax County have no need for a last-minute trip to their polling place.

Just shy of 190,000 voters in Fairfax County cast a ballot during the early voting period, which ran from Sept. 19 through 5 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 1). That’s a jump of 7.4% compared to 2021, which is the last time the three statewide races were on the ballot.

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Fair Oaks movie theater evacuated over weekend after false shooting threat

By Jared Serre
Regal Cinemas at Fairfax Towne Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

At least 70 people were evacuated from a Fair Oaks movie theater on Sunday (Nov. 2) after a mass shooting threat was reported to law enforcement.

The threat, which was later determined to be non-credible, was received by staff at the Regal Cinemas in Fairfax Towne Center (4110 West Ox Road, Suite 12110) around 8 p.m., according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

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Spanberger spotlights affordability concerns during Annandale campaign stop

By Jared Serre
Abigail Spanberger speaks at a campaign event in Annandale (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Gubernatorial hopeful Abigail Spanberger took her “Virginia Votes Bus Tour” to Annandale yesterday (Thursday), continuing to sell her campaign to voters in Fairfax County mere days before Election Day.

Speaking to roughly 100 attendees at Soricha Tea & Theater (7112 Columbia Pike), the Democratic candidate reiterated her focus on addressing affordability challenges for residents, noting that prices have jumped across the Commonwealth for housing, energy, healthcare and more.

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Former Fairfax County delegate sentenced for Covid relief loan fraud

By Jared Serre
Former Virginia delegate Ibraheem Samirah (photo via campaign)

A Herndon man who previously represented western Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates will avoid jail time after admitting to fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

Democrat Ibraheem Samirah, who represented the old 86th district from 2019 until 2022, was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) by a federal judge in Alexandria to three years of probation for fraudulently obtaining the $83,300 loan for his dentist practice, NOVA Healthy Smiles (NHS), in May 2020.

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Teacher behind Centreville HS abortion claim sues FCPS for retaliation, defamation

By Jared Serre
Zenaida Perez speaks during a press conference in front of the Fairfax County Courthouse on Oct. 29, 2025 (staff photo by Jared Serre)

The Centreville High School teacher who alleged that a social worker pressured a student to get an abortion without parental notification — a claim that school officials called “likely untrue” — is now taking her case to court.

Zenaida Perez, backed by the pro-life advocacy organization Americans United for Life (AUL), filed a civil lawsuit yesterday (Wednesday) alleging that Fairfax County Public Schools defamed and retaliated against her after she went public with her claims.

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Fairfax City to ban guns at events and parks, starting next year

By Jared Serre
The Fairfax City Council during the Oct. 28, 2025, meeting (screenshot)

The list of places where guns can be carried in Fairfax City is getting smaller.

An ordinance to ban the possession of guns at city-permitted events and parks owned and operated by Fairfax City was approved Tuesday (Oct. 28) by the city council, aligning the city’s firearms policy with that of Fairfax County.

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Walkinshaw co-pens resolution honoring slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Tysons resident

By Jared Serre
James Walkinshaw (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Rep. James Walkinshaw (D) is one of three leading lawmakers introducing a resolution today (Wednesday) commemorating Jamal Khashoggi, a Tysons resident and journalist who was killed at the direction of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince.

The proposed resolution acknowledges the anniversary of Khashoggi’s 2018 killing, in addition to calling on the Saudi Arabian government to “ensure appropriate accountability” for those responsible for his death.

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FCPD: Man fatally overdoses after being detained for attack

By Jared Serre
Fairfax County police car lights flashing (file photo)

A 27-year-old man appears to have fatally overdosed on Sunday (Oct. 26) in Bailey’s Crossroads, shortly after allegedly injuring another man.

Officers initially responded to the 5900 block of Seminary Road around 2:45 p.m. for a report of a malicious wounding. Upon arriving, they found both the injured man and the 27-year-old man, who was believed to be “the suspect involved in the malicious wounding,” the Fairfax County Police Department said.

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Feedback wanted on proposed Fairfax Connector service changes for 2026

By Jared Serre
A Fairfax Connector bus passes Springfield Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

County officials are currently seeking feedback on proposed changes to Fairfax Connector bus service early next year.

Through Nov. 12, residents can weigh in on the proposal, which would only affect six different routes.

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