News

Fairfax County leaders and their regional counterparts are champing at the bit to get moving on a coordinated Route 7 bus rapid transit (BRT) network.

“If there’s only one thing I hope to see in my lifetime, it’s this project,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said half-jokingly at an Oct. 1 meeting of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) board of directors.


News

A family-owned interior design shop that has been furnishing Herndon homes for two generations could soon embark on a reconfiguration of its own.

The owners of Designs and Interiors by The Upholstery Shop are seeking a special exception from the Town of Herndon to allow a private events venue on the first floor of their historic downtown building at 757 Elden Street.


Countywide

Members of Northern Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation convened at the Fairfax County Government Center last Thursday (Oct. 1) for a forum to address concerns about the upcoming November elections.

The “shadow hearing” called by House Democrats, who lack the legal power to subpoena or control formal hearings due to the party’s minority status in the chamber, was led by Rep. Joe Morelle (D-New York), a ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, and Fairfax County’s own Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.).


News

Fairfax County police are searching for the driver behind a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in Springfield last night (Sunday).

Officers were dispatched at 10:22 p.m. for the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and Backlick Road, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.


Event

Celebrate the spirit of Diwali with us at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center for a joyful and uplifting afternoon for the whole family.

Enjoy delicious food, meditation, dance, spiritual stories, creative activities for children, candle lighting, blessings, abundance mantras, and more as we come together with family, friends, and community to celebrate peace, love, kindness, and abundance for all.


Countywide

The second half of September at last doused Northern Virginia in enough rain to ease the drought that the region has faced for months.

The drought warning advisory in place for Fairfax County and the rest of Northern Virginia since January has de-escalated to a drought watch, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced last Friday (Oct. 2).


News

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors set the stage last Tuesday (Sept. 29) for a potential new Reston Community Center satellite facility in the Lake Anne Plaza area.

Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize a comprehensive plan amendment increasing the amount of non-residential development allowed on the 16.5-acre Crescent Apartments property from 2,000 to 30,000 square feet.


Around Town

Ikea is planning to close its small-scale showroom in Fairfax Corner nearly three years after it opened.

The 4,500-square-foot “plan and order point” at 4206 Fairfax Corner Avenue West will close on Nov. 30, the Swedish furniture company recently announced. News of the closure comes just a few months after Ikea opened a store in Chantilly — its first full-scale location in Fairfax County.


Countywide
Crows fly over a banner for Vienna’s Oktoberfest above Maple Avenue (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Car Crashed by 13-Year-Old — “Police say a 13-year-old boy was detained after losing control, hitting a power pole, then crashing into a railing on the northbound ramp of Fairfax County Parkway to Pohick Road around 7:18 a.m.” The crash sent both the driver and a 13-year-old passenger, whose parents owned the car, to the hospital. The driver has been charged with driving without a license. [FOX5]

Shots Fired in Hybla Valley — “Fairfax County police are searching for two people after gunfire struck several homes near Mount Vernon Plaza on Sunday, officials said.” No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, which occurred yesterday morning in the 7500 block of Snowpea Court in Hybla Valley. [DC News Now]

Affordable Housing Waitlist Opens — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is accepting waitlist applications for Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units located at Telestar Court in Falls Church, and The Exchange at Spring Hill Station in [Tysons]. Waitlist applications will open Monday, October 5, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., and will close Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.” [FCRHA]

Concerns About FCPS Teacher Staffing — “Ashley Martin was surprised to learn that her son’s fourth grade teacher, who was hired over the summer, isn’t considered a full-time” employee for Fairfax County Public Schools. Instead, the teacher is being paid as a long-term substitute. One school board member raised concerns about a “hiring freeze,” but Superintendent Michelle Reid says “it’s a common practice” early in the school year to reserve openings for “more senior teachers already under a contract as enrollment data comes in.” [WTOP]

Gov. Unveils Plan to Reduce Energy Costs — Last Thursday (Oct. 1), Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced a plan to reduce energy costs that “calls on the data center industry to cover the incremental price increases that their demand creates. The plan also leans into solar energy generation and storage, and tries to get Virginia away from its reliance on natural gas as the largest source of fuel to create electricity.” [NBC4]

Herndon Boba Shop Closes — The boba tea shop Mr. Wish has permanently closed its doors after three years at 472 Elden Street in Herndon Centre. In a posted message, the franchise owners said they “made the decision to sell the shop and we would like to wish the new owners nothing but success as they introduce their own boba and frozen yogurt shop to the community.” [The Burn]

Free Pizza for Working Smoke Alarms — Domino’s at 10895 Main Street “and the National Fire Protection Association are teaming up with the City of Fairfax Fire Department to promote fire safety during Fire Prevention Month. On Monday, Oct. 5 starting at noon, customers who order” a pizza may be randomly chosen for a delivery by fire engine. “If the smoke alarms in their home are working, the pizza is free. If the alarms are not working, firefighters will replace them or install new batteries.” [Press release]

Police Compete in Motorcycle Rodeo — “Riding a decked out white Harley-Davidson, outfitted for the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad, Oliver Haugen inched through a cone-lined course set up over a few parking spots. The goal on the slow course — part of the Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Rodeo, which [came] to a head with competitions Saturday — is to go as slow as possible, balancing the heavy bike without the rider’s feet ever touching the ground.” [Washington Post]

New Legal Notice — Seeking ABC restaurant/caterer license: on/off-premise wine, beer, liqueurs, mixed beverages. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly cloudy skies through mid-morning, clearing gradually with a high near 70°F. Northwest winds will blow at 6 to 13 mph, occasionally gusting up to 21 mph. By night, skies will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 47°F. [NWS]

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Around Town

Good Friday 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 — Oct 2, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • Town of Herndon ‘stunned and disappointed’ by court’s ruling in favor of Comstock (11865 views)
  • Man sentenced in Herndon shooting death of man who kicked Tesla (5608 views)
  • Onelife Fitness plans big Tysons expansion with relocation to Galleria (5565 views)
  • German Doner Kebab to open first Va. outpost in Idylwood this week (4859 views)
  • Herndon town manager fired after less than a year on the job (6024 views)
  • Former Hayfield Secondary School principal accused of embezzling school funds (3790 views)
  • Lakeside Asia Cafe to close at Reston’s South Lakes Village after 13 years (3455 views)
  • Garbage truck driver charged in Fairfax City crash that killed 13-year-old e-bike rider (3255 views)
  • FCPD: $600K worth of jewelry stolen in Springfield armed robbery (3093 views)
  • Police identify woman killed after being struck by multiple vehicles on Route 28 (4179 views)
  • Federal job cuts and rising costs disrupt Fairfax County, rest of DMV, report finds (2823 views)
  • Lake Braddock teachers push back against weapons detection duty with union grievance (2626 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

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

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ⛅️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect a 30% chance of showers in the late morning between 10 AM and noon, with cloudy skies transitioning to mostly sunny in the afternoon and a high near 68°F. Winds from the north will range from 6 to 9 mph. Saturday night brings another 30% chance of showers after 5 AM, with increasing cloud cover and a low of around 58°F, along with light winds from the east. 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.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