News

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is starting to test the waters on an initial concept for its plan to replace and expand on Reston’s Crescent Apartments.

Now more than a decade in the making after a previous push to revitalize the Lake Anne area stalled, the redevelopment will prioritize preserving the property’s status as a valuable affordable housing site, while also better integrating it with the surrounding community, according to FCRHA Associate Development Director Thor Nelson.


Around Town

A local favorite for a taste of the Mediterranean is now offering more than just quick bites.

Moby Dick House of Kabob, which boasts 30 locations across the D.C. area, recently celebrated the grand opening of Moby’s Market in McLean — adding a grocery element to the restaurant at 6703 Lowell Avenue.


News

Residents of Fairfax County’s manufactured home communities pressed county leaders yesterday (Tuesday) to do more to protect the properties from redevelopment and those who live there from displacement.

“We don’t want to be moved out of the county — we’d like to stay in our homes,” said Denia Moya, a resident of the Harmony Place Mobile Home Park (8018 Richmond Highway) in Hybla Valley.


Announcement

A Bison Celebration is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Bison Celebration will be a full day event that brings together organizations, scholars, scientists and filmmakers to celebrate the past, present, and future of North America’s largest land mammal. Through captivating films and thought-provoking panel discussions, the museum will explore the bison’s vital role in restoring grassland ecosystems and its deep spiritual connection to Tribal nations.


Around Town

The largest pet event in the D.C. region is leaving Fairfax County.

With the Dulles Expo Center, their home of 25 years, permanently closing in Chantilly this month, Super Pet Expo organizers will bring their showcase for local pet businesses, nonprofits and experts to Manassas Mall next year instead.


Event

One of Northern Virginia's favorite Halloween traditions is back for the 13th year. Think you’re ready for one of the area’s scariest haunted experiences?

Haunt: Dark Encounters at the Workhouse Arts Center is happening in Lorton, Virginia from October 3 – 30, 2026—and this year, you never know what’s waiting around the next corner. Step inside and there’s no telling what you’ll find. Strange sounds. Unexpected scares. And just when you think you’re in the clear…think again. Bring your bravest friends, because this is one fall night you won’t soon forget.— Haunt: Dark Encounters at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Va.


News

Reston Association had hoped to dredge sediment from Lake Thoreau this fall, but paltry precipitation may force the project to wait until next spring.

While staff still hope to schedule the dredging for sometime this winter, the rain and snow that passed through the D.C. region last week weren’t enough to sufficiently raise water levels at the manmade lake, according to RA communications director Cara O’Donnell.


Around Town

After an approximately 100-day engagement, Tanishq officially celebrated its union with Tysons last week.

The Indian jeweler has been selling necklaces, earrings and other accessories to customers at its new store in the Shops at Fairfax Square (8065 Leesburg Pike, Suite 120) since Aug. 8, but the grand opening on Dec. 2 came with an extra level of ceremony.


Countywide

As Christmas trees start popping up throughout the region, Fairfax County is wrapping up a multiyear effort to revise regulations around trees used by developers.

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors’ environmental committee on Nov. 25, county officials provided an update on proposed changes to the tree planting recommendations in its public facilities manual.


Countywide
A Capital Bikeshare station along Soapstone Drive in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Driver in Fatal Burke Crash Pleads Guilty — “A driver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for a crash that killed a 17-year-old girl in Burke, Virginia, in 2023. He was speeding nearly 90 mph in a 40 mph zone at the time, prosecutors said.” Jose Zelaya could face between one and six years in prison under the plea agreement, but Rebekah Zarco’s family says it’s hard for them to see the outcome “as justice.” [NBC4]

More Reston Parkway Ramp Closures Planned — The southbound Reston Parkway ramp to the eastbound Dulles Toll Road will close overnight from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily through Dec. 20-21. The closures, which began at the start of December, are needed to allow repairs on the parkway’s northbound bridge over the toll road, a project expected to finish in early 2026. [VDOT]

Dems Criticize Park Police Hiring Spree — “Democratic senators are demanding the U.S. Park Police suspend their D.C. recruitment blitz and accuse the Trump administration of ‘hijacking this federal police force for its own authoritarian purposes,’ according to a letter sent to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Monday morning.” The federal agency has set a goal of doubling its workforce in the District over the next six months. [Washington Post]

Guilty Plea in Pokemon Card Theft — “A California man pleaded guilty Monday in a case in which he was accused of breaking into his friend’s Fairfax County, Virginia, home and stealing more than $50,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards. Mohammad Asif was caught on home surveillance camera in July breaking into a Fair Oaks home where his friend and friend’s girlfriend live, prosecutors said … Minutes before the burglary, the girlfriend was held up with a rifle outside of her workplace in Tysons, police said.” [NBC4]

School Board Nixes Facilities Advisory Group — “Fairfax County’s school board has approved a plan to end the group of volunteer community members responsible for providing feedback on long-term plans for school facilities. The division’s Facilities Planning Advisory Council is scheduled to be disbanded by April 1, after Thursday’s 8-3 vote in support of the move.” [WTOP]

Solar and Wind Energy Bills Revived — “With Democrats in full control of the General Assembly and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger preparing to take office, lawmakers are reviving familiar proposals they hope will finally earn a governor’s signature. Chief among them are bills aimed at expanding renewable energy use and strengthening Virginia’s clean-energy workforce.” [Virginia Mercury]

Man Charged With Attempted Bank Robbery — A 38-year-old Fairfax resident was arrested after he allegedly tried to rob a bank at Fair Lakes Shopping Center on Monday (Dec. 8). “A man entered the bank and displayed a note to the teller demanding money. No weapon was displayed. The man was asked to leave and he left on foot. No one was injured.” [FCPD]

New CEO for VRE — “Virginia Railway Express will see leadership change hands after a new CEO was appointed. Effective January 20, 2026, Katie Choe was named CEO of VRE, effective Jan. 20, 2026.” Appointed by the Northern Virginia and Potomac Rappahannock transportation commissions last Thursday (Dec. 4), she “replaces former CEO Rich Dalton, who retired in early October.” [Patch]

New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks hotel mixed-beverage, on/off-premises ABC license; objections 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect rain between 8am and 2pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 45. There will be south winds of 11-14 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. The night will be mostly cloudy, with lows around 32 and west winds of 10-13 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. [NWS]


News

Democrat Rachna Sizemore Heizer has been elected to represent the Braddock District on Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors.

Sizemore Heizer, who represents Braddock on the Fairfax County School Board, has secured nearly 67% of the vote once all precincts began reporting results, leading Republican Ken Balbuena (29.91%) to concede the special election today (Tuesday).


Announcement

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life. Learn about La Catrina and her joyful view of life and mortality. Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including dance performances, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: