Opinion

Over a dozen highly rated delis and shops across Fairfax County offer classic sandwiches, subs and bagels piled high with toppings.

Here are the nominees for “Best Sandwich Shop in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, July 11.

Voting for the Best Barbecue Restaurant in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Bar and Nightlife Spot in Fairfax. The results are now official:

  1. P.J. Skidoos
  2. Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern
  3. Starr Hill Brewery

News

Artwork at the Reston Town Center Metro station is in the running for an international public art award, with local residents eligible to cast ballots in support.

“Ethos” by George Bates is among 100 pieces of public art vying in the CODAawards competition, sponsored by CODAworx.


News

Four years after voting to prohibit firearms on public property, the Fairfax City Council is contemplating whether to expand those restrictions.

At a city council meeting on Tuesday (June 24), Fairfax leaders took a preliminary look at the 2021 ordinance and planned further discussion for another meeting on July 22.


News

A developer has returned to Fairfax County with a new proposal to add housing on Spring Hill Road in McLean.

The new Spring Hill Reserve subdivision would deliver 14 single-family, detached houses on a nearly 5-acre lot across the street from the Sunrise of McLean assisted living community, according to a rezoning application submitted to the county in late May.


Event

Flowers, Fine Art & Fashion is an immersive cultural experience presented by People of The Garden LLC, where nature, creativity, and modest couture converge in a breathtaking indoor garden setting.

Guests will journey through a living landscape featuring dramatic floral installations, botanical art, and a one-of-a-kind rectangular runway designed around lush greenery and sculptural plantings. Throughout the evening, attendees will experience a curated runway presentation showcasing modest fashion designers, alongside original fine art, artisan vendors, and interactive floral experiences.


Countywide
A jogger and a cyclist on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail near the Virginia Lane crossing in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Unemployment Continues to Rise — “Virginia’s unemployment rate is on a steady five-month increase — the longest streak since the 2008 Great Recession … The Trump administration’s federal job slashing and freezing of grants, contracts and medical research may be to blame.” [Axios DC]

Warner Questions HUD Relocation — “Senator Mark Warner is demanding a full cost-benefit analysis of the federal government’s decision to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Alexandria, expressing skepticism about claimed taxpayer savings and concern for displaced National Science Foundation employees.” [ALXnow]

Arrest Made in Tysons Vehicle Break-Ins — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division, with the assistance of our Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit, have arrested a Maryland man responsible for multiple vehicle break-ins and larcenies in McLean.” Expected charges include credit property destruction and card fraud and theft. [FCPD]

What Might Come First in RTC North — At a June 23 community meeting on the proposed Reston Town Center North development plan, Fairfax County officials and an attorney representing Inova indicated that a new Reston Regional Library will likely be the first block to start development. Work won’t start, though, until a land swap agreement is finalized, which is expected in mid-2026. [Patch]

Updated Speed Camera Citations Data — “It’s been over two years since Fairfax County, Virginia, first rolled out speed cameras in some school zones, and they’re still catching thousands of drivers going too fast. The two speed cameras in the school zone near Key Middle School issued the most tickets last school year, according to Fairfax County data obtained by WTOP.” [WTOP]

Man Charged With Package Thefts — “Just before 1 p.m. [on June 25], a patrol supervisor from the Mount Vernon Police Station spotted a man riding an e-scooter along Sherwood Hall Lane in Hybla Valley who matched the description of a suspect wanted for multiple package thefts.” The 25-year-old man from New York was arrested and “charged with grand larceny and being a fugitive from justice.” [Annandale Today]

Food Festival Begins in Springfield — “Get ready for three full days of food, fun, and community at Springfield Town Center, June 27-29! With over 40 food trucks and vendors serving gourmet dishes and sweet treats, and dozens of artisans showcasing handmade jewelry, art, and crafts, there’s something for everyone!” [Springfield Town Center]

Tennis Court Repairs for Lake Barcroft Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin reconstruction work on the tennis courts at Justice Park early next week. This project includes crack filling, birdbath levelling, new fencing, and a complete level construction repair to improve the playing surface and user experience.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly after 1pm with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81. At night, the chance of rain increases from 40% to 60% with lows around 71. New rainfall amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]


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 — Jun 26, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 1pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a high near 81. Winds will come from the east at around 8 mph, and there’s a 40% chance of precipitation. For Friday night, showers and thunderstorms are more likely before 8pm, and temperatures will dip to a low of around 71 with east winds at 3 to 7 mph. A 60% chance of precipitation with new rainfall between a tenth and quarter of an inch, though higher amounts are possible during thunderstorms. 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.


Countywide

Fairfax County School Board leaders warned locals not to expect an upcoming redistricting to fix all of the county’s student population problems.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is currently working through its first major school boundary overhaul in 40 years, but at a work session on June 17, School Board members said there’s a thin line to walk between making overdue school boundary adjustments and avoiding significant disruptions to families in the school system.


News

After three years of construction on its I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, the Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing to advance work on the actual toll lanes.

To make way for the new lanes, crews will shift traffic for all four southbound, general-purpose lanes on I-495 (also known as the Capital Beltway Outer Loop) to newly built lanes in McLean, starting tomorrow (Friday) around 8 p.m.


Around Town

Potbelly has put the finishing touches on makeovers for its restaurants in Fairfax Corner and Reston.

The national sandwich chain will officially unveil the new looks tomorrow (Friday) with celebrations at both locations, offering a variety of giveaways to customers.