Opinion

While the snow that recently fell in Fairfax County has mostly melted away, the first day of winter will arrive this Sunday (Dec. 21), bringing the promise of more snow — and more opportunities to haul out a sled out of storage.

Here are the nominees for “Best Place to Go Sledding in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite spot below? If not, write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2.

Voting for the Best Primary Care Doctor in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Dec. 26 at 8:30 a.m.

A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Orthodontist in Fairfax. The results are now official:

  1. Garai Orthodontics
  2. Tisseront Orthodontics
  3. Ghaffari Orthodontics

News

For many small businesses, the holiday shopping season is the most critical time of the year, determining their ability to continue operating, and Mode on Main by Mara is no exception.

The lifestyle boutique in Old Town Fairfax shared on Instagram this week that had processed 611 orders at that point since Nov. 1, leaving it shy of the 1,000 orders it says are needed to ensure it can keep its doors open at 10417 Main Street in 2026.


News

A Reston man was released from the custody of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday (Dec. 17) less than 24 hours before allegedly killing another man, police said.

After a nearly two-hour manhunt, 23-year-old Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with one count of second degree murder — a felony that carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.


Announcement

Reston Children’s Center announces that it is continuing to be a sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Reston Children’s Center has been part of the CACFP program since 1995.

The same meals will be available at no separate charge to all participants at each CACFP facility without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.


Around Town

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is expanding its season with a pair of newly announced concerts.

In separate events next spring, the orchestra will host musical theater legend Patti LuPone and perform alongside the animated film “How to Train Your Dragon,” adding more star power to a season that has already featured cellist Yo-Yo Ma as a soloist.


Event

Join us for the LLT 5K Run/Walk, a community-powered fundraiser supporting Empower Latina and our mission to uplift, empower, and create opportunities for Latina women and girls. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps make a meaningful impact. Lace up, show up, and empower Latina!


Countywide
The Freeman Store in Vienna is decorated for the holidays (photo by Amy Woolsey)

U.S. Admits Fault in DCA Crash — “The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the actions of an air traffic controller and Army helicopter pilot played a role in causing a collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk near the nation’s capital, killing 67 people.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Va. Schools Expected to Need Over $1B — “Virginia’s recently published enrollment data indicates that state schools will need about $1.2 billion over the next two years, more than was projected just weeks ago amid challenges in funding other key areas … While enrollment is projected to decline, presumably lowering overall funding needs, the education agency said the cost to fund Virginia’s schools is driven by several factors.” [Virginia Mercury]

How Fairfax Stacks Up for Livability — “For the second year in a row, AARP has ranked Arlington as the most livable large community in the country … AARP rated Fairfax County No. 5 for very large populations (more than 500,000). The index noted the county’s access to grocery stores, farmers markets, and parks and its diversity of destinations.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Tysons Santa Returns for 37th Year — “Accompanied by a security guard, Santa — real name Michael Graham — makes his way to Santa’s Chalet, which is tucked at the end of a hallway near an eyebrow salon. Dozens of children are lined up, waiting to take a photo with Graham and tell him what they want for Christmas.” Even after 40 years performing as Santa, 37 of them at Tysons Corner Center, Graham remains enthusiastic about the gig. [Washington Post]

Pop-Up Library Planned for Culmore — “Fairfax County Public Library is in the process of nailing down a location in Culmore for a pop-up library during the time the Culmore Community Library will be closed for an entire year. The Culmore Library will close on Jan. 17, 2026, for an HVAC replacement project and won’t reopen until January 2027.” [Annandale Today]

Winning Lottery Ticket Bought in Merrifield — A Powerball ticket purchased at the Safeway (3043 Nutley Street) in Merrifield’s Providence Place shopping center was one of five to win $50,000 in a drawing on Wednesday (Dec. 17). “Since no ticket in Virginia or anywhere else matched all six numbers, the jackpot for the Saturday, December 20, drawing grows to an estimated $1.5 billion.” [Virginia Lottery]

Record Holiday Travel Projected — With 3.4 million Virginians expected to travel over the coming week, “AAA predicts that this year’s holiday travel will break last year’s record and set a new 24-year high. VPM News’ Hannah Davis-Reid talked to AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Morgan Dean about what to expect ahead of the holidays.” [VPM News]

New Take on ‘Into the Woods’ Debuts in Lorton — “The Workhouse Arts Center will present a new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical ‘Into the Woods’ beginning Dec. 20, offering a reimagined take on the modern theatrical classic in the W-3 Theatre. The limited run includes 17 performances through Jan. 25, highlighted by a New Year’s Eve show at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31.” [Inside NoVA]

It’s Friday — Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm before 1pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5pm with winds shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27. [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 — Dec 18, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Expect rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm followed by a slight chance of rain between 1pm and 2pm. Clouds will gradually clear, with temperatures decreasing to around 38 by 5pm. Breezy conditions with south winds at 16 to 23 mph, shifting west in the afternoon and gusts up to 47 mph. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation, with new amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 26 and west winds at 18 to 23 mph, decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts still up to 47 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.


Countywide

Outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday rolled out his final two-year budget proposal before a joint meeting of the General Assembly’s money committees, pitching a plan built on what he called Virginia’s strong fiscal footing while using the moment to cement his administration’s legacy as he prepares to leave office next month.

The $72 billion general fund proposal — part of a $212 billion total spending plan — covers the biennium running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. It includes pay raises for teachers, state employees and local public workers, tax relief for individuals and businesses, major increases in Medicaid spending, and a $50 million investment to overhaul Virginia’s child welfare system, one of Youngkin’s final policy priorities.


Around Town

A restaurant fusing cuisines from the Mediterranean and South Asia is planning to open soon in a vacant storefront near the Dunn Loring Metro station.

Signage for Mandi Mediterranean has appeared in Merrifield at 2670A Avenir Place — the former home of Burger7, which closed in 2024.


News

The VY at Reston Heights apartment community has been rebranded The Point at Rise following its Dec. 11 sale to institutional fund manager Pantzer Properties.

The building, located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, was built in 2018 by JBG Smith and has 385 residential units, including two-story loft style townhomes. Gold’s Gym, Reston Kabob and My Home Thai occupy its street-level retail spaces.


Announcement

We love fall at Art House 7 and can’t wait for you to explore all our offerings. Painting, drawing, ceramics, and sewing/crocheting are our perennials, along with less traditional mediums. Kawaii Style Drawing and Digital Art are among our new classes for kids. We offer an excellent 6-week program for high schoolers preparing their college portfolios. Want something shorter? We have 3-week classes, including linocut notecards. Love ceramics? We have a dedicated studio that comfortably accommodates wheel and hand-building classes. 

Fall 1 Session begins Tue. Sep. 8.