Author: Mary Stachyra Lopez

Mary Stachyra Lopez is a staff reporter covering business, public safety, education, and other community issues for Local News Now. She has previously worked at Patch.com, the Arlington Catholic Herald, and The Atlantic.

Around Town

‘America at 250’ art exhibition in McLean highlights works by 45 local artists

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Images from the "America at 250" exhibition at the McLean Art Gallery (Courtesy McLean Art Society)

There’s bad news and good news for anyone who wants to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial this weekend.

While soaring temperatures will create dangerous conditions during daytime hours Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, an indoor option for commemorating the occasion is available, courtesy of the McLean Art Society.

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Around Town

Banner’s Hallmark gift store has closed at Fair Oaks Mall

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
The Banner's Hallmark store in Fair Oaks Mall (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Hallmark is no longer greeting customers at Fair Oaks Mall, permanently closing its store there last week.

“We regret to inform you that our Fair Oaks Mall location is closing today,” the store said in an email sent to its customers on Friday (June 26). A coupon was attached for 20% off at other Banners’ Hallmark stores, “as a token of our gratitude.”

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News

Vienna nonprofits to support victims of Venezuela earthquake with donut fundraiser

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Texas Donuts staff serving customers at its grand opening in Vienna on Dec. 3, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two Vienna-based nonprofits are coming together to support victims of the twin earthquakes that left thousands dead and injured in Venezuela last week.

The One Neighborhood Foundation and People and Pets Together will host a fundraiser Saturday (July 4) from 8 a.m. to noon at Texas Donuts (167 Glyndon Street SE). A portion of every purchase will be donated to World Central Kitchen, the disaster relief nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.

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News

FCPS proposes plan for phasing students in, transportation at Skyview High School

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Skyview High School in Herndon (file photo)

The newest addition to Fairfax County Public Schools, Skyview High School in Herndon, is set to open this fall with over 700 ninth and tenth graders who opt in to attend the new school.

But the county school board is still deciding on a plan for full implementation of school boundaries — wherever those lines are drawn.

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News

Centreville High School renovation plans complicated by Skyview, unearthed leasing arrangement

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Centreville High School (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools has long planned to renovate and expand the aging facilities at Centreville High School to serve as many as 3,000 students.

But after unexpectedly purchasing a new campus in Herndon last year in the hopes of alleviate overcrowding at four high schools in the western end of the county, FCPS officials are facing a quandary: Does Centreville High School, which serves about 2,350 students today, still need an expansion?

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News

Arlington man charged in fatal pedestrian hit-and-run in Seven Corners

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Hein Quang Le (via FCPD)

An Arlington man has been charged in connection with the death of a pedestrian in Seven Corners last month, Fairfax County police said today (June 30).

Hein Quang Le, 63, of Arlington was charged on Sunday (June 28) with felony hit-and-run in connection with the death of Falls Church resident Jose Jimenez at Patrick Henry Drive and Route 50 (Arlington Blvd).

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News

Dulles Airport launches first-ever non-stop service to Taiwan

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
An Eva Air plane arrives at Dulles Airport on June 26, 2026 (courtesy Eva Air)

A Taiwan-based airline has just launched a 7,800-mile, nonstop route to Taipei from Dulles International Airport — the longest flight offered to any destination from D.C.-area airports.

Representatives from Eva Air, the Taiwanese government, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), and the Virginia Department of Aviation held a ceremonial water cannon salute, traditional dragon and lion dance performance, and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday (June 26) to mark the inaugural flight.

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Around Town

Arlington-founded Bakeshop opens its biggest bakery yet in Vienna

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Storefront for Bakeshop bakery and cafe in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

An Arlington-based dessert shop has opened its long-awaited Vienna location, the third in Virginia.

Bakeshop — which specializes in cupcakes, cakes, and macarons, in addition to breakfast sandwiches — opened its doors at 421 Maple Avenue East on June 20. The bakery and cafe took over and renovated the site of Skorpios Maggio’s Greek Family Restaurant, which closed in June 2024.

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News

Driver charged in Fairfax County Parkway hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Shaza Edris (via Fairfax County Police Department)

The driver believed to be involved in a crash that killed a pedestrian on Fairfax County Parkway last December has turned herself in and been charged in the pedestrian’s death.

Shaza Edris, 20, of Fairfax, was charged with felony hit and run involving in death, and using a handheld personal communications device while driving, the Fairfax County Police Department announced on Friday (June 26).

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Around Town

Where to find fireworks in Fairfax County for Fourth of July 2026

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Fireworks light up the night at the Workhouse Arts Center (courtesy Workhouse Arts Center)

Some of the biggest fireworks shows in the county are kicking off this weekend, as America prepares to mark its semiquincentennial on July 4.

In the week ahead, local communities and organizations will offer everything from classic community celebrations to alternatives to traditional fireworks displays, such as a daytime option at Mount Vernon or the Fairfax County Park Authority’s new patriotic drones lights show at Lake Fairfax Park.

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