Sports

For the last two seasons, Cole Samburg and Robert Roncskevitz became familiar names on the Langley Saxons football team.

The offensive-backfield-mates each amassed significant offensive statistics during two years of starting action for their high-school team, junior Samburg as the quarterback and senior Roncskevitz as runningback.


Around Town

An abundance of holiday-inspired events are being held around Fairfax County in coming weeks.

From music to shopping to visits with Santa, there is plenty to keep all ages embraced in the warmth of the holiday season. Some highlights are below.


News

The family of a Springfield man who was recently killed in a plane crash will also bury the ashes of one of the dogs he was transporting.

The family of Seuk Kim, 49, went to Leesburg on Sunday (Dec. 1) to pick up the ashes of a puppy named Lisa, who died alongside Kim when his 1986 Mooney M20J crashed in the Catskill Mountains about 35 miles southwest of Albany, New York, on Nov. 24.


Countywide

Those employed in Fairfax County saw the 10th highest average weekly paycheck among the nation’s 370 most populous localities, according to new federal figures.

The average weekly wage for those who work in the county, no matter where they might live, was $2,143 in the second quarter of 2024, according to data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in November.


Event

Local author and Fairfax County Public Library librarian Luis D. Aponte invites parents and community leaders to an empowering discussion inspired by his book “A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting.” Drawing on seven years of research into more than 1,200 U.S. school shooting incidents, he shares practical, nonpartisan, research‑based steps families and schools can use to strengthen safety and emotional well‑being. Discover hopeful, community‑building solutions that help every child feel supported and able to thrive. Attendees receive two free ebooks, with a paperback signing to follow.

Adults. No registration required. Free event. For more information, visit ASafePlaceBook.com.


Around Town

The chef behind Taco Bamba is expanding his presence at Vienna Shopping Center with a new steakhouse.

Electric Bull, which is described as an “upscale neighborhood spot,” will open in summer 2025 at 176 Maple Avenue West, just a couple of doors away from Taco Bamba’s Vienna restaurant. The 2,488-square-foot space was occupied by Cava until the fast-casual Mediterranean chain relocated to 418 Maple Avenue East in 2023.


Around Town

The 2024 Christmas shopping season is the last one that Kohl’s will spend in Herndon.

The department store will permanently close on Jan. 18 after over two decades at 2100 Centreville Road, a Kohl’s spokesperson says, confirming a report by The Burn.


Countywide

Fairfax officials have promised resistance to Trump administration policies that conflict with their values.

But when it comes to keeping the federal workforce rooted in the local area, they may try another tack: flattery, or at least finding common ground.


Around Town

Diners in West Springfield will soon be able to combat falling temperatures with warm soup and sandwiches from a new restaurant.

McAlister’s Deli will celebrate its grand opening at the Old Keene Mill Shopping Center tomorrow (Wednesday), offering vouchers for a year of free tea to the first 50 customers in line for the ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m.


Countywide
The Town of Vienna illuminated its Christmas tree on Monday, Dec. 2 as part of its annual Church Street Holiday Stroll (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

County Opens Hypothermia Prevention Shelters — Fairfax County has launched its annual Hypothermia Prevention Program, which offers overnight shelter, food and other resources to those in need during the cold winter months. Continuing until March 31, 2025, the program involves permanent shelters and temporary sites hosted by local nonprofits and faith communities. [Fairfax County Government]

Man Last Seen in McLean Still Missing — Virginia and Fairfax County police are looking for 80-year-old Robert Williams, who has now been missing for over a week. He was last seen around noon on Nov. 25 in the 2100 block of Westmoreland Street in McLean, driving a pickup truck that was found parked and empty on Fairfax Drive in Arlington on Sunday (Dec. 1). [WUSA9]

Dominion Energy Station to Power Data Center — “Bren Mar Park community representatives are urging residents to come out in force to a Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) hearing this Thursday on Dominion Energy’s application for the Edsall substation and transmission lines. The substation would power Starwood Capital’s planned data center at the Plaza 500 site.” [Annandale Today]

Stolen Vehicle Crashed on GMU Campus — “Around 7:38 p.m., a vehicle that had been stolen from Prince William County earlier in the day [on Saturday, Nov. 30] careened onto the school’s Fairfax campus and slammed into the pole.” GMU Assistant Chief of Police Emily Ross says police took two juveniles in the vehicle into custody, but two others are still at large. [Patch]

Woman Arrested at Dulles Airport for Marijuana — “A Texas woman is facing felony drug charges after authorities said she tried to bring 71 pounds of marijuana onto a flight at Dulles Airport that was destined for London.” Customs officers discovered 60 vacuum-sealed bags filled with the drug in the woman’s two suitcases on Nov. 23. [WTOP]

Local TV News Anchor on Hiatus — “NBC Washington announced Monday that anchor Leon Harris is ‘stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues’ … The announcement comes after Harris appeared unwell during a 6 p.m. newscast Thanksgiving Day,” prompting viewers to raise “concerns that the anchor could be suffering a medical emergency after he stumbled over his words several times.” [WTOP]

Mount Vernon Farmers Market Adds Vendors — “Prep your palate for some mouth-watering treats as ‘pop-up’ vendors new to this year’s McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market will offer their wares starting Dec. 4.” The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Reston and Burke markets will also remain open until this Saturday, Dec. 7 and Dec. 21, respectively. [On the MoVe]

Falls Church May Discuss Allowing Deer Hunting — “On Monday, new City Council member Laura Downs asked City Manager Wyatt Shields if coming months would include a discussion of whether Falls Church should join the growing number of Northern Virginia localities that permit deer levels to be controlled on public property.” [ARLnow]

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be sunny, reaching a high of approximately 41 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 9 to 11 mph and gusts up to 21 mph. Night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 24 degrees, and a west wind at a speed of 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]