Jared Serre | FFXnow

FCPD investigating fatal wrong-way crash in Centreville

Published August 27, 2025 at 8:30AM

The intersection of Sully Park Drive and Kamputa Drive (photo via Google Maps)

Fairfax County police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash in Centerville earlier this week that killed an 80-year-old man.

Officers responded to the intersection at Sully Park Drive and Kamputa Drive on Monday (Aug. 25) afternoon after a wrong-way driver reportedly struck three other vehicles.

News

Meals tax increase approved by Vienna Town Council with no sunset date

By Jared Serre

Published August 26, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated August 26, 2025 at 9:01AM

The Vienna Town Council votes on whether to raise the meals tax (via Town of Vienna/X)

Diners will pay a little bit more to eat at Vienna restaurants starting next year.

By a 6-1 vote yesterday (Monday), the Vienna Town Council approved a one-percentage-point increase to the town’s meals tax, bumping the current 3% rate to 4% indefinitely.

Around Town

Taste of NoVA food festival expanding to two days this fall

By Jared Serre

Published August 25, 2025 at 1:45PM

A patron samples food at the Taste of NoVA (photo courtesy of Taste of NoVA)

For the first time, one of Northern Virginia’s most popular food festivals is expanding to two days.

The Taste of NoVA, returning for its third year, will be held both October 11 and 12 — Friday and Saturday — from noon to 4 p.m., according to event organizers.

News

Plan for road diet with bike lanes on Huntington Avenue stalls

By Jared Serre

Published August 25, 2025 at 10:30AM

The proposed road diet concept for Huntington Avenue at Telegraph Road (via FCDOT)

A plan to add bike lanes and reconfigure part of Huntington Avenue in the Mount Vernon District has come to a halt without a clear path forward.

The project, which was a joint effort of Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), has stalled after multiple years of planning, both agencies told FFXnow.

Around Town

Long lines greet new Layered cafe in Fairfax City during soft opening

By Jared Serre

Published August 22, 2025 at 3:45PM

Layered cafe in Fairfax City (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Those who have come to try Layered‘s viral fruit-shaped pastries during the cafe’s soft opening have been finding much more than they’ve bargained for.

Since the cafe opened its doors in Fairfax City at Courthouse Plaza (3924 Blenheim Blvd) earlier this summer, diners have been greeted by long lines and, in some instances, empty cases.

News

Construction on new pickleball courts, skate park to begin this fall

By Jared Serre

Published August 22, 2025 at 10:00AM

Rendering of the forthcoming pickleball courts at Greenbriar Park (photo via FCPA)

This autumn will be busy for the Fairfax County Parks Authority (FCPA).

Plans to install pickleball courts at Greenbriar Park near Fair Lakes and a skate park at Mount Vernon Woods Park in Hybla Valley will move forward in the coming weeks, the park authority announced yesterday (Thursday).

News

Family launches GoFundMe after FCPS student, dad killed in crash

By Jared Serre

Published August 21, 2025 at 1:45PM

Isabella Rios with her mother Milenka Rios after graduating from Silverbrook Elementary School (photo via GoFundMe)

A local family is seeking help for funeral expenses after a rising South County Middle School student and her father died in a crash earlier this week.

Isabella “Izzy” Rios, 12, and Alberto Samperio, 46, were killed Sunday (Aug. 17) after their vehicle crossed a center line and struck an oncoming vehicle, the Virginia State Police said.

Countywide

Fairfax County tests AI for public safety calls, eyes expanded implementation

By Jared Serre

Published August 20, 2025 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County's 911 operations floor in the McConnell Public Safety & Transportation Operations Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Yesterday (Tuesday) marked a major milestone in the future of Fairfax County’s emergency response: one of the agency’s first uses of artificial intelligence.

For a brief period of time that day, the county’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) tested an AI system to triage select calls for service to the non-emergency line, officials announced.

News

FCPD: Man previously convicted of felony caught with loaded firearm in Groveton

By Jared Serre

Published August 20, 2025 at 10:00AM

Nathan Temesgen (photos via FCPD)

Local police arrested a man last week for allegedly illegally possessing a firearm — but only after stopping him for another offense.

The man was spotted driving a stolen vehicle in the 6000 block of Richmond Highway in Groveton around 10:38 a.m. on Aug. 14, catching the attention of Auto Crimes Enforcement detectives, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Tuesday).

News

Construction to begin on new ‘Botanist’ apartment building in Fairfax City

By Jared Serre

Published August 19, 2025 at 2:45PM

A rendering of The Botanist apartment building (photo courtesy of Hickock Cole)

An office parking lot in Fairfax City will soon be replaced by more than 200 residential units.

Land and financing have been secured to develop The Botanist, a seven-story apartment building, at 10350 Eaton Place near the intersection of Fairfax Blvd and Chain Bridge Road.