Countywide

Morning Notes for September 24, 2025

By FFXnow.com
A former Lorton Reformatory tower, now part of the Laurel Hill development in Lorton (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Springfield Man Killed in Crash — “A Springfield man died Saturday after his disabled vehicle was struck by another car traveling at high speed on Interstate 395 in Alexandria, according to a Virginia State Police press release.” Police identified the victim yesterday (Tuesday) as 45-year-old Hennry O. Ortuno Flores and said charges against the other driver, a woman from Woodbridge, are pending. [ALXnow]

Rape Suspect Found Unable to Stand Trial — “A man accused of raping a woman on a trail in Herndon has been found incompetent to stand trial during a hearing on Tuesday. Denis Humberto Navarette Romero will have another hearing in December to determine whether he has been ‘restored to competency,’ according to the Fairfax County prosecutors’ office.” [WJLA]

GOP Makes Big Early Voting Push — “Early voting in Virginia began just last week, but the first wave of ballots already shows Republican-leaning House of Delegates districts pulling ahead of their Democratic counterparts.” Eleven of the 20 districts with the most votes cast in the Nov. 4 statewide elections so far “are strongly Republican or lean Republican” based on data from the Virginia Public Access Project. [Virginia Mercury]

Woman Injured by Falling Tree Branch — A woman was transported to a hospital yesterday afternoon after she suffered possible back and neck injuries reportedly from a “large, falling tree branch” while walking on the Pimmit Run Trail in McLean. “The incident happened around 2 p.m. on the trail, which runs along Pimmit Run near the Arlington-Fairfax County border.” [ARLnow]

Youngkin Takes Issue With Power Grid — “Governors of more than a quarter of U.S. states pushed on Monday for greater influence over PJM Interconnection, the country’s biggest power grid, where electricity prices are surging as AI data center demand outpaces the connection of new supplies.” [Reuters]

Local Ice Cream Shop Founder Honored — “Robin Rinearson, the founder of Jake’s Ice Cream, was honored with the Illinois College of Optometry Alumni Association’s Humanitarian Award earlier this month for her support of people with disabilities.” [Annandale Today]

How D.C. Region’s Colleges Rank — “The latest U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings didn’t have dramatic changes from last year, but a few D.C.-area colleges saw some surprising shifts.” Virginia institutions on the list include the University of Virginia (no. 26), the College of William & Mary and Virginia Tech (in a four-way tie for no. 51), and George Mason University (no. 117 in a seven-way tie). [WTOP]

Great Falls Mansion Hits Market — A 11,222-square-foot estate on Mine Run Drive in Great Falls recently entered the housing market for a list price of $14 million. “The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home is surrounded by a carefully landscaped 5.44 acres that features a brick motor court driveway, several fountains, and a Haddonstone garden gazebo.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies with an 81°F high and calm winds. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation, including potential showers and storms before 11 pm, with a low of 69°F. [NWS]

Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Sep 23, 2025

By FFXnow.com

Good Tuesday 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 23, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect a slight chance of showers from 3-5pm followed by the possibility of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. There may be patchy fog before 9am, and it will be mostly cloudy with a high near 81. A calm north wind of about 5 mph is expected in the afternoon. Precipitation chance is 20%. For Wednesday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 67. A south wind of around 6 mph is expected, with a precipitation chance of 50%. 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

Ten Things I Learned in the First Summer Season of My Roofing Company

By Sponsor
Image from Ten Things I Learned in the First Summer Season of My Roofing Company

Incredibly excited to wrap up an awesome first summer. I’ve learned a lot, and I thought I’d share some of those lessons with you.

1. Hiring a JMU intern is a great idea.

This summer we were lucky enough to hire a young man from Woodbridge named Owen, who is a rising senior at JMU. He was exactly the spark we needed to help us push through our first busy summer season. We’ve already made him a job offer for next summer when he graduates, and we’re hopeful he’ll join us full-time.

2. People are generally helpful and want to see you succeed when you’re first starting out.

Over the summer, I was amazed by how many people wanted to help me get a strong start in my business. There were definitely times when I knew folks might not need a new roof, but they were still kind enough to let me come by, take a look, and give them a free estimate just in case. It was inspiring and motivating to know that there are strangers out there who don’t even know me but still want to see me win.

3. Hard work solves most problems.

From the beginning, I’ve been honest about having a lot to learn in this industry. What I’ve come to find is that even when I don’t know exactly what I’m doing, hard work will still often get me to the right result. When in doubt, just keep pushing. This is something I’ll remember as more hard times come and as we get ready to go through the cold winter season.

4. Working with property managers and realtors can be a win-win for everyone.

This year, we’ve built some great relationships with property managers and realtors. These folks are hardworking and busy, and the last thing they have time to worry about is a roof for their clients. We’ve worked with them to install new roofs, windows, gutters, doors, and siding on multiple occasions.

5. Some folks will slam the door in your face without thinking twice.

Things aren’t always easy in this game, and I don’t want to paint an overly rosy picture without talking about some of the hard stuff too. As a new person working hard to get your name out there, it can definitely be a little daunting when someone yells at you or slams the door in your face. Luckily, most people are warm and will at least talk to you, and we’ve appreciated that as we navigate these bumps along the way.

