Traffic on eastbound Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) in Tysons south of Route 123 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Design work has been underway for about a year now on plans to widen the portion of Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) that runs through central Tysons.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will present its initial concept for widening the road between Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) and the Capital Beltway (I-495) to the community for the first time at a virtual public information meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).
A train on Metro’s Silver Line passing the office buildings in Reston Town Center’s expansion (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Future of Retail Cannabis Sales in Limbo — “Five years after Virginia legalized simple adult possession of marijuana, lawmakers are at an impasse over how to finally stand up a legal retail market, after the General Assembly last week rejected more than 40 changes proposed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger and sent the legislation back to her desk.” [Virginia Mercury]
Box Truck Fire on Main Street — The Fairfax County and Fairfax City fire departments responded around 2:20 p.m. yesterday (Monday) to a box truck fire at the intersection of Main Street and Farrcroft Drive. Two people had exited the vehicle by the time firefighters arrived, but no injuries were reported. [FCFRD/Facebook]
Fairfax Station Church Burglarized — Fairfax County police arrested a 30-year-old man from Lorton last week for allegedly breaking into a church in the 4900 block of Ox Road on April 23. The man has been charged with burglary, larceny with the intent to sell, felony property destruction, drug possession and auto theft for stealing a vehicle owned by the church, police say. [FCPD]
ALU Changes Raise Concerns — “Residents are concerned that new, more lenient rules on accessory living units (ALUs) would lead to more rental properties and less parking in stable single-family neighborhoods.” Fairfax County staff say the revised rules would make it easier to establish ALUs “by eliminating some of the administrative barriers and streamlining the review process.” [Annandale Today]
Paralegal Leads Korean Restaurant Tours — “Alexandria resident Soomin ‘Mina’ Kim spends her weekdays immersed in the world of law as a paralegal in Old Town. But her weekends are reserved for Annandale in Fairfax County, where she guides culinary Koreatown adventures for her small business, Virginialicious.” [ALXnow]
Lamb Mowers Visit Local School — “Landscaping at Rolling Valley Elementary School in West Springfield looked a bit different this week, when lawn mowers were left in the sheds while a flock of lambs trimmed the school’s grass by nibbling it for their breakfast and lunch.” [FCPS]
McLean Mansion Sells After Makeover — “Stately homes designed in 18th-century French architectural style … are not unusual in the Langley Farms section of McLean. But when a palatial 22,000-square-foot house on Georgetown Pike, built on nearly four acres in 2023, lingered on the market, the Building Group brought in Will Thomas for consultation.” [Washingtonian]
Teen Creates Financial Literacy Game — Oakton High School junior Rishab “Nanduri created MoneyQuest, a gamified financial literacy app that teaches students about saving, credit, investing, and long-term financial planning.” The 17-year-old’s goal was to find a fun, accessible way to educate other students about managing money. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Showers are possible from late morning to afternoon, under mostly cloudy skies with a high near 65°F. Evening sees a slight chance of showers before 7pm and after 8pm, with a low of 52°F. The chance of rain is 40% during the day and 20% at night. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
For nearly three decades, one event has united Fort Belvoir’s sprawling community of soldiers, families, retirees and civilian employees like no other: Oktoberfest. This September, the tradition continues — and grows — with the 28th Annual Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest, running September 24–27 at a brand-new location, Pullen Field, 9625 Middleton Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Hosted by Fort Belvoir Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), the four-day festival is the installation’s largest annual event and one of the most beloved in the Northern Virginia military community. Best of all? General admission is free — no tickets required to walk through the gates and enjoy four days of German tradition.
Four Days, Something for Everyone
Whether you’re a polka devotee, a carnival enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a good bratwurst, the schedule has you covered. The fest kicks off Thursday, September 24 (6–10 p.m.) with live performances from the Fritz Polka Band and the Sepp Walzer Fest Band. Friday (4–11 p.m.) brings an expanded lineup, including a captivating performance by the Alt-Washingtonia Schuhplattler Verein, a traditional German folk dance group, alongside more live music and DJ sets.
Saturday (noon–11 p.m.) is the festival’s longest day, featuring a full rotation of performers including Johnny Koenig and Leroy Burks, plus special contests (more on those below). The celebration wraps up on Sunday, September 27 — Military Appreciation Day (noon–8 p.m.) — with a fitting send-off honoring the men and women who make this community what it is. All Active Duty Military and their dependents can purchase a carnival wristband for $27. Must present valid Active Duty Military ID Card for discounted wristband.
