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.

Around Town

Tysons ramen shop aims to open Belle Haven expansion this month

By Jared Serre
The forthcoming Yido Ramen and Sushi in Belle Haven (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Belle Haven residents soon won’t have to travel far for a bowl of ramen.

Yido Ramen and Sushi expects to open its doors in the Belle View Shopping Center later this month, according to its Instagram account. The restaurant announced in late May that it’s looking to hire servers, dishwashers, a kitchen chef and other workers.

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Around Town

Barnes & Noble announces grand reopening event for Tysons store

By Jared Serre
Barnes & Noble is expected to reopen at Tysons Corner Center in summer 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

One of the world’s largest booksellers returns to Tysons Corner Center next week in a new, revamped location.

Barnes & Noble will officially open its doors next Wednesday (June 18), returning to the mall in a brand new space with an updated layout.

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Around Town

New Fairfax City cafe to open in former McDonald’s this summer

By Jared Serre
The forthcoming Layered cafe (photo courtesy of FCED)

A new option for coffee and pastries is tentatively scheduled to open this year in Fairfax City.

Layered, which comes from the team behind the bakery Chateau de Chantilly, is targeting a soft opening in the former McDonald’s building at Courthouse Plaza in mid to late July 2025, according to Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED).

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News

Republicans will decide 11th Congressional District nominee at lone canvass event

By Jared Serre
Clockwise from top left: Mike Van Meter, Nathan Headrick, Lucas Rand, Karina Lipsman (photos via Fairfax GOP)

Local Republicans will determine their nominee for the 11th Congressional District special election on the same day as their Democratic counterparts.

A singular canvass event will be held on June 28 at Fairfax High School, gathering all voters in one location to select a nominee, Virginia’s 11th Congressional District Republican Committee announced last week.

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News

Democrats plan ‘firehouse’ primary for 11th District special election

By Jared Serre
The Fairfax County Government Center on Election Day 2024 (staff photo by Jared Serre)

June will be a hectic month for many Fairfax County voters.

In addition to participating in statewide elections, Democratic voters will be faced with choosing their party’s nominee for the 11th Congressional District special election to determine the late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s successor.

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Countywide

FCPD boosts presence at nightlife hotspots to start summer crime initiative

By Jared Serre
A Fairfax County Police Department vehicle outside Target in the Mosaic District at night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As the calendar flips to the summer months, the Fairfax County Police Department plans to take a modified approach to addressing the latest crime trends.

The department announced plans yesterday (Wednesday) for a summer crime initiative that will take “deliberate steps” to ensure safety — including increased officer presence to curb potential offenders.

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News

Two men plead guilty in drunk-driving crashes that killed pedestrians

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

Two men accused of striking and killing pedestrians while driving under the influence pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter last month.

Carlos Nunez Morales and Michael Rambudhan, both residents of Woodbridge, are set to be sentenced in August for their roles in the pair of 2024 crashes. According to statute, each man faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the manslaughter charge alone.

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News

Former FCPS teacher unlikely to serve jail time after groping allegations

By Jared Serre
Fairview Elementary School teacher John Barger has been charged with sexual assault (via FCPD)

A former Fairfax County elementary school teacher is unlikely to see the inside of a jail cell for allegedly sexually assaulting two of his students.

John Barger, who taught music at Fairview Elementary School in Fairfax Station, received a six-month suspended sentence on May 23, meaning he will only face incarceration if he fails to follow certain guidelines during a one-year probationary period.

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Around Town

Western pizza chain eyes Fairfax County in East Coast expansion

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

A pizza chain with nearly 300 locations on the West Coast will set up shop in Fairfax County as part of its latest expansion efforts.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza has signed an agreement to open three new restaurants across Fairfax and Loudoun counties, the company said.

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News

JUST IN: Youngkin schedules special election to replace Rep. Gerry Connolly

By Jared Serre
Rep. Gerry Connolly speaks at Lorton Station Elementary School in 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County voters will return to the polls this fall to choose a representative for the Virginia’s 11th Congressional District seat.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a writ of election today (Tuesday) scheduling a special election for Sept. 9 to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Gerry Connolly’s death on May 21.

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