6. Most homeowners just want transparency and great customer service.

It’s wild how many contractors out there really can’t be trusted. We’ve come to learn quickly that homeowners just want fantastic customer service and transparency throughout the process. If you can honestly show someone how the process is going to take place and hold their hand a little along the way, you can make almost all of your customers pretty happy.

7. Homeowners taught me more than any training could have.

(more…)

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News

Springfield townhouses heavily damaged in two-alarm fire

By Angela Woolsey
Firefighters battle a townhouse fire in the Greenwood neighborhood of Springfield (via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department)

Fairfax County fire investigators have identified the cause of a two-alarm fire that damaged three townhouses in Springfield yesterday (Monday).

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was called to the 6200 block of Levi Court in the Greenwood neighborhood around 2:30 p.m. for the blaze.

Go to Springfield townhouses heavily damaged in two-alarm fire Read more
Announcement

Fall Art Classes Are Here!

By Art House 7
A girl paints on an easel in a pottery studio; autumn-orange pumpkins on canvas beside blue-glazed mugs and a plate with maple leaf designs on display.

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.

Go to Fall Art Classes Are Here! Read more
Around Town

Oktoberfest events coming to Vienna, Reston and more

By Vernon Miles
Food trucks at Vienna Oktoberfest 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The end of September is within sight, which means Oktoberfest season will soon be in full swing.

One of the bigger festivals in the region is the Vienna Oktoberfest, which is organized by the Vienna Business Association and now celebrating its 16th year.

Go to Oktoberfest events coming to Vienna, Reston and more Read more
Event

Reflex Improv 10 Year Anniversary Show!

Promotional poster for Reflex Improv’s 10th anniversary show with a blue curtain background and event details (Falls Church, VA).

Event location

Center for Spiritual Enlightenment

222 N Washington St

Falls Church, Virginia 22152

Add to Calendar

Come join Reflex Improv as we celebrate 10 years of laughs on Saturday, September 19 at 7pm. The improvised comedy show starts at 7pm and runs between 90 minutes and two hours. The show is open to all-ages, however the content may be adult in nature at times, so parental guidance is highly suggested.

Reflex Improv offers beginner and advanced classes across northern Virginia (Arlington, Chantilly, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Reston) and Annapolis. The next session begins 9/10!

Go to Reflex Improv 10 Year Anniversary Show! Read more
Around Town

Bakery known for handmade croissants now open in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey
Inside Sunday Morning Bakehouse in Tysons (photo by Marj Suarez)

Sunday Morning Bakehouse is now serving its signature croissants and donuts in Tysons.

After giving local residents a preview with occasional pop-ups earlier this year, the bakery officially opened its doors on Sunday (Sept. 21) at 1796 Chain Bridge Road in Heming, the 28-story apartment and retail building in the Scotts Run neighborhood near the McLean Metro station.

Go to Bakery known for handmade croissants now open in Tysons Read more
News

Democrats opt for ranked choice voting to select Braddock District nominee

By Jared Serre
The Braddock District Supervisor's office (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Democratic voters in Fairfax County’s Braddock District have yet another visit to the polls to add to their calendar.

Even as early voting continues for the statewide Nov. 4 general election, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) has scheduled a firehouse primary for Oct. 4 to determine its nominee for Braddock District supervisor.

Go to Democrats opt for ranked choice voting to select Braddock District nominee Read more
News

Vienna hopes to keep police body camera program alive after federal funding ends

By Vernon Miles
Vienna police officers working the Fourth of July celebration at Yeonas Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna is working to keep body-worn cameras, first implemented with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, in operation after the program’s federal funding expires.

The Capital Improvement Plan, presented to the Vienna Town Council at a work session on Monday, Sept. 15, included a plan to bridge the gap between the funding provided for the body cameras by ARPA and that funding being worked into the police department’s operating budget.

Go to Vienna hopes to keep police body camera program alive after federal funding ends Read more
Countywide

Fairfax supervisors see trouble in reported White House pressuring of U.S. attorneys

By Angela Woolsey
U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria (via Google Maps)

Both of the top federal prosecutors in Virginia resigning within a month of each other, reportedly after facing pressure from the Trump administration, is cause for alarm, Fairfax County’s Democratic supervisors say.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and his Democratic colleagues urged Congress and judges in the Eastern District of Virginia to intervene after interim U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert resigned on Friday (Sept. 19) under circumstances they argued “appear politically motivated, and malicious.”

Go to Fairfax supervisors see trouble in reported White House pressuring of U.S. attorneys Read more
News

Work to address ‘hazardous’ trees along southern GW Parkway begins

By Angela Woolsey
GW Parkway is closed at Belle View Blvd in Belle Haven for tree removals (staff photo by James Cullum)

Drivers may notice an abundance of tree trimming along the George Washington Memorial Parkway over the next couple of months.

The National Park Service announced yesterday (Monday) that crews will spend the next eight weeks maintaining and evaluating trees along the southern section of the parkway between Mount Vernon and the Belle Haven area just south of Alexandria.

Go to Work to address ‘hazardous’ trees along southern GW Parkway begins Read more
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