Jared Serre | FFXnow

Identity of skeletal remains found in Fair Lakes 20 years ago still unknown

Published April 8, 2026 at 10:00AM

What investigators believe the man behind the skeletal remains looked like (photos via NamUS)

Local and state investigators continue to hunt for the identity behind skeletal remains found in Fair Lakes two decades ago.

It’s been 20 years and two days since the remains were discovered in a wooded area near the I-66 East ramp to the northbound lanes of Fairfax County Parkway on April 6, 2006.

Around Town

Third annual Tysons Forest cleanup coming this weekend

By Jared Serre

Published April 7, 2026 at 3:45PM

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn with Tysons Forest Task Force Chair Jack Russell and other members for a cleanup event in 2025 (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)

An annual event promoting the preservation of a wooded area in Tysons return this weekend.

Led by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, the third annual Tysons Forest Cleanup will be held on Sunday (April 12) to “maintain the health” of the 65-acre “hidden green oasis,” county officials announced.

Countywide

Fairfax County police to increase traffic enforcement campaigns this month

By Jared Serre

Published April 6, 2026 at 2:45PM

FCPD officers stand during a Road Shark press conference in 2025 (photo via FCPD/Flickr)

Fairfax County drivers can expect to see an increase in traffic enforcement this month.

Local law enforcement will revive their Road Shark initiative, which aims to reduce speeding and reckless driving, later in April in conjunction with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Fairfax County Police Department said.

News

Tysons state senator will run for Congress in proposed 7th district

By Jared Serre

Published April 6, 2026 at 10:00AM

Saddam Azlan Salim (photo via campaign)

One local state lawmaker announced plans today (Monday) to seek a newly-drawn Congressional seat if Virginia’s redistricting amendment is approved by voters later this month.

Saddam Azlan Salim, a Democrat who has served in the state Senate since 2023, joins a crowded primary field for the proposed 7th Congressional District that includes two other state lawmakers and a former Virginia first lady.

News

Man pleads guilty to federal sex crimes two years after Fairfax County conviction

By Jared Serre

Published April 3, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (file photo)

A Woodbridge man who was previously convicted in Fairfax County for the sexual assault of two minors faces 40 years in prison after coercing dozens of underage victims to send him sexually explicit material.

Malachi Morgan Thomas, 24, pleaded guilty yesterday (Thursday) in federal court to two counts of sexual exploitation of children, as well as one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

News

New Kingstowne library, other Franconia facilities to open doors next week

By Jared Serre

Published April 2, 2026 at 11:45AM

The new Franconia District Governmental Center at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd (staff photo by James Cullum)

Nearly two months after their community library branch closed, Kingstowne residents will soon have a brand-new spot to check out books.

The neighborhood’s new regional library, under construction since 2023, will celebrate its official grand opening on Saturday, April 11 as part of the ribbon cutting for the new Franconia Governmental Center (7130 Silver Lake Blvd).

Around Town

Fairfax County unveils National Poetry Month events with food, live readings and more

By Jared Serre

Published April 1, 2026 at 3:45PM

Angelique Palmer has been appointed the Fairfax County poet laureate for 2024-2027 (courtesy ArtsFairfax)

As the calendar flips to April, organizers around Fairfax County are prepared to celebrate National Poetry Month.

With the support of ArtsFairfax, Fairfax County Poet Laureate Angelique Palmer is launching a “Poetry &” initiative that will bring a handful of events to the county throughout the month, with some starting as soon as next week.

News

FCPD hunting ‘con artist’ accused of swiping jewelry through sleight of hand

By Jared Serre

Published April 1, 2026 at 11:45AM

Police have identified Cristina Paun as a suspect in a series of jewelry robberies on March 20, 2026, including one incident at Backlick Plaza in Springfield (photos via FCPD)

Local law enforcement is searching for a 21-year-old Baltimore woman accused of swiping jewelry from multiple victims through sleight of hand.

Cristina Milhaela Paun has been connected to two different incidents where a woman’s necklace was stolen — both on March 20, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Around Town

Shipley Do-Nuts eyes summer opening for new Vienna location

By Jared Serre

Published April 1, 2026 at 10:00AM

Construction is underway on the future Shipley Do-Nuts space next to Smoothie King at 256 Maple Avenue East in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna residents will have to wait a little while longer before a forthcoming Shipley Do-Nuts location officially opens for business.

Construction to build out the space adjacent to Smoothie King is underway. But despite recent speculation that it could open as soon as next month, the neighborhood’s new donut shop is not expecting to open its doors until later this summer.

Around Town

West Coast pizza chain decides on Reston to start N. Va. expansion

By Jared Serre

Published March 31, 2026 at 10:00AM

Pepperoni Pizza at Mountain Mike's Pizza (photo courtesy of Mountain Mike's)

As part of a plan to expand out east, a pizza chain currently based mostly on the West Coast has set its sights on Reston’s South Lakes Village Center.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza has secured a space at the shopping center, and intends to open at 11160-D South Lakes Drive — the former Pet Valu storefront — by the end of this year, a spokesperson told FFXnow.