News

Artists at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton will soon unveil the entirety of their latest masterpiece: an 18-hole mini-golf course that doubles as an art history lesson.

Masterpiece Mini-Golf opened its first nine holes to the public on May 10, with the back half slated to be finished in time for a grand opening ceremony at 4 p.m. this Friday, June 13.


Countywide

Northern Virginia political leaders at the local and state levels seem to have a firm dollar figure associated with the proposal to improve Metro service across the region. There remains a question, however, regarding whether they’ll be able to come up with the funding.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is preparing to adopt a resolution on July 17 acknowledging that Virginia will need to commit an additional $153 million in fiscal year 2027 to implement operational upgrades and keep the transit system on track.


News

Local Republicans will determine their nominee for the 11th Congressional District special election on the same day as their Democratic counterparts.

A singular canvass event will be held on June 28 at Fairfax High School, gathering all voters in one location to select a nominee, Virginia’s 11th Congressional District Republican Committee announced last week.


News

Fairfax County is planning to make significant changes to the Fair Lakes area and is looking for some public input on those plans.

Fairfax County has launched a community survey to inform the next phase of a study to “re-evaluate the mix of land uses” and reconsider the “future of the Fair Lakes office market.” In simple terms: Fair Lakes could be downsizing its offices and is trying to determine what should replace that?


Event

It’s time to get festive. In partnership with Angelika Film Center, the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan is rolling into Mosaic to kick off the season! Take photos with the iconic Coca-Cola Polar Bear and see the truck before it heads to the next stop on its nationwide tour.

Catch Elf on the big screen, enjoy kids activities and face painting, send a letter to Santa and soak up all the festive fun!


News

This week kicked off with a greeting from an unexpected furry face for some Herndon residents.

A black bear was spotted roaming the area around Alabama Drive and Hillwood Court north of Haley M. Smith Park this morning (Monday), the Herndon Police Department confirmed shortly before 9 a.m.


News

Years after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Shreve Road, Idylwood residents got their first look at infrastructure changes that local transportation planners hope will make the corridor safer and more accessible.

At a community meeting on May 29, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) unveiled conceptual designs for a shared-use path on Shreve Road and improvements at the Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) intersection, where the roadway turns into Haycock Road after crossing the Falls Church City border.


Around Town

South Block is coming to the Spectrum at Reston Town Center, taking the place of another longstanding juice shop.

The rapidly growing D.C.-area chain has applied for a building permit from Fairfax County to renovate the 1,234-square-foot space at 1835 Fountain Drive, which currently houses Robeks.


News

A man from the Mount Vernon area is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly attacking a woman in Woodlawn last week.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 3800 block of Roxbury Court at 12:46 a.m. last Thursday (June 5) for a report of an abduction and attempted sexual assault.


Countywide
The W&OD Trail approaching Hunter Mill Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

School Gets Permanent Weapons Scanners — Weapons detection scanners have been installed at Annandale High School and will be in place permanently at all Fairfax County high schools at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. “Fairfax County Public Schools launched a pilot program for weapon detectors this spring, which included a one-day test run at Annandale’s main entrance on May 15.” [Annandale Today]

I-66 Shooter Sentenced — “A road rage clash on I-66 in Northern Virginia nearly claimed multiple lives and left two newlyweds who were expecting a baby shot and wounded. In a story you’ll only see on News4, the couple spoke for the first time about the moment a driver opened fire – and why they’re infuriated by what they called a light sentence for the shooter.” [NBC4]

Reston California Tortilla Closed — “The slow, inexorable disappearance of California Tortilla restaurants in the area continues with the news that the location in Reston has closed its doors. The closure of the California Tortilla in the North Point Village Center reportedly happened in late April.” [The Burn]

New George Snyder Trail Option on Table — The Fairfax City Council will vote tomorrow (Tuesday) on whether to proceed with the approved alignment for the controversial George Snyder Trail, scrap the project or submit an alternate plan to VDOT “that would move the western end of the trail from an off-road path to an on-road path along the University Drive Extension, using wider sidewalks and shared-use paths.” [Patch]

McLean Burglaries Under Investigation — “Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying three suspects connected to two burglaries in McLean.” One burglary reportedly occurred in the 6500 block of Ivy Hill Drive around 3 p.m. on May 15, and around 3:15 p.m. that day, the same people allegedly tried unsuccessfully to break into a home in the 2000 block of Powhatan Street. [FCPD]

Fairfax City to Remove Invasive Plants — “Beginning June 9, patrons at two Fairfax City parks will see debris from non-native invasive plant removal projects. The city has contracted with Invasive Plant Control, Inc., to work periodically at Van Dyck and Kutner parks throughout the summer months.” [City of Fairfax]

Michelin Apparently Unimpressed by Virginia Food — “The $120,000 a year Michelin wanted to charge Virginia to be in its forthcoming Southern restaurant guide was steeply discounted compared with what other Southern states are paying.” Documents suggest the discount was offered because the state’s culinary scene was deemed lacking in “maturity.” [Axios Richmond]

FCPS Worker Retires After 50 Years — “Joyce Sisk started working at Bailey’s Elementary School in 1972 as a cafeteria hostess. At first, she would walk across the street from her house to the school with her three children. This year, Sisk will cross the street for one last time as a Fairfax County Public School employee.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Monday — Patchy fog will clear by 10am, followed by cloudy skies with a high near 82. Night brings a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially after 11pm, with increasing clouds and a low around 68. Expect new precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]