Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors were all singing from the same songbook yesterday (Tuesday), unanimously declaring the county to be the “Music Capital of Virginia.”

Others across the commonwealth might disagree, but Fairfax leaders said the sheer breadth of musical performances throughout the year, but particularly in summer, made the county deserving of the title.


News

A Leesburg man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a vehicle crash that killed a Lorton woman in April.

Steven Kowalik, 64, was traveling north on Route 123 (Ox Road) around 5 p.m. on April 23 when he lost consciousness, drove over a grass median and crashed head-on into a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze sedan near Davis Drive in Lorton, the Fairfax County Police Department says.


News

The Fairfax County Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify a man accused of exposing himself at a store in Groveton last month.

The man allegedly exposed himself to a 9-year-old girl who was with her mother inside the Target store at 6600 Richmond Highway, according to scanner traffic.


Countywide

Fairfax County’s top elected officials at the state and local level united this morning (Wednesday) to urge Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration to provide more support for fired federal workers.

In a joint statement, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), who represents southeastern Fairfax, pinned the “staggering rise in unemployment” across the county on “the reckless policies of Donald Trump” and the “complicity” of Virginia’s Republican leaders.


Event

Local author and Fairfax County Public Library librarian Luis D. Aponte invites parents and community leaders to an empowering discussion inspired by his book “A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting.” Drawing on seven years of research into more than 1,200 U.S. school shooting incidents, he shares practical, nonpartisan, research‑based steps families and schools can use to strengthen safety and emotional well‑being. Discover hopeful, community‑building solutions that help every child feel supported and able to thrive. Attendees receive two free ebooks, with a paperback signing to follow.

Adults. No registration required. Free event. For more information, visit ASafePlaceBook.com.


Around Town

A New York-based restaurant chain will officially introduce itself to Fairfax City tomorrow (Thursday).

After welcoming its first customers with a soft opening earlier this month, Blazin’ Chicken and Gyro plans to commemorate the grand opening of its second D.C.-area location with complimentary food, juices and milkshakes from 5-9 p.m.


News

Two Fairfax County natives are a step closer to achieving their professional baseball dreams after being chosen in the 2025 MLB draft.

James Quinn-Irons, a Reston resident who currently attends and plays for George Mason University, was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the draft’s fifth round on Monday (July 14). He was the 147th overall pick.


News

A mail carrier based in Merrifield could face up to a decade in prison after she intentionally crashed and damaged U.S. Postal Service vehicles, the Department of Justice says.

The 31-year-old woman pleaded guilty yesterday (Tuesday) to the destruction of U.S. government property, a charge stemming from a Jan. 16 incident where she allegedly became enraged after being unable to find her cell phone.


Countywide
Internal road blocked near Seasons 52 at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Parkway Speed Cameras in Full Effect — “Work zone speed cameras along Fairfax County Parkway between Popes Head Road and Burke Center Parkway are now live. Drivers who speed in the work zone will receive fines up to $100.” The speed limit in that stretch of road has been lowered to 45 mph while construction continues on multiple road widening projects. [Fairfax County Government/X]

Comstock Responds to Lawsuit — In a statement shared yesterday (Tuesday), Comstock Companies CEO Chris Clemente called allegations in the Town of Herndon’s lawsuit over the stalled downtown redevelopment project “inaccurate and without merit.” The developer says it was unable to meet deadlines imposed last year by the town, but remains interested in implementing the project or transferring the land to another developer. [FFXnow]

Lack of Information on Immigration Arrests — “While the governor’s office has described the 2,512 people arrested [in Virginia] as ‘violent criminals who are illegally in the United States,’ neither Youngkin’s office nor state or federal agencies involved in the operation have provided any documentation about those arrested to be able to verify who they are, what they were charged with or whether they’ve been deported.” [Virginian-Pilot]

Virginia Schools Remove Library Books — “Virginia school divisions are removing books from library shelves with minimal state guidance — in some cases, while incorrectly citing state law — according to a report issued by the General Assembly’s research arm Monday. Thirty-two school districts removed 223 books from libraries a combined 344 times between July 2020 and March 2025,” JLARC reported. [VPM]

Men Charged With Assaulting Police Officers — “City of Fairfax Police arrested two Fairfax men for assaulting a law enforcement officer in two separate incidents over the weekend, according to authorities. Around 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, officers were called to the Wawa at 9700 Blvd. for the report of a man harassing customers.” The other incident occurred on Sunday (July 16) during a traffic stop near Fairfax Blvd and Chain Bridge Road. [Patch]

New Pizzeria Coming to Lincolnia — “Pizzato Pizza, an Italian restaurant in Arlington, plans to open a second location on Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia next month. A sign on the storefront promises pasta, wings, Philly steaks, and salads, as well as pizza. The restaurant will be located in Landmark Plaza between Total Wine and Subway.” [Annandale Today]

ArtsFairfax Names New Board Chair — “ArtsFairfax, the local arts agency serving Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church … announces new members and new officers to its Board of Directors, including Michael Liberman as Board Chair.” Liberman worked for Fairfax County for over 33 years, retiring as director of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services and chair of the County Arts Committee in 2022. [ArtsFairfax]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 89. The heat index may reach 100. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. At night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 76. [NWS]


Around Town

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 — Jul 15, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms after 4pm, with partly sunny conditions and a high near 90. The heat index may reach 100, accompanied by south winds at 5 to 9 mph. There is a 60% chance of rain, and rainfall could range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Wednesday night, storms are likely before 8pm; it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 76, and southwest winds around 7 mph. The chance of precipitation remains at 60%, with similar rainfall amounts as earlier in the day. 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.