News

Fairfax City police have determined that a bomb threat targeting Fairfax High School was unfounded.

A “large” number of police officers descended on the school at 3501 Lion Run this morning (Monday) in response to a bomb threat, the City of Fairfax Police Department said on social media shortly after 9 a.m.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools officials want to make sure students are using artificial intelligence as a tool rather than a crutch.

FCPS doesn’t have a comprehensive policy governing the use of AI, but officials are working on one. Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Fairfax County School Board at a work session this month (Oct. 7) that it’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page because AI is such a broad topic.


Countywide

Update — Members of SEIU Local 512’s Fairfax County chapter officially ratified their collective bargaining agreement on Friday, Oct. 24 by a 99.9% vote, the union announced.

If approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the three-year contract will take effect on July 1, 2026.


News

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.


Countywide
Trees and fenced-in flower beds line a brick sidewalk near Patrick Henry Library in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

‘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]


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 — Oct 17, 2025.

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

  • Report: Reston-based company may lay off nearly 100 employees (41621 views)
  • Wonder food hall to open first Fairfax County locations this month (38540 views)
  • JUST IN: FCPD investigates fatal shooting in Herndon area (26759 views)
  • Fairfax, McLean eateries make WaPo food critic’s final 40 Best Restaurants list (16196 views)
  • FCPS leans toward traditional model for new western high school near Herndon (14485 views)
  • Dickey’s Barbecue Pit closes Herndon restaurant for good (7799 views)
  • New plan emerges for developing Salona Park in McLean (7294 views)
  • NEW: Evidence for abortion assistance allegations appears fabricated, FCPS says (9276 views)
  • Elevated bridge connecting Reston Row office buildings OK’d for mystery tenant (7017 views)
  • Future of Lake Anne AC services in question after cooling utility folds (7015 views)
  • Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies to return to Fairfax County tomorrow (7185 views)
  • UPDATED: Seven injured, residents told to shelter after industrial fire breaks out on Route 1 (5016 views)
  • Townhomes approved to replace aging offices near Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (4195 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

    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.

    🌅 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. 👋


    Countywide

    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.


    Around Town

    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).


    Around Town

    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.