Update — The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval at its July 8 meeting of the proposed Coppermine Commons III redevelopment after staff confirmed that the lingering transportation concerns have been resolved.
“Thank you to the applicant and to staff for getting this worked out. We really appreciate it,” Dranesville District Planning Commissioner Alyssa Batchelor-Causey said following the vote.
Hallmark is no longer greeting customers at Fair Oaks Mall, permanently closing its store there last week.
“We regret to inform you that our Fair Oaks Mall location is closing today,” the store said in an email sent to its customers on Friday (June 26). A coupon was attached for 20% off at other Banners’ Hallmark stores, “as a token of our gratitude.”
For many Virginia homeowners, the family home is more than an asset. It’s where children grew up, memories were made, and decades of life unfolded. Placing your home in a trust can help protect that legacy while making things easier for your loved ones in the future.
A properly structured and funded trust may help avoid probate, provide continuity if you become unable to manage your affairs, and give your family clear instructions about what should happen to the home. Here’s what Virginia homeowners need to know.
A trust can provide several important benefits:
A trust isn’t necessarily the right choice for every homeowner, however. The appropriate plan depends on your family, finances, property, and long-term goals.
Virginia homeowners may use several types of trusts, including revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, and charitable trusts.
For many homeowners who want to continue controlling and living in their home while simplifying the transfer after death, a revocable living trust may be appropriate. Other situations may call for a different type of trust.
The type of trust you choose can affect control of the property, taxes, creditor protection, and how the property is distributed.
The trustee manages the property and follows the instructions in the trust. With a revocable living trust, you can typically serve as your own trustee during your lifetime and name a successor trustee to take over if you become incapacitated or die.
Choose someone you trust to handle financial and property matters responsibly. Depending on your circumstances, that could be a family member, friend, or professional trustee.
The trust document identifies the person creating the trust, the trustee, the beneficiaries, and the rules governing the trust.
Because your trust should reflect your specific circumstances and comply with Virginia law, working with an experienced Virginia trust attorney can help avoid vague language, missing provisions, or other problems that could create confusion later.
Once the trust is drafted, you’ll sign the document according to the requirements of your estate plan. Notarization is generally recommended because it helps establish the authenticity of the document and can reduce the risk of challenges later.
Your attorney can make sure the signing process is completed properly.
Pollution Expected From D.C. Fireworks — “Fireworks for this year’s July Fourth celebration are expected to cause hazardous levels of pollution around the National Mall and ‘very unhealthy’ conditions in central D.C., according to internal National Park Service documents.” The show will feature approximately 850,000 fireworks and start later than usual, at around 10:30 or 11 p.m. [Washington Post]
Va. ICE Mask Ban Blocked — “Virginia cannot enforce a newly passed law prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from wearing masks, a federal judge ruled less than 12 hours before it would have taken effect. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Payne held the Justice Department was likely to succeed in its argument” that the U.S. Constitution bars the commonwealth from regulating federal officers’ conduct. [Courthouse News Service]
Va. Rejoins Emissions Marketplace — Virginia officially rejoined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative yesterday (Wednesday) after Gov. Abigail Spanberger ceremonially signed into law House Majority Leader Charniele Herring’s bill requiring the state to establish a “market-based trading program” to incentivize carbon emission reductions. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s withdrawal from the pact was ruled illegal by a court in 2024. [VPM News]
Herndon Summer Youth Program Offered — “Cornerstones will offer an eight-week summer youth program for students in the Reston and Herndon area beginning July 6, even as families continue to question the future of one of the nonprofit’s longtime after-school programs.” The new program at the Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center will be open to students entering second through 12th grade. [Patch]
Dulles Greenway Toll Increase Opposed — “Local elected officials testified against potential Dulles Greenway toll hikes June 29 at a State Corporation Commission hearing in Ashburn.” The owner of the 14-mile roadway from Leesburg to Dulles International Airport filed an SCC application in December seeking to raise tolls to $6.75 during peak hours and $5.60 during off-times. [Loudoun Times-Mirror]
Funding for Firefighter Cancer Screenings — “Virginia’s new two-year budget earmarks millions to help offset current and forthcoming federal funding changes to healthcare and social services. It also accomplished a bipartisan multi-year effort to fund cancer screenings for firefighters.” [Virginia Mercury]
Tips for Safe Fourth of July — “The Fairfax County Police Department encourages residents to celebrate safely while enjoying fireworks, barbecues, outdoor events, and time with family and friends. With large crowds, increased travel, and heightened activity expected across the region, planning ahead and staying alert will help ensure a safe and memorable celebration.” [FCPD]
Free Ice Cream at RTC Family Night — “Kick off Fourth of July weekend in style at Reston Town Center’s Stars & Stripes Family Night! Join us in the Pavilion from 4-8PM for an action-packed evening of all-ages fun, featuring field games, face painting, live DJ, and more. Celebrate America’s 250th with a sweet treat — FREE Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the truck, including the fan-favorite Americone Dream (while supplies last)!” [Reston Town Center]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny and hot conditions with temperatures reaching around 102 degrees and heat index values climbing to 109. A gentle west wind will blow at 3 to 5 mph. Night will be clear with temperatures dropping to about 80 degrees. [NWS]
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Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 1, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Sunny and hot conditions are expected, with temperatures reaching around 102 degrees and heat index values up to 110. There will be a light northwest wind at 3 to 5 mph. Thursday night will be clear with a low of about 79 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.
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.
The Community Studio at John Calvin Presbyterian Church
6531 Columbia Pike
Annandale, Virginia 22003
Calling all budding artists & writers Ages 8 – 12, spend your day off of school at The Community Studio working with a professional Graphic Novelist to bring your big ideas to life. September's featured artist is Brigitta Blair.
Before and after care is available. Space is limited
Virginia is facing another lawsuit over its newly adopted but not-yet-enacted ban on future sales and manufacturing of assault firearms.
The Trump administration sued the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia State Police in federal court today (Wednesday), arguing that its planned restrictions on gun sales violate the Second Amendment.
Two Vienna-based nonprofits are coming together to support victims of the twin earthquakes that left thousands dead and injured in Venezuela last week.
The One Neighborhood Foundation and People and Pets Together will host a fundraiser Saturday (July 4) from 8 a.m. to noon at Texas Donuts (167 Glyndon Street SE). A portion of every purchase will be donated to World Central Kitchen, the disaster relief nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.
The newest addition to Fairfax County Public Schools, Skyview High School in Herndon, is set to open this fall with over 700 ninth and tenth graders who opt in to attend the new school.
But the county school board is still deciding on a plan for full implementation of school boundaries — wherever those lines are drawn.
Metro halted all Silver Line trains between the Tysons and McLean stations for a period this morning (Wednesday) so police could get a man off of the tracks.
Fairfax County police officers were dispatched at around 11:32 a.m. to an address near the McLean Metro station for a passenger experiencing an apparent “medical emergency,” according to scanner traffic.
The popular Saudi-style coffee shop Shotted is continuing to expand its reach across the D.C. area, setting its sights next on a location in West Falls Church.
Founder and CEO Bandar Alhenaki says the growing chain is on track to open its first drive-thru coffeehouse this summer in the Shops at West Falls Church, where it will take over the vacated Compass Coffee building at 7393 Route 29.
