A fall-themed LOVE sign sits in front of Mercury Fountain at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Building Burning for Firefighter Training — “On Thursday, 10/24, 8:30am-1:00pm, #FCFRD will be conducting live burn training at an acquired structure in the 3000 blk of Popkins Ln in the [Groveton area] of @fairfaxcounty. Expect to see smoke and FCFRD apparatus and personnel in the area.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Judge to Hear Lawsuit over Virginia Voter Removals — “More than 1,600 Virginians have had their voter registrations canceled since August under a state program that the Justice Department and advocacy groups contend is illegal.” The Justice Department will make its case for blocking Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s effort to drop people flagged as “noncitizens” from voter rolls at a hearing today (Thursday). [Associated Press]

Metro to Open Early for Marathon — All Metro stations will open two hours early at 5 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 for the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon, which will start and end near Arlington National Cemetery. “All lines will operate frequent all-day service and fares are up to $2.50 flat rate for any one-way trip.” [WMATA]

Huntington Club Development May Restart — After stalling due to financing challenges, developer IDI Group says there’s a “strong possibility” it can resume work on plans for a mixed-use community in 2025, thanks to falling interest rates. Fairfax County officials have discussed making the Huntington area eligible for economic incentives to encourage revitalization. [Washington Business Journal]

Fairfax Veterinary Clinic Nears Grand Opening — “Bond Vet, the new veterinarian clinic in the Scout on the Circle development in Fairfax City, is celebrating its grand opening with a Halloween-themed open house event. The Fairfax City community is invited to join the celebration from 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday.” [Patch]

Turkish Dessert Shop Coming to Annandale — “Pasha Castle, a dessert, ice cream, and tea shop in Georgetown, is opening a second location in Annandale. The café will open in a building being renovated at 7228 Columbia Pike.” [Annandale Today]

GMU Students Research Language Barriers at Courthouse — “Members of a team of 15 volunteer students from the Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC) … are spending time in the hallways and offices of the busy [Fairfax County] court complex conducting a survey project aimed at helping the court understand the accessibility needs of court users.” [GMU]

McLean Library to Host Local Author Talk — Writer Mark Aldrich, who has also acted on Broadway and TV, will visit Dolley Madison Library at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 to discuss his fantasy book series “The Peripherals.” Advance registration is required for the event, which still had seats available, as of press time. [Fairfax County Public Library]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 65 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 14 to 16 mph and gusts reaching up to 25 mph. As for Thursday night, it will be clear with a low temperature around 43 degrees, and a northwest wind at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]


The D.C. area is facing an increased risk of fires tonight into tomorrow (Thursday) morning, the National Weather Service says.

The NWS has issued a reminder that there’s an “elevated fire danger” until 4 a.m. for Northern and Central Virginia, eastern West Virginia, D.C. and Maryland due to “persistent dry conditions” and “increasing winds,” followed by a cold front tomorrow.


A new online tool will give people in Fairfax County a quick way to identify and report illegally parked commercial vehicles.

The county launched the “Parking Violation Public Report” tool yesterday (Tuesday), Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck announced during the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting.


Geese fly in a “V” formation over the intersection of Spring Hill Road and Jones Branch Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

TJ Principal to Leave for New FCPS Job — “Fairfax County Public Schools is launching a nationwide search for a new principal of the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.” Ann Bonitatibus will leave next month for a position in FCPS’ human resources department after a seven-year tenure at the magnet school that included a long legal battle over changes to its admissions policy. [WTOP]

Man Charged Again for Chantilly Sexual Assault — “A Stafford man linked to a string of assaults against women and children across Northern Virginia has been charged again in connection with an alleged 2023 attack in Fairfax County just weeks after pleading guilty to two other assaults in Prince William County.” [WUSA9]

Potential Casino Supporters and Opponents Rally — “The Fairfax County Jobs Coalition held a rally Tuesday morning to support developing an entertainment district and casino at Tysons, with those in opposition also in attendance…The coalition is calling on county leaders to speak up to the General Assembly to get a referendum.” [DC News Now]

Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Computers — A former Customs and Border Protection employee from Bristow pleaded guilty yesterday (Tuesday) to stealing 27 laptops worth over $67,000 from a CBP facility in Lorton on Dec. 13, 2023. The man sold nine of the government-owned computers over eBay before getting caught on Aug. 1 by an undercover officer, per court documents. [U.S. Attorney’s Office]

Fairfax City Council Campaign Fundraising Update — “Anthony Amos’ campaign has received significantly more donations than the campaigns of his 10 opponents in the Fairfax City Council race, according to the latest financial filings with the State Board of Elections.” There are 11 candidates vying for six seats on the city council. [Patch]

More Funding Approved for Dulles Airport — Dulles International Airport “will receive $40 million from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminals Program. The money will go toward the construction of a new 14-gate, 400,000-square-foot terminal building,” a project expected to cost $500 to $800 million. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Belle View Wine Shop to Change Owner — In addition to closing the original Unwined in Alexandria, owner Vanessa Moore plans to hand over ownership of the shop’s Belle View location and “its sister restaurant Revel to a new team in early 2025.” The new owners will be familiar to regulars of the business, she says. [On the Move]

Firefighters and Police Rappel over Inova Hospital — “#FCFRD @PWCFireRescue @PGFDNews @LoudounFire @FairfaxCountyPD got to hang w/ some of the brave patients & families at @InovaHealth L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital. Personnel rappelled over the sides of the hospital, blew bubbles, waved, & played games w/ the kids inside.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 79 degrees with a south wind at 5 to 8 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low near 54 degrees. The southwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 13 mph. [NWS]


Approximately 100 Fairfax County Police Department personnel will be on hand in D.C. to provide public safety support services on Inauguration Day.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding today (Tuesday) with the D.C. government and U.S. Attorney for the District, authorizing county staff to participate in Presidential Inaugural Task Force from Jan. 17-21.


Tree leaves are starting to change colors along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro to Discuss Earlier Weekend Trains — “Metro is considering running trains earlier on the weekends, starting them at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.” The proposal will be discussed at the Metro board meeting on Thursday (Oct. 24), which will also look at options for addressing the transit agency’s “long-term funding needs.” [NBC4]

County Hopes to Lure Korean Tech Firms — “Aiming to reinforce its reputation as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East,’ Fairfax County … is seeking to bring in more Korean tech firms specializing in emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and aerospace, David Kelley, the vice president of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said.” [Korea Herald]

Lawsuit Challenges Police Use of License Plate Readers — “A civil liberties organization has filed a federal lawsuit in Virginia arguing that widespread surveillance enabled by Flock, a company that sells networks of automated license plate readers, is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment.” The complaint targets Norfolk, but the Fairfax County Police Department has also adopted the technology. [404 Media]

Veterinary Clinic Approved for Fort Belvoir — “Military working dogs and other government-owned canines around the National Capital Region will have a more expansive place to get preventive and surgical care in the future with the recent approval of a new veterinary clinic at Fort Belvoir.” The facility “will be more than three times the size of the current veterinary facility located nearby.” [On the MoVe]

When Fall Foliage Might Peak — “Western parts of Virginia and Maryland are already awash in vibrant colors, but the states’ forestry officials said this year, with a hotter than average summer, it’s been particularly difficult to predict the color change in foliage.” In Northern Virginia, trees might develop more color in the first week of November. [WTOP]

New Furniture Shop Open in Annandale — “A new shop in Annandale, Elegant Snob, offers carefully curated furniture, art, clothing, and accessories … The shop is located on the first floor of an office building at 7620 Little River Turnpike, next to Wells Fargo Bank.” [Annandale Today]

Volunteers Wanted for Nonprofit Boards — “Leadership Fairfax is looking for people passionate about helping others to serve on the board of a nonprofit organization. On Wednesday, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Leadership Fairfax is hosting Board and Brew at the Lake House located at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave. in Reston.” [Patch]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of around 81°F, with light south winds of around 5 mph picking up in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows near 51°F, and south winds remaining at about 5 mph. [NWS]


Fairfax County residents may soon get to provide input on the public school system’s boundary review process.

