Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Mar 19, 2025

By FFXnow.com

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 — Mar 19, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers mainly after 2pm with a high near 70 and south wind at 10-15 mph, gusting to 24 mph; 90% chance of precipitation amounting to a quarter to half-inch. On Thursday night, showers mainly before 2am with a low around 36, breezy northwest wind at 13-21 mph, and gusts up to 38 mph; 80% chance of precipitation with amounts between a tenth and a quarter-inch. 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.

News

Fairfax County anticipates tourism boost as host of national wine conference

By Angela Woolsey
Representatives from the American Wine Society, local wineries, the Virginia Wine Board, Visit Fairfax and the Westfields Marriott hotel gather to plan for the AWS 2025 National Conference (photo by Daniel Stanley for Visit Fairfax)

Fairfax County has cultivated an economic win by landing a role as host of the American Wine Society’s annual conference.

The gathering of winemakers, restaurants and connoisseurs, which typically draws more than 650 attendees, will be held this fall at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Hotel in Chantilly, according to Visit Fairfax, which anticipates that the event will generate at least $1 million in economic impacts.

Go to Fairfax County anticipates tourism boost as host of national wine conference Read more
Sports

South County girls win Class 6 indoor state track-and-field title

By Dave Facinoli
The South County state-champion team (courtesy of South County athletics)

Led by a group of sprinters, the South County Stallions sped their way to an indoor track-and-field girls’ state championship.

South County High School in Lorton won the Virginia High School League Class 6 team title in Virginia Beach by a comfortable margin on Tuesday, March 11, amassing 88 points. The Robinson Rams from Fairfax were a distant second with 47.

Go to South County girls win Class 6 indoor state track-and-field title Read more
News

Fires at Annandale house, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve under investigation

By Angela Woolsey and Scott McCaffrey
Firefighters work to extinguish a building fire in the 5600 block of Leesburg Pike in Bailey's Crossroads on March 13, 2025 (photo by Gerald Martineau)

The past week has been busy for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD), which is investigating the causes of incidents in Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads and McLean.

Most recently, firefighters were dispatched at 12:13 a.m. today (Wednesday) to the 6600 block of Locust Way in Annandale for a house fire. Upon arriving, crews found “heavy fire” throughout the single-family home.

Go to Fires at Annandale house, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve under investigation Read more
Event

Washington Spirit Alum Meet & Greet + The Amazing Race Watch Party

Event location

Westover Taco

5849 Washington Blvd B

Arlington, Virginia 22205

Add to Calendar

Spend the evening with Washington Spirit alum and former USWNT player Joanna Lohman, a true DMV women’s soccer legend.

This is your chance to meet Joanna in person, hear the stories behind the career, the competition, and The Amazing Race, and experience the kind of sports moment you’ll still be talking about long after the night is over.

Go to Washington Spirit Alum Meet & Greet + The Amazing Race Watch Party Read more
Countywide

Fairfax supervisors ask state to increase unemployment benefits as federal layoffs intensify

By Scott McCaffrey
Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaking at the Capital One headquarters in Tysons on Feb. 24, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Democrats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to send a letter to state leaders, asking for expanded unemployment coverage for federal workers having lost their jobs due to downsizing.

The maximum weekly Virginia unemployment-compensation rate of $378 is “one of the lowest in the country,” according to Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw.

Go to Fairfax supervisors ask state to increase unemployment benefits as federal layoffs intensify Read more
Obituary

Obituary: Raymond Lopez (1942-2025)

By FFXnow.com

Raymond Lopez passed away on Jan.16,2025, just days shy of his 78th birthday. He was born in Pennsylvania and went to Valley Forge Military Academy. At age 17 he forged his father’s’ signature to get into the Regular Army. His Military Occupation Specialty was Airborne Infantry Unassigned. He became a Sergeant in the Airborne Rangers and a dog handler. Ray did several tours in Vietnam (where he received his draft notice) and special assignments. He called the Army his “Travel Agent” because of the diversity it offered. His passion was teaching and training junior personnel.

In civilian life he was a Pennsylvania State Trooper, a Deputy Federal Marshal, and spent 20 years working as a Police Officer for the US Treasury Mint in Philadelphia. In 2002 he retired from federal service. He moved to Virginia where his wife, Donna, was working as a military subcontractor for the Marine Corps at Quantico. Ray eventually became a policeman in the Town of Quantico, located inside the base. Quantico was his dream job. He enjoyed taking care of the residents and the young Marines. Ray spoke many languages and seamlessly connected with the foreign students attending The Basic School.

Go to Obituary: Raymond Lopez (1942-2025) Read more
News

UPDATED: Man taken into custody after barricade incident at CIA HQ in McLean

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre
The CIA headquarters at Langley seen from the air (staff photo)

Police set up a barricade at the CIA headquarters in McLean this morning (Wednesday) in response to a possibly armed man who appears to have been experiencing a mental health crisis.

Fairfax County police were dispatched shortly before 10 a.m. to assist the CIA police. Responders described a man with a gun to his head on a bench outside the facility’s security gate, according to the police scanner.

Go to UPDATED: Man taken into custody after barricade incident at CIA HQ in McLean Read more
Around Town

Cold Stone Creamery locations in the works for Lincolnia, Lorton

By Jared Serre
The forthcoming Cold Stone Creamery in Lincolnia (staff photo by Jared Serre)

One of the world’s most popular brands for cold confections is targeting two Fairfax County neighborhoods.

Cold Stone Creamery, which already offers eight locations across the county, plans to open new stores in Lincolnia and Lorton, according to the county’s permitting portal.

Go to Cold Stone Creamery locations in the works for Lincolnia, Lorton Read more
Around Town

New sushi bar now open in Herndon shopping center

By Jared Serre
The new Sushi Kabuki restaurant in Herndon's Fox Mill Shopping Center (staff photo by Jared Serre)

After eight months without one, a new sushi spot has opened its doors in Herndon’s Fox Mill Shopping Center.

Sushi Kabuki began serving diners earlier this month at 2533 John Milton Drive — ironically, the former home of Mari Sushi Bar & Lounge, which closed in July. Signage for the new restaurant first appeared at the storefront back in October.

Go to New sushi bar now open in Herndon shopping center Read more
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