Around Town

Good Thursday 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 — Jun 27, 2024.

📅 Upcoming events

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

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

🌤️ Friday’s forecast

Expect a mostly sunny day with a high near 85, and a northeast wind at 8 mph shifting to southeast in the afternoon. Clouds will increase on Friday night, bringing the temperature down to around 70, with a southeast wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph. 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.


News

Cub Run Elementary School students could be the first in Fairfax County to attend a “swing space” while their school gets renovated in the future.

The school board’s Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) recommends that Fairfax County Public Schools consider piloting the concept — where students and staff are temporarily relocated to pre-existing facilities during construction — with the Centreville school.


News

A motorcyclist has died following a crash involving two SUVs on Route 28 near Dulles International Airport, police say.

Police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to northbound Route 28 (Sully Road) at McLearen Lane in Chantilly at 1:55 p.m. for the crash, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.


News

The Taco Bell across the street from Herndon’s Worldgate Centre shopping mall is officially getting a makeover.

Earlier this week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the California-based, Mexican-inspired fast food chain’s request to demolish the existing building at 2170 Centreville Road and construct a more modern facility boasting new amenities and extended hours.


Event

The Malls of JRKO show is a first of its kind opportunity for all members of the TCG community. Whether you’re a veteran vendor, a brand new tcg vendor, a seasoned collector, or a parent who just wants to take their kids to their first card show, this show is made for you!

We strive to build an incredible family friendly environment with tons of giveaways, children’s activities, incredible collector opportunities and digital guides for all levels of experience. You can find all our community resources on our linktree including a road map of all the progress and effort going into the event.


News

A Herndon man has been arrested for allegedly sexually soliciting a child online and then trying to meet them in Tysons, police say.

Detectives from the McLean District Station got a tip around 6:52 p.m. on June 7 that Gerry Frank Burde, 41, had contacted an underage individual “via an internet platform,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release published today (Thursday).


News

Tomorrow (Friday) will be Reston residents’ last chance to visit their local library before it closes for the remainder of the summer.

Fairfax County Public Library announced this spring that the Reston Regional Library would close for approximately 10 weeks, starting Saturday, June 29, for renovations. Operating hours on Fridays are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so any materials on hold should be picked up before then or redirected to another branch.


Around Town

Burlington is set to open its doors in Mount Vernon this weekend, offering the first 100 customers a $10 discount on their first purchase.

Formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, the discount retailer will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 28, at 7690B Richmond Highway in the Mount Vernon Plaza outdoor shopping center to celebrate its new store’s grand opening.


News

Fairfax County police are searching for six people who allegedly stole over $100,000 worth of handbags from a department store at Tysons Galleria on Tuesday (June 25).

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives responded to a robbery “at a high-end retail store” in the 2000 block of International Drive at 3:42 p.m.


Countywide
Traffic on I-66 seen from a Metro train (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Animal Shelter Waives Fees for Small Critters — “The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is currently caring for a higher-than-usual number of small animals. To encourage adoptions and find loving homes for these pets, the shelter is hosting an ‘It’s a Small World’ fee-waived adoption event for all small pets from Thursday through Sunday, June 27 through 30.” [FCAS]

Some Parents Object to FCPS Early Release Days — “During a community meeting Tuesday, about a dozen Fairfax County parents and community members told the leader of Virginia’s largest school district that the decision to add extra elementary school early release days next year is disruptive and will impact their students’ learning.” [WTOP]

Compass Coffee Faces Unionization Battle — “Unionizing Compass workers allege the recent influx of new hires — 124 across five stores in total — is an attempt from Compass Coffee CEO Michael Haft to stymie the unionization push, as workers across the chain’s DC and Virginia locations seek higher wages and more workplace protections.” [Washingtonian]

Pickleball Lines Officially Gone From Annandale Courts — “Contractors hired by Fairfax County removed the pickleball markings from the courts in Kendale Woods Park June 25, as a security guard stood watch and a reporter from WUSA9 interviewed pickleball players…Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole said pickleball was removed from the courts because the residents of one nearby home complained about the noise.” [Annandale Today]

Tysons and Route 1 Boosters Share Vision — The Tysons Community Alliance and Southeast Fairfax Development Corp. “serve different constituencies, but are using similar techniques to foster ‘placemaking’ and business growth.” They shared their strategies, which utilize public art, parks and gathering spaces, and events to promote their areas, with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at an economic initiatives committee meeting. [Gazette Leader]

Board Chair Voices Support for Extending I-495 Express Lanes — While Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson expressed concern that express lanes “would make future rail plans unfeasible,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at a recent Northern Virginia Transportation Authority meeting that “toll lanes were a stepping stone toward rail rather than an obstacle.” [ALXnow]

Uyghur Restaurant to Expand to Falls Church — “Dolan Uyghur Restaurant will open its second NoVA restaurant and its third in the DMV in early September in the Falls Church spot where Pizzaria Orso was.” The business currently has locations in Chantilly and in D.C.’s Cleveland Park neighborhood. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Traffic Safety Crackdown Produces Thousands of Tickets — “FCPD’s Road Shark campaign has successfully wrapped up its third wave. Officers and Troopers issued over 8,500 citations and warnings, with over 200 citations for reckless driving on our roadways.” A fourth wave of the initiative, which aims to improve traffic safety, will begin on Aug. 5. [FCPD]

It’s Thursday — Showers are possible before 8am, followed by cloudy conditions until mid-morning when skies will gradually clear. The high is expected to be around 88. The chance of precipitation stands at 30%. For Thursday night, expect mostly clear skies, a low of approximately 69. [NWS]