Jared Serre | FFXnow

State Democrats start to pick sides early in race to choose Rep. Connolly’s successor

Published May 9, 2025 at 10:30AM

Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw and state Sen. Stella Pekarsky (photos via Board of Supervisors and social media)

Voters won’t cast their ballots in the Democratic primary election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District for another year, but that hasn’t stopped early candidates from sprinting out of the gates.

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who was the first Democrat to enter the race to replace retiring Rep. Gerry Connolly, has already garnered support from the incumbent congressman and former 10th Congressional District representative Jennifer Wexton.

Around Town

Barbershop at Dunn Loring Metro station will close next week

By Jared Serre

Published May 8, 2025 at 2:45PM

Roosters Men's Grooming Care in Dunn Loring (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A barbershop steps from the Dunn Loring Metro station is closing its doors next week.

Roosters Men’s Grooming Center, located at 2672H Avenir Place, will be permanently closed starting next Monday, May 12.

Around Town

All-you-can-eat sushi restaurant works toward opening near Dulles Airport

By Jared Serre

Published May 8, 2025 at 1:45PM

The Sushi Oishii restaurant in Herndon (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A local sushi restaurant chain is in the process of expanding to Herndon.

Signage for Sushi Oishii, which already boasts locations in Vienna and Maryland, has appeared on a storefront located mere miles away from Dulles International Airport.

Around Town

Tysons’ Kabob House has closed, will be replaced by similar restaurant

By Jared Serre

Published May 7, 2025 at 9:15AM

The former Food Corner Kabob Shop in Tysons (staff photo by Jared Serre)

The more things change in Tysons, the more they stay the same, it appears.

Food Corner Kabob House, located at 8315-B Leesburg Pike, closed last month after more than a dozen years in the Tysons Square shopping center. Signage has since appeared signaling a new tenant that will also be a kebab shop.

Countywide

SCOOP: State Sen. Stella Pekarsky joins race to replace Rep. Gerry Connolly

By Jared Serre

Published May 7, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated May 7, 2025 at 10:01AM

Stella Pekarsky speaks with voters at a roundtable event (photo via campaign)

Another Democrat is angling to potentially succeed Rep. Gerry Connolly.

State Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-36) will campaign for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District seat, stating in an announcement video first shared with FFXnow that she wants to run to provide not just a voice, but also action for those “terrified and angry” about the currently Republican-led federal government.

Countywide

JUST IN: Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw declares candidacy for Congress

By Jared Serre

Published May 6, 2025 at 2:30PM

James Walkinshaw speaks as Rep. Gerry Connolly looks on (photo via @JamesWalkinshaw/X)

A former longtime adviser to Rep. Gerry Connolly appears to be running to succeed his political mentor.

James Walkinshaw, a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the past five years, filed paperwork today (Tuesday) to formally seek the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.

Around Town

Paisano’s Pizza is moving its original location, but staying in Fair Lakes

By Jared Serre

Published May 6, 2025 at 8:30AM

Paisano's Pizza in the Shops at Fair Lakes (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A longtime tenant of the Shops at Fair Lakes plans to relocate this summer, though it won’t be going very far.

Paisano’s Pizza, which opened its very first location in the shopping center nearly 30 years ago, will be moving less than a mile away in the coming months, a representative for the shopping center told FFXnow.

News

Three Herndon men charged with soliciting children online in Loudoun

By Jared Serre

Published May 5, 2025 at 8:30AM

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office administrative building (via Google Maps)

Three Herndon residents were arrested last month on charges of attempting to exploit children in Loudoun County.

The men — identified as 45-year-old Ravi Shankar Reddy Gunipalli, 29-year-old Thomas Ian Wallace and 28-year-old Ruben Oben Nouta — were among eight people arrested by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office during the week of April 21 as part of an “internet chat operation,” according to a press release.

Around Town

Shop offering custom candles, charm jewelry opens tomorrow in Merrifield

By Jared Serre

Published May 2, 2025 at 8:15AM

The forthcoming District Candle Lab and Fawne space in Merrifield's Mosaic District (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A store focusing on one-of-a-kind creations is opening in Merrifield’s Mosaic District this weekend.

The grand opening for District Candle Lab and Fawne — a joint endeavor in one storefront — is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) at 2910 District Avenue, Unit 130.

Countywide

McDaniel steps away as Fairfax school board’s budget chair amid embezzlement allegations

By Jared Serre

Published May 1, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated March 19, 2026 at 3:56PM

At-large Fairfax Board of Supervisors representative Kyle McDaniel (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A Fairfax County School Board member accused of defrauding a company he is a part owner of out of more than $1.5 million has stepped away as chairman of the board’s budget committee.

Kyle McDaniel, an at-large representative, no longer oversees the committee, having willingly ceded the position to vice chair Rachna Sizemore Heizer in recent weeks, he confirmed to FFXnow.