Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 29, 2025

By FFXnow.com

Good Monday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 29, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect sunny conditions with a high around 35 degrees, accompanied by a breezy west wind ranging from 18 to 24 mph and gusts reaching up to 37 mph. On Tuesday night, clouds will increase as temperatures dip to around 25 degrees, with a west wind of 7 to 10 mph and gusts as high as 23 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

News

UPDATED: Pedestrian dies after being struck twice on Route 29 in Merrifield

By Angela Woolsey
Route 29 is closed after fatal pedestrian crash near Braxton Wood Court in Merrifield (via Google Maps)

Another pedestrian has been killed in a crash on Fairfax County roads.

Officers were dispatched for a crash involving a pedestrian at Route 29 and Braxton Wood Court, just north of the Providence Place (formerly Pan Am) shopping center, in Merrifield at 6:48 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 29), according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Go to UPDATED: Pedestrian dies after being struck twice on Route 29 in Merrifield Read more
Sponsored

Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out! Reston Station’s Summerbration Returns.

By Sponsor
Sponsored by: Comstock and Reston Community Center
Sponsored by: Comstock and Reston Community Center

Summer starts here, and it’s packed with something for everyone. Join us at Reston Station for a season of free, family-friendly events designed to keep your calendar full and your nights unforgettable. From fitness and live music to movies under the stars, this is where summer comes to life.

BELOVED YOGA

Monday & Wednesday Nights

May 27 – September 2

TRAMPOLINE FITNESS

HOSTED BY VIDA FITNESS

Every Tuesday Night

June 2 – September 1

LIVE MUSIC

Friday Nights

May 29 – September 25

ALL-AMERICAN MOVIE MAGIC & MORE

Saturday Nights

June 6 – August 29

Visit our website for the full schedule and details.

Learn More
Countywide

Fairfax County Public Library will offer new card designs in new year

By Angela Woolsey
Left to right: Fairfax County Public Library card design contest winners Carolyn Belefski Carabeo, Neil Nolasco, Shawna Bolingbroke and Alex Cederholm (courtesy Fairfax County Public Library)

As Arthur Read famously sang, having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card — especially one designed by the local community.

Earlier this month, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) unveiled the winning designs from a month-long contest that invited members of the public to come up with fresh artwork for its checkout cards.

Go to Fairfax County Public Library will offer new card designs in new year Read more
Announcement

Real stories. Real people. Real connection. A community conversation on mental health.

By Rock Recovery

Mental health shapes how we lead, love, work, parent, communicate, and show up in the world—yet too often, these conversations stay hidden.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, join local nonprofit Rock Recovery for Strength Not Stigma—an unforgettable evening of honest conversation, community, and impact.

Go to Real stories. Real people. Real connection. A community conversation on mental health. Read more
News

Fairfax County board paves way for housing to replace Fair Oaks-area office buildings

By Angela Woolsey
Rendering of the residential building proposed by Time Equities at 3877 Fairfax Ridge Road (via MSA Architects/Fairfax County)

More commercial development in Fairfax County could soon give way to housing after the Board of Supervisors approved that option for a pair of office properties in the Fair Oaks area.

The board voted unanimously at its Nov. 18 meeting to amend the county’s comprehensive plan and allow the Fair Oaks Business Park and nearby High Ridge office building to be redeveloped with more than 800 new homes.

Go to Fairfax County board paves way for housing to replace Fair Oaks-area office buildings Read more
Around Town

Wendy’s to close longstanding Vienna restaurant today

By Jared Serre
Wendy's in Vienna (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), Vienna residents will have to travel a bit further to satisfy their Wendy’s cravings.

The fast food chain’s store in the neighborhood, located at 411 Maple Ave East, is closing after wrapping up service at midnight today (Monday), an employee confirmed to FFXnow.

Go to Wendy’s to close longstanding Vienna restaurant today Read more
News

Man accused of Reston murder now also faces federal charge

By Angela Woolsey
Marvin Fernando Morales Ortez and the firearm allegedly used in the Dec. 17, 2025 fatal shooting of Marvin Ernesto Morales in Reston (photos via FCPD/X)

The federal government is now leveling its own criminal charge against the man accused of a recent murder in Reston.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has charged 23-year-old Marvin Fernando Morales Ortez with possessing a firearm as someone who is “illegally” present in the U.S.

Go to Man accused of Reston murder now also faces federal charge Read more
News

Starbucks workers in Reston and McLean seek to unionize amid strike

By Angela Woolsey
Starbucks at 1438 Chain Bridge Road in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Workers at two more Starbucks in Fairfax County could unionize, as a labor strike continues in response to stalled contract negotiations.

Petitions for union elections were filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last Tuesday (Dec. 23) by 14 employees at the Plaza America cafe in Reston (11610-A Plaza America Drive) and 17 at the location at 1438 Chain Bridge Road in McLean.

Go to Starbucks workers in Reston and McLean seek to unionize amid strike Read more
News

Nonprofit chairman claims narrow win in Democrats’ 17th House District primary

By Jared Serre
Garrett McGuire (photo via campaign)

The Democratic Party’s nominee for a deep-blue House of Delegates seat in southeast Fairfax County was determined yesterday (Sunday) by a mere 54 votes.

Ultimately, it was United Community Board of Directors chair Garrett McGuire who claimed victory in Sunday’s firehouse primary, narrowly besting veteran teacher Joy McManus in the race to succeed Mark Sickles as delegate in the 17th House District.

Go to Nonprofit chairman claims narrow win in Democrats’ 17th House District primary Read more
News

FCPD: Annandale HS employee charged with assaulting student

By Angela Woolsey
Annandale High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An instructional assistant at Annandale High School is facing criminal charges after allegedly assaulting a student earlier this month.

A school resource officer was notified on Dec. 19 that Jaime Gerardo Gallo Pacheco, a 33-year-old Annandale resident, had reportedly physically assaulted a student earlier that day, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Go to FCPD: Annandale HS employee charged with assaulting student Read more
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