Oakton's Brooke Chang, right, is guarded by Lake Braddock players (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
If an undefeated record over the course of a dozen games qualifies as a strong start — and it does — the Oakton Cougars are off and running in the girls high-school basketball season.
Two lopsided victories in recent days and a 3-0 mark in its own holiday tournament give the Cougars a 12-0 record, the team’s best start since beginning 13-0 in the 2021-22 campaign.
Falls Church High School entrance (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A teacher at Falls Church High School was arrested this week after she allegedly sold vape cartridges to numerous students.
Kaitlyn Cresent was taken into custody on Monday (Dec. 30) after investigators determined she had sold the vape cartridges — which contained nicotine and THC — to four different students, the Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Friday).
Walk into almost any gym in January, and it’s packed.
Walk into that same gym a few months later, and it’s noticeably quieter.
It isn’t because people stopped wanting to be healthier. It’s because most people eventually run into the same problem:
They simply don’t know what to do.
You download a workout plan. You watch videos online. You try different machines. You spend time figuring out exercises, wondering if you’re doing them correctly, and hoping you’ll eventually see results.
For busy adults, that approach rarely lasts.
That’s one reason personalized training has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the fitness industry.
Instead of paying for access to equipment, people are investing in coaching, accountability, and a plan that’s built specifically for them.
That shift is happening nationwide — and locally, Alloy Personal Training has become the go-to answer for busy adults across Northern Virginia.
At Alloy Personal Training, every member follows a personalized program based on their goals, current fitness level, and any limitations they may have. Every workout is coached by a professional trainer, so there’s never any guesswork about what to do next.
Most members train just two or three times each week in 55-minute sessions, making it realistic to fit fitness into a busy schedule.
Unlike large group classes where everyone performs the same workout, Alloy’s small-group format allows each person to follow their own individualized program while still benefiting from the energy and accountability of training alongside others.
For many members, that’s the difference.
It’s not about finding more motivation.
It’s about removing the obstacles that cause people to quit.
You don’t need to spend hours researching workouts.
You don’t need to wonder whether you’re making progress.
You simply show up, and your coach takes care of the rest.
Whether your goal is to build strength, lose weight, improve energy, stay active as you get older, or simply feel better every day, consistency matters more than perfection.
And consistency becomes much easier when you have a plan designed specifically for you.
That’s why more adults throughout Northern Virginia are moving away from traditional gyms and choosing a more personalized approach to fitness.
If you’ve been thinking about getting back into a routine—but haven’t found something you could truly stick with—Alloy Personal Training invites you to experience it for yourself.
Your complimentary Starting Point Session includes a conversation about your goals, an InBody body composition analysis, a movement assessment, and a personalized roadmap designed around you.
With studios in Falls Church, Reston, and Fairfax City, Alloy helps busy adults train smarter—not longer.
Schedule your complimentary Starting Point Session today and discover why so many of your neighbors have made the switch.
Local youth soccer players Y-Lan Nguyen from Fairfax and Otu Bisong of Herndon recently were named National Youth Girls and Youth Boys Players of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches.
The players earned the honors as a result of their strong play and production in youth soccer with their Virginia Development Academy (VDA) club teams. Bisong plays for a Herndon team and Nguyen for a squad in Woodbridge.
Expect sunshine and a high temperature of about 31 degrees during the day, accompanied by a blustery west wind at 17 to 20 mph and gusts reaching 33 mph. The night will be clear with a low temperature around 21 degrees, along with a west wind at 9 to 11 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
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.
Elijah Post, left, and Tristan Thurneysen were chosen all-state (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
An individual state champion and members of a state-title team are among those chosen to Virginia High School League Class 6 all-state girls and boys teams for the 2024 fall season.
Chantilly Chargers’ senior Tristan Thurneysen, who won the Class 6 state championship, heads the all-state boys team. He also won district and region titles preceding the state meet.
The National Weather Service has issued at “Snow Squall Warning” for parts of the county after one was spotted at 3:27 p.m. in the Annandale and Lincolnia area, moving east at 45 mph.
The McLean Community Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025 (courtesy MCC)
The McLean Community Center (MCC) is now old enough to qualify for its own “Seniors in Action” program.
The community center will start celebrating 50 years of providing events, cultural enrichment, classes and other services with a special event tomorrow (Saturday) at 7 p.m. in the Alden Theatre (1234 Ingleside Avenue), kicking off a full year of festivities.
The former Burger King in Reston's Hunters Woods Village Center (staff photo by Jared Serre)
A longtime fast food rival is close to taking over the former Burger King in Reston’s Hunters Woods Village Center.
Fairfax County is currently reviewing a permit that would allow McDonald’s to renovate the drive-thru building at 2270 Hunters Woods Plaza, which has sat vacant since Burger King shuttered in April 2023.