Countywide
A cardinal sits on a power line in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Families Challenge Army Response to DCA Crash — “The Army has avoided accountability and shirked oversight months after the deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington, dozens of family members said in a letter to the Army’s top official, calling for action and greater transparency.” [Washington Post]

WNBA Game at Mason to Bring Traffic — “Due to a WNBA game at EagleBank Arena w/5k attendees expected, there will be an increased volume of traffic on/around GMU’s campus + increase in on-campus parking on Thursday, July 10, from 4-10pm. Subscribe to Mason alerts (ready.gmu.edu/masonalert) for details on high impact areas + alt routes.” [Supervisor James Walkinshaw/Bluesky]

Algae Spotted in Reston’s Lake Anne — “RA watershed staff members have observed a small occurrence of potentially harmful blue-green algae on Lake Anne. While swimming is never permitted in the lake, it is additionally recommended to keep dogs from the lake water at this time. ” Blue-green algae was also seen earlier this month in Lake Audubon. [Reston Association]

Local Activist Group Plans Rally — “In honor of civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Herndon Reston Indivisible is hosting a Good Trouble Lives On rally on Thursday, July 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Baron Cameron Park, which is located at 11300 Baron Cameron Ave. in Reston.” The group previously drew an estimated 2,000 people to its “No Kings” rallies on June 14, part of a nationwide anti-Trump protest movement. [Patch]

Falls Church Considers Parking Ticket Aides — “Falls Church officials are considering whether to allow public safety aides to issue parking tickets, direct traffic and respond to abandoned vehicles. Under current Falls Church city code, only sworn law enforcement officers have the ability to conduct parking and traffic control.” [ARLnow]

When Mount Vernon Mansion Might Reopen — “Visitors at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate will have to wait until this December to see the founding father’s fully renovated mansion.” Sections have been closed since last November as part of a multi-year, comprehensive restoration project that began in 2019. The mansion will be open, except for the cellar, during the final phase of work from December through September 2026. [ALXnow]

Adult Education Scholarships Available — “Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education (FCPS ACE) invites students interested in careers in the skilled trades to apply for a scholarship. Current and prospective FCPS ACE students can apply for a $1,000 scholarship that can be used toward upcoming apprenticeship classes starting this fall. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15.” [Annandale Today]

Free French Fries at Big Buns — Reston-based Thompson Hospitality’s burger chain, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, will celebrate National French Fry Day — a relatively new occasion organized by Checkers and Rally’s — by offering free regular or Cajun fries with any burger, sammie or bowl purchase tomorrow (Friday). “Just use code FRYORCRY25 online or mention it in-store. This deal is only valid July 11th, so don’t let this FRYday pass you by.” [Big Buns]

It’s Thursday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day. The sky will be mostly cloudy, with a high temperature near 85 and a 60% chance of precipitation. At night, chances of showers and thunderstorms decrease to 30%, with a low temperature around 72. [NWS]


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 — Jul 9, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly before 2pm and between 2-3pm, with additional possibilities after 3pm, under mostly cloudy skies and a high near 85. The southwest wind will be mild at 3-5 mph, and the chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall may be under a tenth of an inch, with more possible during thunderstorms. For Thursday night, showers and storms are likely before 11pm, followed by showers until 2am. The weather will remain mostly cloudy with a low near 72, a light south wind, and a 30% chance of precipitation. 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

Update — More than 10,000 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax County have lost power as thunderstorms sweep through the D.C. region.

As of 7:20 p.m., the outages appear to be concentrated in the south central part of the county, from Newington up to the Falls Church area, according to the utility’s outage map.


Announcement

The museum’s annual Native Art Market features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere. This event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about the traditional arts and contemporary Indigenous creativity. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.


Around Town

Reston’s new-and-improved Whole Foods Market is expected to open next month.

After months of construction, the new grocery store is scheduled to open in the Spectrum at Reston Town Center on Aug. 6 at 8 a.m., the company announced today (Wednesday). It’s located at 1861 Fountain Drive where Best Buy once stood.


Event

Join Comunidad for its Annual 5Dollar5K—a fun, family-friendly race that brings neighbors together in support of local children, teens, and families in Falls Church and Arlington. Run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, and bring the little ones for a special Kids’ Dash! Registration is just $5, and children ages 12 and under participate for free. Comunidad is a community development organization based in the Seven Corners area of Falls Church. We hope you'll join us and together help us build comunidad!


Around Town

Vienna’s Cedar Park Shopping Center will welcome a hardware store later this year.

Signage for the forthcoming Ace Hardware has begun to appear outside 264 Cedar Lane SE, which formerly housed CVS Pharmacy until April of this year.


News

How do you like walking around Fairfax City? A new study could redesign the city’s streets to improve the pedestrian experience with a particular emphasis on safety.

The City of Fairfax was awarded a federal grant to develop a citywide safety action plan, a circulation study for Old Town Fairfax, and a citywide pedestrian master plan — all under the umbrella of an initiative called Move Fairfax City.


Around Town

Tous les Jours is coming to Tysons with a few other eateries in tow.

The bakery, which started in Korea but serves French-style pastries, will anchor Luna Hall Tysons, a new food hall expected to open on the ground floor of the office building at 8201 Greensboro Drive near Tysons Galleria later this summer.


Countywide

Fairfax County’s efforts to support additional affordable housing may have received an unexpected boost from the recently passed federal budget reconciliation act.

County officials are working through the details, but the changes in federal law could represent “a significant step forward” in financing affordable housing, Tom Fleetwood, director of the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development, told the Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).


Around Town

Reston Town Center has booked another restaurant tenant for its expansion along Sunset Hills Road.

The Italian restaurant Grazie Nonna and the deli Grazie Grazie — which share an owner and are primarily based in D.C. — are both expected to open at the development known informally as RTC Next in spring 2026, a public relations representative for property owner BXP told FFXnow.


Announcement

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life. Learn about La Catrina and her joyful view of life and mortality. Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including dance performances, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: