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

J. Crew Factory store opening soon in Fair City Mall

By Jared Serre
J. Crew Factory is coming to Fair City Mall next to Yama Chen's Sushi (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The mystery tenant that began construction at Fair City Mall late last year has been unveiled.

Signage for J.Crew Factory has appeared on one storefront in the Fairfax City shopping center, located next to YamaChen’s Sushi House. The space was last occupied in 2018 by HobbyWorks.

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News

County weighs options for Lorton landfill development after ski resort stalls

By Jared Serre
The proposed site of a municipal solid waste processing facility within the I-95 landfill in Lorton (via Fairfax County)

As the calendar flips to 2025, the future of the I-95 landfill site in Lorton is still up in the air.

Fairfax County officials are entertaining new projects for development on the 489-acre site, barely a week after a developer’s plans to erect an indoor ski complex skidded to a halt due to financial reasons.

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News

Reston group collects nearly 300 backpacks with supplies to assist unhoused residents

By Jared Serre
Members of "Made in Reston" at their winter 2024 backpack drive (photo courtesy of Rosa Simon)

Thanks to the efforts of a local group of volunteers, nearly 300 unhoused residents in Northern Virginia are starting 2025 on the right foot.

The group, dubbed “Made in Reston,” collected and distributed 290 backpacks with winter goods in December to help people experiencing homelessness in Reston, Herndon and Vienna get “all the supplies they need to be ready to stay out for many hours and to make that time a bit more comfortable,” organizer Rosa Simon told FFXnow.

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Around Town

Fairfax County businesses close, offer specials during snowstorm

By Jared Serre
Vienna Shopping Center in the snow (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

It is safe to say that Monday’s snowstorm has impacted every inch of Fairfax County.

As numerous residents and businesses work to dig themselves out of roughly 6 inches of snow, some storefronts have opened their doors to offer various snow day specials. These include:

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News

FCPS teacher arrested, fired for allegedly selling vape cartridges to students

By Jared Serre
Falls Church High School entrance (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A teacher at Falls Church High School was arrested this week after she allegedly sold vape cartridges to numerous students.

Kaitlyn Cresent was taken into custody on Monday (Dec. 30) after investigators determined she had sold the vape cartridges — which contained nicotine and THC — to four different students, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Friday).

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Around Town

Fast food rival seeks to replace shuttered Burger King in Reston

By Jared Serre
The former Burger King in Reston's Hunters Woods Village Center (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A longtime fast food rival is close to taking over the former Burger King in Reston’s Hunters Woods Village Center.

Fairfax County is currently reviewing a permit that would allow McDonald’s to renovate the drive-thru building at 2270 Hunters Woods Plaza, which has sat vacant since Burger King shuttered in April 2023.

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Countywide

NEW: Supervisor Pat Herrity announces run for lieutenant governor

By Jared Serre
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County’s top Republican policymaker is entering the race for lieutenant governor.

Pat Herrity, who has represented the Springfield District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for more than 15 years, formally announced his candidacy for the office this morning (Friday).

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Around Town

South Block now serving Dulles Airport amid Fairfax expansion

By Jared Serre
The new South Block location at Dulles International Airport (photo courtesy of South Block)
The new South Block location at Dulles International Airport (photo courtesy of South Block)

An Arlington-based chain of health-conscious eateries is now catering to more than just local diners.

South Block began serving customers at Dulles International Airport on Monday, Dec. 30, opening up its collection of smoothies, acai bowls and cold-pressed juice to travelers.

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Around Town

Oakton’s SouvlakiBar to reopen after merging with another Greek restaurant chain

By Jared Serre
The former Souvlaki Bar in Oakton (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Oakton residents craving gyros, spanakopita and more will have to get familiar with a new eatery in 2025.

After closing on Dec. 21, the neighborhood’s SouvlakiBar at 2930 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 111, is in the process of rebranding due to a partnership with a fellow chain of Greek restaurants.

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News

Developer will still pursue indoor ski resort in Lorton after losing exclusive rights

By Jared Serre
A rendering of Alpine-X's planned Fairfax Peak project in Lorton (via Alpine-X)

The exclusive rights to bring an indoor ski resort to Lorton will soon expire for one developer, but the project isn’t going away.

Alpine-X, which is looking to build a 450,000-square-foot complex on a closed section of the I-95 landfill, will continue to pursue the “Fairfax Peak” project after the rights end on Dec. 31.

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