News

Arrest in Bus Driver Assault — An 18-year-old man from Lorton was arrested in Loudoun County on Saturday (July 19) after police identified him as the passenger who allegedly assaulted a Fairfax Connector bus driver on July 8. The man has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding after the driver reportedly suffered serious, though not life-threatening, injuries. [FCPD]

IKEA Looking at Possible Chantilly Restaurant — “Swedish furniture company IKEA recently submitted a food permit application in Fairfax County noted as “IKEA Chantilly,” the Washington Business Journal reported. The application is for a 142-seat, full-service restaurant at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Dr. at the Dulles Expo Center.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Guilty Verdict for Deadly Propane Explosion — “A Loudoun County, Virginia, jury has found former propane service technician Roger Bentley guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the February 2024 home explosion that killed volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown … Prosecutors told jurors in closing arguments that Bentley’s ‘actions and failures to act’ caused the Feb. 16, 2024, explosion that killed Brown and injured 14 others.” [WTOP]

Lake Accotink Fix Likely Years Away — “Three studies are underway on Lake Accotink, but it’s going to be years before any action is taken to preserve the lake at a smaller size … The public got a chance to learn about those studies and talk to experts at an open house on July 19 at Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield.” [Annandale Today]

Local Man Arrested on Drug Charges — “A 33-year-old man, formerly a resident of Alexandria, is being held without bond for multiple narcotics possession charges.” The man was arrested on drug possession charges in December, released on bond and then arrested again on June 11 after a worker at the UPS store in Annandale “reported to police that he was receiving packages of drugs, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.” [ALXnow]

Former Capitals Stars List McLean Homes — Newly retired Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie and his family moved out of their McLean home, listed for $9.85 million, and returned to Minnesota on Sunday (July 20), the fan blog Russian Machine Never Breaks says. Meanwhile, longtime Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has moved to his native Sweden and is looking to sell his McLean mansion for just under $12 million. [Washingtonian]

Fairfax Nonprofit Reopens Dental Clinic — Last Thursday (July 18), “the Lamb Center celebrated the grand re-opening and dedication of its on-site dental clinic, a critical resource that will provide compassionate, comprehensive dental health care to 100’s of vulnerable City of Fairfax residents — many of whom are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.” [Patch]

Seafood and Ramen Restaurants Open — “Sea Friend, a carryout-only establishment serving fully cooked seafood, has opened in the former Father & Son Seafood shop at Gunston Plaza in Lorton.” Also in the Route 1 corridor, Yi Do Ramen and Sushi opened June 26 at Belle View Shopping Center. It’s the second location for the Japanese restaurant, which can also be found in Tysons. [On the MoVe]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 85 with a gentle northeast wind at 6 mph. Moving onto Tuesday night, the sky will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 68. The east wind at 6 mph will become calm as evening progresses. [NWS]

Correction: The man arrested on drug possession charges did not work for UPS as initially stated. The drugs were allegedly mailed to the Annandale store, and a worker there reported them to the police.

CD 11 Candidate Forum Scheduled — “The Reston Citizens Association is hosting an 11th Congressional District Forum featuring candidates James Walkinshaw (D) and Stewart Whitson (R) on Monday, July 28, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. WJLA TV will be live-streaming the forum, which will be rebroadcast in the days following.” [Patch]

Change Name Back, Trump Tells Football Team — “President Donald Trump is threatening to hold up a new stadium deal for Washington’s NFL team if it does not restore its old name of the Redskins, which was considered offensive to Native Americans.” Whether Trump actually has any authority to hold up a stadium deal is unclear, seeing as President Joe Biden signed a bill in January transferring the land from the federal government to D.C. [Associated Press]

Watch for Road Closures — “Weather permitting, Popes Head Road (Route 654) will have one lane of alternating traffic via flagging just west of Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) Monday, July 21, through Thursday, July 24, for work related to the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project.” A segment of Oakton Road will also be closed on those days for a drain pipe replacement. [VDOT]

Longstanding Pizzeria Closes — “Casa D’Mama Pizzaria, an Annandale mainstay for the past 45 years or so, appears to be permanently closed. The family-operated restaurant at 7406 Little River Turnpike specialized in New York-style pizza, subs, calzones, and Italian and Greek entrees.” [Annandale Today]

Dulles Greenway Toll Increase Denied — “The Supreme Court of Virginia has upheld the State Corporation Commission’s September 2024 decision denying a toll increase for the Dulles Greenway, the 14-mile stretch of roadway that links Leesburg to the Dulles International Airport … The court found that the rate increase was neither reasonable nor beneficial to drivers, according to a news release.” [WTOP]

Falls Church Domino’s Moving — “The only Domino’s in Falls Church will soon relocate to a shuttered bike shop, possibly making way for another pizzeria to set up shop.” The pizza chain is expected to move to the former Bike Club storefront at 438 S. Washington Street in mid-November, according to operations manager Himel Uddin. [ARLnow]

Falls Church Foodie Challenge Underway — “Get your passport ready. You’ll need it for the inaugural Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek taking place now through the end of August. The food challenge, held in a dozen local dining destinations, offers prizes and discounts if diners eat at participating restaurants.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Warehouses to Replace Fuel Tank Farm — “On a unanimous vote, the five members of the Fairfax City Board of Architectural Review approved a plan Wednesday night that will see two warehouse buildings replace 10 fuel tanks at the Pickett Road tank farm within the next two years.” Property owner Brookfield hopes to bring “Fortune 500 companies, like Target, like Walmart, and Pepsi” to the area, a legal representative said. [Patch]

It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 85°F and a northward wind at about 6 mph. In the evening, there will be clear skies, and temperatures will drop to around 66°F with a gentle northeastward breeze between 3 and 5 mph. [NWS]