Opinion

Fairfax County has an abundance of lawn care companies ready to pull weeds, spread mulch and mow grass, among other maintenance services.

Here are the nominees for “Best Lawn Care Service around Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite business below? If not, write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 3.

Voting for the Best Landscapers in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, March 27 at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Cleaning Service in Fairfax. The results are now official:

  1. Superb Maids DC
  2. The Maids in Fairfax
  3. Maid Bright

Countywide

A new center for teens struggling with addiction and their mental health has opened in Chantilly.

Government officials and community members gathered yesterday at the Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 16-bedroom facility — located 4211 Walney Road, near a county-run detox center that serves adults — will offer residential, medically managed detox services to youth patients from throughout the region beginning next Tuesday (March 24).


Around Town

Herndon will welcome a new watering hole today, complete with its own selection of craft brews.

Hawkley Brewing will open at noon at 257 Sunset Park Drive in the Sunset Business Park — the former space of Juicy Brewing Company, which closed last year.


Announcement

There’s something a little bit magical about picking up a foil for the first time — or drawing back a bow and watching your arrow fly true. It’s why fencing and archery have such a hold on kids and adults alike: real focus, real skill, and a thrill you don’t get from the usual sports lineup.

This fall, Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Bailey’s Crossroads is opening registration for both, with beginner classes for every age starting the week of September 12th. Fencing welcomes ages 7 to 12 and teens and adults 13 and up. Explore Archery, coached by USA Archery certified instructors, welcomes ages 8 to 12 and meets Tuesdays or Saturdays. And for our youngest fencers, ages 4 to 6, ABC’s of Fencing meets on Saturdays. All classes run eight sessions for $195, equipment provided, no experience needed — yes, even for grown-ups who’ve never held a sword or a bow before.


News

The Federal Communications Commission announced yesterday (Thursday) that it has approved local television giant Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion takeover of Tysons-based rival Tegna.

Earlier that same day, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and his counterparts in seven other states filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, arguing that the merger will illegally reduce competition in journalism and the broadcasting industry while resulting in increased prices and worker layoffs.


Event

Join us for the Saint Ann Fall Festival on Saturday, September 26! Start the day with our Fun Run at 9:30 AM, followed by the Fall Festival beginning at 10:00 AM.
This family friendly celebration is open to the entire Arlington community and offers something for everyone! Enjoy rides and inflatables, live entertainment, family friendly Bingo, raffles, a Beer Garden, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to gather with the community.
The festival is also a celebration of Saint Ann’s diverse Catholic community, featuring food and entertainment representing our Filipino, Latino, and Peruvian communities, along with some local favorites.
This year’s entertainment includes a live band in the Beer Garden, and exciting Bolivian and Peruvian dance performances. Admission is free, and tickets for food, rides, and activities can be purchased at the festival.
Come celebrate with us and experience the warm, welcoming spirit of Saint Ann! We look forward to welcoming the greater Arlington community for a fun-filled day together.
The Fall Festival will take place rain or shine! Come join the fun!


Countywide
A robin stands on a mound of dirt and leaves in the middle of Wolftrap Creek in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

One Injured in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officers responded [on Thursday, March 19] to a shooting in the 5500 block of Seminary Road and found one man who had been shot in the lower body area. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. FCPD said another victim was found, but they were not harmed.” [DC News Now]

Video Shows Mantua Police Shooting — “The Fairfax County Police Department has released the body-worn camera footage from the police-involved shooting at an apartment in Fairfax on Feb. 23.” By the time police arrived, “Chhatra Thapa, 54, had already stabbed his wife, Binda, and daughter, Mamta, and was in the process of stabbing Mamta’s husband, Santosh Basnet.” [Annandale Today]

Partisan Split on Redistricting Referendum — “Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, a Democrat representing part of Fairfax County, said he thinks the referendum will pass, but told WTOP’s Nick Iannelli, ‘It’s going to be close.’ … Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, however, has been a staunch opponent of the referendum and overall push for redistricting.” [WTOP]

Higher Gas Prices Could Drive More to Metro — “Rising gas prices – as well as a drop in crime – have Metro preparing for more people to potentially choose to ride Metro or take the bus instead of driving … Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said the system welcomes additional riders.” [NBC Washington]

McLean Startup Seeks Site for Innovation Center — Claros Inc. is developing a power management system and supply chips for data centers that could help cut down on their energy costs. Aiming to test the products with the company’s first customer by early 2027, CEO Daniel Kultran is “in talks with George Mason University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia” for a new space since its current office in McLean “can’t support the required power draw.” [Washington Business Journal]

Local Author’s Books Set for TV Adaptation — “Fans of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan books can soon see the story brought to life on TV. Tina Fey and Lang Fisher will adapt the books for a Peacock series. The popular adult mystery series is set in Northern Virginia.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Trout Derby Returns to Herndon — “The Town of Herndon will host its annual Kids Trout Fishing Derby on March 21 from 8 a.m. to noon. This family-friendly tradition allows kids ages 2 to 15 to try their hand at trout fishing. The event is held along the Sugarland Run stream, behind the Herndon Police Station.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Metro to Celebrate 50 Years — “We’re celebrating 50 YEARS serving the DMV with a special ride you don’t want to miss! Tell us what Metro means to you (via comment or DM) for a chance to join us on an exclusive trip Fri, March 27. We’ll have special giveaways, music, & more! Enter by March 24 at 12 pm.” [WMATA/Bluesky]

It’s Friday — Expect scattered showers after 2 pm with increasing clouds and a high near 68°F. Showers are likely Friday night, mainly between 8 pm and 2 am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 49°F. Chance of precipitation goes up from 30% during the day to 60% at night. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Thursday 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 — Mar 19, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌦️ Friday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers after 5 pm, with increasing clouds and a high of about 67°F. South winds will pick up to 8-13 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph. There is a 30% chance of precipitation. Friday night will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 pm, becoming more likely until 2 am, while the sky turns partly cloudy and the temperature drops to around 48°F. Southwest winds will be 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and a 60% chance of rain, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in thunderstorms. 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

An assistant track coach at Hayfield Secondary School will be dismissed after he was arrested today (Thursday) on child pornography charges, police say.

Richard Huerta, 28, of Kingstowne came to the attention of the Fairfax County Police Department when its Child Exploitation Unit detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating he “may be in possession” of child sexual abuse material, according to a press release.


News

A former chair of the Fairfax County School Board’s budget committee will return to the panel after a judge tossed out a complaint accusing him of embezzling $175,000 from a company he was a part owner of.

Kyle McDaniel, who served as the budget committee chair for 10 months before stepping down last April, is expected to be appointed vice chair of the committee when the school board meets tonight (Thursday), according to the meeting agenda.


Around Town

Though Anytime Fitness is set to close later this spring, the Twinbrooke Shopping Center won’t go without a gym for long.

Expected to open in the Kings Park West strip mall this summer is Pump24, a local gym brand “designed for individuals who take their training seriously and are seeking a higher-quality experience than traditional big-box facilities,” a spokesperson said.