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

Fairfax prosecutor slams federal government for ‘fearmongering’ around crime

By Jared Serre
Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano took a swing at the federal government yesterday (Wednesday), claiming that the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is making it harder for prosecutors to effectively do their jobs.

“The first thing that I hear in our community over and over again is, not only does the federal government focus on fearmongering around crime, but they’re taking it a step further now by actually creating a culture of fear around law enforcement,” Descano said.

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Around Town

Fried chicken and burger chain eyes Reston for next location

By Jared Serre
The forthcoming Nash & Smashed location in Reston (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A rapidly expanding restaurant chain has identified Reston for one of its newest locations.

Signage has appeared above a storefront near Home Depot for Nash & Smashed, a D.C.-area chain offering Nashville-style chicken, smashburgers and much more.

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News

Faulty surge protector triggered Annandale apartment fire, officials say

By Jared Serre
Firefighters battle a blaze at an Annandale apartment complex (photo via Fairfax Fire)

A fire that destroyed several units in the Vista of Annandale apartments over the weekend was electrical in origin, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said yesterday (Tuesday).

Specifically, an “electrical event involving a surge protector” is what set an apartment building in the 7900 block of Charles Thomson Lane ablaze, the fire department says.

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News

Virginia AG Miyares to investigate Fairfax’s top prosecutor over abduction case

By Jared Serre
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Andres Caceres Jaldin and AG Jason Miyares (photos via offices and FCPD)

Attorney General Jason Miyares intends to investigate the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office after the attempted abduction of a 3-year-old from Fair Oaks Mall last month.

Virginia Republicans argued Friday (Aug. 1) that Andres Caceres Jaldin, who allegedly swiped the toddler from a play area on July 18 before being stopped on the mall’s second floor, should have been in custody based on previous criminal charges — not out in the community.

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Countywide

Fired federal workers voice frustrations in Walkinshaw-hosted roundtable

By Jared Serre
James Walkinshaw listens to a speaker at a roundtable for fired federal workers (staff photo by Jared Serre)

It’s been a rough six months for federal government workers, and few places in the country have been hit as hard by layoffs as Fairfax County.

Based on 2023 Census estimates, approximately 80,000 people — or 13% of the county’s entire workforce — are employed by the federal government, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority reported this spring. But with drastic cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in recent months, that number has likely plummeted.

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News

Man sentenced to jail, fined after viral drag race in Tysons

By Jared Serre
A Cybertruck and a Lamborgini set up for a race on Leesburg Pike at Westwood Center Drive in Tysons (via @ccj_media/Instagram)

One of the drivers featured in a viral video of a Tysons street race last year received a 90-day jail sentence yesterday (Thursday).

Carlos Montero, 38, of Sterling had all but five days of his sentence suspended, in addition to receiving a six-month limitation on his driver’s license and fines totaling $950.

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News

First Republican enters potential Braddock District supervisor special election

By Jared Serre
Ken Balbuena (photo courtesy of Balbuena for Braddock)

Local Republicans have their first candidate for a potential vacancy on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Ken Balbuena, who bills himself as a “common sense community leader,” announced his candidacy today (Tuesday) for Braddock District supervisor — should incumbent James Walkinshaw win election to Congress.

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News

Walkinshaw, Whitson spar over federal worker cuts, ICE in candidate forum

By Jared Serre
James Walkinshaw and Stewart Whitson (staff photos by Jared Serre)

The two major party candidates seeking to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District made their case to voters yesterday (Monday).

Speaking at the Reston Community Center in Hunters Woods, Democrat James Walkinshaw and Republican Stewart Whitson discussed a variety of topics ahead of September’s special general election.

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Around Town

French-inspired bakery and cafe to open soon on Leesburg Pike

By Jared Serre and Angela Woolsey
De Ma Vie is coming to 7787 Leesburg Pike in Idylwood (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Idylwood will soon welcome a French bakery and cafe.

Construction permits have been filed for De Ma Vie, a new venture that will take over the first floor of the commercial building at 7787 Leesburg Pike.

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