New This Year: Contests, a Sensory Area and a Fresh Setting
Longtime attendees will notice a few exciting additions in 2026. The festival is making its debut at Pullen Field, adjacent to the Bowling Center — a new venue that opens up even more options for a full day out, including bowling and American cuisine for anyone looking for a break from the German revelry.
The crowd-favorite Stein Holding Contest (ages 18+) and Costume Contest (all ages, with Dirndl & Lederhosen and Kinder categories) return on both Saturday and Sunday inside the fest tent. And in a thoughtful new addition, the event will feature a dedicated sensory area for families who need a quieter moment away from the excitement — a small but meaningful touch that reflects MWR’s commitment to serving the whole community.
Authentic German cuisine, specialty food trucks, beer on tap, and Oktoberfest merchandise — including Bavarian mugs, glass boots and traditional hats — round out the experience. Carnival rides are available for a separate ticket fee, purchased on-site.
Plan Your Visit
The event is open to active duty personnel, retirees, civilian federal employees and their guests. Parking is free and in lots surrounding the event. Members of the general public may attend as sponsored guests. Because the festival is held on the installation, all visitors must plan for gate access in advance. Non-DoD ID holders aged 18 and older need a sponsored visitor pass and should submit their applications at least 72 hours before arriving. The Visitor Control Center at Tulley Gate can assist with questions. For access details, visit https://home.army.mil/belvoir/about/installation-access
For the latest updates on food vendors, entertainment and access details, visit belvoir.armymwr.com.
Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest is presented by USAA, with support from Wegmans, Potomac Music, First Command, Brain Treatment Center and Embassy Suites by Hilton, Springfield. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army or Fort Belvoir.
Showers are possible from 11am to 5pm with a high near 64°F. It will be mostly cloudy, with a south wind at 6 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. The chance of rain is 40%. Tuesday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with a low around 52°F and a southeast wind around 8 mph. There is a 20% chance of showers, mainly before 7pm and again after 8pm. See more from Weather.gov.
Fairfax County police vehicle outside Red Carpet Inn in Mount Vernon (via Google Maps)
A motel along Richmond Highway in Mount Vernon has been playing host to a drug distribution ring, Fairfax County police say.
Officers arrested four people at the Red Carpet Inn (8257 Richmond Highway) on April 17 after a three-month investigation found that they were distributing narcotics out of multiple hotel rooms, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Monday).
Manassas Latino Festival is the oldest Hispanic/Latino, family-centric festival in the area! Held during National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), join in the celebrations with live music, dance performances, diverse foods, and fun for the whole family! Come enjoy this premier annual tradition filled with cultural heritage and contributions of the Latin American community.
The Atlantic Union Bank building at 1800 Robert Fulton Drive is among the parcels newly added to Fairfax County's Reston East planning study (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Just a few years after approving a new comprehensive plan for Reston, Fairfax County officials are taking a closer look at the future of development in a swath of Reston East currently dominated by older office buildings.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff on April 14 to expand a planning study that initially looked at individual office properties south of the Dulles Toll Road to instead include an entire subdistrict from Upper Lake Drive to Hunter Mill Road.
Original X Productions CEO Stacy Moscatelli helps cut the ribbon on the Hershey Super Sweet Adventure (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
Guests at Tysons Corner Center can now partake in candy-themed activities and pose for custom chocolate bar wrappers at the new Hershey’s experience, which held a grand opening last week.
Hershey’s Super Sweet Adventure opened Friday (April 24) on the mall’s first level near Macy’s, following a delay earlier this year. The storefront carries Hershey’s treats and a variety of branded collectibles and merchandise, while the backroom makes way for the ticketed experience: an interactive workshop with activities inspired by Hershey’s various confections.
Signs are seen outside the Fairfax County Government Center during the Virginia redistricting referendum, Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
By GARY D. ROBERTSON and DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Supreme Court judges on Monday questioned whether the state’s Democratic-led legislature complied with constitutional requirements when it sent a congressional redistricting plan to voters, in a case that carries high stakes for the balance of power in the U.S. House.
The pedestrian crosswalk across Main Street at Lyndhurst Drive in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The City of Fairfax is seeking public input on possible improvements to a wonky intersection along Main Street.
The city is studying the intersection of Main Street at its terminus with Lyndhurst Drive and Trapp Road. The intersection is just west of Carter G. Woodson High School.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis answers questions at a press conference in his department's Real Time Crime Center with Skydio (via Skydio/YouTube)
The Fairfax County Police Department’s use of drones has caught the attention of the Trump administration.
Federal officials, including Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, visited the FCPD’s Real Time Crime Center on Friday (April 24) to hype up the potential of drones to transform public safety and the U.S. economy.