Countywide
Vendors line a parking lot at The Boro for the Tysons Mixed Market on Sept. 17, 2026 (photo by Chetan B.)

Case for Fatal Pedestrian Crash Dismissed — “On June 18, the driver of a Prius jumped the curb of a Leesburg Pike service road near Seven Corners and fatally hit 38-year-old Sean King.” The 43-year-old driver was charged with reckless driving, but then pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. His 60-day jail sentence was suspended on the condition that he complete 20 hours of community service. [NBC4]

DHS Accused of Violating Election Laws — Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones “said Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated several state laws after a whistleblower accused its employees of misrepresenting themselves on voter lookup tools to hunt for noncitizen voters. Virginia “explicitly limits its voter lookup tools to individuals who attest under penalty of law that they are looking up their own records.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Yellow Line Service Pause — “Metro announced Yellow Line service will be shut down Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20. That’s due to planned bridge and track rehabilitation, according to the transit agency … Blue Line service will alternate between Downtown Largo and the Virginia end destinations of Franconia-Springfield and Huntington.” [ALXnow]

Tysons Contractor Sold Due to ICE Work — “Fairfax government contractor ITC Federal announced Monday it plans to buy Capgemini Government Solutions for an undisclosed price and rename it to ITC Digital Solutions … Capgemini Government Solutions is said to have provided ICE with technology to locate targets for the crackdown on illegal immigrants, according to multiple reports.” [Washington Business Journal]

Lorton HVAC Company Plans Layoffs — United Air Temp, Air Conditioning and Heating LLC, which was acquired by a private equity firm in 2024, filed a notice that it will lay off “93 employees — nearly one-third of its workforce — within the next 60 days” at its Lorton headquarters. The layoffs “will be permanent and will impact employees based on-site and those who work in the field and report to that office.” [WBJ]

Marijuana Sales Regulations Unveiled — “The Cannabis Control Authority last week published the first draft of regulations for the recreational market, including the fees for licenses needed to do business in the market. Under the legislation that set the framework of the legal market, the CCA will be able to award up to 350 licenses for retail marijuana stores statewide.” [Richmond BizSense]

Stuff the Bus Food Drive Is Back — “The Stuff the Bus Food Drive returns for a one-day event on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. The buses will be located at various Supervisor District offices countywide 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Please consider supporting local non-profit food pantries by donating non-perishable food items or gift cards.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

Algae Spotted in Lake Newport — “Small clumps of potentially harmful algae have been observed on the surface of Lake Newport following resident reports. While boating activities can continue, residents and visitors should avoid contact with algae and lake water in areas where algae is present.” [Reston Association]

Exhibit Documents Change in Lorton Inmates — “Twenty five years ago, what was once the Lorton Reformatory, then the Lorton Correctional Complex, closed its doors. Now the same complex in Fairfax County, Virginia, that once housed D.C. inmates is home to the Workhouse Arts Center where a new exhibit documents the power of change that comes with second chances.” [WTOP]

It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 85°F and a gentle north wind of 7 to 9 mph. In the evening, skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 65°F. [NWS]

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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 — Sep 17, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Friday’s forecast

Expect partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high near 84°F and a north wind blowing at 7 to 9 mph. During the night, conditions will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 63°F, accompanied by a gentle north wind at about 7 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.


Sponsored

Get your lederhosen and dirndls ready! Fort Belvoir Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is thrilled to host the 28th Annual Oktoberfest, a four-day festival celebrating German culture, food, and family fun from September 24–27 at its new location, Pullen Field.

This highly anticipated community event brings the spirit of Bavaria to Fort Belvoir with authentic German cuisine, beer, and lively music. The festival features a thrilling carnival, a scenic Volksmarch 5K/10K Walk, and activities for the entire family. It’s an unforgettable experience for everyone!

Event Schedule:

  • Thursday, Sept. 24: 6–10 p.m.

  • Friday, Sept. 25: 4–11 p.m.

