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 restorative justice program to use grant funds to eliminate risk of racial bias

By Jared Serre
Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A Fairfax-based restorative justice pilot program could become permanent after receiving a grant from Microsoft and the Urban Institute.

Adult Accountability for Safer Communities (AASC) is one of 25 nonprofit organizations selected to join the Catalyst Grant Program, which aims to advance the use of data and technology to improve racial equity and reform in the criminal legal system.

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News

Two-alarm Kingstowne fire started from ‘spontaneous combustion’

By Jared Serre
Firefighters respond to a two-alarm fire on Dunstable Lane in Kingstowne (photo courtesy of Fairfax Fire & EMS)

Fairfax County fire officials have determined the cause of a two-alarm fire in a Kingstowne neighborhood earlier this week.

Spontaneous combustion of “stained soaked rags” and sawdust initiated the fire in the Coventry townhomes yesterday morning (Wednesday), the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said today.

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News

Early voting starts tomorrow in special election for late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s successor

By Jared Serre
11th Congressional District candidates Stewart Whitson and James Walkinshaw (photos via campaigns)

Two months after the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly, voters will begin casting ballots to determine his successor.

The early voting period for the 11th Congressional District special election begins tomorrow (Friday). It will run through 5 p.m. on Sept. 6, ending three days before the scheduled election day on Sept. 9.

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News

FCPD: Man arrested after forcing way into two occupied hotel rooms

By Jared Serre
Comfort Inn at 6560 Loisdale Court in Springfield (via Google Maps)

A 25-year-old man has been arrested after police allege that he forced his way into two Fairfax County hotel rooms earlier this week.

Arlington resident Eric Isler was taken into custody yesterday (Tuesday), hours after the second of two incidents, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

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Around Town

MetroFest to celebrate transit at Vienna station this weekend

By Jared Serre
A train at the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro’s summer celebration will be held in Vienna this weekend.

Transit fans of all ages can indulge in a variety of WMATA-themed activities at MetroFest on Saturday (July 26), providing them a behind-the-scenes look at the D.C. region’s largest public transportation provider.

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News

County proposes design changes to make Gallows Road more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly

By Jared Serre
Fairfax County DOT official Mike Garcia speaks with a resident at Kilmer Middle School (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County officials have outlined a long-term improvement plan for Gallows Road that they hope will support a more harmonious relationship between drivers and pedestrians.

Presented at community meetings on July 15 and 17, the “preferred alternatives” in the Gallows Road multimodal transportation study aim to modernize the corridor due to an increasing presence of active transportation — those who walk, jog and bike.

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News

Second school board member announces Braddock supervisor bid

By Jared Serre
School Board chair Rachna Sizemore Heizer (photo courtesy of Kyle the Girl Photography)

A second member of the Fairfax County School Board is angling for a spot on the county’s Board of Supervisors if James Walkinshaw is elected to Congress.

Rachna Sizemore Heizer, who has served on the school board since 2019, announced her campaign for Braddock District supervisor today (Monday), despite no guarantee that an election for the seat is forthcoming.

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Around Town

New restaurant serves up soup dumplings in Fair Oaks Mall

By Jared Serre
Future location of Ugly Dumpling at Fair Oaks Mall (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A new dining option arrived at Fair Oaks Mall earlier this week.

Ugly Dumpling, which announced plans to join the mall’s slate of eateries last year, celebrated its grand opening at 11947U Fair Oaks Mall, Suite G-213, on Monday (July 14).

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News

FCPD seeks man accused of exposing self in Groveton Target

By Jared Serre
Person of interest in an indecent exposure incident in Groveton (photo courtesy of FCPD)

The Fairfax County Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify a man accused of exposing himself at a store in Groveton last month.

The man allegedly exposed himself to a 9-year-old girl who was with her mother inside the Target store at 6600 Richmond Highway, according to scanner traffic.

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Around Town

Chicken and gyro restaurant to offer free food for Fairfax City grand opening

By Jared Serre
Blazin' Chicken and Gyro in Fairfax City (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A New York-based restaurant chain will officially introduce itself to Fairfax City tomorrow (Thursday).

After welcoming its first customers with a soft opening earlier this month, Blazin’ Chicken and Gyro plans to commemorate the grand opening of its second D.C.-area location with complimentary food, juices and milkshakes from 5-9 p.m.

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