A Chantilly man has been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in the 2024 shooting death of a man at a Reston Gold’s Gym.
Steve Taehee Ha, 45, entered his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in Fairfax County Circuit Court last Friday (July 17), according to court documents.
Call for Special Session on Dominion Merger — “As the State Corporation Commission prepares to begin a months-long review of the potential merger of Virginia’s largest electric utility company Dominion Energy and the Florida-based NextEra Energy, two Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Abigail Spanberger to host a special legislative session that would allow a vote to extend the review period.” [Virginia Mercury]
Two Injured in GW Parkway Crash — “A serious crash on GW Parkway injured two construction workers and left passengers trapped inside a flaming vehicle on Friday night, authorities say … The crash took place around 10:40 p.m. on southbound GW Parkway near the Boundary Channel exit.” [ARLnow]
Fired Immigration Judges Sound Alarm — “It used to be rare for immigration judges to be fired, and they were generally only fired following serious complaints or issues,” according to Anam Petit, a former judge at Annandale Immigration Court. “But since January 2025, the Trump administration has fired more than 113 out of around 700 immigration judges without cause or explanation,” and many others have been reassigned, accepted buyouts or retired early. [Charlottesville Tomorrow]
Reston Man Arrested for Sterling Shooting — “A Reston man has been arrested in connection with a non-contact shooting that happened in Sterling on July 5. Around 2:22 a.m. on July 5, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Community Plaza for a report of shots fired near Tipicos Los Amigos restaurant. No one was hurt in the shooting.” [Loudoun Now]
Lincolnia Data Center Plans Filed — Starwood Capital Group has submitted a permit application and plans for the first building in its controversial Plaza 500 data center development on Edsall Road near the Bren Mar neighborhood. “The first two-story building, named ‘Plaza 500 South,’ is planned to be 226,469 square feet and stand 75 feet tall,” though the company is still waiting approval of an electric substation on the 34-acre site. [Washington Business Journal]
County Raises Awareness of Domestic Violence Indicators — “Strangulation often leaves little or no visible evidence, but Fairfax County officials say it is one of the strongest warning signs that someone experiencing domestic violence may later become the victim of homicide.” That concern will be the focus of an upcoming training for those who work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. [Patch]
Va. Eases Rules for Birth Record Requests — “Adult adoptees born in Virginia can now request a copy of their original birth certificate without obtaining a court order, following the enactment of House Bill 301, which took effect July 1, 2026. Previously, adoptees were required to secure a court order before accessing their original birth records.” [Virginia Department of Health]
FCPD Drone Program Wins Award — “The Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Drone as First Responder (DFR) program was recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with a 2026 Achievement Award and selected as Best in Category for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the organization’s highest honor within the category.” [FCPD]
It’s Wednesday — There is a 50% chance of precipitation, with partly sunny skies and a high near 85°F. Night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 65°F. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Get your lederhosen and dirndls ready! Fort Belvoir Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is thrilled to host the 28th Annual Oktoberfest, a four-day festival celebrating German culture, food, and family fun from September 24–27 at its new location, Pullen Field.
This highly anticipated community event brings the spirit of Bavaria to Fort Belvoir with authentic German cuisine, beer, and lively music. The festival features a thrilling carnival, a scenic Volksmarch 5K/10K Walk, and activities for the entire family. It’s an unforgettable experience for everyone!
Event Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 24: 6–10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 25: 4–11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26: noon–11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27 (Military Appreciation Day): noon–8 p.m.
What to Expect:
From the sounds of traditional German music to the tastes of bratwurst and pretzels, Oktoberfest offers a multi-sensory experience. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of food and beverages, shop for unique Oktoberfest merchandise like Bavarian mugs and hats, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The carnival will be running throughout the festival, offering fun rides and attractions for all ages. Ride tickets will be sold onsite, with discounted wristbands for Active Duty and their family members on Military Appreciation Sunday.
Plan Your Visit:
Oktoberfest is located at Pullen Field (9625 Middleton Road) on Fort Belvoir. All visitors aged 18 and older without a valid DoD or military ID must obtain a visitor pass in advance. To ensure smooth access, please arrange for your sponsored pass at least 72 hours prior to your visit. Free parking will be adjacent to the event area. For the most up-to-date information on installation access, vendor lists, and entertainment schedules, please visit the official website at belvoir.armymwr.com.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
Fort Belvoir Family and MWR extends a heartfelt thank you to our presenting sponsor, USAA, and all our valued sponsors for their incredible support in making this community event possible.
Good Tuesday 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 21, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect a slight chance of showers late morning, increasing to possible showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, with partly sunny skies and a high of 85°F. West winds will be 7 to 11 mph and the chance of rain is 50%. Wednesday night, there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, tapering to a slight chance by 9pm. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 64°F and north winds at 7 to 9 mph. 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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area.
Expected to remain in place until 10 p.m. today (Tuesday), the watch says that scattered but severe thunderstorms are possible throughout the region.
Join us for the Saint Ann Fall Festival on Saturday, September 26! Start the day with our Fun Run at 9:30 AM, followed by the Fall Festival beginning at 10:00 AM.
This family friendly celebration is open to the entire Arlington community and offers something for everyone! Enjoy rides and inflatables, live entertainment, family friendly Bingo, raffles, a Beer Garden, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to gather with the community.
The festival is also a celebration of Saint Ann’s diverse Catholic community, featuring food and entertainment representing our Filipino, Latino, and Peruvian communities, along with some local favorites.
This year’s entertainment includes a live band in the Beer Garden, and exciting Bolivian and Peruvian dance performances. Admission is free, and tickets for food, rides, and activities can be purchased at the festival.
Come celebrate with us and experience the warm, welcoming spirit of Saint Ann! We look forward to welcoming the greater Arlington community for a fun-filled day together.
The Fall Festival will take place rain or shine! Come join the fun!
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a redevelopment plan that will result in 57 townhouses ringing the circa-1899 A. Smith Bowman House at 1850 Old Reston Avenue in Reston.
The 10-0 vote on July 14 allows the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association and developer EYA to move forward on the proposal, which replaces a pre-Covid plan for two new office buildings. The association, which owns the property, had intended to transform the 5.2-acre site into a new headquarters campus.
Alta Strada is bowing out of the Mosaic District about seven months shy of what would’ve been its 10th anniversary there.
The Italian restaurant and wine bar revealed on its social media pages yesterday (Monday) that its Merrifield location will be permanently closing its doors on Saturday, July 25.
Building on recent successes, destinations in Africa and Asia remain prime targets for new business opportunities, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) officials say.
But finding new opportunities necessitated nuance and persistence, said Paul Bobson, the authority’s vice president for airline business development.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored a local resident last Tuesday (July 14) for her 35 years of service to the Spring Hill Rec Center’s adapted aquatics program.
Bryna Helfer helped found the program in 1991, and continues to serve as an instructor and booster.
Fairfax County Public Schools has officially adopted a boundary map for attendance at the new Skyview High School, which will draw in students from Westfield, Chantilly, and South Lakes high schools to alleviate overcrowding at several schools on the western side of the county.
The new school assignments — unanimously approved by the school board during its July 16 regular meeting — are expected to impact 2,544 students, including 1,159 who will be assigned next year to attend Skyview’s campus at 2949 Education Drive, in the Floris area south of Herndon.
