A rendering of the exterior of We Are CASA's new Fairfax Welcome Center (courtesy We Are CASA)
A nonprofit focused on advocating for immigrants and the working class plans to open a community center along Little River Turnpike in Annandale that it hopes will become a hub for workforce training, youth programs, legal clinics and other social services.
We Are CASA hopes to partially open and offer some services inside the 11,000-square-foot Fairfax Welcome Center by the end of 2027, Jossie Flor Sapunar, the group’s national communications director, told FFXnow over email.
The office building at 12010 Sunset Hills Road in Reston Town Center (courtesy BXP)
An information technology contractor based in Reston has secured a new, larger headquarters office, even as its parent company works to finalize a recently announced merger with an IT startup in Tysons.
MetroStar Systems signed a lease last week for 37,844-square-feet of office space in the nine-story building at 12010 Sunset Hills Road in Reston Town Center.
A person planting a tree seedling (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services)
After an initial round this spring, Fairfax County is bringing back its initiative that offers free trees for residents to plant on their properties.
Partnering again with the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, the county’s Urban and Community Forestry Division will limit giveaways for the first two weeks, starting today (Monday), to people living in neighborhoods that rank “high” or “very high” on the federal Social Vulnerability Index.
Fairfax County Public Schools starts classes on Aug. 24, 2026, as shown on a sign for Cunningham Park Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County Public Schools students are heading back to the classroom today (Monday), a familiar sight that might inspire nostalgia and stress among even non-parent residents.
However, in recent months, Fairfax County and the school system have adopted a number of changes to policies and services that are taking effect during the new school year, particularly around the use of technology in the classroom.
The setting sun colors clouds over the W&OD Trail in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Annandale — Fairfax County police officers responded yesterday (Sunday) afternoon to “a motorcycle crash at Braddock Rd and Pine Rd in Annandale. The adult male rider was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.” [FCPD/X]
Drought Warning Still in Place — “Despite significant rainfall, the Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF) has continued the existing drought advisory statuses for Virginia.” With groundwater levels still at “emergency” status, Northern Virginia remains under a drought warning advisory, meaning a “significant” drought could be imminent and voluntary steps to conserve water are encouraged. [Virginia DEQ]
Three Arrests for Herndon-Area Shooting — “The shooting broke out near Birch Run Circle and Elm Tree Drive, near the Herndon and Reston area on Aug. 19 … Around 2:43 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area, where a man reported that a 17-year-old he knew fired several shots at his vehicle.” The teen and two adults have been arrested, Fairfax County police say. [DC News Now]
Proposed Head Start Changes Concern Advocates — “Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families proposed significant changes to the program, framing them as measures to reduce federal regulatory burden, restore local flexibility and give greater authority to states, programs, and parents.” The Virginia Head Start Association, however, says “the proposal risks the program’s future.” [Virginia Mercury]
AI Hiring Tools Used by Va. Contractors — State procurement records indicate that artificial intelligence technology that can identify hiring applicants, scan resumes and “conduct one-way interviews” have been used “by state agencies and offices, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and the attorney general’s office. Records show that in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the AG’s office had yearly subscriptions with the AI hiring company TestGorilla B.V.” [VPM News]
Burger Food Truck Plans Restaurant — “S&P Burger, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Fairfax, this fall. The new restaurant will be located at 11055 Main St., Fairfax,” and is aiming to launch in October. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Thousands Cited for Unsafe Driving — “Between August 10 and August 16, officers issued 16,235 citations and warnings, including 6,162 citations and 10,073 warnings, making Wave 3 the largest enforcement effort of 2026. These results highlight the continued importance of traffic safety and driver accountability across Fairfax County.” The Road Shark campaign will return for a fourth wave on Oct. 12. [FCPD]
Footbridges Replaced in Reston — “The Footbridge 60 & 64 replacement projects have been completed, and associated pathways have been reopened. These footbridges will serve Reston’s pathway users for decades and will also support maintenance/ emergency vehicle access to remote sections of the pathway.” Additional footbridges will be upgraded “in the coming years.” [Reston Association]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny weather today with a high of around 84°F and a light west wind picking up to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 61°F. The northwest wind will be around 6 mph, calming down in the evening. [NWS]
Capital Area Food Bank's new Mobile Meals bus (photo by Beth Lawton)
To help kids in Fairfax County fight hunger after school, a colorfully painted school bus is visiting their neighborhoods in the evenings.
The nonprofit Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) hosted an event yesterday evening in Hybla Valley to debut a brand-new, converted school bus that delivers free after-school meals to local kids.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board members voted Wednesday (Aug. 19) to extend the lease on the 21-acre hotel site at 45020 Aviation Drive for two years, until Sept. 30, 2029.
The Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)
A Fairfax County jury found an Alexandria man guilty yesterday (Thursday) of fatally shooting a man during an attempted vehicle break-in in Woodlawn last year.
Tavon Tykee Ferguson was convicted of second-degree murder and use of a firearm while committing a felony after an eight-day jury trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court.
A Fairfax County School bus (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)
As Fairfax County Public Schools students prepare for their first day of school next Monday (Aug. 24), the Fairfax County School Board is making its own back-to-school to-do list. Near the top of the agenda: an updated digital literacy curriculum.
A work session on Tuesday (Aug. 18) provided a glimpse of the tasks ahead for the school board this year, and staff’s efforts over the summer to implement high-profile mandates around the curriculum, including updates related to artificial intelligence literacy.
A rendering of the main bar in Ebbitt House's dining room at Reston Station (courtesy Ebbitt House)
When Ebbitt House opens at Reston Station this fall, the food and ambiance might stir up memories for former Clyde’s of Reston regulars.
The new restaurant from Clyde’s Restaurant Group is on track to open in the growing Reston Row neighborhood this October, developer Comstock Companies announced earlier this month in an earnings report.