An automated license plate reader (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A Centreville man is facing criminal charges after police connected him to a vehicle reported stolen in Reston.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives responded to the 1600 block of Reston Parkway around 12:35 p.m. on Monday (Nov. 24) after receiving an alert for a 1999 Toyota Camry that had been reported stolen the previous day.
Fairfax County trash collection (photo via Fairfax County)
Residents of a three-year-old, 16-home subdivision in the Idylwood area south of Shreve Road never realized they were part of Fairfax County’s trash and recycling service.
Neither did the county staff responsible for overseeing trash collection, as service to the neighborhood never began.
Introducing Kokua at The Mather—Now Welcoming Residents
At Kokua, we believe that every stage of life holds possibilities for creativity, purpose, and growth. Located in the heart of Tysons, Virginia, Kokua offers a fresh, hospitality-driven approach to care developed by Mather, a nationally recognized pioneer in the senior living space with more than eight decades of experience. Newly opened in 2025, Kokua blends care with our research-driven approach to deliver personalized wellness tailored to individual needs.
For a limited time, Kokua is welcoming new residents seeking assisted living or memory support in the DC area with exclusive move-in incentives. Nestled in a lively urban neighborhood, our LEED-Gold certified community incorporates biophilic design that brings the outside in to enhance health and wellbeing.
THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED SPACES
In our assisted living and memory support neighborhoods, residents enjoy a collection of thoughtfully designed spaces that feel like an upscale hospitality destination.
Multiple restaurants offer chef-prepared cuisine with flexible, open-hours service, complemented by demonstration kitchens, art and music studios, as well as gathering spaces. A spacious outdoor terrace, Marzenia Salon, and beautifully appointed amenity areas create opportunities for wellness, connection, and everyday enjoyment.
FOCUS ON PERSONALIZED WELLBEING
Residents enjoy opportunities to choose from enriching programs, meaningful social opportunities with experiences such as sensory walks, meditation, acupuncture, Reiki, songwriting workshops, poetry readings, Sensory Symphony Swim, and more.
Assisted Living in Ādar
Ādar means “respect”, and Kokua delivers. Here, our team encourages residents to be as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Each one-bedroom apartment home (ranging in size up to nearly 900 square feet) offers generous space and thoughtful design, complemented by assistance with daily living tasks and emergency response systems for peace of mind.
Memory Support in Miran
Miran means “peaceful”—another pillar in the Kokua way of life. Private suites are designed for those with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or similar cognitive conditions. Our person-centered approach embraces individual strengths and needs, with an interdisciplinary team and through social events, wellness programs, creative arts, and more.
Kokua offers the next generation of care in Ādar and Miran, true to our commitment to highly personalized service rooted in respect for each individual.
With a limited number of residences available and exclusive move-in incentives currently offered, now is an ideal time to explore the personalized care and quiet luxury that Kokua at The Mather has to offer.
The Town of Herndon will lower the speed limit on Herndon Parkway to 25 mph from Campbell Way to Summerfield Drive, starting Dec. 1, 2025 (via Google Maps)
Watch out, Herndon drivers: December will bring an expansion of the 25-mph speed limit zone on Herndon Parkway.
Starting Monday (Dec. 1), the speed limit will drop from 35 to 25 mph on the parkway between Campbell Way and Summerfield Drive, extending an existing 25-mph section that starts at Van Buren Street.
This year’s Very Godly VBS, inspired by The Titan’s Curse, invites children into the world of Camp Half-Blood to explore faith, courage, belonging, and community through storytelling, music, crafts, games, science, and reflection in a fun and welcoming environment for all.
