News

A fundraiser originally planned to support Alzheimer’s disease research has expanded its mission to include families in Burke affected by Monday’s thunderstorm.

Local resident Kim Pollard has partnered with Bunnyman Brewing in Burke (5583 Guinea Road) to collect donations this Sunday (June 28) for both her Walk to End Alzheimer’s team fundraiser and nine families who lost their homes in the storm on June 22.


Around Town

Some of the biggest fireworks shows in the county are kicking off this weekend, as America prepares to mark its semiquincentennial on July 4.

In the week ahead, local communities and organizations will offer everything from classic community celebrations to alternatives to traditional fireworks displays, such as a daytime option at Mount Vernon or the Fairfax County Park Authority’s new patriotic drones lights show at Lake Fairfax Park.


Sponsored

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.

Why Put Your Home in a Trust?

A trust can provide several important benefits:

  • Avoiding probate. If your home is properly transferred to a trust, your successor trustee can generally manage the property without waiting for the probate court to authorize routine decisions.
  • Planning for complex families. Trusts can provide specific instructions for blended families, stepchildren, or inherited property.
  • Privacy. Unlike a will, which generally becomes part of the public probate record, a trust is typically handled privately.
  • Planning for incapacity. If you become unable to manage your affairs, your successor trustee can step in to manage the home or other trust assets.
  • Greater flexibility. You can establish conditions for how and when beneficiaries receive an interest in the property.

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.

Step 1: Choose the Right Trust

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.

Step 2: Choose the Right Trustee

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.

Step 3: Create the Trust Document

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.

Step 4: Sign and Notarize the Trust

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.

(more…)


News

A Herndon man was arrested Thursday after a hit-and-run involving a dump truck that eventually burst into flames in Fauquier County.

On Thursday afternoon, deputies responded to a vehicle fire involving a dump truck on Route 17 in Bealeton. Once on scene it was determined the dump truck caused a three-vehicle crash. The dump truck was fully engulfed in fire, and the driver had fled on foot.


Countywide

A Virginia judge has hit pause on a new state law prohibiting assault weapons, preventing it from taking effect next week as planned.

The legislation, introduced by Fairfax County state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) and Del. Dan Helmer (D-10), was scheduled to ban the sale and manufacturing of assault-style firearms starting July 1. But yesterday (Thursday), a judge in Lancaster County issued an injunction that puts the law on hold amid a pending lawsuit and directs Virginia State Police to not enforce the ban.


Event

In a world that moves faster than ever, inner peace is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity.

Join us for the Inner Peace Summit, a transformative gathering where leaders, professionals, educators, public servants, families, students, faith communities, wellness advocates, and spiritual seekers come together to discover practical tools for living with greater clarity, resilience, compassion, and purpose.


Opinion

Whether you’re diving into the housing market for the first time or planning a relocation, real estate agents in Fairfax County can help find the right property for your needs and price range.

Here are the nominees for “Best Real Estate Agent for Buyers in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite agent below? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 10.

Voting for Best Golf Course in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, July 3 at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Wedding Venue in Fairfax County. The results are now official:

  1. Paradise Springs Winery
  2. Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
  3. L’Auberge Chez Francois

News

Planning is underway for a Northfax Linear Park that will one day have open green spaces, capture stormwater, and connect neighborhoods with a trail and retail plaza in Fairfax City.

During the Fairfax City Council’s work session on Tuesday (June 23), staff presented an early concept for what the park could look like, along with a timeline for finalizing the design guidelines.


Around Town

This summer, Great Falls diners will be able to escape the D.C. region’s heat at a new restaurant designed to mentally transport patrons to a rustic mountain lodge.

Great Falls Lodge Bar & Grill is on track for a soft launch at 9835 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls Center in the first week of July, with a potential opening as soon as Monday, June 29, according to owner and chef Neel Kamal.


News

A Springfield resident could face more than a decade in federal prison after guns and explosive devices were found in his home while he was being evicted.

A federal jury in Alexandria convicted 42-year-old Amer Taisir Zghailat Qaralleh yesterday (Thursday) of possessing an unregistered firearm and improper storage of explosive materials, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.


Countywide
Train tracks leading to the Reston Town Center Metro station flanked by the Dulles Toll Road, seen through a fence (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Fairfax Rescue Team Responds to Earthquakes — “A search-and-rescue team from Fairfax County, Virginia, is being deployed to Venezuela to assist with recovery efforts following a pair of powerful earthquakes that have left at least 164 people dead … The Virginia Task Force One (VA-TF1) said an 80-person, six-dog heavy urban search and rescue team was deployed.” [WJLA]

New Law Will Allow Stop Sign Cameras — “You’ve seen speed cameras, and red light cameras, but soon you could be seeing AI stop sign cameras in Virginia. Starting July 1, a new law allows Virginia communities to use cameras at stop signs and crosswalks in school zones, work zones, and high-crash corridors. The cameras can supplement the work being done now by crossing guards or law enforcement.” [WUSA9]

Gun Background Checks Can Resume — “A Lynchburg judge cleared the way for the reinstatement of background checks for the private sale of firearms on Wednesday after a legal back and forth that had halted the checks off and on since October. Background checks for the private sale of firearms will resume on July 1.” [Cardinal News]

Student Journalists Advocate for Protections — “Student journalists across Virginia are forming a new coalition to create protections for free speech in the classroom. It’s happened in Albemarle County and in Loudoun County, in Fairfax and in Alexandria — school administrators threatening to pull the plug on student journalism.” [WVTF]

Fairfax Firefighter Exits Hospital — “#FCFRD members, family, and friends gathered today to support Firefighter Thomas ‘Pup Jr.’ Williams as he was discharged from the hospital. On Sunday, Firefighter Williams suffered a life-threatening medical emergency while at work. His crew sprang into action performing life-saving emergency medical care before transporting him to the hospital” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Vienna Hosts Naturalization Ceremony — As part of its Liberty Amendments Month celebrations, Vienna will host a naturalization ceremony at the Vienna Community Center tomorrow (Saturday). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. with live music and entertainment before fifteen people take the Oath of Allegiance and be officially welcomed as new U.S. citizens at 5 p.m. [Town of Vienna]

Area Restaurants Recognized for Wine Offerings — “Wine Spectator has released its 2026 Restaurant Awards, and several spots across Northern Virginia have earned honors,” including Barcelona Wine Bar in Reston, the Capital Grill, Seasons 52 and more. “The annual program celebrates top destinations for wine and hospitality.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Metro Selling 50th Anniversary Merch — Metro opened a 50 Years of Metro Pop-Up Shop at 300 7th Street SW in D.C. yesterday (Thursday) that will stick around through July 10. “It’s stocked with everything you need to celebrate five decades of America’s Metro System, including exclusive 50th anniversary styles, rare finds, authentic bus stop signs, and a little DMV pride to honor the region’s most iconic ride.” [WMATA]

Local Graduate Builds Junk Removal Business — “What started as a college job for some extra coin in the pocket and beer money has now turned into a thriving business in Northern Virginia. [Andreas] Karagounis started Gen Z Junk Removal last March and now demos hot tubs and sheds and hauls them off for customers.” [WTOP]

It’s Friday — There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5 p.m., with partly sunny skies and a high of 92°F. At night, there is a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., with patchy fog possible after 3 a.m. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 70°F and variable winds. [NWS]