Jared Serre | FFXnow

Braddock District’s Tom Dannan sworn in as newest school board member

Published March 20, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Shannon deliver the oath of office to Braddock school board representative Tom Dannan (staff photo by Jared Serre)

The Braddock District’s newest representative on the Fairfax County School Board has officially taken office.

Tom Dannan, who defeated GOP-endorsed Saundra Davis earlier this month, was formally sworn in prior to last night’s board meeting. He replaces Rachna Sizemore Heizer, and will serve the remainder of a term that ends in 2027.

Around Town

Hawkley Brewing opens today in Herndon’s former Juicy Brewing space

By Jared Serre

Published March 20, 2026 at 9:15AM

Inside the new Hawkley Brewing in Herndon on March 19, 2026 (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Herndon will welcome a new watering hole today, complete with its own selection of craft brews.

Hawkley Brewing will open at noon at 257 Sunset Park Drive in the Sunset Business Park — the former space of Juicy Brewing Company, which closed last year.

News

Amid legal dispute, McDaniel set for return to school board budget committee

By Jared Serre

Published March 19, 2026 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County School Board member Kyle McDaniel (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A former chair of the Fairfax County School Board’s budget committee will return to the panel after a judge tossed out a complaint accusing him of embezzling $175,000 from a company he was a part owner of.

Kyle McDaniel, who served as the budget committee chair for 10 months before stepping down last April, is expected to be appointed vice chair of the committee when the school board meets tonight (Thursday), according to the meeting agenda.

Around Town

New gym lines up to replace Anytime Fitness at Twinbrooke Shopping Center

By Jared Serre

Published March 19, 2026 at 2:45PM

Inside a Pump24 location (photo courtesy of Pump24)

Though Anytime Fitness is set to close later this spring, the Twinbrooke Shopping Center won’t go without a gym for long.

Expected to open in the Kings Park West strip mall this summer is Pump24, a local gym brand “designed for individuals who take their training seriously and are seeking a higher-quality experience than traditional big-box facilities,” a spokesperson said.

News

Developer seeks to expand Idylwood apartment complex with almost 600 new homes

By Jared Serre

Published March 18, 2026 at 2:45PM

A rendering of the proposed new housing on the Eaves Fairfax Tower property in Idylwood (via Vika Virginia/Fairfax County)

The owner of an Idylwood apartment complex is seeking approval from Fairfax County officials for a proposed expansion that would more than double its housing supply.

AvalonBay Communities submitted an application to the county earlier this month for a rezoning of the 17.2-acre Eaves Fairfax Towers property at 2251 Pimmit Drive so it can move forward with plans to add nearly 600 units.

Around Town

Mexican restaurant Banditos Bar & Kitchen closes near GMU in Fairfax

By Jared Serre

Published March 18, 2026 at 11:45AM

Banditos Bar & Kitchen in Fairfax City (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A Mexican restaurant near George Mason University’s Fairfax campus abruptly shuttered this week.

Banditos Bar & Kitchen has closed after three years in business at 10621 Braddock Road in University Mall, the restaurant announced yesterday (Tuesday) on social media.

Countywide

Herrity request to review ‘Trust Policy’ dismissed by rest of Fairfax County board

By Jared Serre

Published March 17, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 17, 2026 at 7:56PM

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Despite the pleas of one local lawmaker, Fairfax County officials will not revisit their Trust Policy restricting information sharing with federal immigration enforcement agencies anytime soon.

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity proposed revisiting the policy at today’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors, but the suggestion was rejected without discussion by the other nine members — all Democrats.

News

‘I’m not ready to give up’: Herrity will run for sixth term on Fairfax County board

By Jared Serre

Published March 16, 2026 at 3:45PM

Supervisor Pat Herrity (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County’s lone Republican lawmaker will campaign for reelection next year.

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity announced plans at last month’s Fairfax GOP convention to seek a sixth term on the county’s Board of Supervisors, potentially extending a tenure that began nearly two decades ago.

News

FCPD: Four killed, three injured in weekend crashes

By Jared Serre

Published March 16, 2026 at 9:30AM | Updated March 18, 2026 at 10:20AM

Fairfax County police car with lights flashing (file photo)

Four people in Fairfax County were killed Saturday (March 14) between two crashes in Reston and Mount Vernon, according to police.

Among the deceased are three adults — including a 79-year-old man — and one juvenile, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Sunday).

News

Driver in 2023 Burke crash that killed teen sentenced to prison

By Jared Serre

Published March 13, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County police are stepping up their presence on Burke Centre Parkway this week (via FCPD/Twitter)

The driver who struck and killed a 17-year-old girl while street racing in Burke in 2023 will spend the next three years behind bars.

Joel Angel Zelaya, 45, was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) after previously pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He received a sentence of 10 years, seven of which were suspended, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office announced.