Patio for the Highlands Swim Club in McLean, now closed for the season (staff photo)
Area Malls Offer Black Friday Hours — “Northern Virginia’s malls are generally closed on Thanksgiving. That means shoppers will head out on Black Friday to scout discounts at malls and retailers … Here are the mall hours in Northern Virginia.” [Patch]
Firefighter Charged With Larceny — “On Thursday, November 25, 2025, an off-duty Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) firefighter was charged with petit larceny by the Fairfax County Police Department.” An employee of the department for three years, the firefighter “has been placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of a Professional Standards Investigation.” [FCFRD]
Dominion Energy Rate Increase Approved — “State regulators on Tuesday approved a base rate increase for Dominion Energy that will raise the average residential customer’s monthly bill by $13.60, or about 9%, over the next two years.” The State Corporation Commission also created a new class for large-scale energy users to address the growing demands of data centers. [Cardinal News]
Early Voting for Braddock Supervisor Expands — “Early voting for the Braddock District Special Election expands this weekend!” Starting tomorrow (Saturday), early voting will be available at Burke Centre Library in addition to the Fairfax County Government Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both locations will then be open during the week until early voting ends after Dec. 6. [Fairfax County Office of Elections/Bluesky]
Lawmakers Renew Push for Free School Lunches — “A bill to provide elementary and secondary school students across Virginia with free breakfasts is heading back to the Virginia General Assembly. The proposed bill by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) was killed in the House Appropriation’s Elementary & Secondary Education subcommittee in January due largely to its $29.2 million price tag.” [ALXnow]
Police Collect Toys for Santa’s Ride — “Since 1988, the Fairfax County Police Department’s annual Santa’s Ride has delivered toys and joy to children in hospitals and local charities … Help make the season brighter by donating new, unwrapped toys, books, or games at one of our many drop-off locations by Monday, December 8.” [FCPD]
Paris Baguette Opening in Falls Church — “Paris Baguette has announced plans to begin serving customers at 169 Hillwood Avenue starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, offering free giveaways to go with its wide menu of baked goods and other breakfast and lunch items.” [ARLnow]
Comment Period for Parks Fee Increases Extended — “Recognizing the importance of community participation, the Park Authority Board is seeking public input to ensure the proposed 2026 Fee Schedule reflects the priorities of Fairfax County residents. To provide additional time for community members to share their perspectives, the public comment period has been extended to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 41 accompanied by a west wind blowing at 14 to 17 mph, gusting up to 34 mph. For Friday night, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of around 27, as the west wind continues at 7 to 10 mph and gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [NWS]
The Golf Outing will be at the Chantilly National Country Club. Gather your friends for a fantastic day on the greens, enjoy friendly competition, and help us create a brighter future for our youth. Together, we can swing for a cause that truly matters to support area children receiving mental health counseling. Registration and Practice: 8:00-9:00am Tee Time: 9:00am Shotgun Start Lunch and Awards ceremony: 1:30pm- 2:30pm
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☁️ Thursday’s forecast
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Fonts Books and Gifts with its door open in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Thanksgiving week has arrived, and for many local businesses, that means a critical holiday shopping season will soon be in full swing.
Small Business Saturday sales are expected to deliver nearly 20% of the annual revenue, on average, for small businesses this year, according to a study by American Express, which created the occasion in 2010.
Empanadas de Mendoza in Reston (photo courtesy of restaurant)
A familiar face at farmers’ markets across Fairfax County has now set up a permanent shop in Reston.
Empanadas de Mendoza is currently in soft opening mode at North Point Village Center, but the doors of its second storefront will officially open on Dec. 6, co-owner Gabi Steelman told FFXnow.
A summer night at Wolf Trap's Filene Center (via Visit Fairfax)
The president and CEO of Visit Fairfax believes an expected increase of $6.5 million a year in funding for promoting local tourism can be leveraged to create more than $1 billion annually in new economic activity countywide.
The tourism sector’s impact on the county economy “will get to $5 billion a year,” potentially within the next “three to five years,” Barry Biggar predicted at the Board of Supervisors’ Economic Initiatives Committee yesterday (Tuesday).
The Fairfax County Courthouse behind trees (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Like some businesses, local government offices and many services are set to close for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Administrative offices for Fairfax County as well as smaller jurisdictions like Vienna, Herndon and Fairfax City will all be closed on both Thursday and Friday (Nov. 27-28). However, some services will still be available or follow modified schedules.