  • Saturday, Sept. 26: noon–11 p.m.

  • Sunday, Sept. 27 (Military Appreciation Day): noon–8 p.m.

What to Expect:
From the sounds of traditional German music to the tastes of bratwurst and pretzels, Oktoberfest offers a multi-sensory experience. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of food and beverages, shop for unique Oktoberfest merchandise like Bavarian mugs and hats, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The carnival will be running throughout the festival, offering fun rides and attractions for all ages. Ride tickets will be sold onsite, with discounted wristbands for Active Duty and their family members on Military Appreciation Sunday.

Plan Your Visit:
Oktoberfest is located at Pullen Field (9625 Middleton Road) on Fort Belvoir. All visitors aged 18 and older without a valid DoD or military ID must obtain a visitor pass in advance. To ensure smooth access, please arrange for your sponsored pass at least 72 hours prior to your visit. Free parking will be adjacent to the event area. For the most up-to-date information on installation access, vendor lists, and entertainment schedules, please visit the official website at belvoir.armymwr.com.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
Fort Belvoir Family and MWR extends a heartfelt thank you to our presenting sponsor, USAA, and all our valued sponsors for their incredible support in making this community event possible.


News

Fairfax County officials have supported another proposal to boost the housing portfolio of Kingstowne Towne Center.

At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved developer BXP’s application to convert an existing office building into a 280-unit housing complex.


Countywide

As Democrats attempt to flip control of Congress from the current Republican majority, all eyes will be on national races, but the Nov. 3 election will also give Fairfax County voters a number of questions with local and state implications to consider.

Early in-person voting will kick off countywide tomorrow (Sept. 18) for seats in the House and Senate as well as local issues regarding funding for parks and health and human services projects. In addition, voters will be asked to vote on three constitutional amendments addressing abortion, gay marriage, and voting rights.


Event

The SLHS PTSA Food Pantry will be hosting its 9th Annual “Do It Your Way 0.5K” on September 27th from 2-4pm at Lake Anne Plaza. Join others in our community for music provided by DJ Randy Platts, pre-race warm-ups led by Kurt Rose, Celebrity Starters, cookies based by SLHS culinary students, a live raffle, and the most rewarding 650 steps you’ll take all year. Register online now or in-person the day of the event. All proceeds will directly support over 500 local students and families in the SLHS Pyramid each week.


News

An Alexandria man has been convicted after attempting to rape a housekeeper at a Groveton hotel last year, though several felony charges were dismissed.

Following a two-day bench trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 15 and 16), Oscar Junior Barrios was convicted of the attempted rape and misdemeanor simple assault, according to court records.


News

As opposition to data centers continues to mount nationwide, some unexpected alliances have emerged.

Just two days after democratic socialist Bernie Sanders shared a stage with right-wing strategist Steve Bannon, a grassroots conservative organization led by the self-proclaimed “founder of the modern day Tea Party” will stop in solidly blue Fairfax County as part of a national “Data Center Revolt” bus tour.


Around Town

A regional restaurant group known as much for its saucy wordplay as its cuisine is heading to Fairfax City for the first time.

Roll Play, a fast-casual Vietnamese concept, anticipates opening in the Fairfax Pointe shopping center at 10955 Fairfax Blvd, Suite 100, this November, the restaurant announced on its social media pages in August.


News

Herndon Town Council member Cesar del Aguila has become a campaigning veteran with four terms under his belt, but his bid for a fifth might be the most competitive race yet.

Twelve people are vying for the council’s six seats in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, including five incumbents and a slate of young, progressive-minded newcomers seeking to shake up the town’s status quo.


News

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved plans for redeveloping the 40-acre Prosperity Business Campus, located between the Mosaic District and Dunn Loring Metro station, in Merrifield.

Developer EYA has proposed two options for replacing the existing office park: one with about 1,700 residential units or another with about 1,900 units. Both would include a small amount of retail space and more than 5 acres of publicly accessible parks.