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 18, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high of 86 degrees, accompanied by a 6 mph northwest wind during the day. The night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 63 degrees. Calm winds will shift to a 5 to 7 mph breeze from the northeast after midnight. 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.


News

Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today that Thomas Burns Sr., CEO of government contractor SP Global, Inc, will have to pay over $1 million in restitution.

According to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Burns pleaded guilty to three felonies: two counts of wage theft of more than $10,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit wage theft. Burns was also sentenced to four years of incarceration with one suspended — technically four years for each charge, but sentences running concurrently.


News

Fairfax supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 16) informally confirmed their support of the Interstate 495 Southside Express Lanes project as it moves toward a make-or-break regional vote next month.

Despite concerns about specifics of the 11-mile-long toll-lanes proposal across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, even the most skeptical supervisors said they supported keeping the project moving through the review process.


Announcement

Reston Children’s Center announces that it is continuing to be a sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Reston Children’s Center has been part of the CACFP program since 1995.

The same meals will be available at no separate charge to all participants at each CACFP facility without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.


News

With winter creeping closer, the Town of Herndon is looking ahead to snow removal this season and, hopefully, some improvements for trail users in future years.

Tammy Chastain, acting director of public works, walked the Town Council through what’s planned for dealing with snow this season.


Event

Calling all budding artists & writers Ages 8 – 12, spend your day off of school at The Community Studio working with a professional Graphic Novelist to bring your big ideas to life. September's featured artist is Brigitta Blair.

Before and after care is available. Space is limited


News

Starting tomorrow, Fairfax County voters will again head to the polls.

The nearly seven-week early voting period begins Friday, allowing voters to cast ballots ahead of Nov. 4’s Election Day.


News

Falls Church city officials are hoping for a collaborative effort with their Fairfax County colleagues as redevelopment takes place in the Gordon Road Triangle straddling the two communities.

“We have demonstrated we can work well with Fairfax County,” Falls Church Vice Mayor Debora Schantz-Hiscott said as city leaders on Sept. 15 began planning for the 20-acre parcel located within the locality’s borders.


Around Town

A donut shop is still coming to a vacant storefront on Maple Avenue in Vienna, though it won’t be the same one announced more than a year and a half ago.

Shipley Do-Nuts, a predominantly Southern-based chain that has been expanding across the East Coast, is now set to occupy the storefront at 256 Maple Avenue East.


Countywide
A rainbow crosswalk painted across District Avenue at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Trump Administration to Withhold Money from Thomas Jefferson High School — “The U.S. Department of Education has notified Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) that it cannot certify their Magnet School grant applications ‘as they are in violation of federal civil rights laws, including Title IX.'” [WJLA]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly cloudy day to eventually clear up and become sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 82°F and a mild north wind at about 5 mph. As for Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low around 62°F. A gentle west wind of around 5 mph will begin after midnight. [NWS]

Fairfax Co. Supervisors Tout Proposed Beltway Toll Lane Extension — “Several Fairfax County Supervisors on Tuesday indicated support for a proposal to extend toll lanes through an 11-mile stretch of the Capital Beltway, despite concerns about neighborhood impacts and bike and pedestrian infrastructure.” [WTOP]

Fairfax County Scouts Help Save Father’s Life with CPR — “The Scout’s Motto is ‘be prepared” — and that’s exactly what helped three Longfellow Middle School eighth-graders when the unthinkable happened.” [DC News Now]

Former Vice President Mike Pence Joins Faculty at GMU — “Former Vice President Mike Pence will be joining George Mason University’s Arlington-based Schar School of Policy and Government this fall.” [ARLnow]

New Food and Retail Coming to Dulles — “When the 435,000-square-foot Concourse E opens at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia later this fall, travelers will be able to enjoy some familiar retailers and restaurants, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.” [Patch]


Around Town

Good Wednesday 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, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

The weather will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny, reaching a high of around 82 degrees, with a mild north wind at 5 mph. By Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear, and the temperature will drop to about 61 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind ranging between 3 to 5 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.