Countywide
The Nouvelle apartment building and Silverline Center office building in Tysons with I-495 traffic below (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fatal Fairfax County Parkway Crash — “According to Fairfax County Police, officers responded [on Jan. 10] to a fatal crash at Fairfax County Parkway and Huntsman Boulevard in Springfield. Police said the driver, an adult female, was pronounced deceased at the scene.” [FOX5]

Survey Shows Child Care Challenges — “Virginia’s employers say the lack of affordable, high-quality child care is hurting businesses, with 88% of survey respondents reporting employee lateness or absences, and 65% reporting reduced work hours, according to results published last month by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, the Richmond Fed and the Virginia Chamber Foundation.” [Virginia Mercury]

Drone Helps With Crisis at Fair Oaks Mall — “After receiving multiple reports of a man armed with a bow and arrow threatening people outside the mall, police activated a drone as part of its Drone as First Responder initiative.” The drone showed the man was only holding a stick while experiencing a mental health crisis, so officers could “dial down their response,” Police Chief Kevin Davis told ABC 7News. [Patch]

Tysons Company Moves HQ to Alexandria — “A financial planning firm headquartered in Tysons Corner will soon be relocating to Old Town. Pillar Wealth Partners will embark on its next chapter when it opens in the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street on Feb. 1. An office warming and ribbon cutting will be held Feb. 10 to celebrate.” [ALXnow]

Smoothie Cafe Under Construction — “A Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe is coming to a long-vacant building in Bailey’s Crossroads. Fairfax County issued a building permit for a commercial addition/alteration for the property at 5807 Leesburg Pike on Jan. 1, stating the tenant will be Bora Bora.” The manager at the Tysons location told FFXnow the Bailey’s Crossroads one is expected to open in a couple of months. [Annandale Today]

Sports Card Shop Owner Retired From Pentagon Police — Before opening Goatz Sports Cardz in Herndon on Jan. 3, owner Bryan Janick served for four years in the Marine Corps and 12 years with the Pentagon police. While he had been a sports card collector since he was a kid, he “got back into it, hard core” during the pandemic and “jumped at the chance” to retire and open his own store when the Trump administration began offering “deferred retirement options” last year. [Washington Business Journal]

Vienna Wawa Paid With Prop Bill — A customer at Wawa in Vienna paid for a purchase “using a fake bill that was marked ‘Movie Prop Use Only'” on Jan. 4, police say. “The man later returned to the store, stating that he realized he had paid with a fake bill, and he wanted to pay for his earlier purchase. The store did not suffer any monetary loss, and the fake bill was turned over to the police department.” [Vienna Police]

Reston Represented at Capitals Youth Hockey Night — “On Jan. 3, the Capitals hosted Youth Hockey Night ahead of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena, part of Youth Hockey Weekend in the nation’s capital region. Reston was represented at Washington Capitals Youth Hockey Day by … Stephen Reider, a Herndon–South Lakes varsity high school player, and Paxton Worthy, a 14U player from the Reston Raiders.” [Reston Letter]

It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs reaching around 46 degrees, accompanied by west winds at about 8 mph that will shift southwest later in the afternoon. The night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 31 degrees; southwest winds around 6 mph will become calm as the evening progresses. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Friday 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 — Jan 9, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • Longstanding Seven Corners grocery store, Italian restaurant eyed for redevelopment (17415 views)
  • FCPS finalizes school boundary recommendations ahead of public hearing (14171 views)
  • Park authority rolls back boulders blocking field at West Falls Church park (12449 views)
  • Photos: Vienna library demolished after 54 years of operations (8431 views)
  • JUST IN: Driver charged for I-495 crash that killed two on Christmas (5682 views)
  • UPDATED: FCPD seeks driver in fatal Annandale hit-and-run (5671 views)
  • UPDATED: Second pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash today, this time on Route 1 (5537 views)
  • Jamaican eatery set for grand opening after moving to Fair Oaks Mall (5466 views)
  • UPDATED: Pedestrian critically injured after Maple Avenue crash in Vienna (5214 views)
  • Fairfax’s single-family homes market expected to be strong, condos mixed in 2026 (3725 views)
  • Anonymous clothing distributor takes large warehouse lease in Springfield (3630 views)
  • Fairfax legislator to resurrect bill enabling local gas-powered leaf blower bans (3606 views)
  • Reston Parkway lane temporarily closes for ongoing bridge repairs (2981 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

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

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect rain primarily before 4pm, with a high near 49 and north winds shifting to the east at 6 mph. Precipitation chance is 100%, with new amounts between half and three quarters of an inch. For Saturday night, rain is likely between 7pm and 1am, under cloudy skies and a low around 39. Light winds become northwest at 5-10 mph and may gust up to 20 mph. Precipitation chance is 70%, with new amounts ranging from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. 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.

    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. 👋


    Sponsored

    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.


    Countywide

    Photographers braved the cold to capture moments from their New Year’s Day hikes for a chance to win the Fairfax County Park Authority’s (FCPA) First Hike Fairfax photo contest.

    The annual contest invited Fairfax County residents to submit photos from their first hikes of 2026 on the park authority’s more than 420 parks and 334 miles of trails.


    News

    A driver is in critical condition after crashing into an electric pole on Hunter Mill Road in Oakton, police say.

    The crash involved a single vehicle that ran into a utility pole just south of Lawyers Road. A Fairfax Alerts message suggests it occurred around 2 p.m.


    Event

    Join Comunidad for its Annual 5Dollar5K—a fun, family-friendly race that brings neighbors together in support of local children, teens, and families in Falls Church and Arlington. Run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, and bring the little ones for a special Kids’ Dash! Registration is just $5, and children ages 12 and under participate for free. Comunidad is a community development organization based in the Seven Corners area of Falls Church. We hope you'll join us and together help us build comunidad!


    Countywide

    A requirement established by the Virginia Clean Economy Act could force a Lorton incinerator that converts waste into energy to shut down, undermining the intent of the law, state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-34) says.

    The Senate majority leader plans to introduce a bill at the Virginia General Assembly’s upcoming session that would exclude Fairfax County’s I-95 Energy Resource Recovery Facility (9898 Furnace Road) from regulations requiring larger electricity generators to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, starting in 2031.


    News

    Plans for a new Flagship Carwash express location near the intersection of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Dranesville Road north of Herndon have won support from the Fairfax County Planning Commission.

    “I think we’ve gotten to a really good point with this application,” Dranesville District Commissioner Alyssa Batchelor-Causey said after discussion and before a final vote on Wednesday night.


    Opinion

    With flu season in full swing, families across Fairfax County might be visiting or looking for a reliable doctor to take care of their children.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Pediatricians in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite doctor 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. 23.

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

    1. Loren Chen (VHC Health Tysons)
    2. Fola Oluwehinmi (Inova)
    3. Victoria Currall (Virginia Medical Alliance)

    Around Town

    Comfort food from Thailand and matcha are the specialties of the family-owned Nalak Thai that opened in the Fair Oaks area.

    Nalak Thai had its soft opening in December at the Fairfax Court shopping center (11270A James Swart Circle) near Fairfax City limits. The space formerly hosted U-SA Thai.


    News

    A pedestrian was hospitalized after a crash in Vienna that triggered delays along the town’s busiest thoroughfare this morning (Friday).

    Vienna Police responded to the intersection of Nutley Street SW and Maple Avenue West at around 6:15 a.m. after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle heading north on Maple.