Jared Serre | FFXnow

Demolition of Seven Corners homeless shelter to start this summer

Published May 20, 2025 at 2:45PM

Patrick Henry Family Shelter in Seven Corners (staff photo by Jared Serre)

The clock is ticking on a now-vacant Seven Corners homeless shelter.

Plans to replace the Patrick Henry Family Shelter have slowed in recent months, but it won’t be long now until the entire building at 3080 Patrick Henry Drive is razed, a county spokesperson told FFXnow.

Around Town

Home textiles shop Boll & Branch to open this week in Merrifield

By Jared Serre

Published May 19, 2025 at 2:45PM

Boll and Branch coming to the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A local outpost for organic cotton home textiles will open its doors in Merrifield later this week.

The latest location of Boll & Branch, a “leading designer and retailer of luxury home textiles,” will open in the Mosaic District on Thursday (May 22), according to a company spokesperson.

Countywide

Fairfax planning commissioner announces Congressional run

By Jared Serre

Published May 19, 2025 at 9:15AM

Candice Bennett (photo by Alex Sakes)

A Fairfax County planning commissioner is the latest candidate seeking to replace retiring Rep. Gerry Connolly.

Candice Bennett, who has served on the commission since 2020, announced Thursday (May 15) that she will campaign for the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which includes most of Fairfax County.

News

Oakton doctor sentenced to prison for improperly prescribing pills

By Jared Serre

Published May 16, 2025 at 3:45PM

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

An Oakton-based doctor who admitted to improperly prescribing opioid and amphetamine pills was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison earlier this week.

David Allingham, 65, authorized renewals of medications without providing physical examinations of patients during a nearly five-year period, federal prosecutors said.

Countywide

JUST IN: Fairfax Courthouse to stay closed for second day, some hearings moved

By Jared Serre

Published May 15, 2025 at 4:55PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Courthouse will be closed again tomorrow (Friday) due to ongoing technical issues.

All courts fully suspended operations today (Thursday) to address “ongoing technical difficulties” that the county hoped would be quickly resolved. When announcing this afternoon that the closure will be extended a day, the county elaborated that the issue is related to the courthouse’s “electronic access control system.”

News

Distinctive Tysons building could get minor facelift with new signage

By Jared Serre

Published May 15, 2025 at 2:45PM

MicroStrategy sign on 1850 Towers Crescent Plaza in Tysons (staff photo by Jared Serre)

One of Tysons’ more prominent buildings may soon undergo a minor facelift.

The primary tenant of 1850 Towers Crescent Plaza — colloquially known as “that big round building” to southbound drivers on the Capital Beltway (I-495) — has asked Fairfax County officials to approve a plan to update the building’s exterior signage.

Around Town

Dry cleaning brand expanding soon to McLean Square

By Jared Serre

Published May 15, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated May 15, 2025 at 6:41PM

Mulberrys Garment Care will open a location in McLean Square (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A rapidly expanding dry-cleaning brand is bringing its latest location to McLean.

Mulberrys Garment Care, which opened its first D.C. location in the Friendship Heights neighborhood in December 2023, has secured a space at 6647-B Old Dominion Blvd in McLean Square for its next expansion in the D.C. region.

News

Former Chantilly private school teacher charged with child sex crimes

By Jared Serre

Published May 14, 2025 at 1:55PM

Nicolas Martin Zimmerman mugshot (courtesy of Loudoun County Sheriff's Office)

A longtime teacher in Chantilly faces decades in prison after being charged with numerous child sex crimes.

Nicolas Martin Zimmerman, who formerly taught at St. Veronica Catholic School in Chantilly, was arrested last month by law enforcement in Loudoun County, the sheriff’s office announced today (Wednesday).

Around Town

Bubble tea shop draws lines for grand opening in Seven Corners

By Jared Serre

Published May 13, 2025 at 1:45PM

Customers line up for the grand opening of Shuyi Grass Jelly and Tea at Willston Centre II in Seven Corners (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A recently-opened bubble tea cafe has become Seven Corners’ hottest new establishment.

Customers eager for a sip of the popular tapioca drink lined up at Shuyi Grass Jelly & Tea this past weekend for its official grand opening at Willston Centre II, which included a buy-one, get-one promotional offer.

News

Left-turn restrictions from McLean street to Georgetown Pike proposed

By Jared Serre

Published May 13, 2025 at 8:30AM

Dead Run Drive approaching Georgetown Pike (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation will consider this week whether to implement a time-of-day turn restriction from one McLean road onto Georgetown Pike.

A proposal, which will be discussed at a virtual public meeting tomorrow (Wednesday), would prohibit outside drivers from turning left from Dead Run Drive during evening hours in hopes of limiting cut-through traffic in the neighborhood.