News

The developer behind The Ox doesn’t want to just draw visitors to Old Town Fairfax with the proposed mixed-use project. It wants to give visitors and residents a reason to stay.

To turn the development into a destination, Ox Hill Companies has enlisted ASM Global to operate the performing arts center that will anchor the 3.58-acre site at Sager Avenue, Chain Bridge Road and University Drive in the heart of Fairfax City’s historic downtown.


Around Town

A nonprofit organization in downtown Herndon is celebrating 50 years of giving back to the community.

The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, a faith-based nonprofit organization that distributes affordable home goods, clothing and other items, marked its 50th anniversary this month. The milestone will be formally celebrated at an invite-only event in late October.


News

A criminal trial is underway in the case against the former Fairfax County police officer who allegedly shot and killed D.C. resident Timothy Johnson outside Tysons Corner Center on Feb. 22, 2023.

Jury selection for the trial began this morning (Tuesday) after a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge denied a bid by Wesley Shifflett’s attorneys to dismiss the indictment charging him with involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a weapon.


Around Town

A new occupant for Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken’s longtime spot in Idylwood Plaza has already been identified.

Quickway Hibachi, the fast-casual Japanese chain, will open a roughly 1,188-square-foot restaurant at 7511 Leesburg Pike, according to a site plan for the shopping center. Astro Doughnuts vacated the space in July after nearly nine years in business.


Countywide

Fairfax County will break ground this month on a major rehabilitation of its Accotink Wastewater Pump Station.

The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services approved a $71 million construction contract on July 3 that included the first-ever Project Labor Agreement (PLA) administered by a local government in Virginia, according to a press release.


News

The haze around Lake Anne Village Center’s future may soon begin to clear.

Fairfax County expects the final phase of its economic visioning study to conclude this fall with a final report and community meeting after a study conducted this summer looked at the Reston neighborhood’s residential market and potential to support new cultural facilities.


Around Town

GAMEmason, a two-day gaming convention, is returning to George Mason University’s Fairfax campus this weekend.

After first popping up in late February, the convention will take over GMU for a second time this year in collaboration with the university’s computer design program, GMU Esports club, The Center for the Arts and Student Involvement.


Countywide
A U.S. flag hangs from a condo balcony at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo)

Circuit Court Welcomes New Judge — “Patrick M. Blanch will be presented with his official commission as a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge on Friday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Courthouse…The public is invited to attend the investiture ceremony.” Blanch officially joined the circuit court when he took his oath of office on April 1. [Fairfax County Government]

Reston Library Reopens to Public — “The Reston Regional Library welcomes you back…Doors open at 10 a.m., following 10 weeks of renovations that included upgraded lighting, refurbished bathrooms, a first-ever water bottle filling station and carpet replacements.” [Supervisor Walter Alcorn/Facebook]

Yoga Studio Coming to Belle View — “Belle View Shopping Center is now fully leased following the signing of a new tenant at a unit that was recently vacated. Jess Purtell Yoga, a yoga studio, will soon be opening at the space between Roy Rogers and GOLFTEC.” [On the MoVe]

Bailey’s Crossroads Community Center Renamed — “Descendants of Minnie Peyton, residents of the Springdale community, and Fairfax County officials cheered as a new sign was unveiled designating the Bailey’s Community Center as the Minnie H. Peyton Community Center at Bailey’s.” The renaming was celebrated at a ceremony on Saturday (Sept. 14). [Annandale Today]

Dance Studio to Open in Annandale — “International Dance anticipates opening in the former Treasure Trove spot in the Annandale Shopping Center in early October. The dance studio will offer lessons in ballet, tap, lyrical dance, jazz, modern dance, and Broadway dance for children ages 3 and above, teens, and adults.” [Annandale Today]

Reston Contractor Buys Fairfax IT Firm — “CACI…said early Monday that it would pay $1.275 billion in cash for Azure, a 17-year-old engineering firm that develops radio-frequency hardware and software for the Department of Defense. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025.” [Washington Business Journal]

Local Restaurant Chain Celebrates 50 Years — “When Randy Norton opened a tiny Fairfax City pizza restaurant in 1974, he had no idea he would one day become a restaurant tycoon…Norton is now celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ultra-successful dining chain he and wife Patsy built from the ground up — Great American Restaurants.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Parking Restrictions Approved Near Madison HS — “Trash, lawn damage and safety were among factors Fairfax County supervisors considered before unanimously agreeing Sept. 10 to expand the Madison Residential Permit Parking District (District 11)” to Carey Lane between Jerry Lane and Vale Road after residents reported “large numbers” of students parking there. [Gazette Leader]

It’s Tuesday — Expect cloudy conditions with a 50% chance of showers and a high near 75. Tuesday night will see a 60% chance of precipitation, including potential thunderstorms, with a low around 67. Rainfall amounts could range from a quarter to half an inch. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Monday 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 — Sep 16, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers after 1pm, with a cloudy temperature of around 76°F and a northeast wind of 11 mph, gusting to 22 mph. Precipitation chance is 40%. Tuesday night will see showers likely from 11pm onwards, possible thunderstorms, a low of about 66°F, with a persistent northeast wind around 10 mph. Rainfall may range between a tenth to a quarter inch, with higher quantities in thunderstorms. The probability of precipitation is 70%. 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.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.