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

India-founded Dumont Creamery to open in Greenbriar Town Center this month

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Brick Dumont Creamery & Café storefront on a sunny day, with large poster ads in the windows and green shrubs in front.
The new Dumont Creamery in Greenbriar Town Center (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Greenbriar Town Center will soon offer a new option for locals with a sweet tooth.

Dumont Creamery & Cafe—founded in Hyderabad, India, before expanding to the U.S. in 2024—will open at 13041C Route 50, Suite C, near Chantilly, with a soft launch Aug. 14, the company confirmed to FFXnow. A grand opening will follow on Aug. 21.

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News

New seven-story senior living community opens in Fairfax City

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Modern multi-story apartment building with balconies under a clear blue sky, urban neighborhood in the foreground.
Brightview Northfax senior living community in Fairfax (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A new seven-story senior community with 200 units for residents has opened in Fairfax City.

Brightview Northfax, located at 10575 Northfax Street, held a grand opening and began moving in new residents on July 7.

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News

First locally acquired dengue infection investigated by Fairfax, other health departments

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
The Fairfax County seal at the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

Several health departments, including Fairfax County’s, are investigating Virginia’s first documented case of a locally acquired dengue virus infection, the Virginia Department of Health said yesterday (Aug. 4).

The Fairfax, Loudoun, and Virginia health departments are investigating the case. While the patient did not have any known travel outside of the state prior to onset of the illness, they were “in close proximity to a recent internationally acquired case in a Virginian who was diagnosed a couple weeks prior,” Cameron Webb, the State Health Commissioner, wrote to clinicians in a notice posted online.

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Slow start for Fairfax County voter turnout reported in dual congressional primaries

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Red, double-sided voting booth with a purple top and white panels; 'Your Ballot' notice and a US flag poster inside.
A voting booth at a precinct in Fairfax City, Aug. 4, 2026 (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

In-person voting turnout has been low in Fairfax County for the dual primary elections, according to Office of Elections data.

Democratic and Republican primaries for the congressional midterms are being held Tuesday (Aug. 4). Fairfax County has a Democratic primary in the 8th Congressional District, and Republican primaries include U.S. Senate and the 10th Congressional District.

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News

Capital Bikeshare to launch its first Vienna stations this month

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
A Capital Bikeshare station in Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Five new bicycle docking stations from Capital Bikeshare will be installed in Vienna by mid-August, a first for the town.

Collectively, the docking stations will be equipped with 21 standard bicycles and four electric bicycles that can be rented and returned to any Capital Bikeshare docking station in the metro area.

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Around Town

Founding Farmers plans on-site distilleries for Reston and Tysons restaurants

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Modern building facade with large restaurant banners (Founding Farmers and Davio's) under a blue sky; surrounding high-rise towers nearby.
Founding Farmers’ restaurant at Reston Station (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The popular D.C.-area restaurant Founding Farmers is preparing to bring on-site distilleries to its Fairfax County locations.

According to Fairfax County zoning records, Founding Farmers’ existing Tysons and Reston locations each plan to operate a small-scale distillery producing no more than 5,000 gallons of spirits per year for patrons of the farmer-owned restaurant.

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Around Town

Hot N Juicy Crawfish seeks to open second Va. outpost in Centreville

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Storefront with a large 'COMING SOON' sign in the window, brick exterior and brick arches, with a white truck reflected in the glass.
The new Hot N Juicy Crawfish in Centreville Square (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Seafood fans will soon have a new option in Fairfax County: Hot N Juicy Crawfish is preparing to open its second Virginia location in Centreville.

According to county zoning records, the mini chain of Louisiana-style seafood restaurants is renovating the 3,390 square-foot space at 14245H Centreville Square previously occupied by Gaboja II, and Sino’s Inn before that. A “coming soon” sign with the business logo is placed on the windows.

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News

Wolf Trap expands with new dining and gathering space in relocated historic barn

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Modern glass-fronted barn-like building with wooden siding, illuminated at dusk among trees and lawn for a serene landscape scene;
The Barns at Wolf Trap will open The Virginian Barn as a dining and gathering space in November. (courtesy of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts)

The Barns at Wolf Trap will open a fully renovated third historic barn, disassembled and moved earlier this year from its longtime home in Loudoun County, this fall.

The 2,500 square foot building — constructed in the early 1900s and now called “The Virginian Barn” — will provide additional space for dining, special events, gatherings, and private rentals starting in November. Restrooms and kitchen space have been added inside.

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News

Alexandria man charged in Groveton shooting that caused life-threatening injuries

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Fairfax County police car with lights flashing (file photo)

An Alexandria man is facing multiple charges following a non-fatal shooting in the Groveton area, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Rusbel Alberto Argueta, 19, of Alexandria, is charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm within 1000 feet of an elementary school.

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News

Fairfax City Council allows detached accessory dwelling units by right

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Aerial view of a residential property showing a 20' front setback and 8' side setbacks in green, with a gray ADU in the center labeled ADU.
Setbacks for an example accessory dwelling unit in a Fairfax City backyard (screenshot via City of Fairfax)

Homeowners in the City of Fairfax who want to allow elderly parents to move in, obtain rental income or perhaps even install a luxury “She Shed” can now add another dwelling on their property with less bureaucratic hassle.

The city council voted 4-2 on Tuesday (July 28) to approve code amendments permitting detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right within city boundaries.

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