Mary Stachyra Lopez | FFXnow

FCPD seeks suspect in Wakefield Park attempted abduction

Published June 22, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated June 22, 2026 at 3:53PM

Fairfax County police car close-up (file photo)

The Fairfax County Police Department is looking for a suspect involved in an alleged indecent exposure, followed by an attempted abduction of a woman in Wakefield Park in Annandale over the weekend.

A woman reported that as she was walking on a trail in the park around 1:40 p.m. Sunday (June 21), a man exposed his genitals. While officers were responding to the call about the indecent exposure, another call came in, this time regarding an attempted abduction in the park.

Countywide

FCPD issues plea for safety to drivers, pedestrians after spate of fatal crashes

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 19, 2026 at 3:15PM | Updated June 19, 2026 at 10:20PM

Fairfax County Deputy Police Chief Dalton Becker highlights recent fatal crashes in a press conference at the corner of Richmond Highway and Frye Road in Woodlawn (via FCPD/X)

Calling the last 48 hours “a dangerous time on our roadways,” Fairfax County police are asking both pedestrians and drivers to pay attention and follow the rules of the road.

The Fairfax County Police Department held a press conference this afternoon (Friday) at the intersection of Richmond Highway and Frye Road in Woodlawn in the wake of five fatal crashes that have occurred over the last two days. Four of them killed pedestrians, while a fifth ended in the death of a motorcyclist.

Countywide

Fairfax County may expand ‘Beyond the Bell’ program, sunset School Age Child Care

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 18, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated June 18, 2026 at 5:08PM

The Fairfax County seal at the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

Several Fairfax County supervisors this week signaled an interest in expanding the “Beyond the Bell” child care program following a reportedly successful pilot over the previous school year.

County staff proposed at the Board of Supervisors’ Health and Human Services Committee meeting on Tuesday (June 16) transitioning all existing School Age Child Care (SACC) sites to Beyond the Bell over the next few years, starting with an additional 21 schools this fall.

Countywide

New FCPS calendar framework standardizes holidays, length of student breaks

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 17, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 17, 2026 at 8:47PM

A Fairfax County Public Schools bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County School Board voted last week to approve a new policy that prioritizes full five-day school weeks throughout the year, confirms the length of spring and winter breaks, and sets a framework for the calendar year going forward.

After a tense discussion, the school board voted 8-4 on June 11 to approve a motion by Providence District member Karl Frisch revising an earlier draft of the policy.

News

FCPS: State police, Congress close investigations into Centreville HS abortion claims

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 16, 2026 at 3:45PM

Centreville High School (file photo)

A Senate committee and Virginia State Police have concluded their separate investigations into a Centreville High School teacher’s claims that school staff facilitated abortions without parental consent, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid said this week.

“Neither investigation found any evidence of wrongdoing or any need for further action,” Reid wrote in a letter to the school’s staff and families. “This situation has had a significant impact on all of those involved, and it reminds us of the responsibility we all share to act thoughtfully, with integrity, and compassionately as a caring, connected community.”

Countywide

DACA recipients in Fairfax County concerned about delayed renewals

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 16, 2026 at 12:45PM

Rep. James Walkinshaw, of Virginia's 11th Congressional District, speaks to local DACA recipients and immigration advocates during a round table discussion June 15 (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

When the U.S. celebrates its 250th birthday next month, one Fairfax man could see the end of his American dream.

Over the years, the South Korean immigrant and medical professional has regularly renewed his lawful immigration status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act (DACA), the federal policy that offered relief from removal proceedings and the ability to work in the U.S. for young immigrants.

Around Town

King Arthur Baking Company to close Fairfax Corner pop-up this June

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

King Arthur Baking Company's pop-up store in Fairfax Corner (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

King Arthur Baking Company’s popular pop-up store at Fairfax Corner is getting ready to close, as the company shifts its focus to a permanent location coming later this year to Northern Virginia.

The pop-up at 11948 Grand Commons Avenue, which opened in September 2024, is slated to close on June 25. As of yesterday (Monday), the remaining inventory is on sale until the store’s closure.

News

New U.S. citizens celebrate end of long journeys at Gunston Hall, home of founding father

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

Candidates raise their hands and repeat the oath of allegiance that makes their citizenship official during a naturalization ceremony at Gunston Hall on June 12. (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Fifty new citizens took an oath of allegiance to the U.S. last week during a naturalization ceremony held at a founding father’s home 250 years to the day that Virginia adopted his seminal prelude to the Declaration of Independence.

As part of two days of “Declaration Day” festivities, citizens from 17 different countries on Friday (June 12) raised their right hands and promised to “support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States” on the grounds of Gunston Hall, once owned by George Mason, who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

News

Centreville ‘town center’ concept wins planning commission’s support

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 12, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated June 12, 2026 at 3:25PM

New Braddock Road near Centre Ridge Elementary School in Centreville (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A proposed amendment to Fairfax County’s comprehensive plan that could transform Centreville over the next few decades gained a key endorsement from the county’s planning commission this week.

The commission voted Wednesday (June 10) to recommend adoption of the amendment, which envisions a more walkable 2,700-acre area with a defined “town center,” more affordable and mixed-use housing, and enhanced public transportation.

Around Town

IKEA assembles Chantilly store for opening next week

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 12, 2026 at 8:30AM

IKEA's new store in Chantilly, at the site of the former Dulles Expo Center (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

IKEA will open its new Chantilly store at the site of the former Dulles Expo Center on June 18, the company announced yesterday.

The 107,000 square-foot space at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Drive is the Swedish furniture company’s first full-sized store in Fairfax County and its third in Virginia.