Mary Stachyra Lopez | FFXnow

Man shot by police after allegedly grabbing officer’s gun during Annandale pursuit

Published July 28, 2026 at 2:05PM

Chief Kevin Davis (center) briefs the media on an officer-involved shooting during a press conference in Annandale. (Screenshot via FCPD)

A police officer fired his weapon three times after a man hiding in the woods allegedly tried to grab the gun from the officer’s hand at his side, the Fairfax County Police Department said.

One of the shots hit the man, whose name has not yet been disclosed, and he was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the police.

News

CAIR, FCPS reach temporary agreement on students’ records in ‘kidnapping’ skit lawsuit

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 28, 2026 at 11:34AM | Updated July 28, 2026 at 2:31PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County Public Schools has temporarily agreed not to release the disciplinary records of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) students who were suspended for making a “kidnapping” skit for social media to promote their chapter of the Muslim Students Association, pending the outcome of a lawsuit against the school system.

Filed in federal court last week, the preliminary agreement largely prevents FCPS from releasing disciplinary records related to the case to colleges and universities or anyone else who inquires. It also stipulates that the students will not be disciplined for wearing clothing with a map of Palestine or the Palestine flag.

Around Town

New Fairfax City restaurant inspired by home-style regional Chinese foods

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 28, 2026 at 9:15AM

Three-in-One Hand-Ripped Noodles: hot-oil seared noodles, pork zhajiang bean sauce, and tomato egg. (Courtesy Chin Xi'an-Style Restaurant)

A new restaurant aims to bring a taste of regional food from one of China’s oldest and largest cities to Northern Virginia.

Chin’s Xi’An Style Restaurant plans to bring hand-ripped noodles, prepared in a home style inspired by foods in Xi’An — the capital city of Shaanxi, a province in northwestern central China — when it opens its third location this August in Fairfax City. The new location will be based inside the 99 Ranch Market at 10780 Fairfax Blvd, with takeout or seating available in the grocery store.

News

FCPD: Reckless driving likely not a factor in scooter crash that killed 9-year-old

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 24, 2026 at 3:45PM

Captain Harold Morris, Assistant Traffic Division Commander, provides an update on a fatal crash involving a minivan and a child on an electric scooter at a press conference on July 24, 2026 (Screenshot via FCPD)

Fairfax County police are emphasizing safety after a fatal collision between a 9-year-old boy riding an electric scooter and a minivan in Herndon’s Highland Mews neighborhood last night (July 23).

The driver of a 2012 Honda Odyssey had just turned left from Highland Mews Court into a parking area in the 3000 block of Madden Court, when the child struck the vehicle’s rear on the passenger side, the Fairfax County Police Department said during a press conference today (July 24).

Around Town

FCPS students team up with community theater to stage ‘Dear Evan Hansen’

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 24, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 24, 2026 at 5:32PM

Colby Chase, playing Evan Hansen, speaks with the grief-stricken parents of Connor Murphy, played by Katie Pond and Patrick Killoran. (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

When the Broadway hit “Dear Evan Hansen” opens tonight (Friday) at South Lakes High School in Reston, it will represent more than the launch of a new show.

For some students and recent graduates of Fairfax County Public Schools, the performance marks their debut in a true community theater setting, thanks to a new partnership with the Reston Community Players (RCP).

Around Town

Japanese department store plans second Va. spot in Seven Corners

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 24, 2026 at 10:00AM

Teso Life is coming to Seven Corners (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Japanese department store Teso Life plans to open a new store in Seven Corners.

Fairfax County planning documents show the retailer has applied to renovate the space at 6164 Arlington Blvd in a building formerly occupied by CVS inside the Willston 1 Centre.

Countywide

Fairfax County School Board approves restrictions on generative AI, digital devices

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 23, 2026 at 3:45PM

A Fairfax County Public Schools bus (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Going forward, Fairfax County Public Schools will prohibit the use of generative artificial intelligence by elementary school students, tablets and laptops in preschool and kindergarten, and student use of personal electronic communication and computing devices during instructional time.

The Fairfax County School Board approved the restrictions — which include a handful of narrow exceptions — at its July 16 meeting, along with several directives for the superintendent to report back to the board about the potential additional limitations on technology.

Around Town

Vienna’s Clarity to open second restaurant in Reston tomorrow

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 23, 2026 at 11:45AM

Clarity at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The award-winning Vienna restaurant Clarity will finally open its long-awaited second location at Reston Town Center tomorrow (Friday).

The 4,500-square-foot restaurant at 1996 Opportunity Way in the town center’s expansion will have a grand opening at 11 a.m.

News

FCPS teacher’s son honors her memory through Star Wars and STEAM education

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 22, 2026 at 3:45PM

A squad of battle droids (Courtesy Theresa Jacobs Foundation)

A Lake Braddock Secondary School art teacher spent 30 years sharing her passion for painting, photography, and pottery with students — a legacy that her family has carried on for nearly a decade through whimsical, often high-tech educational creations.

When Theresa Jacobs passed away from a fast-growing cancer in 2017, her son Eric Jacobs, a Fairfax County native, wanted to honor her love for learning and ignite that same spark in others.

News

Chantilly man found not guilty due to insanity in Reston gym shooting

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 22, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated July 23, 2026 at 3:00PM

Gold's Gym in the The Point at Rise apartment building in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Chantilly man has been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in the 2024 shooting death of a man at a Reston Gold’s Gym.

Steve Taehee Ha, 45, entered his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in Fairfax County Circuit Court last Friday (July 17), according to court documents.