An Alexandria man who shot another man during a botched robbery in Bailey’s Crossroads will spend the next decade behind bars.
Abner Neftali Selen Barrera, 26, was sentenced Friday (Oct. 17) to 10 years of active incarceration for his role in the incident, which left the other man with non-life-threatening injuries.
‘No Kings’ Rally in Annandale — “The pedestrian bridge over the beltway in Annandale was packed with ‘No Kings’ protestors with signs and American flags on Oct. 18. Many beltway drivers honked and flashed their lights to show their support. There were No Kings events at Bailey’s Crossroads, Falls Church, throughout Fairfax County, and all over the country” as millions of people expressed their opposition to the Trump administration. [Annandale Today]
Brush Fire Extinguished in Centreville — “Just after 4 p.m. [on Sunday, Oct. 19], #FairfaxsBravest responded for reports of smoke on the side of Braddock Rd prior to Newton Patent Dr. Units arrived on the scene to find a brush fire that was quickly spreading. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Update on Maryland’s Beltway Plans — “In August 2023, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore announced a plan to reconstruct the American Legion Bridge and add managed lanes … Although a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) spokesperson confirmed to 7News that the plan is still in effect, more than two years later, the project has still not secured any federal grants, and Maryland appears not to be even close to starting any construction.” [WJLA]
Nighttime Fairfax County Parkway Closures — “Weather permitting, northbound Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) between Route 123 (Ox Road) and Burke Centre Parkway (Route 643) will have nighttime closures Sunday night, Oct. 19, through Thursday night, Oct. 23, for stormwater pipe installation as part of the Fairfax County Parkway south widening project.” [VDOT]
Reminder to Watch Roads for Deer — “Fall is breeding season for deer and you can expect to see more of them on our roads. Please be aware that deer are unpredictable and crashes with them are a safety concern. There are hundreds of reportable accidents involving deer in the county and more than half of our annual crashes occur during the months of October, November, and December.” [FCPD]
Korean Immigrant Builds New Restaurant — “Since July, Han has been following the same routine in an unassuming strip-mall space in Chantilly, within deafening distance of the Dulles landing path. Baek Ban, her new restaurant, is named after the simple bento-like set meals centered around rice and available in Seoul’s high-quality cafeterias and mom-and-pop lunchrooms.” [Washingtonian]
Inova Nurse Wins National Award — “A D.C.-area nurse had an idea to change the way her hospital fed babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and her project just won her national recognition. ‘It is a big deal, and it was shocking,’ said Renee Bloom, who is an NICU RN Unit Supervisor at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Virginia.” [WTOP]
Drug Takeback Day Returning to Vienna — “For the second time this year, the Vienna Police Department is participating in the 29th National Drug Take Back Day … On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Vienna residents are invited to drop off medications at the collection site in front of the Vienna Police Department.” [Vienna Police]
It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with highs near 65 degrees and west winds blowing at 13 to 15 mph, gusting up to 28 mph. The night remains clear with lows around 44 degrees, and the west wind slowing to 6 mph before becoming calm during the evening. [NWS]
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.
Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 17, 2025.
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
The weather will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny, reaching a high of 71 degrees. A calm wind will shift to the south at 5-7 mph in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear with a low of 54 degrees accompanied by a 7 mph southeast wind. See more from Weather.gov.
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Fairfax County’s 12 volunteer fire and rescue departments face critical challenges that may impede their long-term viability, the Board of Supervisors heard on Tuesday (Oct. 14).
“We are concerned about the future,” said Shawn Stokes, who chairs the county’s Volunteer Fire Commission and serves as vice president of administration for the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.
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
A new vending machine at Commonwealth Brewing Co in Fairfax City gives community members a way to support local artists and parks at the same time.
The Mini Art Vending Machine supplies pocketed-sized works of art that customers can purchase for just four quarters — funds that will benefit the City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department under a partnership with Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED).
A boutique dedicated to the oeuvre of an Iranian American painter, sculptor, and printmaker will host its grand opening in Reston Town Center next month (Nov. 9) from 3 to 5 p.m.
Nasser Ovissi, a former diplomat and cultural attaché under Iran’s former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, settled in Reston in the 1980s, opening a studio that has since become an artist collective.
A Chantilly man accused of carrying out three sex crimes nearly 30 years ago is headed to prison.
Edward Eugene Pottmyer, 59, was sentenced to 10 years of active incarceration today (Friday), having previously pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of abduction.
Interested in refreshing your living room or hallways with a fresh coat of paint? Skilled interior painters in and around Fairfax County can lend a helping hand.
Here are the nominees for “Best Interior Painter in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite painter below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
Voting for the Best Local Shop in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Hardware Store in Fairfax. The results are now official:
Following feedback from both the tennis and pickleball communities, the Fairfax County Park Authority has decided not to move forward with plans for new dedicated pickleball courts at the Franconia Rec Center.
Andrew Grabel, a spokesperson for the park authority, tells FFXnow it’s striving to meet the needs of all community members by creating more dedicated pickleball and tennis courts and fewer dual-use courts throughout the county.
