Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Sep 11, 2025

By FFXnow.com

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 11, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunshine and a high of 81 with north winds at 6 mph, shifting to the northeast in the afternoon. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low of 59, as southeast winds at 5 mph become calm in the evening. 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

Defense contractor’s plan for major expansion in Fairfax unites Youngkin and McKay

By Vernon Miles
Gov. Glenn Youngkin with regional leaders and Systems Planning & Analysis staff (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Just a couple of weeks after accusing state officials of undermining Fairfax County’s economic development work, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay found himself cutting a ribbon with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to celebrate an economic development win for the county.

Local and state officials gathered at the Alexandria headquarters of defense contractor Systems Planning & Analysis this afternoon (Thursday) to announce its plans to invest $46.9 million in both the city and Fairfax County.

Go to Defense contractor’s plan for major expansion in Fairfax unites Youngkin and McKay Read more
Countywide

Fairfax County leaders highlight progress on making voting process more accessible

By Scott McCaffrey
Presentation honoring Disability Voting Rights Week (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors and advocates on Tuesday (Sept. 9) celebrated the progress in integrating local residents with disabilities into the elections process.

The Board of Supervisors designated this week (Sept. 8-12) as Disability Voting Rights Week in Fairfax County, recognizing the need to make voting accessible to the roughly 15% of the local electorate that face disability-related challenges.

Go to Fairfax County leaders highlight progress on making voting process more accessible Read more
Announcement

Tryouts for 3rd and 5th Grade Girls Basketball Teams

By Virginia Hurricanes Girls Basketball Club
Poster for Virginia Hurricanes girls basketball fall/winter team; 3rd & 5th grade tryouts with dates, times, location, and a QR code to register

The Virginia Hurricanes Girls Basketball program is holding tryouts for its 3rd Grade and 5th Grade travel teams, competing in a full schedule this Fall and Winter season. Join a competitive, supportive program built to develop skilled, confident players on and off the court.

Registration is required at: https://www.virginiahurricanes.net/basketball/aau-teams

Go to Tryouts for 3rd and 5th Grade Girls Basketball Teams Read more
News

Travel agent who defrauded George Mason men’s basketball program sentenced

By Jared Serre
George Mason's basketball court at EagleBank Arena (photo via George Mason Athletics)

The travel agent who pretended to organize a preseason trip to the Bahamas for the George Mason University men’s basketball team will spend the next 13 months behind bars.

Maurice Eugene Smith, 44, was sentenced today (Thursday) to one year and one month in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud back in April, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.

Go to Travel agent who defrauded George Mason men’s basketball program sentenced Read more
Event

Inner Peace Summit: A Day to Recharge. Reconnect. Renew

Poster for Inner Peace Summit in Washington, DC with multiple speaker headshots and date details (Sept 20, 2026).

Event location

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum - Virginia

14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, 2nd floor

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Add to Calendar

In a world that moves faster than ever, inner peace is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity.

Join us for the Inner Peace Summit, a transformative gathering where leaders, professionals, educators, public servants, families, students, faith communities, wellness advocates, and spiritual seekers come together to discover practical tools for living with greater clarity, resilience, compassion, and purpose.

Go to Inner Peace Summit: A Day to Recharge. Reconnect. Renew Read more
Around Town

New mural, playground to be unveiled at Merrifield’s Mosaic District later this month

By Jared Serre
Nico Cathcart's mural featuring Mosaic District resident Thy Pham at Strawberry Park in Merrifield (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

Thanks to a public-private partnership, a new fixture for kids will be unveiled at Merrifield’s Mosaic District later this month.

The Strawberry Park Playground will offer “an array of play features” for the shopping center’s youngest patrons when it officially opens at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26, the Fairfax County Park Authority and property owner and operator EDENS announced today (Thursday).

Go to New mural, playground to be unveiled at Merrifield’s Mosaic District later this month Read more
News

Herndon’s tree canopy is growing but still falls short of neighbors, staff say

By Vernon Miles
A large tree looms over Elden Street in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Herndon’s tree canopy coverage isn’t bad for a town of its size, but it notably lags behind some of its neighbors, town staff say.

At a work session on Tuesday (Sept. 9), arborist Nick Maletta told the Herndon Town Council that the town currently has 26% canopy coverage, which falls within a standard range but at the lower end of that spectrum.

Go to Herndon’s tree canopy is growing but still falls short of neighbors, staff say Read more
News

BREAKING: Physical therapist charged with sexually assaulting patient at Inova campus

By Angela Woolsey
The Inova Center for Personalized Health campus in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A physical therapist employed by Inova Health System has been charged with sexually assaulting one of his patients.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, officers were called to Inova’s Center for Personalized Health campus on Innovation Park Drive in Merrifield at 12:28 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 8) after a woman reported being sexually assaulted by her physical therapist during an appointment.

Go to BREAKING: Physical therapist charged with sexually assaulting patient at Inova campus Read more
News

West Falls Church man charged with strangling girlfriend, who died

By Jared Serre
Ana Maria Mena Membreno (photo via GoFundMe)

Fairfax County police are investigating an apparent case of deadly domestic violence that occurred in West Falls Church late last month.

Ana Maria Mena Membreno of Alexandria died last week (Sept. 5) after being transported to a local hospital in life-threatening condition days earlier, the Fairfax County Police Department said.

Go to West Falls Church man charged with strangling girlfriend, who died Read more
News

Army Ten-Miler Expo moving to Springfield due to National Guard

By Angela Woolsey
ATM Gear Store at the Army Ten-Miler Expo (courtesy Army Ten-Miler)

The U.S. Army’s annual Ten-Miler Expo is relocating from D.C. to Springfield this year as a result of the National Guard’s continued presence in the nation’s capital.

The Army Ten-Miler announced earlier this week that its 2025 expo will be held at The St. James (6805 Industrial Road) in Springfield on Oct. 10-11 “due to the unavailability of the DC Armory” — the event’s traditional location.

Go to Army Ten-Miler Expo moving to Springfield due to National Guard Read more
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