After amending its boundary adjustment policy over the summer, Fairfax County Public Schools awarded a $546,953 contract in September to the Connecticut-based K-12 education consultancy firm Thru Consultants for a comprehensive review of its boundaries.


A worker opens an umbrella for an outdoor table on the plaza at the Shops at Avenir Place near the Dunn Loring Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

What to Expect This Winter in N. Va. — “According to NOAA’s latest Winter Outlook, Virginia residents should prepare for some interesting weather patterns this upcoming winter season. The forecast, which covers December 2024 through February 2025, shows that La Nina conditions will play a major role in shaping our winter weather.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Reston Woman Charged with Child Abuse — “A 9-year-old boy told police he was locked in a room, forced to urinate in a bottle and repeatedly beaten in a Reston, Virginia, apartment by a woman who was supposed to be caring for him, court documents say … An anonymous call to the Department of Family Services prompted the investigation in mid-August.” [NBC4]

Nearby: Loudoun Seeks to Boost Water Supply — “With most of the D.C. area dependent on the Potomac River, and an ongoing study to seek an alternative to D.C.’s drinking water supply, Loudoun County, Virginia, is taking steps to make sure it doesn’t get caught short … Loudoun Water is in the midst of converting a now-empty Luck Stone quarry into a raw water storage facility.” [WTOP]

Puppy Stolen From Chantilly Pet Store — “The search is on for a puppy allegedly taken from a pet store in Northern Virginia. It happened this week at the XO Pups store in Chantilly. Fairfax County Police are reviewing surveillance video after the store owner reported a 10-week-old Maltipoo stolen.” [NBC4]

Affordable Housing Waitlists Open — “Affordable housing waitlist applications will open on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. and will remain open through Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. for select properties.” Options include Coralain Gardens in West Falls Church, the Residences at North Hill in Hybla Valley and, for seniors, Little River Glen in the Fairfax area. [Fairfax County Housing and Community Development]

Fairfax City Gets New Korean BBQ Restaurant — The Woo Korean BBQ & Cuisine opened in Fairfax City’s West Fairfax Centre near Lowes at 4070 Jermantown Road on Oct. 9. Featuring the tabletop grills typical for Korean barbecue restaurants, the 2,500-square-foot space “has an upscale feel to it” and “appears to be the first location for the brand.” [The Burn]

McLean Startup Launches Online Housebuying Platform — “Sellona Inc., a three-person startup, debuted its built-from-scratch, zero-commission ‘digital platform’ on Oct. 9, joining a variety of other home-buying and -selling apps. Its founders say it differs from the competition in that it doesn’t charge users any commissions, subscription or other fees whatsoever.” [Washington Business Journal]

Artist Opens Pop-Up Shop at Reston Town Center — The Ovissi Foundation opened a pop-up concept called the Ovissi Boutique “at the former home of Lou Lou at 11955 Freedom Drive in Reston Town Center” over the weekend. Through Nov. 17, visitors can buy “the work of 90-year-old Nasser Ovissi, who has lived in Reston for more that 40 years.” [Patch]

It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a comfortable high of about 77°F, accompanied by a light northwest wind at around 6 mph. As night falls, the skies will remain clear and the temperature will drop to a cool 51°F with calm winds. [NWS]


A battle is brewing once again over the prospect of a casino in Fairfax County.

As opponents continue to organize, including under a No Fairfax Casino Coalition that mostly consists of homeowners’ and citizen associations, several labor unions have now come out in support of the casino and entertainment district envisioned in Tysons by the developer Comstock Companies.


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